Film - Ride the Divide

Mr November

Well worth a watch if you haven't seen it already. Full length film free online:

http://mountainbikevideos.org/ride-the-divide-award-winning-adventure-film/

Ride The Divide is an inspiring journey about the world’s toughest mountain bike race, which traverses over 2700 miles along the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. The film weaves the story of three characters’ experiences with immense mountain beauty and small-town culture as they attempt to pedal from Banff, Canada to a small, dusty crossing on the Mexican border.
Mike, a 40-year old family man who uses this challenge to chart a new course in life; Matthew, a leader in extreme endurance racing who’s competing for his 5th time; and Mary, the first female rider to race this route, will set out to accomplish what very few have been able to. Over the course of a few weeks they’ll attempt to climb over 200,000 vertical feet over the Rocky Mountains. That’s the equivalent of ascending Mount Everest from sea level seven times.
They’ll experience mental breakdowns, treacherous snow, hellacious blisters, and total fatigue. Above all, they’ll race with no support – at times in total isolation.
The tests of endurance and the accomplished moments throughout Ride the Divide prompt us to reflect on our inner desires to live life to the fullest.

biketard

Wow, excellent. Thanks for posting this.

smush76

yeah thanks for posting, certainly puts the bull raid and gaelforce into perspective, great events in their own right but this is epic! Anyone aware of events similar to this in europe?

ednwireland

smush76 wrote: »

yeah thanks for posting, certainly puts the bull raid and gaelforce into perspective, great events in their own right but this is epic! Anyone aware of events similar to this in europe?

go do this as a warmup

http://www.epic-mountain-bike.com/transalp-challenge.html

your not going to get the same level of isolation cos........ its europe ! (maybe something from the top of norway to the bottom or russia maybe)

smush76

ednwireland wrote: »

your not going to get the same level of isolation cos........ its europe !

I wouldn't have expected so, although the concept is interesting. Good link btw and it lead me to this..
http://www.mtbtransuk.co.uk/wales/event.php
granted its a different animal with gear transfers etc, its still presents a fair challenge and I'm giving it serious consideration. Its close to home so getting there with equipment is relatively easy and not too expensive. Putting a team together is the next challenge.

cipo

Not as isolated of course but transAlp is an incredible experience!

Recommend it but it's brutal so go physically & mentally prepared for hell on a bike for 8days!!

Rew

Wow amazing how its the mental challenge more so then the physical that beats them

MagicMarker

Watched it last night, was very good! Yer man who finished 1st was a machine!!

Karagesh

Great post.

The Woman's leg were in some shape during it, I didn't think she would finish but fair play. They met some interesting characters along the way, but talk about being isolated!

Hail 2 Da Thief

Interesting watch, thanks for posting!

MagicMarker wrote: »

Yer man who finished 1st was a machine!!

He's mentally very strong alright. From the stuff he was saying, he seemed more at home being out there by himself than back living in the real world!

Karagesh wrote: »

They met some interesting characters along the way, but talk about being isolated!

That logger they met about 15 mins in was some hilarious character!