Scratched. When your Tour Divide doesn't go as planned.
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- Опубликовано: 20 июн 2023
- Julie Labrecque was the first pink dot to scratch on Tour Divide 2023. She took the Grand Depart with a L5 S1 herniated disk but thought "it would be just fine". She inflammed her injury on the very first day of the Divide but things got really bad on the second day as she was pulling her bike up the Wall - the short but very steep hike a bike that starts the last mountain pass before entering the States.
From there, she had to slow down and take long recovery breaks. She eventually scratched on Day 9, but enjoyed every moment!
/ julabrecque
www.julielabrecque.com
The TD is such a lifetime achievement, you did great getting that far given the circumstances ! It was very inspiring to see your posiivity despite your initial goal being out of reach. There is always next time for that...
Great effort ! ! ! ! ! Thanks for sharing ! ! ! ! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Well done Julie for getting where you did in this years TD. I had to scratch last year on the TD as I hit a rock and fell off the bike on Phillips Road, descending to the US/Canada border and broke 6 ribs. I recovered in 2 months and then continued on with my travels, riding from Nordkapp Norway to Athens Greece over 3 months. The plan is to ride the TD next year, fingers crossed
Wow, amazing story! Maybe I'll see you in Banff next year 🤞
some of the best footage Ive seen of the route. thanks for sharing and heal up soon.
You’ll be back. No pun intended 😊
Thank you for sharing your story. Your resilience and decision to appreciate every mile despite the pain and difficulty is truly inspiring
I start the ride July 29th in Banff. Riding by myself. Being 62 old Grandpa , a few pounds over. Keep practicing back roads and KY hills. I pray that I can hold 60 mile plus per day and my back and bike holds up. See you out their next time God Bless
Fantastic effort, fantastic video
Great effort and film.
I’m amazed you made it as far as you did in that kind of pain. As a person with a herniated disk, most people just don’t realize how much back pain colors everything you do. I hope you recover quick and don’t be afraid of PT, it really helps shore up your body to prevent injuries in the future even if you feel recovered and strong.
Well done. You are one tough girl 🎉
Great video! Hope you are feeling better soon! ->Recover/Repeat 😊
Amazing effort. Well done.
I'm sorry to hear about the injury. Thank you very much for making this video and bringing us along. Bounce back fast and ride it again!
Nice work still! Be proud!
Kudo's - My heart goes out to you. Very inspiring - thank you.
coming from florida the first time and being in glacier for 2 weeks outback i was dumbstruck by beauty every night (stars) and everyday (everything else including huckleberry jam and pies). sorry you had to scratch, it is a tough thing to do.
Well done. You should be so proud. 🎉 feel better.
good video, Great job !
Merci beaucoup pour le partage. Ton sourir sur le vélo compte plus pour nous que tu ne peux l'imaginer. Ne le perds pas. "Smiles" over "miles", c'est pour ça qu'on ride après tout!
That's life. Don't worry, the next time will be better.
A big bravo from Greece...
🙁 you are great!!!!
Wow! Still amazing in my book!
Nice you was there
I scratched last year in 2022 due to a knee injury. I came back this year and finished. In retrospect, pulling the plug was 100% the correct call, my knee was only getting worse. Sometimes the "mind of matter" thing really isn't correct. Physical therapy and more training and you'll be back to crush it!
Waaaw thanks for this and congrats on your 2023 Divide!!!
You are a hero for getting out there and fighting hard.
Fab video Julie! So gutted for you that you had to scratch 😢
Aaah Sacha, all your wonderful Instagram photos and stories are making me think about next year!! 🫣
The solitude , looks immense.
Appreciate your honesty and sharing your disappointment. I can emphasize with lower back issues ! btw never have to apologize for the accent. I am embrassed to say, that your English far outdoes my French
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Julie, thanks for sharing your story. You should still be proud of your accomplishment, and I'm hoping you'll still be able to do it in the future. I've fought back issues for decades, and it can be totally debilitating. I tried the great divide in 2022, but after 4 days my left knee started to have much pain and swelling. I stopped for a rest day to ice my knee, started hike-a-biking up anything over 8%, then 6%, but threw in the towel after my last 2 day rest with no improvement, I couldn't pedal the bike at all. Like you I was devastated to have to quit, as I was really enjoying it. I'm in my 60s with a history of knee issues, but in all my preparation, including a 3-day shakedown ride on the Colorado Trail, I had no problems, so thought I was good to go. I've not given up though, I had a knee replacement on my problem arthritic knee 3 months ago, and will do the other knee early next year. If I can I'll try to re-start the Divide from where I left off in Montana next year if my recovery is OK, or maybe the year after. I'm not giving up such a great opportunity. Best of luck in your recovery.
