TD Rider Profile: Sofiane Sehili

TD Rider Profile: Steve Halligan

TD Rider Profile: Janie Hayes

TD Rider Profile: Evan Deutsch

TD Rider Profile: Josh Ibbett

TD Rider Profile: Kim Raeymakers

TD Rider Profile: Alexandera Houchin

TD Rider Profile: Kai Edel

TD Ride Profile: Lael Wilcox

TD Rider Profile: Lewis Brocklehurst

My name is Sofiane Sehili. 

![Sofi 03](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6cub0OYS6E8VeXgi9JnJro/3b42f030a95667ec737ff48335ac5304/Sofi_03.jpeg)

I'm 37 and work as a bike messenger in Paris. I've started bike touring in 2011 with one big trip in South East Asia, then moved on to bikepacking a few years later. I've cycled on 4 continents in more than 30 countries, with my biggest journey taking me from my home in Paris to the coast of China, covering 16.000km in 3 months.
 
My first bikepacking race was Tour Divide 2016 where I managed to finish 3rd in 16:00:25. The year after that a mechanical kept me from climbing on the podium of the Trans Am ; I lost 24 hours and finished 8th. Last year after battling with a heat stroke I managed to snatch a 3rd place on Bikingman Taiwan. Finally, this April (2019) I won the [Italy Divide](https://dotwatcher.cc/feature/five-minutes-with-james-hayden-and-sofiane-sehili), tied with two time TCR winner James Hayden.
 
This year I'd like to shave a day on my TD time. I will be satisfied with any time under the 15 days mark. What I look forward too is the quietness of the divide, the solitude that is found on no other route that I know of. Places like the top of the Brazos are exactly what I look for in a ride, equally for the sheer beauty and the remoteness of the place.
 
What I find challenging on this race is the amount of climbing that offers Montana, the desolation in the Great Basin and the harsh terrain of New Mexico, where the downhills are even worse than the climbs. The weather can also be challenging: in 2016 it snowed on Bannack road which slowed me down quite a bit.
 
I will be riding a Niner Air 9 with matching RDO fork, equipped with Apidura Bags.

![Sofi 01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3QqSiI5z0o6imqFbngy2Ek/e8a65003c598d41607c6af6451a99925/Sofi_01.jpg)

Editor: You can find Sofi at:
Instagram: sofianeshl
URL: http://kenlesstats.com/
Strava: sofiane sehili

My name is Steve Halligan, from Hanmer Springs, New Zealand.

![Steve Halligan 02](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4Y25vMWqSAOsncHEjX7xdw/ba5dd2af2b7873c829f51e2ec568ea30/Steve_Halligan_02.JPG)
 
I fulfilled a dream to race and complete the Tour Divide in 2017 . After early mechanical issues, I finished fourth in 17:14:01. I had such an amazing time out there: the good times and the tough times are all part of this epic journey. It’s a super challenge on all levels. Many people return to the Tour Divide , it really gets under your skin , hence I’m racing again in 2019.
 
My goals are to once again:, have Fun; go as fast as I can;  and get to the end after having another super ride on the Divide. I’m super excited to be competing in the TD again .
 
Over the years I’ve gained reasonable experience in this Ultra Endurance unsupported bike racing. My most recent event was a huge 31 day , 6,400 km journey from top to bottom of Australia , in the Terra Australis Bike Epic which was held in September 2018. This experience means I go into these events with little apprehension and pretty relaxed, knowing I’ve got a great bike, gear etc  and I am comfortable out there in remote lands by myself. 
 
I am  Truly Grateful that I get to travel to these races. It really is a privilege to ride through countries on trails less travelled.
         
I could not do this without my main support Sponsor: My business that I run with my wife Mary Jo, VIBRANT LIVING RETREAT here in Hanmer Springs, NZ. A Big Thank-you to the guys at HUB CYCLES , in Christchurch , always have my bikes in great shape. Thank-you to Kerry at K-LITE, top bloke producing incredible lighting systems , ideal for massive adventures . Finally thank you to PURE SPORTS NUTRITION AND AWAKEN  SUPERFOOD ENERGY BARS . Great local Kiwi brands:, great products  great ingredients .
 
Wishing everyone a safe ride , see you on the Divide 

Editor: you can follow Steve on Instagram at: Halligan.steve


![Steve Halligan 01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/17rwYSAhwXPg0OxOQuhG4N/aea5d368c358c99835e9fbed58bf882f/Steve_Halligan_01.JPG)

I’m Janie Hayes and I live in Salida, Colorado. I am an eager rookie at the Tour Divide and can’t wait to experience it.

