4300 kilometers (2700 miles). 48,000 meters (158,000 feet) of climbing. One relentless, awe-inspiring ride down the spine of North America.
The 2025 Tour Divide—the ultra-endurance bikepacking race that stretches from Banff, Canada to the southern tip of New Mexico—has officially wrapped, and Reserve ambassador Max Riese delivered a performance for the ages.
A Dream Years in the Making
The Tour Divide isn’t just another ultra. It’s the granddaddy of them all. Remote, raw, and largely self-supported, it challenges riders with everything from glacial mountain passes to sun-scorched deserts, unrideable trails to endless corrugated gravel. For Max, this wasn’t just another event—it was a personal summit.
“It fascinated me from the beginning of my ultra cycling endeavors,” Riese says. “One of the oldest races in bikepacking, with minimal organization and a great amount of unknowns.”
The 2025 edition threw every kind of challenge at the field—snow, 40°C heat, rain, headwinds, and more. But Max came into it laser-focused, having poured months into meticulous preparation.
Training, Tech, and Tenacity
To tackle this behemoth, Riese took no shortcuts. From December onward, he committed to a rigorous training plan, dialed in his nutrition (yes, even weighing his food), and fine-tuned every component of his kit—including his Reserve wheelset.
“I had all the equipment, tech, and software I could wish for—not even talking about the in-person support. I went into the race with career-best power numbers, a solid weight, and a bike setup that still makes me proud.”
The level of detail was intense. POIs loaded onto his GPS. Cue sheets ready. Nothing left to chance.
The Race: From the Podium to the Brink—and Back
Max’s Tour Divide started fast—and hard. But just days in, his stomach rebelled.
“Suffering from illness, my body failed to ride the pace I wanted. I had to put all my willpower and stubbornness on the table to keep in contention.”
Despite the setback, he dug deep and pushed through, hovering near the top 10. Then, five days in, the cost became clear: his body was deteriorating, and weight loss made recovery impossible.
And yet, Max persisted.
He clawed his way back into podium contention near the end, but on the final night, exhaustion struck. He collapsed roadside for three hours—missing the podium, but never his resolve.
Crossing the Line: Sub-14
The reward? A finish time of under 14 days—a milestone achieved by only a handful of riders in the Tour Divide’s storied history. Max rolled into Antelope Wells as the 4th place finisher, but more importantly, as a member of an elite sub-14 club.
“It has been the ride of a lifetime. North America is massive. The CDT trails, the wildlife, the endless gravel—it's the kind of epic you can’t script.”
From Grand Teton National Park to desert crossings, Max’s stories weren’t just about terrain—they were about the people. “Trail angels with coolers, strangers yelling my name from cars, dot watchers tracking me to supermarket restrooms—it was surreal. The USA has good people.”
What It Took (By the Numbers)
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Distance: 4300 km (2700 miles)
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Elevation Gain: 48,000 m (158,000 ft)
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Calories Burned: 112,982 kcal (give or take)
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Avg Power: 149 watts (2.44 w/kg)
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Training Stress: 5310 TSS
Max’s Tour Divide wasn’t just a race—it was a reflection of grit, planning, and the spirit of adventure. We’re grateful to have been a part of that journey.
Thank you for trusting Reserve for this massive feat, Max.