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DISTANCE
2745 Miles (4418km)
For more information on the Tour Divide visit our TD Resource page. »
Deciding to do the Tour Divide comes with a lot of questions and concerns. I can tell you they’re not as scary as they seem. If you start with a plan and break down the process your worries will change into confidence. Your biggest issue is finding the proper information.
This page is meant to be a simple overview of the Tour Divide. During my own Tour Divide I realized there was a need for a guide covering the route just for bikepackers. This page is broken down into simple sections so you can easily get a feel for the route. It’s also part of a larger all inclusive guide, so you can focus on riding your bike instead of searching the internet for hours on end.
Where do you start? This Tour Divide Guide is a great starting point but if you want to know more, checkout the “TD Resources” button below. You’ll find information on resupply, transportation, gear and more.
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Stats
DIFFICULTY (1-10)
5-6
Elevation Gain
200,000 Feet (60,960m)
HIGHEST POINT
11,913 Feet (3631m)
TIME REQUIRED
13—40 Days
% SINGLETRACK
<1%
% UNPAVED
70%
Time of Year
June to October
Race Date
June 11, 2021 ????
Closest Towns to Start/Finish
Banff, AB and Lordsburg, NM
Race Record
Male Mike Hall (2016) 13:22:51
Female Lael Wilcox (2015) 15:10:59
Overview
The Tour Divide is an 2745 mile route that stretches from Banff, AB to Antelope Wells, NM. The route is roughly 70% off road, consisting of gravel roads, jeep track, and a very small percentage of single track. Traveling through the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and the states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico, the trails covers a wide range of landscapes.
The route took four years to map and was released by the Adventure Cycling Association in 1998. The first ITT of the route was in 2005, while the first Grand Depart was in 2008 (usually held on the second Friday in June). Only a handful of riders attended the first Grand Depart but today close to 200 brave men and women toe the line to test themselves against each other, the route, Mother Nature and most importantly, themselves.
Starting in Banff, AB the Tour Divide winds its way through the Canadian Rockies along glacial rivers and grizzly country. As it travels south the route samples many different types of landscape. In Montana and Colorado you’ll experience mountain wilderness, Idaho and Wyoming offer up grasslands and endless rolling hills, while New Mexico and southern Colorado have high desert. Near the border you are treated one last time with time spent in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Don’t let the fact that the route is mostly dirt roads and lacks technical single track fool you. The attrition rate is 60%. Exhaustion, hypothermia, boredom, and mechanicals are common place on this, the longest bikepacking route in the world.
Update
Adventure Cycling Association has extended the GDMBR to Jasper, BC and maps should be available June 15th. Those racing have coined the longer race route the “Tour Divide Max” More information will be posted here when it’s confirmed.
Route
Elevation profiles provided by John Schilling. Support John’s effort by purchasing prints, sticks and mugs of these profiles.
TOUR DIVIDE RACING
TOUR DIVIDE
The Tour Divide is not an sanctioned or organized race in any way. Consequently it’s regarded as large group ride that follows a fixed route, a set time, a set of simple rules and that’s all. Those who partake should understand this and obey the gentleman’s agreement to “race” fairly and follow the rules. There are no checkpoints, race organizers, aid stations or aid of any kind. You’re solely responsible for your own welfare.
The TD starts in the Banff, AB at 8 am at the YMCA. There is usually a neutral roll out and the racing starts when you hit the dirt road just south of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
Suggested Start Date:
Friday, June 11th, 2021 at 8 am. ???
Registration:
Send a letter of intent after winter solstice to tourdivide@gmail.com.
RULES
Bikepack racing is generally not organized, no entry fees are collected or prizes given out, but there are a general set of guidelines all bikepacking races follow. As a result the rules are designed to create a level playing field for all who decide to participate.
*Note these rules are the general rules for bikepack racing and each event may have their own specific rules and they also change from time to time. With that said it’s important you read and understand the official rules which can be found at the link below.
1. Racers must completely cover the route under their own power.
2. No outside support is allowed.
3. Food/supply caching on the trail is not allowed ahead of time (but one can ship items to a Post Office).
4. Motorized transportation or hitch-hiking, EXCEPT for travel to hospital/medical care, is NOT allowed at anytime.
The following are allowed, but not encouraged. Please use sparingly.
5. Unintended assistance from fellow racers is ACCEPTABLE.
6. Trail magic is OK – but please, no begging or fishing (hinting).
7. Mailing resupplies to Post Offices is ACCEPTABLE.
For full rules visit TourDivide.org.