![Janie 01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5ItLoCBE8hmyF4wTThFtKD/73a2c6655a036eff2693b9c30eab45cd/Janie_01.jpg)

I race long distances to learn – about myself, about others, about the world. For me, the preparation and training process is the bread-and-butter of the journey. It’s during the months of habitual daily training where I get to transform into a different person than I was before. That’s when I get the luxury of time and opportunity to examine, tweak and improve my game – mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. I love watching this process happen.

The racing is where everything I think I have learned in the months before gets put to the test. I believe the Tour Divide will be a big, rugged, taxing, beautiful adventure. My highest goal is to reach the finish line in Antelope Wells, sure that I have given everything I was able to to the experience. In pursuit of that, I will ride as fast as I can. Charles Bukowski said it best: “If you’re going to try, go all the way.”

I also aim to have a lot of fun – most of the time. Because I realize it can’t all be a party, my scientifically measurable goal is “90 percent fun, 80 percent of the time.”

I’ve been an endurance athlete for over 20 years – first a trail runner, then long-distance triathlete, now a muddy bike racer. Every iteration has brought new experiences and people into my life.

I’ve finished the Trans Am Bike Race twice – I was ninth in 2016 and third in 2017. In 2018, I won the US National 12-hour road race championships and took second in the 12-hour World Championship time trial. I am the current women’s record holder for the BC Epic 1000 bikepacking race across British Columbia. This April, I was second overall (three-way tie) and one of six finishers at the inaugural 340-mile Iowa Wind and Rock. Looking back a few years, in 2014 I was ninth in my age group at the half-ironman World Championships and qualified for and competed in Kona at the Ironman World Championships.

I prefer training and racing without sponsorship. That said, I have to thank Oveja Negra and Absolute Bikes in my hometown for giving me so many cheers and such great service over the years. These people love bikes, and also love the people who ride them. I encourage all the TD racers to go and visit them when you roll through Salida.

For my day job, I work as a consultant supporting nonprofits in their communications and advocacy efforts. My primary area of expertise is in global health, working with inspiring groups in low-income countries to improve access to basic healthcare.

I have also worked as a coach and mentor, and plan to start my own life coaching business focused on goal-setting, mindset, and resilience.

![Janie Bike](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5LH4pXy6tLIVDZ0qrZNMfd/9fb78b3ebde0f266cca77630c6e28501/Janie_Bike.jpg)

Where to find Janie online: Instagram: @janieseestheworld / Web: www.jimmyandjanie.com / Strava: Janie Hayes 



My name is Evan Deutsch from Portland Oregon and I am excited to be riding in the 2019 Tour Divide.

![Evan 01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6Vi8boj2ZUZt5hD1GZRy99/ea794e825ed5d2389bb440c996a1de73/Evan_01.jpg)

The Divide route is a special place for me and I feel fortunate to be able to give it another go.  My first experience on the route goes back 20 years when I was just discovering cycle touring.  Hauling my not so lightweight gear in a BOB trailer, I rode from the Canadian border to Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  It was a very influential experience and re-reading some of the books that I carried over those mountain passes, namely "For the Time Being" by Annie Dillard, and "The Meadow" by James Galvin, continue to bring me back to a dear time.

I am now a bit more weathered and skeptical but, hopefully, quite a bit wiser.  

Fast forward to Banff in 2013 when I showed up with my first true lightweight bikepacking set-up, ready to roll.  I was introduced to a great community of people including a fellow rider who, while out on a ride together a few days before the Grand Depart, was able to demonstrate the (quite obvious) merits of a good GPS unit.  I was soon scouring Banff for an eTrex and received the ever elusive bike mount delivered by Greyhound bus less than 10 hours before setting off.  Proving that wisdom sometimes comes slowly, I didn't quite figure out how to zoom in until I was past Idaho.  It was a great experience to be part of and opened me up to a new world of adventure.

Since that time, bikepacking has allowed me to combine my love of traveling and the freedom of being on a bike.  I have been fortunate to pedal dirt roads through wonderful places including Colombia, Patagonia, Uganda and Myanmar. During this time, I have been able to appease some of my more competitive nature pushing myself on the Trans Am route and last year's BC Epic.  

