Reflections on Failure: My Tour Divide Experience

Can anyone recommend a prostate friendly bike seat?

Ryan, I think I speak for many. I don’t care about your completing a race, I care about you and your health. I watch your videos to experience your journey. You didn’t fail anyone. Life is about the journey not the destination. Hearing you sing Ole and say no crashies, no flaties, no whammies. Sending you love, hugs and support.

Ryan, I don’t think you understand. I watch your videos for YOU…not just for all the amazing adventures and experiences, but for the real, honest, and challenging moments—even those that end early. There is no need to curate a persona of solely success and there is no need to pretend everything is easy. It is more than ok to be done early. Thank you for being so real with all of us.

Having turned 60 this past year I find it difficult to deal with the fact that I'm still young in spirit but my body is getting old. The two don't really match up like they used to. I think that part of the solution to reconciling this is to redefine exactly what "adventure" means to me. Adventure doesn't have to mean physically challenging. I think that my future will become more about the exploration of mind and spirit and maybe a bit less of the physical. I'll still go bike packing and touring but tempering those trips to ensure that the enjoyment is coming from the joy of exploration and not just testing the boundaries of my physical capabilities. Having followed you for years I know that you will ultimately navigate this grief and disappointment and find new and exciting avenues to push yourself in other ways and continue to inspire this community.

I'm not a bike packer but I am a roadie. At 58 years old now, I don't ride the 75 and 100 mile rides that I used to. I lost a friend to cardiac arrest who was racing in his mid fifties. My rides are more laid back and enjoyable now. I stop and smell the roses. Honestly, your posts where you stop and meet people and see places are my favorites. I also love the video where you go for groceries and shop at that zero waste grocery store. Racing is hard and riding shouldn't be hard. Thanks for being such a great representative of someone who enjoys life! In no way have you let us down. Thanks

The first guy to take me backcountry skiing gave me some pretty sage advice: "Don't ever be afraid to bail. No matter how hard you worked to get to the top, if it looks sketchy or if something isn't right, you've got to turn around." He was talking about gambling with avalanches, but that's a great mindset to bring into most of life's adventures.

Just hit my 2 year anniversary since my stroke at 53 years old. My brain wants to continue the bike adventures I’ve been doing the past 10 years but my body is not ready yet. I ride everyday (to work) and I want to do the multi-day bike trips in the American West where I live. I had to re-learn to walk, ride a bike and swallow. Making slow progress and have a multi-day family trip planned for August ~30 miles a day. My wife is encouraging and reminds me to be patient. I’m working on it.

Dear Mr Ryan Van Duzer, your choice to end this adventure is NOT a failure, but as I see it simply a great example of GOOD decision making! 💪 I wish you a speedy recovery try your best to be kind yourself as you seem so kind to the world around you.

We bikepackers are built differently than those who are built to race. The nervousness comes when you ride with others. It is a different kind of anxious feeling. There’s no failure in my book; the experience is what matters most. You’re 100% right about everything. It is the experience. I always go by ‘it’s the journey, not the destination.’

No more beating yourself up. Your butt took enough beating. Thanks for being genuine with us. Most men are trained to hide their emotions, especially in a public format. You are the exception. It’s very healthy. Sounds like you will get to feel the love as you pied piper 200+ people at Ragbrai this year. Wish I could be there.

Ryan, you are an inspiration for us, and when you decide to quit a challenge that turns up impossible to finish, you're actually showing us that it is a pretty normal situation. We all have saddle sores, we have bike problems, camping problems, and nervous situations. You're not "selling" a perfect bikepacking experience where nothing goes wrong, it doesn't exist, you're "selling" us experiences and emotions, and that's why we love Duzer TV and you. Don't change a thing about it, and never feel bad, you're disappointing no one!

As a 3 year follower of your channel I think it’s not about how big of an athlete your are or a ‘winner’. It’s just about you; my favorite positive and inspiring cyclist riding his bike somewhere in the world. Keep on keeping on no matter how old or what shape you’re in. Nothing but love ❤ 🚴

On May 6th, 2024, two days before my 50th birthday I had a really bad accident while riding my mountain bike. Two broken bones (ulna and radius). I have not been able to ride since then. I went into kind of depression for a while after the accident; watching this video today brought me lots of peace and serenity. "everything will be ok"... I do believe in that. Thank you Ryan for ALL of your videos; believe when I say that You make a difference in so many people lives. Keep going! You are not alone. Thank you!!!

Honesty like this, in a world of fake social media personalities is very refreshing.

It's not failure if your body hurts and you aren't feeling the love. I think racing in any format makes one feel anxious and very self-centered. Ryan, that definitely is not you. I like your self paced rides. Take it easy.

You did the right thing. You don’t know how much you actually influence people. By doing what you did, you show others that may experience similar situations in life that there is no shame in not completing a task to take care of your body. You could have very well saved someone’s life. You gotta realize you can’t only be an influencer for winning. You also need to be an influencer in doing the right thing.

nothing but love, bro.

I met you when I was 18, and cycling across the US. Before my trip I went to a pro bike shop, and they measured my butt bones, and they sold me the “best” saddle for me. My absolute biggest pain for my 69 day ride, was the fact that I had endless saddle sores. No one understands the pain and misery that they can bring to you. At the end of the day, you gave it your shot, and you lived and learned. Much love my friend 🤟

Ryan, we all love you so much. You are a great inspiration. I am riding RAGBRAI this year at 66 years old because I started biking and following you. What you showed here is strength and wisdom. I am proud of you for making a great and necessary decision. We are all with you. Get back to RIDING, NO RACING bikes. It is where you excel. Mark Fowler

At 64 i planned and dreamed up a bike tour for a year and blew my achilles on day 2. Spent another year planning and went back and rode the route. We all take what comes at us and go from there. Don,t look back,look forward. Love your attitude Duzer. You inspire many.