The 2011 Tour Divide is underway and this year’s raceeasily the world’s most grueling mountain bike race, stretching 2,745 miles along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Banff, Alberta, to Antelope Wells, N.M. — will be the most adventurous yet with 87 riders battling wildfires in the south and deep snow in the north.
With snowpack measuring in the dozens of feet on many of the northern route’s high passes, there have been many reroutes and alternative starts. The traditional race from north to south has Gunnison’s Jefe Branham in first, followed by Crested Butte ski patroller Ethan Passant in third place.
In the first three days of racing, both riders — who were near Butte, Mont., late Monday — are covering a staggering 180 to 190 miles a day.
Racers heading north should be passing through Colorado earlier in the week, with southbound riders later this week.
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