A week and a half after finishing the Great Divide Race in 2011, I had the chance to talk with Ray Porter about his experience and his preparation for the 2,600 mile race along the US Continental Divide from Banff Canada and ending up at the US/Mexico Border over some 26 days of riding.

Ray died of cancer on December 27, 2013 (two days ago).  We first knew something was wrong when he was not feeling well in early November and he and Gina had to miss our camping and riding trip to Tyler State Park.  Ray was diagnosed a week later and and was gone before the end of the next month.  For me it's been like watching a good friend die in a car crash in slow motion and being helpless to do ANYTHING about it.  I can't imagine what this has been like for his family.

I've had this recording for over two years.  Back then I asked him if I could record our conversation because he's a man of a lot of action and very few words.  He had just become clearly the most accomplished cyclist I knew personally and a local legend being the first Texan to complete the GDR.  I'm not sure why I wanted to record it other than to have an excuse to ask him more questions than he would sit still for otherwise.  I had no specific plans to share or otherwise publish this.  I never even shared this with his wife Gina until now and if you listen to the part where I get him to actually talk about how he feels about what he has done and his relationship with it you will understand why it never felt right.  I'm sharing this with those he touched and inspired now so that they might find something here that helps them know him better and feel closer.

My words cannot express to Gina and the rest of Ray's family and friends how sorry I am for their loss much less my own pain over this.  But several times in this recorded conversation Ray will tell you in his own words how important you have been to him with your support and inspiration. I hope it helps.

This is what happens when two introverts decide to record their conversation.

Ray Porter talks about the The Great Divide Race

If you've landed here you probably know about Phillip Bird and his finishing of the 2015 Tour Divide Race from Banf, Canada along the continental divide and ending at the Mexican border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico.  The 61 year old "Bird Man" covered an amazing 2,753 miles over 28 days of a variety of challenges. I was offered the great opportunity of traveling with his wife, Della Bird, to meet Philip at the finish and drive them back home to Dallas, Texas.  Along the way I was able to document the final hours of Phillip's achievement and reunion with Della.

A couple of weeks later Phillip agreed to sit down and tell his story and share his experience with the community that supported him and cheered him on.  We covered everything from how he came to know about the race, how he prepared himself, his gear, and what he learned during those 28 days on a bike self supported.


Phillip Bird TDR 2015 Interview

Kevin Lee provides last minute information about how to the the most from your Red RIver Riot experience.  We cover things like parking, camping, course conditions, GPS files, food, etc.

Mike Reyher