Do you really want to race the GDMBR?

Self-supported Divide racing is based on an open, standing challenge (circa 1999) to time-trial Adventure Cycling Association's Great Divide MTB Route as fast as humanly possible. Tackle it alone or as part of a common start, but do it all yourself; all the pedaling, navigation, resupply and camping. As all-American as racing is, ACA never imagined such a use for their touring route when they created it in 1997. But just as the interstate highway system is to RAAM, so too is the GDMBR to Divide racing.

John Stamstad extended the challenge when he blazed the the first self-supported, solo ITT in `99. Mike Curiak was first to accept John's 'double-dare' in 2003. Mike's solo ITT would end early but he returned the next summer to organize a multi-up format called the Great Divide Race. Six other ambitious riders joined in the masochism. When the dust settled, Curiak and runner-up Pete Basinger knocked 2 days off Stamstad's benchmark. Since then 'grand departs' (group starts) have been the fashion, but it's important to emphasize--like Stamstad in `99 and Curiak in `03--a challenger may race the route at any time during snow-free months in the Rockies. As long as an ITT performance is self-supported and strictly follows the route (see Rules), it is eligible for the annual General Classification.

Divide racing fundamentals look much like touring: rider + bike vs. GDMBR + nature. It's the method that differentiates: self-support + blitzkrieg. Blitzkrieg is German for lightning war. It's how Divide racing is meant to be executed. Move fast, send no postcards, take no prisoners and "hurt so good" (suffer well). To wit: It isn't your parent's 1976 Bikecentennial tour! Yes, the common denominator is to finish but the inspiration is how quickly without cracking; to teeter on the edge physically so as to also tackle headlong the emotional rollercoaster sure to coincide. Divide racing is not to be confused, even with fast-touring of today's ultralight set. It is exceedingly difficult by design -by volume- and flaunts a 60% attrition rate.

Self-supported grand tour racing (ie. >2 weeks) along the GDMBR is like none other. Simply on scale, it's the hardest form of bike racing, period. To be competitive for the overall, one must ride ≥150 miles/day. There are no rest days. And if volume alone isn't taxing enough, one must also navigate, acquire resupply, clean/wrench the bike, find shelter each night, bathe when possible, and keep one's wits about it all. No entourages follow athletes. It cannot be compared to 100-milers, 24hour racing or even 3-5 day stage events.

Many wonder if they're capable of such a true solo blitz. At some point there's an inevitable leap to grand tour racing. One thing is for certain: 2-3 weeks of back-to-back 16 hour days in the saddle are certain to bring about changes in body, mind and equipment of even the most seasoned bikepackers. Are you the type to roll easily with this painful transformation? How well do you suffer for days on end? Are you prone to depression? Can you be happy sleeping in the dirt while rained on all night? Does post-holing through thigh-deep snowdrifts while pushing over a 10,000-ft pass sound like fun? A robust Rockies winter + late spring can leave behind just such mid-June diversion on the GDMBR.

It's easy to be attracted to the romance and camaraderie of a 'shared' cross-country MTB adventure. The rugged Divide backcountry is not the place to learn 'racing' it is not your speed or style. Are you a seasoned multi-day bikepacker? Have you ridden back-to-back off-road centuries? Are you an expert level mountain biker? Are you a veteran of Primal Quest-scale multi-day adventure races? Are you a proficient bike mechanic; skilled navigator; competent at self-rescue? If you cannot confidently answer yes to most of the above, it would be wise to consider simply touring the route or taking more time to prepare for a true blitz.