OYSTER POND--St. Maarten resident Karl Spijker on Sunday, July 6, finished the infamous “Tour Divide” a self-supported Canada/USA bike race in 23 consecutive days and eight hours, covering a distance of 4,450k (2,710 miles) with elevation gain of 52,000 metres, and establishing a benchmark for human endurance and resilience.
Congratulations have been pouring in for Spijker (53) who crossed the finish line in Antelope Wells, New Mexico, on Sunday, exhausted and elated from his monumental achievement.
Over the 23 days he endured climate changes from intense heat to freezing snow and terrain varying from deserts, remote wilderness to mountain passes, sleeping on average six hours per night.
The annual totally-unsupported race, described as “bike packing,” offers no prizes or medals, and is done by intrepid cyclists just for the glory of competing and finishing. Both professionals and amateurs participate in it. It starts in Banff, Canada, and finishes at the border of Mexico and New Mexico.
Riders have to carry their own food, water supply, and tents on their bikes as well as a GPS tracker. They have to pass through check points on the course. It was also mandatory to carry a Garmin Reach Messenger in case of emergencies so riders can message out if needed.
Already a very fit cyclist, Spijker nevertheless undertook weeks of training rides to increase his endurance, and spent months modifying his Trek Supercaliber bike, among other things to carry pannier bags on the back wheel to be prepared for the race.
The following is one of his posts (unedited) after completing the race:
“My first bike packing race, as a rookie, against all the odds. I finished the racing category in the top 70 of the 223 starters. Overcame my left leg not working on day one. I also overcame knee pain and Achilles heel pain on multiple days. Wild camping, cowboy camping, pit toilets, community centres to sleep in, and three nights in a hotel. Saw beautiful wildlife, including a full adult bear crossing 25 metres in front of me.
“Rattle snakes down south. Hail and biking in the snow, intense heat up to 42c, peanut butter mud , water and food shortage. Totally emptied the tank several times. Saved by trail angels. Made new friends and saw more of the beautiful world on my mountain bike, the full length of the Rocky Mountains ridge.
“The course passed through the most remote villages you can imagine, sometimes only 10 residents. Resupply of food at gas stations. One thing I did not overcome was saddle pain. But in general, I'm ultimately grateful. No crashes. Great memories.”
Asked on Monday if he would do the race again, Karl replied: “It’s a once in a lifetime thing. You go through so much. I don’t know if I would do it again. It's changed my life forever. I met so many new people. It was a wonderful experience.”
Secretary of the St. Maarten Cycling Federation (SMCF) Susy Piscione, noted Karl is a federation member and in the Masters B category for local races.
“When he returns Karl will be racing in the St. Maarten National Championships on July 19 and 20.
Congratulations
. We are very proud of him because he has just done something that no other top cyclist from St. Maarten has done, ever,” she said.
The 2025 Tour Divide edition attracted 238 riders (207 men and 29 women) and was won by a male rider in 12 days. Depending on motivations, participants either treat the event as a race or a long endurance ride which explains why riders were still on the course as of Monday according to Tour Divide race tracking.
