Hey Lance - What About the Tour Divide?

Hi Lance;

I know you just trounced the other riders in the spectacularly challenging Leadville Trail 100; and yesterday, I got a press release about the forthcoming documentary about this year's event, screening across the nation on October 22nd:

"NCM Fathom and Citizen Pictures take movie audiences on a ride only the most intense cyclists have experienced -- including seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong -- as they compete in one of the world’s most grueling mountain bike races in Race Across the Sky -- Leadville Trail 100 . Shown exclusively in select movie theaters on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, this one-night special in-theater event will feature a panel discussion with Armstrong, his coach Chris Carmichael, six-time defending Leadville Trail 100 (LT100) champion Dave Wiens, as well as other elite and amateur cyclists, in addition to the debut of the documentary, Race Across the Sky."

This is an unbelievable race: 14,000 feet of elevation gain and 100 miles in 12 hours or less, and, I can't wait to catch the panel discussion and documentary, but I have this other race that I'm obsessed with too, so...

...next summer, would you consider taking on the Tour Divide? Riders race over 2,700 miles down the spine of the Rocky Mountains along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Pedaling the entire distance to the Mexican border primarily along dirt roads, and with no outside assistance, competitors climb nearly 200,000 vertical feet from start to finish. Racers carry everything they need -- food, water, shelter -- on their bikes and backs, with refueling stops in small-town stores along the way. No support crews, SAG vehicles, or massage teams allowed.

Ok, I'm being silly, Lance is totally not reading my blog post, which probably means that he is not likely to sign up, but what about you? I seriously dream of doing this race, and joke with my very experienced mountain biking colleagues about the glory of a casual road rider taking on the Rocky Mountains after a mere less-than-a-year of training...a girl's gotta have dreams.

Maybe...I'll do it if you do it? Any takers?

For inspiration, check out this work-in-progress trailer for Mike Dion's upcoming documentary about the Tour Divide or these photos from the start of the 2009 Tour Divide by our own Aaron Teasdale -- they might just wet your whistle.

June 11, 2010 -- see you on the starting line?

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NEWS, NETWORKING, AND NEW MEDIA is written by Winona Sorensen, Adventure Cycling's media director, and appears weekly, highlighting cool media (articles, videos, photos, etc.) related to Adventure Cycling and bicycle travel. Get media updates from Adventure Cycling.