While I love the adventure of traveling to new places, there is something special about returning to familiar terrain after some time away.  Every experience is different and the unknown is part of the allure.  I have a better idea of what is ahead and the wisdom helps counteract some of the angst.  Still, I cannot escape the unique combination of excitement and self-doubt that invariably accompanies setting off on a race like the Tour Divide.

As always, will try my best to focus on what I can control and ride my own race. During the difficult moments, will try to remember that having the time and resources to participate in something so grand is a privilege and that I elected to do it.  

I will be riding a titanium Moots Baxter and carrying a pillow...an inflatable, ultralight version...

![Evan Bike](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1U0VPw2n7qUwa8S6yvabWp/a198855205e2961e8f1f1012cd705e3d/Evan_Bike.jpg)



Editor: Evan won the TA in 2017 in 17:08:58 breaking Mike Hall’s 2014 record by 7 hours





My name is Josh Ibbett, 31 years old from Cambridgeshire in the UK.

![Josh Ibbett 02](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5yNjmN35wvhlNpiNjhEoIb/4424eec470920a710927620248a0ce2d/Josh_Ibbett_02.jpg)
 
2019 will be my Rookie year at the Tour Divide. The Tour Divide is the event that first opened my eyes to the world of bikepacking way back in 2008 when I read an article by Jenn Hill in one of the UK bike magazines. At the time it seemed like an awesome but far fetched thing to do, but it certainly peaked my interest.
 
Years ticked by and I progressed from XC racing, to 12 hour solo MTB racing, to 24 hour solo and MTB stage racing but still an event of this magnitude seemed unachievable. Then Mike Hall raced the Divide and shortly after set the round the world record. I knew Mike from the races and had competed alongside him. I also knew Mike as a normal down to earth bloke so seeing him achieve these incredible results and cross continents on his bicycle gave me the belief that I too could at least try to try riding a bike over these distances, although I was still intimidated by the thought. Then Mike created the Transcontinental race and my excuses dried up, I had to give it a go. In 2014 I raced TCR for the first time, made loads of mistakes, got injured and went on a roller coaster of emotions and most importantly realised the joy of travelling long distances by bike. Since that moment I have travelled all over the world on my bike, both racing and touring, but the Divide has always remained atop my to do list.
 
So here we are in 2019 and the time has come to give the Divide a go. I very much feel like a rookie, albeit an experienced one. My aim is to complete the Divide and enjoy the terrain and the experience. If I use my experience to its potential then it may be a reasonable finish time, but I’m taking nothing for granted, I just want to finish!
 
Big thanks must go out to HuntBikeWheels, WTB, Mason Progressive Cycles, dhb clothing and Miss Grape for their support in making this happen.

![Josh Ibbett 01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7Amq4LDBRCQGtPN01Sj3jb/21f7d2697c585a66f5c6e48a0a1e7e5b/Josh_Ibbett_01.jpg)

![watch](//assets.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1t8idqOVLxa0uT3WoSP40X/92bbfa15f142c8ceb3fa7d6703a2f0d0/watch)

Editor: You can find Josh online: Instagram: joshibbett / Strava: Josh Ibbett / youtube: josh ibett


My name is Kim Raeymaekers from Oud Turnhout, Belgium. I’m 37 years of age and a self employed house-painter. 

![Kim 02](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3k9ibYE2AIKXkrkN5QOKpu/4830b6dfbac6aa74c5c7f75dcca56f6f/Kim_02.jpg)

I started cycling in 2011 after checking the tour divide website and pictures for too many times. After 4 months of training I started the 2011 TD with barely any bike or camp experience. I would learn the hard way and by looking at the other riders. Despite knowing very little I figured it out and reached the border of Mexico in 23 days. Physically and mentally completely drained. I told myself never again!!!

I stopped cycling for about 2 years after that. And started riding a road bike in 2013 again. The cycling bug bit me again and entered the TransContinental Race in 2014 and finished in about 12 days on that one. In 2015 I joined the TransAm Bike Race where I unexpectedly finished 2nd after 20 days. After that I took a year off so I could join the Indian Pacific Wheel Race in 2017. I was running in 5th position when the tragic accident happened and Mike Hall passed away. After that tragic event I decided I wouldn’t be doing road races anymore. So I switched to MTB again in 2018 to do the Silk Road Mountain Race, where I finished in an unofficial 3rd fastest time. After being in the wild and remote area of Kyrgyzstan it made me wanna do the Tour Divide again. The reason why I do these events is to see that part of the world where most people wouldn't even think about going. See a part of the real world, not some tourist attraction. The race factor is a bonus but not a must. More important is the people you meet on the road. The locals, fellow racers. I managed to make some good friends on these events and the camaraderie is more important than a top position in the GC. Being more experienced now and more prepared on all levels, my ambition for this years Tour Divide is to see how fast I can go, and shave of a week or so from my first attempt. We will see how things go. Having fun is still the number 1 on my list.

