Great Divide: Bears & Blogs

[martynbob]

Hello

I am new to this site but am very interested in hearing from others who have ridden the Great Divide Trail.  My hubby (Bob) is going to start the Divide Trail in just a few days.

I've got two interests:

1.  I would like to know how many people either see or encounter bears in the northern parts of the ride.  (And I'll be honest here, I'm hoping to hear that most people don't even see a bear.)

2.  If anyone created and maintained a blog, I'd like to see it!  I've started one for my husband but am looking for some ideas.  I've seen some that are detailed about the day-by-day experience, and I hope to put some of that in there, but since communications may be limited I'm interested other suggestions and ideas.  Blog thus far:  http://bobsride.weebly.com

Thanks!

Marty

[Miller]

Here is a list of Great Divide blogs

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/categories/?o=1&category_id=193&doctype=journal

This is one of my favorites.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1&doc_id=12850&v=Hq

[BikeFreak]

I saw bears but did not have any direct encounters ... I used a whistle to make noise when descending fast downhill into curves. You will have grizzlies on the northern section, but black bears are everywhere, even in NM.

Lucas

[martynbob]

Thank you for your responses. 

FYI my husband encountered a male grizzly and a female with cubs on Sunday.  The male was grazing and moving toward him.  Bob didn't make extra noise because the bear knew he was there, and Bob could hear the bear grunting with sort of a "you shouldn't be here / go away" (but not attacking) type of communication.  (Guessing, of course.)  The bear moved into the woods off the path and Bob proceeded.  Bob waited and then rang his bells the entire time he was in the vicinity of the female & cubs. 

Am so wishing my hubby had a friend to do this with. 

[BikeFreak]

In that situation I would have pulled my bear spray and watch what would happen. If the bear would charge and come within a few feet I would use it. I had mine mounted on the top tube of my bike. I guess your husband experienced what most people experience ... that the bear walks off again ... otherwise you would constantly read about bear attacks in the news.

[JayH]

Our group never saw a bear until we hit a rest day in Jackson WY when we were in the town of Jackson Hole and not on our bikes...  We did see a young moose in the field though, quite safely away from the road and not bothering anybody...

We all did carry bear spray though..

Jay