No entry fee, no prizes, absolutely no support
IMPORTANT RACE INFORMATION
Registration: Send letters of intent after the winter solstice to tourdivide@gmail.com.
The input form for 2021 starters is located in Google Docs.
You can also see who’s already signed up on the unofficial starters list for 2020.
The 2021 GPX file will be posted on TopoFusion.com a few weeks before the start.
In-Race Updates called “Rained Out” are used to update racers of any route changes/detours. Links will be emailed to you and also posted here (via text message or email for non-US phones).
A Bear Spray discount (15%) is usually arranged in the months leading up to the start. Keep a watch on the Facebook pages.
Salsa stem caps are usually available at the start in Banff. You can get yourself a free piece of pie when you get to Pie Town, NM.
SPOT TRACKING
Racers and those touring the Tour Divide are encouraged to carry a Spot tracker, though they are not mandatory. Due to the remoteness and sheer difficulty of the trail I personal believe you’d be crazy not to. Racers can sign up at Trackleaders.com one month before the race if they choose to.
SPOT HIRE
You can rent a Gen3 Spot from Trackleaders.com around one month before the start of the race (You’ll receive information to your email you used when signing up). Check Trackleaders or Bikepacking.net forums for information at that time.
SUPPORT THE ACA
The Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) has no ties to the race but they did build the route, have created amazing maps and their a great resource . It’s because of them we have this amazing route to race/ride. Please consider joining the ACA. Membership is only $45 and as a member you get all kinds of discounts and other perks, most noteworthy a discount on maps.
As an affiliate partner, One of Seven Project earns a commission for purchases made through any product, brand logo links, or banner ads on this page. Thanks for your support!
Tour Divide Planning Aids
Being that I’m also a Triple Crown thru-hiker I’m used to quality planning tools. After finishing the Bikepacking Triple Crown I realized bikepacking didn’t have quality planning tools available. The Project’s Planning Aids and Resources are our answer to this.
After 100’s of hours of research, 1000’s of keystrokes, more emails and phone calls than I can recall the One of Seven Project’s Tour Divide Planning Aids are done. They’re the ultimate planning resources for the Tour Divide. They contain everything you need to plan and execute your ride/ride of the Tour Divide and most of the GDMBR. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in these then it’s probably in our Tour Divide Resources.
2023 Data Sheets and Town Lists
New for 2023 –
- We updated how we call out important data so it’s easier on the eyes and better stands out.
- General house keeping was done to clean up the sheets.
- Town populations were added to help users gauge resupply options.
- A lot of background work was done to make maintaining our planning aids easier, hopefully resulting in faster updates for our users.
Data Sheet includes:
- Key POI
- Elevation / Pop of POI
- Mileage numbers
- Distance to next
- Elevation +/-
- Avg. Grade between POI
- Max & Min. elevation between POI
- Pavement sections
- Water sources
- Bike shops
- Resupply options
- Important notes
- Elevation profile
- Finish Target Times
- Town populations
New for 2023 –
- We updated how we call out important data so it’s easier on the eyes and better stands out.
- General house keeping was done to clean up the sheets.
- A lot of background work was done to make maintaining our planning aids easier, hopefully resulting in faster updates for our users.
Town List includes:
- More key notes
- Phone numbers added for key locations
- Water sources
- Bike shops
- Elevation profile added
- Finish Target Times added
TOUR DIVIDE (Race Route)
$25.00 + tax, Purchase SOBO here.
Metric SOBO version only available as part of our Small or Big Bundles. See Below.
Metric NOBO version only available as part of our Small Bundle. See Below.
TOUR DIVIDE CLASSIC*
(US/CAN border to US/MEX border following the GDMBR)
SOBO version is only available as part of our Small or Big Bundles. See Below.
NOBO version is only available as part of our Small Bundle. See Below.
*TOUR DIVIDE CLASSIC
(US/CAN border to US/MEX border following the GDMBR)
The Tour Divide CLASSIC runs from the US/CAN border to the US/MEX border and follows the GDMBR from the ACA (American Cycling Association) maps. It’s slightly shorter and takes a different route in a few areas compared to the Tour Divide route.
If you’re riding the Tour Divide race, take a look at our Tour Divide Planning Aids.
Example of Data Sheet
Example of Town List
DATA SHEET and TOWN LIST DIFFERENCES
The Data Sheet has the most info. It gives the distance, elevation +/-, average grade, maximum and minimum elevations, pavement sections, references ACA maps, bike shops, resupply options, and has key notes between two POI. Example: A and B, then B to C, and so on.
