As a newcomer to the race, here’s a breakdown of the 2024 Tour Divide:

Event Details:

Date: June 14
Time: 8:00 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
Event Website: [Link]

The Tour Divide is an epic race along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR), starting in Banff, Alberta, and finishing at the US/Mexico border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Spanning 2,745 miles, this ultra-endurance bikepacking challenge is one of the most renowned off-pavement cycling routes globally.

Each year, the race kicks off with the Grand Départ on the second Friday in June. Riders set off from Banff, aiming to tackle the route under similar weather conditions and maximum daylight. If you can’t make the Grand Départ, you can still participate throughout the season with an Individual Time Trial (ITT) format.

Key Points:

Route: Crisscrosses the Continental Divide from north to south.
Tracking: Riders with SPOT GPS Messengers are tracked via a live tracker.
Entry: No entry fee or formal registration required.
Prizes: None; the challenge is the reward.
Registration: Send a letter of intent after winter solstice to tourdivide@gmail.com.

For more information, check out our guide to the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, explore previous Tour Divide rig roundups, and browse articles and resources using #tour-divide.

Ready to embark on this adventure? See you in Banff!

Fast Times in History:

Last year’s Tour Divide featured some well-known riders at the starting line, including Lael Wilcox, Alexandera Houchin, Marie-Soleil Blais, Andrew Kulmatiski, Ulrich Bartholmoes, and Justinas Leveika. Ulrich clinched the victory with a time of 14 days, 3 hours, and 23 minutes. Lael Wilcox was the first woman to finish, completing the race in 16 days and 20 hours. Alexandera Houchin set a new women’s singlespeed record, beating her 2019 record by exactly two hours, with a time of 18 days, 18 hours, and 26 minutes.

This year, some of these racers are returning, including Marie-Soleil Blais, Justinas Leveika, and Ulrich Bartholmoes. We’re also excited to see Ana Jager, the first woman to finish the 2022 Tour Divide, and 15-year-old Edyn Teitge joining the race. The record, set by the late Mike Hall in 2016, still stands at an impressive 13 days, 22 hours, and 51 minutes.

You can follow the riders Dots:

2024 Tour Divide Tracker

Cool Sites/podcasts to Follow For info on the Ride:

RIGS OF THE 2024 TOUR DIVIDE (PART ONE): FLAT-BAR BIKES

https://bikepacking.com/bikes/2024-tour-divide-rigs-part-1/

Racers to Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzYWK7lYbB4

PODCAST TO LISTEN TO:

https://www.myback40.org/podcast

https://bikesordeath.com/podcast/

Instagrams to Follow:

https://www.instagram.com/dirtydanbikes/