I Just Want To Ride - Lael Wilcox and the 2019 Tour Divide

First Place Winner of Filmed by Bike's 2020 Film Fest Audience Choice Award
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Lael Wilcox loves the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.

She loves the climbing. It's pass after pass. She loves the roads. They’re not too technical. She loves the landscapes. Traveling from Canada to Mexico, all on your bike. The Tour Divide, it’s her kind of race and she’s done it twice before.

The 2019 edition was set to be truly unique as she attempted to be the first woman to be the overall winner the race. But would the weather cooperate? Would the race and route play out as it had in her previous attempts?

Follow along as Lael takes on the most notable bikepacking route in the world and has to overcome natural and human barriers to embrace the true reasons for why she rides and inspires others to ride. Go Lael.

[TwoWheelWarrior]

150, 000 feet = 45, 720 meters. 2, 750 miles = 4, 425 kilometers. You're welcome vast majority of the world...

[christopherseistrup]

Thank you for sponsoring the production of this video, I will cherish the finish line footage for the rest of my life. I just wish the video would have mentioned that I wasn't just the winner, but I also raised $35, 000 for people all over the world with bleeding disorders, and I became the first person with Hemophilia to complete the route.

[tarajones-legros]

Moral of the story: Get off of Facebook and go ride your bike.

[darkroomzen]

Lael is such a great ambassador for this sport and inspiration for every rider out there.

[GerritD]

This is extremely embarrassing for the race director and leadership of the Tour Divide. To approve Lael's media project months in advance and then get pushed around by sexist members of a Facebook group is really weak and just against the spirit of the cycling community. And people ask why more women don't participate...
Lael is ultra endurance cycling's best ambassador right now, working to bring the sport to more people and pushing the limits of what is possible. To throw her under the bus like this was wrong.
Can't wait to see her crush everyone in 2020.

[jonpoon]

This is the toughest off road ultra race. Upsets me that a Facebook group became the most challenging terrain for this year’s race

[labeaustudios]

I love how hard these racers go, but they are so light hearted about it. That muddy pass with rain - they were all laughing at their luck. So awesome!

[robertbotta]

Haters gonna hate. They are jerks. How can anyone question your ability, records, talent, or intentions? You are as pure an elite athlete as there is and we ALL know it. I imagine it’s not easy but try to ignore the idiots. Probably just jelly. The 99.9% are 100% behind you. Keep going! Oh and you are wonderful and a total inspiration to us. Thanks.

[josemartinez]

Such a shame that this story had to include the negativity encountered. Seems a double standard for the male cyclist, who received no criticism. The organizer should be ashamed of himself. Lael jumped thru hoops to meet the standard. Lael is one of the most kind unassuming individuals in cycling and probably one of the biggest advocates for the sport. Has done nothing but push positive vibes for cycling and push the sport further along. Kudos to her for taking the high road. Love

[duzer]

Love it!!! Way to go Lael and everyone else. Inspires me to ride that route someday.

[fadedroseadventures]

The quote "The person that says it cannot be done. Should not interrupt the person who is doing it". She is such an inspiration. SM is this magical place that can bless you & poison you all at the same time. Keep doing you Lael. We'll keep cheering. Thank you for this lovely story.

[Hungrycyclist]

God bless this woman she helped me kick a fifteen year addiction to the bottle and gave me hope

[brucewhite]

Lael you are truly inspiring. It saddens me deeply to see the way you were treated. You are truly gifted and I know you will come back and get the record. My wife and I rode GDMBR in 2018 going south to north, and not trying to race but to ride and have time to explore. our goal was to spend 6 to 8 hours each day riding. It was probably the funnest thing we have ever done in the 31 years we have been together. We loved seeing your film, and knew every place you showed. it brought back some wonderful memories, we loved the excitement of getting up each day and seeing something new and beautiful. We plan to retire in 2 more years and then travel the world bikepacking. We will be routing for you in all of your future adventures. Keep doing what you love, with those you love, best wishes and safe travels.

[leroyyoder]

The experience Ms. Wilcox had with the FB group is the reason I never joined FB and abandoned Twitter years ago. Haters hate because they can’t do. The fact that they praised a male competitor proves that they are men who are insecure in the fact that a woman is better at something than they are. Keep riding and continue on the high road, the view is better from up there!

[CliffordLouie-ewow]

Lael, I’m late to your video, but i admire your ability to stay you, and have the courage to ride your ride. This documentary means so much more because you stood up to the haters.

[mongofan]

I love watching everything Lael does. What an awesome person living an awesome and meaningful life. Very very inspiring.


Deeply saddened and disappointed to learn of the strife coming from others in the cycling community. If she had vehicles supporting her, a bike mechanic traveling with her, I might agree with the challenges, but, absent that, I would guess that the media crew was actually a burden. The others were free to ride without considering the needs or position of a film crew. I look forward to the next event.


I wish I'd learned of this kind of riding when I was younger and healthier but it is still wonderful to watch others as they enjoy it. Thanks so much, Lael, for bringing us along on the ride. Hugs. Alex

[eizadhobuti]

Don't cast Pearl's before swine!
You are world-class human in all aspects!
Don't waste a minute,
They don't understand being "the best!"
Thank you so much for the inspiration!

[goldfever]

This film takes me from "I'd love to race the Tour Divide one day" to "I am making a plan to race". Thank you!

[obikedog]

I'm so glad Lael has her head on straight and disregarded (somewhat) the FB trolls. She shouldn't have had to scratch or bend over to the lengths she did for this awesome documentary to come into being. The fact she did it and didn't think twice about it after; completed the ride her way - speaks volumes to character and resolve.  

I am 100% sure the armchaired trolls don't have enough of either to even be shamed by their "actions".

[JamesWickendenVideography]

watching this just made me want to ride!