I want to give special thanks To WWW.CHIRUBIKES.COM for helping me out with one of their top end TI bikes. I will be riding the CHIRU Kegeti with WWW.CECOMPONENT.COM wheels, fork, seat-post. I would also like to thank WWW.7MESH.COM for providing me with their excellent gear  and WWW.MET-HELMETS.COM for protecting my head.

Shoot for the moon!!! I hope to see you all in Banff!!!

![Kim 04](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/33ThBZI6LDfvlNVzDO1hdX/3f31f4b0f55d09008cbfcb786d5acda9/Kim_04.jpg)






Boozhoo, nindinawemaaganidoog. Alexandera nindizhinikaaz zhaaganaashiimong. Wisconsin keyaa zhaawanong nindoonjibaa. Nahgahchiwanong nindaa. Hello, all my bike riding relatives. My English name is Alexandera and I grew up in the Rock River Valley of Southern Wisconsin; south of Lake Superior, west of Lake Michigan. I live in northern Minnesota now. I’m not much for talking about myself, but I have been growing to know this woman very well over the years, and I call her Ditibised.

![Alexandera 01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/734SF0vkXrEFF6VZp74Low/410cab2c3097b36f907f81dd8c1b2dca/Alexandera_01.jpg)

She told me she’d been racing bikes all winter—
Shelltrack: 25th place
Tuscobia: 16th place?
Polar Roll: 63rd place
Ragnarok: 55th place
Arizona Trail Race 300: DNF

She’s usually mid pack when it’s time to cross the finish line. But, somehow, last year, she placed first female in a race spanning the country, over massive mountains that took her three weeks to traverse. Back at it again this year, she told me she’s going to try and shave 6 days off of her finish time from last year. I said she’s crazy, and she said, she’s only bringing one speed.

She told me that racing the divide isn’t pitting you against them; it’s you against you. And if you keep at it long enough, you may win a race that will change your life, even if you never win races any other time. And if you have a dreamy bike build from the radical team at CHUMBA USA, they will set you up with a single speed shred machine so that the only person out there racing against you is your inner quitter. And if you share your dreams loudly enough, Broken Spoke Bike Studio may be listening and ask you to race on their team, alongside badass riders who are way tougher than you’ll ever be. And if you climb the same mountain 27 times in a row, and all of your gear gets stolen, the great folks at the Austin Patagonia store will send you a recovery package in the mail. Or at least that’s what Ditibised told me could happen.


Hello there, my name is Kai. I'm doing the Tour Divide this year.

![Kai 01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/51Qu22qukhVLsIE5YBAl24/a6fcc12ff067c953ad6fbb80733962aa/Kai_01.jpg)

The TD has always been on my to do list since I started doing ultra events. I heard a lot of great things about the route. The remoteness and the beauty of the nature. So I'm excited to do it this year, especially with known riders, who became friends during my last year's of taking part in some ultra-events.

Although I already completed several rides, like the TransAm 2016, IPWR 2017 and NCTR 2018, I'm looking forward about the learning-process I will go through riding a MTB this time through remote areas for days and days.

I started riding my bike pretty much daily, since I became a bike messenger '98. After doing Triathlons and a lot of cycle touring throughout the years, I started with long distance riding 2010 doing the Brevets for PBP, that I completed 2011 and 2015.

I do like to challenge myself and test out my mental and physical limits in extreme riding situations. Trying to deal and solve upcoming issues like sleep deprivation, thirst and hunger, bike mechanics, etc., When you are in this extreme environment, helps and teaches me also a lot about myself and life.

Since the beginning of taking part in Ultra-Races, I try to "warm-up" with bike tours to or before the start. This year I'm not breaking with this habit, so right now I'm on my way from San Francisco to Banff to get into the daily rhythm.

I do like to thank some crews out there,who are supporting me throughout the years of riding:

My mates of the Pony Riders Courier Service, who let me go to those events each year.

The Guys from Radsport Bomm, who are taking care of my bikes and getting my set-up ready.

