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Book Description
Acclaimed cycling writer tackles the Tour Divide
Product Description
As bicycle races go, the attractions of the Tour Divide are not immediately apparent. For a start, it is the longest mountain-bike race in the world, running nearly 3,000 miles down the Rockies from Canada to Mexico. But the distance is not the only challenge - the total ascent of 200,000 ft is the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest nearly seven times.
Then there are the dangerous animals likely to be encountered on the route: grizzly bears, mountain lions and wolves, not to mention rattlesnakes and tarantulas. Worse, the rewards for all this effort are strictly limited. Unlike in the Tour de France, there is no fabled yellow jersey and no prize money.
Yet, undaunted, and in spite of never having owned a mountain bike, Paul Howard signed up. Battling the worst weather for generations, drinking whiskey with a cowboy and singing karaoke with the locals, Howard's journey turned into more than just a race - it became the adventure of a lifetime.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What a fantastic adventure! How anyone could even contemplate riding more than 2500 miles on a mountain bike, when their only previous experience of that type of bike is the South Downs I don't know, but Paul not only thought about it but did it!! This is a funny, entertaining and thoroughly readble book, even if, like me, you haven't been on a bike for years and then not more than 10 miles at a time. There were wild animals, cowboys, hippies and torrential rain producing mud that you could barely push the bike through to contend with, but Paul and his travelling conpanions refused to be beaten. This wild west adventure story has something for everyone -I couldn't put it down.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Paul Howard's account of his participation in this pell mell cycle race down the Rocky Mountain spine of North America is a very entertaining read. It is mountain biking in real mountains. For such a masochistic enterprise the 'Tour Divide' is surprisingly under-subscribed. I hope it stays that way, it would be a shame if it became 'popular'. There is a very small field of competitors (less than 50), some competing against each other but for those with whom the author rubs wheels it was more often a competition against the elements and potential calorie deficiency.
Starting at Banff in Canada the route is broadly up and down, and up and down, but Southwards through Alberta and then the continental-divide states of the USA. The finish, nearly 3,000 miles from the start, is on the frontier between New Mexico and Mexico proper. There are lots of wild-life encounters of the insect, animal and human variety. The book is written with good humour, an essential characteristic for any would-be Tour Divider. This is not just small-town America, it's hamlet America and I am persuaded that I will have to go to see some of these places for myself. As for mountain-biking, I am not persuaded, life is too short.
Starting at Banff in Canada the route is broadly up and down, and up and down, but Southwards through Alberta and then the continental-divide states of the USA. The finish, nearly 3,000 miles from the start, is on the frontier between New Mexico and Mexico proper. There are lots of wild-life encounters of the insect, animal and human variety. The book is written with good humour, an essential characteristic for any would-be Tour Divider. This is not just small-town America, it's hamlet America and I am persuaded that I will have to go to see some of these places for myself. As for mountain-biking, I am not persuaded, life is too short.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am three quarters the way through this book and I don't want it to end. I feel part of the journey and the company is perfect. Paul's description of the ride keeps the reader gripped. Paul sells himself short by not making much of what a remarkable feat of cycling he undertook. To keep a distance of over a hundred miles a day through some of the toughest terrain imaginable and to do it for over two thousand miles leaves me with nothing but admiration for all who take part. These riders are just like you and me,ordinary cyclists with superman and superwoman stamina.
The book made me seek out more information on the tour divide race so much that I ordered a T shirt and the DVD.
Would I recommend this book ? Absolutely.
The book made me seek out more information on the tour divide race so much that I ordered a T shirt and the DVD.
Would I recommend this book ? Absolutely.
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