Over the last two decades, Richard has undertaken some incredible fundraisers for our charity. The biggest one was in 2015; he circumnavigated the British Isles, doing a quadrathlon every day to complete the 4410km journey! Well, Richard is back 10 years later and looking to complete the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. The route is 4339km and crisscrosses the Continental Divide in North America, from north to south, starting in Banff, Canada and finishing at the US/Mexico border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico.
Imagine biking through remote mountain ranges, rugged trails, and unforgiving terrain from Canada to Mexico. That’s the Tour Divide—one of the longest and toughest self-supported races on Earth.
There are no support teams, no aid stations—just you and your bike, navigating over 2,750 miles of challenging terrain in the Rocky Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert. It’s an extreme test of endurance, mental toughness, and grit.
It’s a challenge Richard Brash, a Berkhamsted business owner, will be undertaking on 13 June.
Richard commented – “I’m both excited and slightly scared by this challenge I’ve set myself! This isn’t just about pushing my physical limits—it’s about something much bigger. I’m riding to raise funds for The Pepper Foundation.
Every mile I ride will help provide essential care to those facing life-limiting illnesses and their families and if you donate you will be helping families get the care and support they need at the toughest times
Some Key Facts:
- 🚲 Distance: It’s about 2,700 miles (4,400 km) long, traversing rugged terrain across the Rocky Mountains.
- 🚲Elevation: Riders face over 200,000 feet of total elevation gain, making it extremely challenging. At 11,910 feet (3630 meters), Colorado’s Indiana Pass is the highest point on the route.
- 🚲Format: It’s a self-supported race — no outside help, team support, or pre-arranged assistance; riders must carry their own gear, find their own food, and manage their own repairs.
- 🚲Timing: There’s an unofficial mass start each June, but it’s a time-trial event — riders race the clock, not directly against each other.
- 🚲Conditions: The route crosses remote wilderness, forests, deserts, and mountain passes, often under tough weather conditions (snow, rain, heat).
- 🚲Navigation: Riders navigate using GPS, maps, and route notes — no physical course markings.
- 🚲Spirit: The emphasis is on endurance, resilience, and personal achievement over competition
You can follow the build-up and his journey by searching for Bonkers Brash on Instagram and Facebook – he’d love to have your support.
YOU CAN FIND OUR MORE HERE AND DONATE: https://pepper.enthuse.com/pf/bonkers-brash
Richard is no stranger to settig himself challenges for Pepper which he does every 10 years. in 2005 he cycled solo and unsupported from John O’Groats to Lands End in just 7 days. You may remember his last Round Britain Challenge in 2015 where he circumnavigated the coast of Britain in just 28 days doing a quadrathlon every day. To date Richard has raised over £25,000 for The Pepper Foundation.
See Richard talk about his past challenges and his current one in the video below.
