In June 2016 I will be riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route with my son Tom. 

I first heard about this route back in 2008 when Jenn Hill (singletrack magazine), who was then working at my LBS, told me all about it as she had entered the race that is run over the route every year. That year I followed Jenn’s progress on the MTBCast podcast that covers it and
I became hooked on it and the idea of doing it myself.

Fast forward to 2011 and I had a life changing RTA, to start with I was uncertain if I would be able to ride properly again. After a couple of operations my leg was sorted out, but I have been left to deal with the after effects of a serious head injury. Even more so this focused my mind on the target that I should get out and do it.

I started to plan, save and get the gear together the beginning of 2015.  I spoke to Jenn about whether I should enter the Tour Divide race or just ride the route and her take on it was that it would be a lot more fun to ride it and not be a competitor. Her advice was to go for it! As luck would have it my son Tom is due to finish college at the end of June 2016 and so he will be free to come along with me on this amazing adventure.

As you may know Jenn sadly passed away in October, she was the one who inspired me in the first place and we'll be doing this ride in her memory and raising money for Cancer Research as we go.

Jimbo