WELL WINTER HAS ARRIVED HERE IN HANMER SPRINGS, AND SNOW HAS SETTLED ON THE SURROUNDING HILLS. WITH UNDER 2 WEEKS UNTIL I EMBARK ON MY TOUR DIVIDE ADVENTURE, I’ll LIKELY BE SEEING MORE OF THE WHITE STUFF ON THE HIGH PASSES THROUGH THE ROCKIES. A BIG SNOW YEAR BY ALL ACCOUNTS!
I’m feeling excited to race the Tour Divide again, I have been for months. Preparation has gone well, although a crash on the Heaphy Track last week has left me with sore ribs and a cracked Helmet. I will be good to go on the 14th !!! My last Multi-day training was great with near-perfect weather. I rode to Reefton, up to Lyell then the epic Ghost Road. The Old Ghost Road is a must-do ride in New Zealand. After a big day through here, I was happy to find the pub open at 8 pm to get a meal at Seddonville. I was the only person there on a quiet night. Energised I rode up over Karemea Bluff under a very bright moon, eventually stopping to camp at the beach near Little Whanganui.
A big Breakfast at ‘ The Last Resort ‘ in Karamea set me up to tackle the Heaphy Track. The last time I rode here the weather was gale-force winds and rain, this time were clear skies and sun. I enjoyed it through here, meeting quite a few bikers on the trail. I rode out after dark and stayed at sleepy Collingwood.
The next day, it was an easy ride down to Takaka, before riding over the Hill and down to Riwaka where I met good friends Brian and Claire. Brian Alder is a Tour Divide Veteran having raced in 2016 and finishing 5th in 16.5 days. You guessed it …. we were talking about TD and biking for the most part.
My last decision to make before departing on the 10th of June is tyre choice, this is very important … with wet conditions and mud likely from snow melt in the mountains.
187 riders have so far signed up to race, it looks like it will be competitive at the top end with some veterans with experience back for more and Rookies that are well known for great results in other Ultra-endurance races
You can plan and plan all you like for these events, but you have to be prepared to let the plan go out the window at any moment.
A day one broken Derailleur for me in 2017, is a good example, of flexibility and adaptability, then determination and a positive spirit to move on is key to success.
The TOUR DIVIDE can be followed live at http://trackleaders.com/.
Another cool site to get more information on TOUR DIVIDE 2019 as well as other Ultra Endurance races from around the world is
RACE Starts 8 am Local Time on 14th June
Thank you for all your support
Steve
Steve,
You are killing it on the tour divide! Super strong!
Thanks Joel for your support !