Thank you, Jill, for this deep dive into the TD! I’ve really enjoyed your knowledge and insight and all the tidbits of history.
It seems like more and more riders (maybe the front runners) are opting to ride sans sleeping gear. Or even things like (gulp) bear spray. I’m wondering how this compares to the front runners of earlier years. I’ve always been one to perhaps carry too much, but I can’t image not carrying certain things that to me are essential safety gear (versus items of comfort). I know due to the “unofficial” nature of the race that there would never been a required gear list, but it’s crazy (to me at least) how minimalist some riders are going. Or perhaps they’re carrying more than I can discern from looking at a photo!
Thanks again for all your time and work to put this together!
I’m not sure what the front-runners were carrying. The ultralight backpacking community has shown that one can be self-sufficient with incredibly small packs. There are uberlight backpackers who have pushed their base weight under 5 pounds! I doubt it’s all that comfortable, but people consistently amaze me. (I’m a heavy packer, over-preparer myself.)
As for bear spray, I doubt many fast riders carry it. To be honest, I’m not sure I’d carry bear spray if I rode the Tour Divide again, only because I know myself and that stuff tends to get stashed away where it’s more comfortable but considerably less accessible. I’m not saying this is a good idea either. But on the scale of dangers most likely to harm you on the Divide route, hypothermia is near the top while bears are fairly low.
Concerning sleep kit, I can only speak for the 3 guys in the portaloo:
- Justinas: SOL emergency bivy, nothing else
- Ulrich: SOL emergency bivy + überlite pad
- Jens (me): 100gr emergency bivy + überlite pad + tiny sleeping bag
For sure, going this light increases the risk of scratching (like Sofiane 2019). I think the actual safety risk is managable as long as you can keep moving.
Ulrich & I did carry bear spray, not sure about Justinas. I don't just carry it for my own safety, but I feel like the local communities also appreciate it when tourists like us behave sort of bear aware around "their" bears (give bears no chance to become accustomed to humans etc.)
Anyway, many thanks for these articles! We're now half a year before the next Grand Départ and my mind is already filled with the Divide so these were a fantastic read-up. Many thanks, and who knows see you on the trail some day!
Gear has also gotten amazingly light weight and compact, so perhaps it’s possible folks are carrying gear that packs well compared to what I’m used to. It’s a rabbit hole of a discussion for sure!
Yes, I agree that hypothermia would for sure be a greater risk! I suppose most bear encounters (again, rare, as you say) could be “managed” to some extent without bear spray. But there aren’t a lot of substitutes for regaining body heat once it’s gone and you’re in the middle of nowhere (aside from keeping moving).
Anyway, it’s been fun to see how the race has evolved since the early years. Thanks again for your posts- very fun to read.
This was a great read @Jill Homer I’ve appreciated the great coverage from Bikepacking, but I know it can also interfere with the spirit of the race to feel like you’re being watched or expected to perform for an audience. Thanks for sharing this @Kent Peterson.
Great synopsis, Jill. I still think you have it in you to get under 20 days if everything goes just right! You never know. Thanks for this awesome series on the TD. And yes, it was amazing to see such a strong women's group this year.
In case you do not monitor the Anchorage Daily News, Lael Wilcox had the same photo from her cover you show above. And a very, very brief article about her.
Thank you Jill for a brilliant article. It sets out the threats to Tour Divide but shows the strengths that make it so special. As a rider who met you at the top of Boreas Pass on my TD2018 run and had to battle through the horrendous weather and bike-hiking in snow and rain on the TD2022 the race has the most special place in my heart! For any rider who has ridden, raced and finished the TD it is the most special thing in a lifetime. It changes you forever.
Thank you Jill for a brilliant article. It sets out the threats to Tour Divide but shows the strengths that make it so special. As a rider who met you at the top of Boreas Pass on my TD2018 run and had to battle through the horrendous weather and bike-hiking in snow and rain on the TD2022 the race has the most special place in my heart! For any rider who has ridden, raced and finished the TD it is the most special thing in a lifetime. It changes you forever.
Very Cool write up bringing up some very real questions. I will have to check out Jay P's perspective. Fantastic job Jill! I love to follow your Adventures! Cheers! LYB
Great writeup. I've been following TD for a few years now and I do wonder if it's getting to the point where they need to decide if they're a real organization or not and then FULLY committing to that. Basically stop trying to sit in a weird grey zone. The dust up earlier this year around who gets to be on the tracking list was annoying in both how people felt insulted, and in how no one should have felt that way because it's "not an organized event".
Thank you, Jill, for this deep dive into the TD! I’ve really enjoyed your knowledge and insight and all the tidbits of history.