The Kurierzentrale, Basel, who supporting me with cycling gear and other stuff. The girls from Diamantfabrikken in Berlin, who make sure that my skin gets covered with ink. And last but not least the Samurai-Messenger-Crew in New York, my Homebase when away from home.

So long. Hope to see some of you up there in Banff.
Happy Riding, Kai

![Kai 02](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4izOIiYtCs0va9qbng5mdP/088d43272fb05ca7e69c36f9483f9718/Kai_02.jpg)


My name is Lael Wilcox.

![Lael 01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5zdQ05W6nU8UsmgPILufZA/4809e4a281a4b5d6cbee374323bc5047/Lael_01.jpg)

I raced the Tour Divide twice in the summer of 2015, first with the Grand Depart in June and again on an Independent Time Trial in August. In that summer, I brought the women's record down from 19 days, 2 hours (set by Eszter Horanyi in 2012) to 15 days, 10 hours. In addition, I rode to the start of the Tour Divide in Banff from Alaska both times. In total, I rode 8,600 miles from May-August in 2015. 

I'm back this year because I absolutely love this route and the riding. It's wide open dirt roads over 50+ mountain passes through The Rockies. Fantastic Country. Conditions look tough this year, but I'm going to give it my all and I try for the overall win. You never know what can happen out there.

My Tour Divide race will be documented for a media project for PEARL iZUMi, Wahoo Fitness, Revelate Designs and Ergon. I'm also fortunate to be sponsored Hope, Komoot, and Specialized.

![Lael Bike SID](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/gaBuvT44YtgBEblHmBP8H/eef23632efc39547adc7e19373640992/Lael_Bike_SID.jpg)


My name is Lewis Brocklehurst, I am 24 and come from Canberra, Australia.

![Lewis 02](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2kb7MJTf92CDOVrQyjgzNZ/47264be3d20a2051c2033662ed1e26a2/Lewis_02.jpg)

This will be my first time to America, definitely a cool way to see the country by riding down the spine of the Rockies. I am a Rookie to the Tour Divide, however that being said over the past few years I have dissected both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, cycled up the highest mountain in Thailand, ridden the second highest pass in the world at 5,200m above sea level in Ladakh, India, and lit up the heat maps around Canberra and the Australian Alps. If anyone is curious, so far this year I’ve cycled 7,500km, so plenty of seasoning in the legs.

My overarching goal on The Divide is to have fun, see America and learn a bit more about myself. I will go as far and fast as possible, with respect to my health. My only real experience in ultra-distance racing has come from the Monaro Cloudride 1000 (an epic way to see the Australian Alpine region for anyone thinking of coming to Australia), after having taken a 2nd place the 2018 edition of the race.

Racing in this format can be really unpredictable, with all kinds of external forces at play outside of a riders cycling aptitude. Due to this I won’t be going in with overly high expectations, especially considered some of the riders lining up in Banff have been my idols and a source for inspiration for several years now.

I am really lucky to have a super network of friends and family, who seem to give me unconditional amounts of support and positive energy. Without naming individuals, you know who you are. Riding over the years has become a spiritual activity for me, a way to find peace in the world and within myself, two years ago I unexpectedly lost my Father to heart disease. He will be with me when I am riding into the night, so I won’t be alone.

It would have been that much harder to start the Tour Divide without good support, so massive shout out to the biggest bike shop in Australia Pushys, and Mitas tyres who have made prepping the bike almost an effortless job, then my cycling club ANUCC for the training motivation.

I will be riding a Cannondale FSI Factory, with a Curve rigid fork, Shimano XT running gears and a K-Lite dynamo.

You can follow my journey on Instagram for live updates: LewisBrocklehurst

If anyone is thinking of doing The Divide, you should.

![Lewis 03](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3a0LLUNTk6RzntaoLZ2wRp/851401e515d31695f9b2fbb62f01cb8c/Lewis_03.jpg)


Running from Banff in Canada to Antelope Wells on the Mexican border, the Tour Divide is for many the halo event of Bikepack Ultraracing. With both South Bound and North Bound riders racing self-supported across approx. 2,745 miles (4,420km) of the ACA's Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, with a few diversions to spice it up. The 2019 edition had perhaps the deepest starting field ever, with prior winners of Tour Divide, TCR, TransAm, Terra Australis and Italy Divide all lining up. This year's race was epic!

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Tour Divide 2019

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