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Always Riding
Always Riding

Established in April 2008 by two apparel obsessed friends, Always Riding exists to help you choose and wear the most comfortable, stylish, and technically advanced clothes available, whether you hit the trails or the tarmac. We'll give you a selection of the best brands, make it simple to take a look, and even easier to get them to your door.

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Tour Divide: Finished!

Well, I finished in a little under 29 days and 12 hours.  Some very long days in the saddle and I finished incredibly tired on 4 days. In the North we were derailed by snow and in New Mexico by forest fires. My latest finish was 0200am in cold and rain into Lima.

I thought my time was up in Silver City NM just 125 miles from the finish when I took a wrong turning. I started to ask a woman for directions and two police cars descended on us.  Asked if we were ok and had any problems and I told them I was a bit lost. They sent me on my way quickly enough although the guns were a bit off-putting though never drawn. Not exactly certain what the well dressed woman was doing in the scrub.....

A little disappointed with my time as it was a fast year but I tried as hard as I could. I will write up further and post a few pictures once I am back in the UK in August. I had no punctures and no mechanical issue though I did partly change my drive-train and brake pads after 1,500 miles. I also lost my GPS after 81 miles which proved a bit of a loss.

The Canadian and American people we met were incredible. They would engage in conversation at shops, would stop their cars to ask if all was well or did we need any food and water.  I was offered a lift on 3 occasions - bit like the Tour De France of 100 years ago.

In the pictures previously posted the beer drinking was in Como after about 1,800 miles in a town with a population of 21 and an English landlord.  My fellow riders were Reinhold Mueller from Germany and Will from Scotland. The third show shows me with fellow Derby Mercury riders Martin Wimpenny (left) and Mike Hall (centre). Mike finished 10th and Martin finished on 4th July I believe.  Not sure of my final position.  I suspect I made a minor error early on and will possibly be disqualified. I also know some in front of me missed a section on the penultimate day so will need to wait and see regarding the official results.

Many thanks to Pete and Leire for the kit for the event supplementing what I had already accumulated. The kit lasted a lot better than I did. I wore mostly Craft and Exteondo clothing with my favourite Ibex arm warmers and club jersey.

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Filed under: Click here to add a tag to this post. Craft Clothing Etxeondo Tour Divide Tour de France
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