It seems like more and more riders (maybe the front runners) are opting to ride sans sleeping gear. Or even things like (gulp) bear spray. I’m wondering how this compares to the front runners of earlier years. I’ve always been one to perhaps carry too much, but I can’t image not carrying certain things that to me are essential safety gear (versus items of comfort). I know due to the “unofficial” nature of the race that there would never been a required gear list, but it’s crazy (to me at least) how minimalist some riders are going. Or perhaps they’re carrying more than I can discern from looking at a photo!
Thanks again for all your time and work to put this together!
I’m not sure what the front-runners were carrying. The ultralight backpacking community has shown that one can be self-sufficient with incredibly small packs. There are uberlight backpackers who have pushed their base weight under 5 pounds! I doubt it’s all that comfortable, but people consistently amaze me. (I’m a heavy packer, over-preparer myself.)
As for bear spray, I doubt many fast riders carry it. To be honest, I’m not sure I’d carry bear spray if I rode the Tour Divide again, only because I know myself and that stuff tends to get stashed away where it’s more comfortable but considerably less accessible. I’m not saying this is a good idea either. But on the scale of dangers most likely to harm you on the Divide route, hypothermia is near the top while bears are fairly low.
Hi Jill,
Concerning sleep kit, I can only speak for the 3 guys in the portaloo:
- Justinas: SOL emergency bivy, nothing else
- Ulrich: SOL emergency bivy + überlite pad
- Jens (me): 100gr emergency bivy + überlite pad + tiny sleeping bag
For sure, going this light increases the risk of scratching (like Sofiane 2019). I think the actual safety risk is managable as long as you can keep moving.
Ulrich & I did carry bear spray, not sure about Justinas. I don't just carry it for my own safety, but I feel like the local communities also appreciate it when tourists like us behave sort of bear aware around "their" bears (give bears no chance to become accustomed to humans etc.)
Anyway, many thanks for these articles! We're now half a year before the next Grand Départ and my mind is already filled with the Divide so these were a fantastic read-up. Many thanks, and who knows see you on the trail some day!
Gear has also gotten amazingly light weight and compact, so perhaps it’s possible folks are carrying gear that packs well compared to what I’m used to. It’s a rabbit hole of a discussion for sure!
Yes, I agree that hypothermia would for sure be a greater risk! I suppose most bear encounters (again, rare, as you say) could be “managed” to some extent without bear spray. But there aren’t a lot of substitutes for regaining body heat once it’s gone and you’re in the middle of nowhere (aside from keeping moving).
Anyway, it’s been fun to see how the race has evolved since the early years. Thanks again for your posts- very fun to read.
This was a great read @Jill Homer I’ve appreciated the great coverage from Bikepacking, but I know it can also interfere with the spirit of the race to feel like you’re being watched or expected to perform for an audience. Thanks for sharing this @Kent Peterson.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your articles.
I think with age comes greater mind body wisdom and mental stamina. Seems body endurance is genetic and not primarily age related
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2021.715035/full
I look at myself, as being in competition with, and feel more satisfied with "I did that ! " :)
Great synopsis, Jill. I still think you have it in you to get under 20 days if everything goes just right! You never know. Thanks for this awesome series on the TD. And yes, it was amazing to see such a strong women's group this year.
In case you do not monitor the Anchorage Daily News, Lael Wilcox had the same photo from her cover you show above. And a very, very brief article about her.
Thank you Jill for a brilliant article. It sets out the threats to Tour Divide but shows the strengths that make it so special. As a rider who met you at the top of Boreas Pass on my TD2018 run and had to battle through the horrendous weather and bike-hiking in snow and rain on the TD2022 the race has the most special place in my heart! For any rider who has ridden, raced and finished the TD it is the most special thing in a lifetime. It changes you forever.
Thank you Jill for a brilliant article. It sets out the threats to Tour Divide but shows the strengths that make it so special. As a rider who met you at the top of Boreas Pass on my TD2018 run and had to battle through the horrendous weather and bike-hiking in snow and rain on the TD2022 the race has the most special place in my heart! For any rider who has ridden, raced and finished the TD it is the most special thing in a lifetime. It changes you forever.
Very Cool write up bringing up some very real questions. I will have to check out Jay P's perspective. Fantastic job Jill! I love to follow your Adventures! Cheers! LYB
Great writeup. I've been following TD for a few years now and I do wonder if it's getting to the point where they need to decide if they're a real organization or not and then FULLY committing to that. Basically stop trying to sit in a weird grey zone. The dust up earlier this year around who gets to be on the tracking list was annoying in both how people felt insulted, and in how no one should have felt that way because it's "not an organized event".
Excited to see what Jay can do on his attempt.