Nobody beats the Divide. A lucky few get the passport to try it. You entered the ring and fought hard. Live to fight another day. Thank you for your post!👍
great video, Julie. I appreciate so much your perspective on the race and the route, and what it means to be human when you are attempting something superhuman.
Thanks for the video and comments. Wifey and I are seniors who are considering riding the Divide, but of course it will take a few months as we ride slow and smell the flowers and take pictures on our very stable fatbikes. Heal quick and keep at it. :)
Thank you for all the hard training and preparation you did for TD23 JL, and for sharing your story. You showed a lot of grit and i learned something valuable from your experience. Take Care!
Thank you for filming that, for editing that, and for posting that. I am grateful to have been able to watch it.
The (first?) world (or is it North America only?) got so used finding (optimal) entertainment in the interaction of super lows (sketchy, dangerous, hurt) and heavenly highs (wow! beautiful! I am so glad!)
I wish we could just be normal and not having to present our endeavours for the sake of likes
Holy moly! Great achievement. Loved the video . I can't imagine what pain you were in.
Now looking at the route, thinking about how I'd spin up to doing this much more slowly than you were doing...
Wonderful video of parts i don't know. Live on ride, trail Angel water Colorado mile 1,640 riders.
Ute pass Steve.
Sorry didn't get to meet you, do most riders here.
Thank you Julie, the trail will be waiting for your return.
Still a hero in my book! Being smart scratching doesn't change that.
Well you got the QOM at least right?! Thanks for sharing!
Really enjoyed this next time you kick ass i like the camera position
So sorry you couldn’t have the ride you wanted. Great video showing your grit, strong riding, appreciation of the beauty, and heartbreak of having to stop. Next time!!
Great job with great footage better to live to see another day like many have said.
Thanks for sharing your magnificent views!
Injuries and the bodies process of trying to heal, really take a lot out of your endurance. Smart that you pulled out especially with a back injury. Make sure it heals fully so it doesn't become a constant! Looking forward to seeing you on your next Tour Divide! 🚴♂
Always very hard to scratch! Appreciate the video
What an heroic effort! That was the best view of Fleecer Ridge that I’ve seen so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your story and hope you can return. ❤
Bravo Julie...merci pour ce vidéo qui donne un peak a cette incroyable aventure....quel courage
Thank you for sharing this - my brother is doing it but further back - so interesting to see the tracks that he is doing. So sorry that you had to pull out but I understand that you need to look after yourself.
I’ve been in the same position. Remember its the experience that it was supposed to be! 😊😊🙏
This was great. Keep going when body allows 👍
Although this may seem a setback, you need to keep that body working for many years to come. You made a very wise choice. No apologies needed for your superb American English. Bonne chance a tous.
Thank you for sharing your tale of resilience. I’ve had back issues in the past. Self care has to be your priority. The adventure will still be there once you are healthy. Take care.
Aw that sucks. I first herniated my disc just after high school... recently messed it up for the third time picking up a ball for a dog 😂Just be glad you got the chance to race (I have too many injuries to ever), and that you obviously still have a very healthy body otherwise 😁All the best in your recovery.
I had the privelege of riding the Great Divide Route, to celebrate my 60th birthday, over three months. I have total respect for all who ride the Tour Divide however much of the ride that they complete. That is a completely different world of riding. All respect! Hope you will be able to heal properly and give it another shot.
Passion ought entail taking care of one's self. Lower back means legs need stretching, and or modify handlebar height, etc.
Thanks for sharing your story. Sorry it didn’t go as planned. Hold your head up. Maybe next year. 🤙🏼🚴🏼♀️
Ah man, this is amazing Julie. So tough to watch though... as I was following along on strava and was so heartbroken for you when your injury started to haunt you.
