Tour Divide Aftermath

The moment it all ended

2017 Divide Lessons

Conditions

·         Mountain cough developed first day of riding and progressed into full on bronchitis with severe cough.

·         Shermer’s neck developed over first several days into full dropping of neck by day 10.

Shermer’s Neck Notes

·         Shermer’s neck a condition where the muscles of your neck have given out and you cannot hold your head up any longer.

·         Shermer’s Neck does not affect tourers and pro cyclist who spend all day in the saddle and get adequate rest each day.  It only strikes a small percentage of the maniacs who ride without stopping.

·         Strengthening neck inconclusive evidence it will actually help prevent in future

Mountain Cough (High Altitude Cough) Notes

·         Altitude cough may be due to bronchoconstriction (the narrowing of the airways that commonly occurs in asthma) or infection.

·         Cough could be caused by breathing cold dry air on the mountains.

Shermer’s Neck theories

·         Aggressive bike setup – rigid

·         Not enough rest – 32 hours straight was a mistake

·         Mountain cough strained neck

·         No stretching during night riding

·         Jarring effects of whoopty woo trail sections

·         Riding aero to much

2018 Divide Adjustments

Bike

·         Add light weight front suspension that I’m able to lock-out

·         Setup bike with a less aggressive position by adding more height to stem and aero bar setup

·         Change gearing by adding more gearing

Gear

·         Ripped rain pants will need a new pair

·         Ripped vapor socks will need to fix or replace

·         Look for items to cut to lighten load

Self

·         Visit with doctor on ways to prevent mountain cough

·         Rehab/Strengthen neck muscles

·         Sleep management - sleep more during race

·         Stretch head more especially during night riding

http://salsacycles.com/culture/practice_greg_gleasons_first_run_at_the_tour_divide_race

Practice - Greg Gleason's First Run at the Tour Divide Race | Salsa Cycles

Greg Gleason's 2017 Tour Divide didn't necessarily end the way he wanted it to. Racers have over 2,745 miles to experience challenges they could never have planned for, and in Greg's case, it took 1,250.