What drives a person to take on monumental tasks that first seem almost insurmountable, and then prove to be even more so once underway? When the easy way out isn’t an option, Jay and Tracey Petervary are drawn to the hard way. It’s more than riding a bike, it’s something that only they can know, because we’ll never understand.

In June of 2014, Jay and Tracey Petervary were invited to come to Italy to set a benchmark time for a new bikepacking ultra; the Liguria MTN Divide. The route would follow the course used by the 8-day Alta Via MTB Stage Race. They would, however, attempt to ride the route as quickly as possible in a true unsupported fashion. A challenge had been presented.