UnicyCle the Divide

Went through Silverthorne, Frisco and Breckinridge last night. Popped over Boreas Pass this morning and into South Park. It does exist and when I stopped, there must have been 200 Harleys parked around. We compared bikes and shot the breeze for a bit.

Rolled into Salida and had some work done on my bike. Pizza at Moonlights was served by Gracie. She rode the whole route on a unicycle! Took her two and a half months. I have a picture with her on my other camera. She may post one from her phone on the forum.

Some serious off road motor bikers bought us beer at the pizza joint. I met them above Salida on the way down into town. Pretty big day. Marshall pass at some astronomical height is on for tomorrow. Salida is the place to go in Colorado. Off the beaten path and very funky.

This pic is from a few days ago in Wyoming.


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What does a Hungry biker eat?

How about 2 world famous breakfast burritos, large choc shake, 2 pepsi, brownie and a coffee. Still can't decide what to do for dessert. For tonight, I will carry 6 litres of water, 2 big sandwiches, salt and vinegar chips, cherry tart and then breakfast will be 2 sausage and eggers with another cherry tart. Yummy!

I am in Kremmling eating and rehydrating at the "Big Shooter" restaurant. The family who owns it are big X-ctry skiers. The picture is of the ceiling - definitely a nordic theme. Who would guess - in the middle of Colorado.

BTW - some big climbs here, the next few are over 10000 feet with the highest at 12000. Definitely getting my climbing groove back. I will be worthy of my Wednesday night bike night nickname - "The Tiny Peruvian Hill Climber".
Had an amazing camp at Lynx pass last night. At 9500 feet, the stars were amazing and it was a beautiful night with cool temperatures and no mosquitoes.

I think Prentice pulled the plug last night. We had an emotional moment outside of Steamboat - a really nice young man from New York. An IT technician and part time bike messenger. I want him to come to Canmore and rip it up.

Ok that's it for now - places to be and hills to climb.

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Yahoo I am in Colorado

Hanging at Brush Mtn Lodge - 2 dinners, and drinks and a big hug from Kirsten. She yelled and cheered as I came in the yard. Beautiful valley after a crazy hard day finishing the Wyoming basin with a headwind all the way.

Kirsten and Greg are the hosts here. This is the coolest lodge ever. Just looking at the skyline and listening to the elk and coyotes.

Big climbs tomorrow, into Steamboat for my mail drop and a new tire.

Picture of Greg - host at Brush Mountain Lodge.


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The Perfect River

After my last post, I rode by this perfect white water river and I could just hear our Peter down in the Canyon. This would be Kayak heaven! It's the Warm River in Idaho.

Made it to Flagg Ranch in the dark that night and then on Sunday it was 2 big passes (Towgatee and Union) - both of them are around 9700 feet. I bivied just below Union Pass at around 8000 feet and was joined by a North Bounder. Yesterday was a full on sufferfest to Pinedale against the wind. In the afternoon, the wind was at my back and I covered more ground and camped up high. It rained and got quite cold last night so I decided to push for Rawlins and a motel room to dry ut the gear. Just came through 280 km of desert today - crux of the ride as there are no services or water resupply spots.

Fantastic trip so far and thanks to Val and Ben and Zeke for taking care of the Canmore end. I am sure there will be plenty left to do when I get home.

Crazy throw back in time this morning at Atlantic City. Had b-fast at the Grubstake Bar and Saloon. Watched some Bonanza while I ate my Steak and Eggs. Couple of guys walk in and leave their rifles leaning at the door. Very interesting place.

Off to Colorado tomorrow and my mail drop at Steamboat Springs. Yahoo clean shorts.

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Moving on

After a few hours of indecisiveness last ight about the situation in Canmore. I left Lima and got to 6000 feet and bivied for the night by the Red Rock National Wildlife. Water in Camelbaks was frozen when I got up. Saw 5 moose as I cycled through the reserve. Truly one of the most beautiful places anywhere.

Pushing on once I refuel and do some bike mtce. Hopefully the headwinds will abate at some point.

Here is a picture looking back at the Refuge.


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Alpine Wildflowers

Left Helena this morning - a bit late and feeling not so great. It's 5 hours of climbing so I went into spin mode and pushed up the steeper climbs. Seem to be moving back and forth with the same group of folks. North Carolinians, Kiwis, young Peter and Ezra and Chris from Vancouver.

Rolled into Butte around 5:30 and needed my bike worked on. Rob Leipheimer and his crew obliged graciously. The Aero Bars came loose and we needed to shim them up. Also adjusted gears and looked the bike over.

Decided to stay in Butte to refuel and rehydrate as it continued raining.

Here is a picture of a TD Rider going through the meadow at around 8000 feet with beautiful Alpine Wildflowers.

Making a push tomorrow to get further south so updates will be more sparse.


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This is America

What a great day today in Montana - sun, rain and the requisite lightning.

Stopped in Ovando this morning on our way over to Lincoln and then on to Helena. Beautiful country and super friendly people. I took a picture of the Ovando sign. In case the pic is not sharp enough, it says "population about 50, Dogs about 100" The two old timers in th General Store were the funniest characters.

Had a few navigation issues but managed to get back on track. One of them took us to the most amazing lookout. Who knows what waits around the corner or in this case, at the top of the hill.

Hopefully, down to Butte and south tomorrow.

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Lightning on Richmond Peak

Made it to Sealy Lake over 3 passes and a crazy lightning storm. One of the strikes hit just u above on the slope and started a forest fire. Really hot today so it's about energy management.

