Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: Travel GDMBR with eMTB (electric mountain bike) is it possible?

« on: May 30, 2021, 03:29:22 pm »

Maybe one day....  Just was talking about this recently with friends.  I expect to live to see lightweight bike batteries with huge ranges and quick charging, but that ain't yet.  You can flirt with the edges of the GDMBR on 'lectrics, but a complete traverse looks unlikely.

17

Routes / Re: Should/could I take my dog on the Great Divide Route?

« on: May 30, 2021, 03:05:24 pm »

Yeah, I think you're right.  Sales troll.  Worthy discussion, however. 

Carry on.

18

Routes / Re: Should/could I take my dog on the Great Divide Route?

« on: May 30, 2021, 01:28:07 pm »

A number of folks have succeeded on the GDMBR with dogs, but the tour must be tailored around the dog's realities.  You MUST have a way to carry the dog in order to make miles.  A good, solid border collie/cattle dog/etc. should only be run about ten miles or so--and that after much training and practice.  Always you must consider the pooche's abilities and disposition.  The two main methods of carrying the dog are with a trailer (Burley Coho seems to be the best option at present) and in a crate on the back of the bike.  This seems to be best handled with a bike like the Surly Black Barrow--extra long wheel base and a beefy rack.  Big dogs, I think, would be a no-go.  We are thinking of doing the Divide with our hound--30 lbs, ultra high energy cattle dog.  Expect daily mileage to be moderate--we figure in the 30's to low 40's most days.  That means hauling the dog for 20 or 30 miles.  Burley Coho plus our hound means 50 extra pounds--BEFORE camping gear, food, water, etc.  On climbs of any significance the hound walks/trots/runs.  Most downhills and flats, he's in the trailer.

19

General Discussion / Carrying a spare tire on tour?

« on: January 14, 2019, 03:14:51 pm »

How many of you carry spare tires?  I've almost always carried one--actually two because I ride recumbents with different wheel sizes.  However, I have NEVER needed one, even after many thousands of miles of touring.  Has anyone actually needed a spare tire on the road? Do you carry a spare?  I'm leaving on a tour in about five days and debating on whether or not to carry the dang things.  I'll be riding on "experienced" Schwalbe Marathon Racers that still have some decent tread, enough for the 600 to 700 miles of the tour.

Thanks!

Scott

20

General Discussion / Re: Best camping @ Lake Havasu?

« on: January 10, 2019, 08:25:55 pm »

Looks good!  And they have showers.  That'll probably do the trick.  Any other suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

Scott

21

Routes / Re: Southern Tier: Camping between Hope and Congress, AZ?

« on: January 10, 2019, 02:40:49 pm »

Thanks!  I'll check that out.

Scott

22

General Discussion / Best camping @ Lake Havasu?

« on: January 10, 2019, 10:44:48 am »

Hey, Bikers:

I'm working on a winter desert tour soon, and I'll be passing through Lake Havasu, where I'll probably need/want a rest day.  Any suggestions on a good place for a cyclist to stay?  Showers would be really nice! 

Thanks.

23

Routes / Southern Tier: Camping between Hope and Congress, AZ?

« on: January 10, 2019, 10:16:48 am »

Hey, Riders:

I'm looking to start a desert tour pretty soon (Bishop, CA, to Prescott, AZ) and I'm wondering about camping along Rt. 71 between Hope and Congress.  I'll be riding via Lake Havasu to Bouse, but the run all the way to Congress from Bouse will be too much for me, especially on a short winter day.  Is there still an RV park in Aquila?  I rode this section years ago and saw that there was an RV park, but pushed on and camped beside the road--not too bad but might prefer something more established.  Other ideas? I would prefer to get farther than Salome. Thanks!

24

General Discussion / Slime tubes for off-road touring?

« on: July 25, 2018, 01:44:38 pm »

Hey, Riders:

Researching tech issues for my hoped-for Great Divide ride next year.  What are your thoughts on slime/sealant in tubes?  I bought a bunch of Slime tubes, but I'm second guessing myself--heavy, etc.  Your thoughts?

25

General Discussion / GDMBR vs. Tour Divide Routes?

« on: July 04, 2018, 04:30:01 pm »

Hey, Touring Junkies:

I saw that starting in 2016, I think, the Tour Divide Race totally by-passes Rawlins, WY, to avoid long, on-going construction.  The variation goes through Wamsutter, seemingly following Rd. #23. I'm hoping to do the GDMBR next year and wonder if anyone has info or experience with the variation.  One site said the variation was shorter but more difficult.  Anyone know what the deal is around Rawlins?  We had a good layover there during a paved edition of the GDMBR that we pieced together.

Thanks.

Scott

26

Routes / Re: Great Divide Section 1 - conditions from a 2017 forest fire-ravaged area

« on: June 09, 2018, 02:26:31 pm »

Thanks for the update.  We'll see how this summer's fire season goes, but I'm really hoping to do the GDMBR next year.  As it stands, can you guys give me any sense of how badly the route was affected overall by last year's disastrous fires?  A rough estimate of how many miles of devastation one must ride through?

On a related note: How was your winter?  Hopefully not too dry.  Ugh.

Cheers,

Scott

27

Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: February 17, 2017, 01:49:57 pm »

Damn!  That sucks.  Hope he's okay.  Sounds like the tour is over.  Freakin' drivers.

28

Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: January 23, 2017, 05:49:50 pm »

Fantastic, Ian and Jeanine!  Keep us posted.  Lots of great info and experience on this forum.

Best of luck.  Sounds like a perfect time to start the tour.

Scott

29

Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: January 19, 2017, 11:49:33 pm »

I did a Google street view of some sections of this Hwy 60 workaround, and it looks pretty good, especially the Bee Line Highway--divided road and good looking shoulders.

30

Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: January 17, 2017, 10:22:22 am »

Thanks, Jennifer.  Good news.

Scott