The Town List gives cumulative distances between POI. Example: A to B, A to C, A to D. The next section would be B to C, B to D, B to E, and so on. The Town List has distance, elevation +/-, resupply options, bike shops and key notes.
The Town List helps with not having to do the math to figure out how far away things are if they’re not the next POI.
2023 Mileage Charts and Elevation Gain Charts
New for 2023 –
The Mileage Chart is now only available for purchase as part of the Big Bundle.
Mileage Charts:
Quickly find the total mileage between any two POI along the route.
- Shows bike shops
- Works for both directions.
- Easy to read format.
- Formatted for printing.
New for 2023 –
The Elevation Gain Chart is now only available for purchase as part of the Big Bundle.
Elevation Gain Charts:
Quickly find the total elevation gain between any two POI along the route.
- Shows bike shops.
- Easy to read format.
- Formatted for printing.
***ALL versions of the Mileage and Elevation Gain Charts can ONLY be purchased as part of the Big Bundle***
2023 BUNDLES
One package including our two most popular planning aids:
- Data Sheet
- Town List
NEW TOUR DIVIDE CLASSIC*
(US/CAN border to US/MEX border following the GDMBR)
$40.00 + tax, Purchase SOBO here.*
You save $10 when you bundle!
*The Tour Divide CLASSIC runs from the US/CAN border to the US/MEX border and follows the GDMBR from the ACA (American Cycling Association) maps. It’s slightly shorter and takes a different route in a few areas compared to the Tour Divide route.
If you’re riding the Tour Divide race, take a look at our Tour Divide Planning Aids.
One package with all our planning aids:
- Data Sheet
- Town List
- Mileage Chart
- Elevation Gain Chart
NEW TOUR DIVIDE CLASSIC*
(US/CAN border to US/MEX border following the GDMBR)
$60.00 + tax, Purchase SOBO here.*
You save $20 when you bundle!
*The Tour Divide CLASSIC runs from the US/CAN border to the US/MEX border and follows the GDMBR from the ACA (American Cycling Association) maps. It’s slightly shorter and takes a different route in a few areas compared to the Tour Divide route.
If you’re riding the Tour Divide race, take a look at our Tour Divide Planning Aids.
MUST KNOW
DANGERS & PITFALLS
- Extreme weather.
- Bears (Grizzly and Black)
- Remoteness of route.
- Lack of water.
- Strenuous terrain.
- Exposure
- Costs can add up.
- Hypothermia
- Fires
- Riding on roads at night.
- Mental & physical fatigue.
- International border crossing.
PHOTOS OF THE TOUR DIVIDE
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
WEBSITES
- BIKEPACKING.NET
- BIKEPACKING.COM
- TOURDIVIDE.ORG
- TRACKLEADERS.COM 2018
- TRACKLEADERS.COM 2019
- BIKEPACKING.NET FORUM
- FACEBOOK GROUP – Gear, Advice, Tips, Pics, Chat, Training
- FACEBOOK GROUP – 2020 Tour Divide Training & Preparation
- BIKEPACKER.COM – Bikes of the TD
- FACEBOOK GROUP – GDMBR
- MTBCAST.COM
- SNOTEL MAP
MAPS / BOOKS / APPS
- ACA Maps (These maps differ slightly from the official race route, follow your GPS)
- Temporary Closures
- GAIA
- Book – Just Ride
- Book – Cycling the Great Divide
- Book – A Dream Worth Living
- Video – Ride the Divide
- Book – Eat, Sleep, Ride
- Book – Dividing the Great
- The Cordillera Vol. 9
- 2019 – GPX File
- Google Map of POI’s and Resupply Options
- Cue Sheet of POI’s and Resupply Options – by Rowlo.com
More Helpful TD Resources
Everything you need to plan a bikepacking trip on the Tour Divide.
Slide Title
Your ultimate bikepacking guide to the Tour Divide.
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Craig Fowler2020-03-06 13:25:442022-02-14 13:32:28Gear Review - If I Rode The Tour Divide Again
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Craig Fowler2019-06-09 22:32:502023-01-06 09:26:05Tour Divide Transportation Guide
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Craig Fowler2019-06-08 20:25:412023-01-20 09:50:57Tour Divide Resupply Guide
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Craig Fowler2019-05-27 15:12:412020-11-12 12:53:43Tour Divide Rider Survey ResultsCheckout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.
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