Tour Divide Blog

Hey this is Ardie Olson. I am in Coulter Village, WY. I didn't call from Flagg Ranch because I was trying to make it to Coulter Village before they closed. I just barely did. They closed at 9:30 and I was here at 9:15. Right now it is 10 o'clock p.m. June 20th, Friday. I'm doing good. Got to find a place to sleep here. Everything is bear protected around here. So I either got to get a campsite or stealth camp somehow. I guess the Pass coming over from Island Park to get over the Tetons over towards Flagg Ranch was really tough going with lots of snow to get through the roads. Read more »

Hey, this is Kevin Montgomery. I'm on a highway in Henry's Lake, ID. I tore my achilles tendon on my right leg this morning out by Lakeview. It took me four hours to hitch a ride off the plain. I'm kinda stuck out here. This is definitely the end of my race. It is very swollen. Hurts to walk, hurts to bike. Looks like I've done some pretty significant damage to my leg. Read more »

Hey everybody its Leighton White calling in from Lima, MT. Got here a bit ago, had some lunch and did my grocery shopping. Not doing too bad, bike is having some issues. Between the Bike and Myself we are having some issues. Just keep plugging away thought. Getting about 120 in a day. Evidently, I have a following in the bovine population. Pretty funny. Out of Grant, about 20 cows came running down the hill and wind up along a fence when I rode by. Who knew the cycle of bovine followers. About to head out and try and put in some more miles. Thanks. Bye.

Hey its Mary Collier. It Friday, June 20th about 10 after 3 in the afternoon, Day 8 for me. I am in Wise River. I had a rough morning. My legs were pretty much feeling like concrete all day. So I walked a lot of climbs. But I'm actually on a good high from the descent down from Fleecer Ridge. I had been warned that it was a pretty tough descent and to walk it, which I kinda took as a challenge. Also when I got to the top of it there were two dual forks sitting on top it and I asked them if I they mind if I hit it first. So I had to come through with that. Read more »

Hey there Matthew Lee at Flagg Ranch. 2:28 on Friday. I just have to say WOW. Another solid time bonus section coming into here on Ashton-Flagg Ranch road. I'm sure you probably heard from Reuben. There is probably about 4 miles of actual snow hiking and another 3 miles of intermittent hiking and dismounting for mud and snow. Good times. OK, headed out to Union Pass. And considering that that is several thousand feet higher, I'm expecting more snow. Alright, bye.

Hello this is Mike Dion. Is Friday the 20th at 1:35. I'm calling from Wise River. I camped out up above the Continental Divide Crossing # 5 last night. 20 miles up from Butte. I got there right at twilight. I rocked out the last 20 miles to get up there before sunset. I made it. It was pretty chilly up there but smart wool layers kept me all comfy and toasty. So that was a good thing. Got a little bit of a late start. It was pretty chilly so didn't want to get out of the sleeping bag. But got up, cruised on down, experienced Fleecer Ridge. That was quite the experience. That was quite the downhill. Had to walk a section of it. Aggravated my knees back up a little bit. But seems to be doing pretty good. I'm here at the Mercantile in Wise River. I just devoured a Oreo Ice Cream and couple Ice Cream Bars. I've been craving ice cream, Pepsi, I going to cafe here and get some dinner. Push on. Food in my belly. Alright bye.

(Had to guess at a few words, but got most of it. Low volume )

Hi this is Felix Wong calling on Friday at 1 o'clock. I'm still Butte. I'm on my way out but I wanted to tell you about the most amazing thing. I stopped by The Outdoorsman. Its a bicycle shop. A gentlemen when he found me said you must be Mr. Wong. I couldn't believe that he knew who I was. He has been following the race on line. Levi Leipheimer's (couldn't make out name) older brother Rob. So if there is anyone behind me, I believe only Steve is behind me know. Defintely stop by there. I stopped by there to get some tubes. I'm on my way. I'll talk to you later. Bye.

Hi this is Felix Wong calling on Friday, at 12:11 June 20th. I'm calling from Butte. I'm having a great day again. Last night I stayed at a hotel in Basin. Actually, this hotel was more like a rental house. It even had a dryer so I was able to wash my clothes. Had a real bed, modern western flushable toliets. So luxurious. Yes. So had a good night's sleep and came down to Butte and had a great downhill. Much easier than yesterday. I'm so glad. Now I'm actually having a pork chop sandwich here in Butte. This great. Being in a real town. I has been a delight. Read more »

Good morning its Alan again. We are still in Lima. We are treating ourselves to an easy day. Had a bit of a lie until 7. Having a big breakfast. Now we are going to head off to the northern end of the rail trail and probably stop around a 100 miles. We been going a week. We think we deserve it. We been a lot further than we expected already. Thats me and Dominik. We were with Kevin most of the day yesterday. But he stayed at a different place. I don't know where he is. The Kevinator might be on this way. Anyway, I guess the Great Divide Race starts today. Good luck to all you guys. Read more »

Hi this is Reuben Kline. It is 11:50. I just got done coming over the pass into Wyoming. Once again snow covered. Quite a lot of snow up there. Anybody...well, those planning to come over behind me. Hopefully they give themselves plenty of time. It took me nearly 5 hours to get across the pass. Which I would estimate being 3 hours more than it should have. So now I am going to lie down and go to sleep. I've begged for some food and its all good.