Richard's letter of intent to ride the Tour Divide

The Tour Divide ‘letter of intent’ tradition is borrowed from another grand tour staged in the hills above Harrisonburg, VA. USA. Each year competitors write a letter stating their intention to take part in the race. Here is Richard’s letter: 

3 March 2015 

Richard Parks

Cardiff, Wales, UK.

Dear Tour Divide Administration Team,

Please accept this letter as confirmation of my intent to join the other adventurous souls on the second Friday of June 2015 in Banff for the Grand Depart of the Tour Divide. 

It is with excitement and apprehension that I write this letter, imagining the 4418 self supported off road kilometres to be ridden from Banff, Canada along the continental divide to Antelope Wells, New Mexico.

It is not my intention to rush the privilege of experiencing self-reliance in such magnificent wilderness, however I am more comfortable moving efficiently in extreme environments. Therefore my equipment and race objectives will be in harmony with my philosophy.

Irregardless of the duration of my cycling expedition, it is the journey - literally and metaphorically that is the jewel, and I intend to breath and enjoy every moment of the challenges, and wonders that I will face along it.

I hope that Mother Nature will be kind to us, and I wish good fortune to all the cyclists that I will be joining in this wonderful piece of cycling legend.

May all our adventures be safe.

With gratitude,

Rich Parks