Life In The Saddle

Earlier this year, I wrote a post titled ' Why The Divide – Motivations for The Tour Divide 2020 '—it considered why I have such a deep passion to ride the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Canada to Mexico. This beautiful short film by Ben Weaver perfectly showcases that message of community, spirit, and adventure. I should say that my plans for Riding The Divide are on hold until June 2021—in light of the current Covid-19 situation. It does not seem responsible or safe to travel at this time. My expected departure from the UK is just one month away, and so I have had to make the call to postpone the adventure until next summer. It is a disappointing realisation, but undoubtedly the correct decision. This film only re-enforces my enthusiasm to ride the GDMBR next year, and keeps my passion alive.

The Tour Divide is an undeniably long bike ride. 2745 miles from Canada to Mexico, off-road down the backbone of the Rockies. It is feat of endurance just to complete the ride, let alone to race it. Yet, my motivation for taking on this monument of bikepacking routes does not stem from competitiveness or a love for herculean efforts; my attraction to the Great Divide lies far deeper within… In December 2019 I announced my intention to ride this year's Tour Divide—starting on June 12th in Banff, Canada. Read the announcement blog post here: ' Making Plans – Riding The Tour Divide 2020 ' To date, I have extensively toured the European continent by bicycle: across the mountain ranges of the Alps, Dolomites, and Pyrenees; through the forests of Germany and the heat of Southern France; around the fjords of Scandinavia, past the lochs of Scotland, and down Ireland's Atlantic Coast. The journey has shown me many things, but also taught me many lessons… The first les...

It has been on my Bucket List for as long as I can remember... the birthplace of bikepacking, and the most iconic dirt road touring route in the world. I have decided that 2020 will be the year that I take on the Tour Divide — 2745 miles with 50,000 metres of climbing; from Canada to Mexico, off-road down the length of the Rockies. To date, my unsupported tours across the European continent have been beautiful eye-opening experiences; from the highest peaks of the Dolomites and Pyrenees, to the sub-zero fjords of Norway and rugged coastline of Scotland. These trips have taken me to amazing and unique places. #7Countries7Passes — #CelticCrossTrail — #XPDTN3Dolomites Yet, ever since I first strapped panniers to a £50 steel road bike and went touring through the mountains of the Pyrenees and French Alps more than a decade ago, I have dreamed of riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route — it is one of the most diverse and challenging cycling routes in the world. The dream o...