Apparently TWICE is Never Enough!!
SO…..
Let’s run it back, again!!!
After a successful attempt in 2021, and an unsuccessful try in 2023 I (actually Lola and I, I’ll explain later) will once again attempt the Tour Divide!! This will once again be a full-featured version of the Tour Divide, starting in Banff Canada! 2750 miles of fun in the sun (and rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc…) Once again, I (we) will be…
2,745 miles of gravel riding. What could possibly go awry??
After a successful finish in 2021, and a truncated attempt in 2023 due to illness, We will try for another finish in 2024! If I learned anything from the first and second ride, it’s that things WILL be interesting!
This will be the third attempt (nothing on the TD is ever guaranteed, as was shown to me last year when I got sick after 600 miles/one week) of a Tour Divide finish. Recall that this all began on the 28th of December 2018, when Ray and I were invited by a group of friends to go to our favorite local bike shop in Las Cruces, NM, namely Outdoor Adventures. The purpose of the invitation was to hear a talk from Salsa Cycles rider Andrea Cohen. The topic, which we knew a little (a very little as it turns out) about was the Tour Divide race, which Andrea had recently completed. About 15 minutes into the presentation, Ray leaned over to me and quietly uttered the words that both have come to regret, love, and honor: “June 2020”. Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, our start was delayed until 2021, where it was definetly COVID impacted.
That’s it.
That’s how simple it was to get yourselves into a situation that was overwhelmingly complex, dauntingly foreboding, incredibly exciting, and so all-consuming that we set out to embark on the preparation (and completion) of a once (OK, maybe thrice…or more) in a lifetime endeavor; Racing a mountain bike from Canada, through the United States, to the northern border of Mexico. One final challenge, if that isn’t enough…you race it totally self-supported, without outside assistance or help.
The race course we did in 2021, covered two nations and 5 states states (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, USA). It was a 2,520 mile (4055km) route with around 150,000’ of climbing. The 2024 version will be about 2750 miles (4425km) with close to 200,000’ of climbing. It will include not only the 5 US states, but also the province of Alberta Canada, adding about 250 more miles, and allowing for the attempt to finish the complete version of THE TOUR DIVIDE!
Another big change this year is that Lola Cunico will be joining me for part of the route!!! Unfortunately due to her work requirements, she will be joining me somewhere along the route, as she only has 7-10 days she can take off. Still, we are training together and REALLY looking forward to the experiences of the Tour Divide!!
Meet Shane
I’m Shane Cunico. I was born and raised not far from the terminus of the Tour Divide (Antelope Wells): the Southwestern part of the United States (Arizona and New Mexico). I have lived in Las Cruces, NM, about 122 miles east of Antelope Wells, since I came to college at New Mexico State University (GO AGGIES!!). After receiving my degree in electrical engineering at NMSU, I started working for the Army at White Sands Missile Range, NM and stayed there until my retirement in August of 2019. I now work for NMSU.
I have been married to my wife Lola, originally from Taos, NM (a badass cyclist and much better mountain biker than I!) for 28 years. We have two kids. Daughter Shayla, an Arizona State University graduate now working at a graphic designer is South Scottsdale, AZ, and son Zane, a junior at NMSU majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I need not tell you how great these three people are. They support me in this (and many other) crazy endeavors, and that should tell you all you need to know. I LOVE these humans!!!
I started mountain biking at the ripe old age of 33. I progressed up to the Expert level and then decided to pursue road bike racing. I am currently a Cat 3 roadie. With Lola and my friends, I have competed in multiple 24 Hour MTB races, 10 and 12 hour solo MTB races, gravel races, road races, cyclocross races, and 1 great adventure completing the Tour Divide in 2021…basically racing anywhere you can on two wheels.
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
— John Muir