The award-winning documentary “Ride the Divide” that chronicles the world's longest mountain bike race is scheduled for a free showing Thursday night in Seattle.
Jump on over to the REI website right now to sign up [then return to this article], as there are only a handful of registrations remaining.
If you live somewhere else in the US, check the screenings schedule at the “Ride the Divide” website.
In addition to the documentary, local Tour Divide competitor Kent Peterson of Issaquah will be on hand to share his experiences.
Award
The 80-minute film won the “Best Adventure Film” prize at the 2010 Vail Film Festival. I had the excellent fortune to stumble across an online showing Saturday night on YouTube.
Not only do the filmmakers capture the spectacular beauty of the mountain bike race route, but also the extreme physical and mental toll it exacts on the participants.
Three racers
The film focuses primarily on three cyclists — Matthew Lee, a multiple winner; Mike Dion, one of the filmmakers, and Mary Metcalf Collier. Not to give anything away, but you'll be surprised who finishes and who doesn't. Of the 100 participants in the race's history, fewer than 40 have finished.
The Tour Divide generally follows dirt and gravel roads along the Continental Divide from Banff, Canada, to the Mexican border at Antelope Wells, New Mexico. During the 2,700-mile trek, the bike racers encounter bears (black and grizzly), snow, extremes of temperature, 200,000 feet of climbing, and the opportunity to over-indulge on pork barbecue sandwiches.
The race is based on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route created for touring by Adventure Cycling Association.
Thursday show
The showing is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at REI-Seattle, 222 Yale Ave. North.
More details about the movie can be seen at the “Ride the Divide” website. Other screenings coming up in this month:
Oct. 3 – Portland, Oregon
Oct. 4 – Prescott, Arizona
Oct. 5 – Durango, Colorad
Oct. 6 – Flagstaff, Arizona
Oct. 7 – Tempe, Arizona, Atlanta, and Seattle
Oct. 8 – Reno, Nevada
Oct. 13 – Santa Fe, New Mexico
Oct. 14 – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Oct. 16 – Silver City, New Mexico
Oct. 23 – Santa Monico, California
If you're interested in reading more about “Ride the Divide,” there's an interview with filmmaker Dion at Montana Business.
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