2022 Tour Divide Update: Chaos & Risk

The first week of the Tour Divide included a dozen or more search and rescue extractions in Canada and several other precarious events. After the chaos unfolded, Neil wanted to share his thoughts on what’s transpired, the race standings, 2022 reroutes, and how to avoid situations like the ones that developed…

Outline:
Intro - 0:00
Crazy Weather - 2:16
Search and Rescue Involvement - 3:02
Risk Management - 4:18
Race Route Update - 5:24
Racer Update - 6:24

Mentioned Links:

#bikepacking #pedalfurther
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[YetiAdventure]

We're totally ok to pay more for the Bikepacking Collective membership if it means we can have a regular weekly Neil Rant. These updates are excellent!

[MoisheLettvin]

Great video, and thanks for addressing the elephant in the room with rescues -- the aspect of "what impact will my decisions have on *other* people" feels super important. I've never raced the Tour Divide (though I have toured the GDMBR) so don't feel qualified to have an opinion on any racer's actions but it is good to hear your thoughts. I imagine the fog of competition makes the kinds or risk assessments which are easy-ish on a tour (eg. my wife and I frequently opted for shortened days to avoid thunderstorms) become profoundly more difficult when racing, no matter where you are in the pack; indeed I wonder if there's a perception of reduced risk when you've got other riders around.

On a happier note, amazing to see Sofiane out there with a shot at breaking 14 days. I love how he is smiling so widely in nearly every picture of him; like many great racers on this route (Mike Hall, Lael Wilcox, Josh Kato spring to mind) it seems like a really key element is just being exactly where you want to be and loving the hell out of it.

[sagehiker]

Thank you for sharing your racing experience. I was freaked to read many of the pre-race GDMBR comments from some of the rider athletes touting their extreme minimalist swag and shelter kits for the Northern Rockies. It is like militant ignorance of both the environment and their bodies and the failure of willful outcomes. This channel is providing some of best and well rounded bike packing content for the Americas.

[levonbullard]

These issues are also present in the thru hiking community. Too many seek the lightest base weight or going thru when conditions are beyond skill level. Thanks for calling it out

[BorneoAgent]

Glad you put this out there, Neil. Saddened to hear of people not practicing "Leave No Trace" and concerned for those who either didn't have proper gear/training or otherwise miscalculated risks. Either way, I like to hope and believe the lessons of this year's Divide will result in the community both doing a better job of practicing Leave No Trace and making more informed decisions and gear choices so we don't get a repeat. See you fellow riders out there in 2023.

[joelnichols]

Some winter races have minimum gear and food requirements or you would be disqualified or not allowed to start. You actually have to prove you not only have the gear but know how to use it. Probably what this race is gonna have to do at some point. I like the run what ya brung aspect as much as the next person but rescuing people costs money and risks lives.

[ApexVball]

Thanks for the videos as always, you do a great job hosting, Neil

[boh]

When you talked about risk management, you were spot on. It’s weird to see more and more people “just going for it” without any knowledge. I hope people take alittle more thought heading into the backcountry and less “search and rescue will help”

[michaelkammeyer]

Bikepacking races like this are interesting cause there can be a conflict between safety/self-sufficiency and all out performance/pushing through adversity. While it's great to see athletes pushing the limit i get uncomfortable when the limit starts to be unsafe and irresponsible.

Loved hearing your thoughts Neil, congrats on your move!

[zerkelvin]

This channel covers biking, tools, but also good thoughts and reflection. Take a survival class or a scout class. Even learning a new knot, learning an extra way to make a fire can maybe be useful.

[bosanderspublictheology]

Thanks for this update. I always love this channel but something in real-time is really really interesting.

[bderris]

Starting where I left off last summer just off highway 28 above South Pass City, WY on July 2. Hope to see other southbounders out there.

[johnunruh]

Great content!
How about a video on your pegboard setup. Start to finish
Thanks again

[brycea]

Great video as usual. Thanks for sharing your opinion since you have done this race and others. It really gives your thoughts more weight.

[SamHaraldson]

I hope your number plate from the Marji Gesick makes it on the wall in your new shop. I always get a kick out of seeing that in these videos.

[ddiotte]

It's another gnarly weather year here in BC and this time cold instead of heat. Glad everyone made it out okay.

Having athletes with hypothermia is not uncommon on the Canadian side of the route according to the woman who works at the Roosville border crossing. She told us of racers coming off Galton pass in really bad shape. I rode Banff to Whitefish in 2015 and it was bone chilling cold at the top in a lightning storm with hail. Luckily, I overpacked on my first bikebacking trip and was toasty warm and dry.

[pbskater]

This is great! Love the updates since I'm not on other platforms.

[sylv_ain]

Thanks for the update ! This year’s divide is really rough… definitely necessary to get that garmin In reach mini and that travel insurance

[macho_burrito]

Ugh. Can’t decide how to feel about the popularity and change in ethos of these more extreme events. While the attention definitely helps the top end riders get sponsorships and let’s them make a career out of ultra endurance, the types of people it eventually brings to these events, due to the fashion of conquest or suffering, definitely can be a net negative.

I’ll spare the comments any further discourse and bloviation on the matter and just say it’s cool that you’re back in Gunnison.

[erikmathy]

First, I LOVE the messy setup. It's real. Picture perfect backgrounds?

For the weather I believe that now, of all times, we can't ignore climate change's impact. The fires, the huge late dumps in snow mixed with rain and wild temp changes not just on the route but all over the country?

In 2011 when I did my TD attempt we were freaked out by some deep leftover snowpack that we had to posthole though, but the weather was predictable, predicted, and normal. Look at Wyoming right now. Nothing is predictable anymore. It puts a WHOLE new dimension on not just the TD, but the entire Great Divide route itself, regardless of who is on it.

Stop thinking you can do the TD with a 40 degree bag and a 6oz bivy. Stop putting SAR crews at risk to bail you out. Start being realistic about what you're facing and your abilities. If you aren't ready for wild weather changes, wild fires, snow and floods? Don't go. This isn't meant to be harsh. It's just a reminder of the real world changes and dangers riders face now.