Here is a shot of classic Montana restaurant decor from the Hungry Bear restaurant

We stopped for an hour to have a few cokes, a Hungry Bear Burger and some ice cream. Fuel for the climb up Richmond Peak and in to Sealy Lake


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A River runs through it

Great day today - 2 passes with a little bit of snow. Camping out in Ferndale tonight. Saw lots of fly fishers today. The picture is from Red Meadow pass. Night night.

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Eureka!

Left Sparwood a bit late this morning but the siren call of Coal Miner's breakfast was too much. Shorter day distance wise 195Kms but harder than yesterday. Flathead pass, Cabin Pass and Galton pass before diving down to the Roosville border and then into Eureka. Felt pretty good today - got a little dehydrated but I managed. Tomorrow I will carry even more water.

Beautiful - stunning country with lots of bear scat but only a couple of guys saw the real deal. Here is a shot of El Mariachi at the World's biggest dump truck in Sparwood.


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Escape from Elkatraz

After a double ejection off El Mariachi coming down Elk Pass, I made it to Elkford at around 6:00. Not too worse for wear - a good gash on my knee and I landed in a creek and got pretty wet. Fixed the gash with Tenacious tape. Seems to be ok tonight. Of course it was rainy and cold in Elkford so I had a pizza and kept on going to Sparwood and got in around 9:30.

Tomorrow is a big day if I want to get to the border.
After coming down Elk Pass I ran into a herd of horses. I stopped and they all came and hung out with me. Here is a pic. More anon.

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Multiplying and Dividing

I had the opportunity to visit the Grade 3 classroom of a good friend of ours today at Elizabeth Rummel School in Canmore.  What a hoot and great grounding before embarking on this adventure.  Lesley Reid's class is fantastic - asking about the distances, where I will sleep, and just being interested in the bike.  Why is it called the Great Divide?  Answers Greg - if a rain drop falls on the western side of the Divide it flows to the Pacific Ocean.  If it falls on the Eastern side, it ends up in the Atlantic... so went the questions and fun.  I completely unpacked my bike and showed them everything. 

Eventually, I climbed into my Bivy Sac and the kids timed me from waking up to being fully packed to go.  A respectable 5 minutes. 




They will be checking in on me every morning to see if I have moved or not... no pressure.  Go Grade 3 ERS - Ms Reid's Class - you rock!

The last big ride - links to the Tour Divide

Can't believe the ride starts in 5 days!  Feeling pretty good - a little nervous about the whole deal but I think that is healthy.  I did my last big ride yesterday and it was a fantastic day.  I rode from here in Canmore to Moraine Lake and back - 210kms with some good climbing.  I have attached some pics from the day.   BTW - the Moraine Lake road is an amazing downhill ride.  Smooth pavement with few cars - an hour up to the lake, and 12 minutes down.

Here are some links for your TD viewing pleasure

Track the race 
Rules –race org
Discussionforums  go under forum and ultra racing.  Tour Divide 2013 has been the forum for participants to coordinate stuff.  When the race starts there will be a new forum for those watching and who want to comment or commiserate. 
Call ins from Racers - mtbcast.com
Oh yeah,  my personal spot page – pretty good map layer if you want to see what is happening.

If you want to see more, check out the Movie "Ride the Divide".  It's on Netflix.

Looking back at Canmore - 6:30 am



Valley of the 10 peaks

Moraine Lake

Been there - going back in 10 days

Took El Mariachi for a two day mountain dance on the weekend.   Left our house in Canmore at 6:15am on Friday, rode to Banff and that is where I picked up the Great Divide route.  From Banff, the plan was to follow the Divide route to Elkford, BC - 176 km south.  It was raining as I left Canmore and pretty much rained all day - even though the optimistic me kept thinking it would clear up.  It was about 8 hours from Banff to the top of Elk pass and that was a bit of a sufferfest with the rain and cold temps.   With all of the rain, trails get softer and it just sucks the energy out of each pedal stroke.

Here is a picture of the bike with all the gear loaded up on top of Elk pass (in the rain).

From Elk Pass it's about 76km to Elkford.   With a few stops to warm up and eat, I made it into Elkford around 8:30pm in heavy rain and cold temps - a total of 14 hours on the bike.  Instead of a potentially deadly cold bivy, I pulled out "Mr. Credit Card" and checked into the only real hotel in Elkford.

I was greeted by the nicest man who happened to playing saxophone when I arrived.  His name is Jay and he looks and acts like Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid movies.  After a comical hose down in the parking lot - courtesy of Jay, I washed off my bike and gear before storing it in the hotel office overnight.

Saturday morning was better for weather and after a "Hungry Man" breakfast at the Race Trac Cafe, I retraced my route to Canmore.  On the way back into town, I was thinking - "Been there, get to do it again".  Pretty stoked about that!

If you are interested in what's on the bike for gear, here is my Gear List.
Cockpit bag - food, sun glasses, reading glasses, camera
Handlebars - bike computer, GPS, Light
Aero Bars - I have the route descriptions in a water proof E-Case - flips out of the way
Under Handlebars - Waterproof bed roll holding ThermoRest, Bivy Sac and Sleeping bag
Frame Bag - 3 L bladder with water, repair kit, 2 tubes, lube, bug repellant, passport, wallet and some food
Gas Tank (under the seat) - extra set of cycling clothes, first aid kit, personal kit, and a windbreaker.
Deuter Race Exp Air backpack (not in the picture) - 3 L water bladder, down vest in waterproof stuff sack, food, sunscreen, chamois cream, bear spray, empty water bottle and spare batteries.

I was wearing rain coat, rain pants, kneekers, merino wool hat, helmet and gore tex socks. If it warms up, this gear goes into the Gas Tank.  That's it for gear.