Yesterday, a good, old friend of mine drove into town and stayed to visit for a day. We went for a short road ride and passed the miles by talking shop, catching up on what is new in each of our lives, and talking about the old days as well. It was a good ride, and after refueling with fish n' chips from a nearby bar and grill, we kicked back for Middle Aged Former Bicycle Racer Dude Flick Night. On the 120ish inch living room HD screen, and in 5.1 sound we watched "Ride the Divide" followed by "Race Across the Sky 2", and of course the episode of "South Park" where everyone has to stand in line at the pharmacy to have their yellow rubber bracelets safely removed. Great fun, and even though I have already mentioned South Park, guess what? I am not even going to discuss it here today. Hah! For my fellow cyclists who are not familiar with the two films mentioned above, I do recommend that you watch them.
Ride the Divide is a documentary of the Tour Divide which is a fully self supported mountain bike race during which the competitors will ride 2745 miles(yes miles not kilometers, hours, or minutes) over all sorts of terrain, and through all kinds of weather conditions while discovering or reaffirming what they are really made of. The race routes the competitors from Banf, AB Canada to The U.S./Mexico Border at Antelope Wells, NM, USA. There are no medals, no prizes, and in fact the last time I checked, the event website was two years behind on posting race results. Nonetheless, in my opinion, the men and women who have competed in this event are quite possibly the world's toughest mountain bike riders, and most definitely have earned the right to feel as if they have conquered the world.
Race Across the Sky 2 is a documentary that covers the 2010 Leadville 100 MTB race. The race covers fifty miles and some change across some of the most challenging trail and road in the U.S. peaking at an altitude of 12,424 feet above sea level as riders arrive at the Columbine Mine, then guess what? They have to turn around, and race the same course backwards to finish at a nudge over 100 total miles. There are also time cuts, so if you ride too conservatively, officials will stop you at the designated time, and your race is over. The cut off times are for safety reasons. They can't have people out there in the dark. The race is already challenging enough without having to worry about missing your turn and riding off a cliff, or having to avoid being mauled or eaten by some predator. Rad stuff.
What prompted the Ultradistance Mountain Bike Movie Marathon?
During our road bike ride, my friend mentioned that he is considering the logistics of racing the Tour Divide. I think that he ought to do it. My friend is a great bike rider. The guy has mad mountain biker skills, and I believe that he is in possession of the necessary mental toughness.
My friend also frequents a place that has been known to be a hang out for a fairly large number of beginner(not if you ask them), okay I'll say amateur(ish) triathletes, many of whom pride themselves on their accomplishments of having run in an assortment of small time half marathons and marathons. So full of pride that they not only feel the need to plaster the front and backs of their rather large SUVs with white, oval shaped stickers featuring the numbers 13.1, and the occasional 26.2, but they also must remind anyone who attempts to socialize with them at any time or place of their latest 13.2 time, how many blocks they do in a week, and his or her "personal best" in the danskhorninnerathlon. Which wouldn't be such a bad thing if they were to only mention it once in a while. Well, one day my friend got tired of hearing it, and told "the crew" that he was going to run a big thirty miler up in Dallas. I am told that his statement was met with a few encouraging words and a few arrogant smirks. Not only did my friend run that race, but he placed quite high. Some time went by and the same crew of folks happened to be talking long distance, so my friend vowed to run the 50 miler at Leadville. Once again, his statement was met by skepticism. Once again, he did it. In fact, he completed both the fifty mile run, and the fifty mile mountain bike race. Returning home tired, sore and sporting a nifty silver bracelet given only to finishers.
The part of this little story that is difficult to convey here is that my friend has never boasted of his accomplishments. If you ask him about them, he will be more than happy to tell you about his races, but boastfully? Never. He is one of those guys who will take an unpaid day off work, and drive 100 miles to help you move. He is one heck of a nice guy, and I am proud to be able to call him my friend. I've given it some thought, and I think that my friend ought to go out there, and do the Tour Divide, if that is what he truly desires. If he does, I am confident that he will do well and emerge stronger of both body and mind.
Ride the Divide is a documentary of the Tour Divide which is a fully self supported mountain bike race during which the competitors will ride 2745 miles(yes miles not kilometers, hours, or minutes) over all sorts of terrain, and through all kinds of weather conditions while discovering or reaffirming what they are really made of. The race routes the competitors from Banf, AB Canada to The U.S./Mexico Border at Antelope Wells, NM, USA. There are no medals, no prizes, and in fact the last time I checked, the event website was two years behind on posting race results. Nonetheless, in my opinion, the men and women who have competed in this event are quite possibly the world's toughest mountain bike riders, and most definitely have earned the right to feel as if they have conquered the world.
Race Across the Sky 2 is a documentary that covers the 2010 Leadville 100 MTB race. The race covers fifty miles and some change across some of the most challenging trail and road in the U.S. peaking at an altitude of 12,424 feet above sea level as riders arrive at the Columbine Mine, then guess what? They have to turn around, and race the same course backwards to finish at a nudge over 100 total miles. There are also time cuts, so if you ride too conservatively, officials will stop you at the designated time, and your race is over. The cut off times are for safety reasons. They can't have people out there in the dark. The race is already challenging enough without having to worry about missing your turn and riding off a cliff, or having to avoid being mauled or eaten by some predator. Rad stuff.
What prompted the Ultradistance Mountain Bike Movie Marathon?
During our road bike ride, my friend mentioned that he is considering the logistics of racing the Tour Divide. I think that he ought to do it. My friend is a great bike rider. The guy has mad mountain biker skills, and I believe that he is in possession of the necessary mental toughness.
My friend also frequents a place that has been known to be a hang out for a fairly large number of beginner(not if you ask them), okay I'll say amateur(ish) triathletes, many of whom pride themselves on their accomplishments of having run in an assortment of small time half marathons and marathons. So full of pride that they not only feel the need to plaster the front and backs of their rather large SUVs with white, oval shaped stickers featuring the numbers 13.1, and the occasional 26.2, but they also must remind anyone who attempts to socialize with them at any time or place of their latest 13.2 time, how many blocks they do in a week, and his or her "personal best" in the danskhorninnerathlon. Which wouldn't be such a bad thing if they were to only mention it once in a while. Well, one day my friend got tired of hearing it, and told "the crew" that he was going to run a big thirty miler up in Dallas. I am told that his statement was met with a few encouraging words and a few arrogant smirks. Not only did my friend run that race, but he placed quite high. Some time went by and the same crew of folks happened to be talking long distance, so my friend vowed to run the 50 miler at Leadville. Once again, his statement was met by skepticism. Once again, he did it. In fact, he completed both the fifty mile run, and the fifty mile mountain bike race. Returning home tired, sore and sporting a nifty silver bracelet given only to finishers.
The part of this little story that is difficult to convey here is that my friend has never boasted of his accomplishments. If you ask him about them, he will be more than happy to tell you about his races, but boastfully? Never. He is one of those guys who will take an unpaid day off work, and drive 100 miles to help you move. He is one heck of a nice guy, and I am proud to be able to call him my friend. I've given it some thought, and I think that my friend ought to go out there, and do the Tour Divide, if that is what he truly desires. If he does, I am confident that he will do well and emerge stronger of both body and mind.
