The Cordillera Volume 5 on 2013 Tour Divide Race is Now Available!

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Hi All,

I've just uploaded the latest version of the Cordillera to Lulu.com:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/christopher-bennett/the-cordillera-volume-5/paperback/product-21330778.html

The book is 251 pages long, with contributions from 51 people. Sorry about the higher price of $25 ... but don't forget, all proceeds go to the education fund of Dave Blumenthal's daughter Linnea.

Volume 5 of The Cordillera describes the 2013 race. The record number of starters had conditions that were near perfect. While we had the first sub 15 day finish, there were still the usual challenges of broken bikes, broken bodies and broken spirits.  But as always, the Cordillera is about focusing and getting on with the job of trying to reach Antelope Wells. Even if your frame has cracked and is being held together by duct tape. The common thread to all stories is the incredible strength of the human spirit, and what can be achieved if we really try.

There will also be e-books available. I've submitted a file to Amazon for a Kindle version, and I'm also trying an e-book with Lulu.

Thanks again for all the support from everyone - especially Scott Thigpen for his cover work, and the authors. Here's a few samples:

 ... I suspect there was a lightning strike very close to me on this section of road which probably blew me off my bike. I had a few scratches on my knee and a sore wrist but otherwise seemed to be OK. I spent the evening regrouping and trying to refocus my mind on the task at hand Jesse Carlsson (2nd Place Finisher)

I had to stop, I had to do something. The only fluid I had to drink at this point was Gatorade, grape to be exact. I laid my bike down, grabbed a water bottle, pulled my shorts down and sprayed Gatorade everywhere down there!  Michael Arenberg

After requesting something in the neighbourhood of 10,000 calories, I looked to a fellow racer, Brett Simpson, and his reply was: “Are you sure that’s all you need?”  Nick Legan

The book also contains the results of our first ever 'Gear Survey'. A must read for all future Tour Divider's. Many nuggets of wisdom.

Hope you find the book interesting and inspiring.

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Hi All,

For those of you who want an electronic version of the Cordillera I have managed to get it published as a Kindle version at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H3IOM4C

Now the bad news. To get a reasonable royalty for Linnea's college fund, I had to set the price at $30. And, even then the royalty is only 2/3 of what she gets from the print book at Lulu.com. So please consider buying the print book! It also better reflects the layout efforts :-)

Chris

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Hi All,

I've managed to get the V4 manuscript and its available as a Kindle version on Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H4LTUEA

Time to hang up my editor's hat for another year and get on my bike. Summer is here in N.Z. so fine weather for riding ...

Chris

[JeffM-VT]

My book just arrived (books actually - I bought 4 additional copies to give as Christmas gifts for supporters) and I just quickly browsed through it.  It looks like a job very well done!

Thanks Chris!  And good luck in the London to Istanbul race in 2014...

Jeff Mullen

[Christopher R. Bennett]

My book just arrived (books actually - I bought 4 additional copies to give as Christmas gifts for supporters) and I just quickly browsed through it.  It looks like a job very well done!

Thanks Chris!  And good luck in the London to Istanbul race in 2014...

Jeff Mullen

Thanks for your kind words. It was quite an effort this year with 251 pages, and doing the gear survey. I've not seen the final product so glad they pass the first glance test.  Riding London-Istanbul will be easier than this! But then after the race I'll have Cordillera 6 to look forward to, so a year of endurance tests :-)

Regards,

Chris

[GregMay]

Thanks Chris, grabbing a copy for myself and as a present for my mother who, as of yet, is blissfully unaware of what the Divide actually is

[Couloirman]

order placed-- thanks for putting this together!

[GregMay]

Two copies arrived today, thanks for putting this together.

[Canbaroo]

Thanks Chris,

Mine arrived yesterday. It's gone into the Santa Sack... I'll look forward to the read over the holiday break and the introduction of conversations that gently meander towards Friday 13 ........ in  Banff. 

[falkenjaeger]

My copies arrived yesterday, just in time for christmas. After a long day working I couldn't find my way to the basement and do some spinning. Reading only a few pages in the Cordillera I was motivated within minutes again and back on the bike. Great job, Chris an many thanks for all the work and so many new aspects on the TD.

[bouldernick]

Thanks for putting it together Chris! Ordered my copy today!

[kato]

Chris, thanks much for this.  I look forward to getting my copy.  The first 4 volumes have made for some great reading.  Highly recommended for those that haven't obtained a copy yet.

[sfuller]

I have received and read my copy through cover to cover (along with the other 4 late last year). Great job on selecting stories and putting everything together. Worth every one of the extra pennies it cost this year.

Thank you Chris, and everyone who contributed (in any form)

[groundedkiwi]

Just received this from Lulu.  14% off through Feb 14th, 11:59pm.   Buy LOTS!!!!!!

"Show some love this Valentine’s Day with the perfect gift that says exactly how you feel. Or treat yourself and save on your own books!

Use code AMOR14 and save 14% site wide.

With that kind of savings, your wallet will feel loved, too

Your Friends at Lulu"

[Norb]

Thanks, Chris, for all of your efforts on V5 of the Cordillera!  Copies ordered and looking forward to the extended version.   

[MetaSequoia]

Thanks for putting this together -ordered in print to add to volumes 1-4.

[groundedkiwi]

Free shipping at Lulu, just two more days...get it while you can...

"As we all hunker down, Lulu wanted to share the warmth with free mail shipping on all orders for the next three days with code 6MOREWEEKS. If you’re unsure what to read, be sure to check out some of our favorites at Shop.Lulu.com.

But hurry! This offer ends February 5th at Midnight. "

[wunnspeed]

I'm glad to see the electronic versions out. Now, if only we could get V3 (the year I rode) in electronic form too my reading life would be nearly perfect.

2nd question... how do people find out that the contributions are open? I completely missed out my year but might ride it again in the next couple of years and would like to contribute when I do.

[Christopher R. Bennett]

The best way of getting an invite is to put your name in the unofficial starter's list with an e-mail contact. It's too difficult otherwise to get hold of the riders.

Contact me offline about a soft copy for Volume 3.