You rode so well, and I always enjoy your adventures! You have more grit than most people I know combined.
Great video!
Thanks Mikey!! I wish I had your creative and editing talents though ;)
Having this video recommended to me is a crazy coincidence. This past week I started looking into the tour divide more seriously and also got an MRI back saying that I've got a herniated disc between L5 and S1. What are the odds?
Ha! I can't pretend that I know anything but it may be a good idea to get the hernia under control prior to attempting the Divide :) I was recommended the "Back Mechanic" book (Stuart McGill) by someone in here and it's a great starting point! Good luck with training, have fun!!!
@@julabrecquebikes haha it seems to be a popular book. I had someone recommend it to me and I just got done reading it. Thanks for the suggestions and good luck with your recovery!
Chin high...there will be others!
Ugh, sorry to hear about your injury. Rest, recover and rebuild. L5S1 is a pain in the ass. I know all about it (had to cancel my Unbound 200). Get some well earned rest and see a sports physio/specialist and come back stronger next year!
wow, les paysages sont spectaculaires!! Dommage que l'aventure se termine, mais quelle aventure et quantité de guts qu'il faut pour se lancer dans telle épreuve!! 🤟
Merci pour la vidéo, superbes paysages! Je pensais aussi faire du bikepacking dans kes prochaines semaines et je me suis blessé au bas du dos en bike de montagne. 😔 Félicitations d'avoir apprécié le plus possible; ca a du être très décevant. Prends soin de toi. Une suggestion: le livre "the back mechanic" de la sommité mondiale en maux de dos: le dr. Stuart McGill.
En attendant mes rendez-vous / x-rays, je consultais les différents livres sur le sujet et suis justement tombée sur The Back Mechanic. Je viens de l'acheter suite à ta recommendation! Merci!
@@julabrecquebikes super! J'espère que ça t'aidera. J'ai fait ses "big 3 non negotiable exercises" (15min par jour, tous les jours), et ça m'a donné une année complète sans aucun mal de dos, une première depuis 10 ans, ce qui m'a permis de faire du ski de BC et du VDM a fond...jusqu'à la semaine dernière... Je rêve du tour divide, alors que toi tu l'a fait pendant une semaine! 💪💪💪 Bon courage!
Great video. And again, so sorry that you had to scratch. At least I got to ride a little with you on day 2. But I can see how Koko Claims and the Wall could aggravate an already bad back. I hope you are able to rest and fully heal up.
Justin
Glad I was able to somewhat keep up with you on day 2!!! Thanks Justin and I hope to see you again on the trails!!
Sorry about your ride, Such is life. Some races are good. Others are not..
Julie Labrecque is one BAD A** M-F’er. I am sad to hear about your low back injury, as I suffer from this injury as well. Take care of yourself, and let yourself heal so that you can come back another time and kick this Tour Divide’s a**. Meredith and I salute you! Stay well, stay healthy, and keep filming your incredible and inspirational adventures! Your Friend, and someone that you summited Mt. Rainier with, Leah Schulz. :)
Leah you're always the best 💜
Salut Julie,
D’abord ça s’écrit Antilope ( from Latin Antilopinae family), How are you supposed to pronounce properly a word which spelling is wrong ?!🙄
Yeah, Fleecer Ridge is steep-ish, drones do a better job than GoPros, indeed.
For the record, it’s been ridden downhill by GDMBR bike tourists on touring bikes with the classic 4 panniers set up, 650b wheels-road tires-rim brakes, and even recumbents.
The good news, you know what F.R is like and have plenty of time to hone your MTB downhill riding technique before next time.
You are really talented about editing-telling a story in a 9:25 video👍
All the best in your recovery, listen to your body, take it easy.
Does filming interfere with your sense of freedom and presence?
Very interesting question. I originally thought it would and was very hesitant to bring a GoPro. In the end, not at all - my focus was on riding but turning on the camera once in a while was a cool distraction (I had no objective or pressure to come up with anything). This is such a long journey with plenty of saddle time that taking a few seconds or minutes here and there to capture the moment doesn't take anything away. Now that I'm home, I'm super happy I did! I brought part of my aventure and emotions back with me :)
@@julabrecquebikes Thank you for sharing your adventures au velo. I hope your back feels better. Go well.
cry like you were forced at gunpoint
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