Ovando Throws Open the Doors to Cyclists

OVANDO – The simple act of reaching out to one woman who was in last place during the 2012 Tour Divide Bicycle Race has turned Ovando into a destination for Tour Divide riders and cyclists all over the world. Ovando's motto, "What we do for one, we do for all."

In 2012, Blackfoot Angler's owner Kathy Schoendoerfer got a call from someone telling her that cyclist Tracy Burge from Ohio was in last place, sick, hurting and about ready to give up. The community of Ovando responded by preparing their Sheppard's Wagon, which was only for tourist photos, so Burge could sleep inside. Food and beverages was also made available. They made a sign inviting Burge to stay in the wagon and also included a few words of encouragement.

Burge arrived in Ovando around 8 p.m. Schoendoerfer recalls a neighbor watching her read the sign and burst into tears of gratitude.

"We never forgot the feeling of helping someone out in need," said Schoendoerfer. "If we could do this for one person, imagine how many others would benefit from a little oasis in the middle of nowhere."

Since 2012, Ovando has added a teepee, opened up the wagon to cyclists and moved the old jailhouse downtown. Each shelter is complete with a sign-in log, beds, a lantern, clothesline, mirror and reading material for only $5 per night. There is also the Blackfoot Inn for a more comfortable stay. There was always good food available anytime at Trixi's and the Stray Bullet during the day.

Outhouses were available and depending on the year they have had solar showers. Ovando also got on the map with Adventure Cycling.

Schoendoerfer also started taking photos of the riders and posting them as they came through. This allowed those following the tour on the Live Tracker to put a face to the blue dot.

"For people to see their loved ones make it through the toughest part of the race and still be smiling in Ovando was huge," said Schoendoerfer.

It has become an expected service for the riders and those following them. Schoendoerfer said with the help of Trixi's and the Blackfoot Mercantile they only missed photos of around 20 of the riders who came through at odd hours.

Because of this year's weather being so warm, with very little snow, rain and mud to travel through, the race has been really fast. Schoendoerfer said what has taken two weeks the past several years, took only one this year with less mechanical problems and breakdowns. Very few bike supplies were needed as cyclists passed through.

"This is great for the riders because they are making record time," said Schoendoerfer. "I guess we need bad weather for more business."

While the cyclists boost Ovando's economy, Schoendoerfer mostly enjoys the stories and visiting with people from all over the world.

Schoendoerfer told the story of Dallis Waters, a 45-year-old rookie from Castle Hill Village, New Zealand, who she calls "the bravest soul on earth."

Waters met what she called a grizzly bear about 20 miles north of Holland Lake Lodge. She had stopped her bike and started making noise when she noticed a large, black butt in front of her on the trail. After whistling and blowing her air horn, the bear turned, faced her and stood on its hind legs. It then started pawing the ground and charged. Waters stood her ground and sprayed the charging bear at less than 20 feet with her bear spray. The bear ran off the road and Waters jumped on her bike and race-paced it until she collapsed in hysterics.

"I would bet dollars to donuts that she came on a sow with cubs, she just never saw the cubs," said Schoendoerfer. "She's never seen anything like this and her response was textbook. I told her she was perfect in what she did."

This year only two cyclists scratched in Ovando due to injury: Connor O'Leary, 23-year-old rookie from Salt Lake City, Utah and Al Gilmour, 42-year-old race veteran from Scotland.

O'Leary started off breaking record time but due to a "bad leg problem" he withdrew. Schoendoerfer thought it was ironic that while competing in the Amazing Race their rookie year, O'Leary and his father scratched because his father injured his knee. They won the Amazing Race last year.

Gilmour was given a ride into Missoula having to quit after developing an issue with his Achilles tendon. Schoendoerfer predicts he will be back but was sad to see his trip cut short.

Burge returned to Ovando June 19 with two other riders from Ohio. This was the first time she has attempted the Tour Divide since 2012. Schoendoerfer said it was almost like seeing an old friend and continues to tout Burge's situation as the reason the community of Ovando has become a trail angel and more cycle friendly.

Every year the number of cyclists that stop in Ovando grows. From the 30 or 40 that came through in 2012 that were hardly even noticed, to nearly every rider of the 156 that started from Banff, Alberta, Canada on June 12 has stopped even if it was just for a quick photo.

"I heard that Ovando is getting a really great reputation in Banff because of everything we do, our attitude and the shelters," said Schoendoerfer. "It brought me to tears because it is working. For a little town of 50 people that was dying it is remarkable. People around the world know that we exist. That is pretty cool."

Tour Divide - At a Glance

Tour Divide: An ultra-cycling challenge to pedal solo and self-supported the length of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Race held annually with no prize other than bragging rights.

Established: Route published by Adventure Cycling in 1998 as the world’s longest off-pavement cycling route.

Distance: 2,745 miles from Banff, Alberta to Antelope Wells, NM with more than 200,000 feet of vertical.