Great divide route

[stever1210]

Hello

I am looking for those who has done all or part of great divide route

and your impressions of it?

I am considering doing Section 2 next summer ( Polaris Mt to Pindedale Wyoming).

I have not done any bike packing before but am a experienced backpacker/camper.

talk to me folks!!

Also looking for partners to do this adventure with!!!

Peace

Steve Reynolds

[djlusk]

Hey Steve.  I can only account for a small section of the GDMBR, but can say that the section i rode was beautiful and challenging (especially if you're riding solo/self supported).  The section i rode was from Rawlins to Dillon, CO.  The Great Basin can be tough for sure.  Make sure your water sources are there!  I rode during a dry, hot summer following a very dry winter in that area from Rawlins to the CO border.  65 miles of little water, high winds, and temps in the mid 90's and I had a VERY bad time.  Streams were dry.  Try to check ahead to make sure you'll be able to fill up your bottles where you'd expect. 

That all said, Im sure you'll have an amazing trip!  Cheers

[indyfabz]

Polaris is sort of in the middle of nowhere. Closest "real" town is Dillon, MT. Butte might have more transportation options. The portion of Section 1 between Wise River and Polaris is quite pretty. 27 miles of net elevation gain, but it is paved. I rode it north for a second time this past June. Between Elkhorn Hot Springs and Wise River I saw several participants in the the divide race.

[stever1210]

What kind of bikes are you folks running on and trailer or ultra light

which preference

thanks

Steve

[burnleyretredz]

I live in the UK and planning on cycling from here to Greece via Italy next year. I ride a Cannondale CX5 Quick Sports Hybrid with both front and rear panniers. Good luck on you next section.

[BikeFreak]

Polaris to Pinedale is only 360 mi. I would go ultralight ... due to the short duration but also because the stretch is not very demanding in terms of hills ... you should be able to do some good milage.

Lucas

[stever1210]

Lucas

Hey man thanks for the info


Would you say ultralight over panniers trailer most of time
or what.  is ultralight your preference I am reading and looking at pics of people using a lot a panniers on the trip!!

thanks

Steve

[Iowagriz]

I see from another post of yours that you considered starting in Eureka. 

I did a 6 day ride late July 2014 from Eureka (actually started at the border as a symbolic guesture) down to Ovando and then back up to Swan Lake. About 415 miles total.  I was ultralight with Revelate bags and sharing a tent/cooking pots and stove with another guy. If you are having to buy panniers and racks, then I'd say to look at the Revelate type of stuff. Price different is probably similar and I loved the way they disappeared on the bike.

As for that section of the route, several larger passes, but towns come fairly often so you can get a hot meal and resupply each day. Looking ahead on the maps, that stays consistent until south of Butte.

Are you looking to drive/fly into a spot and then extract somehow?
Tom

[stever1210]

Tom,

what if you are not sharing still the way to go?  (revelate bags)

Also I am planning to meet family in Pinedale
then go up to Green River Lakes in Wind rivers outside of Pinedale

Thanks

Steve

[Iowagriz]

I have not tried panniers before, so no experience there. However,  seeing others with them, and they seemed overly loaded down. It forced me to pack less, which was ultimately a good thing. I suppose it depends on your personal style. We were doing 70-80 miles a day and fairly fast (still lots of down time).

As for bag manufacturers, there are plenty of good ones out there. I have Revelate and like them, but also check out Porcelain Rocket and a few others.

[Iowagriz]

Also, to answer your other question. I was on 29er hardtail with carbon fork. It was great for the section that I rode. I'll ride the same bike again in future. I'll add tri bars for additional hand positions and eventually a dynamo hub for charging batteries/electronics.

[stever1210]

Tom

what kind of bike was it

Steve

[Iowagriz]

Salsa El Mariachi Ti, 1x10 gearing, 36/36 low (which I could ride, but not low enough for comfort on the longer passes). Flat bars with Ergon bar end grips (so at least one alternate hand position).

For bags I had Viscacha seat bag, frame bag and Sweetroll on the front. Carried 70oz. bladder in the frame bag.

I'll post a link to photos when I get to a pc later today.

[Iowagriz]

Link to my photo album:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/22166623@N08/sets/72157645574110747/

You will see a photo or two of my bike.  One guys was fully self-contained as he was prepping for racing this next year. I was sharing items with the other guy.  Bike was close to 52lbs with water and food.

My thoughts after this first major bikepacking trip and this ride.  It wasn't as remote as I expected, we ran into 2-5 riders each day. Also a surprising amount of homes/public, etc.  Not in a bad way, but in a felt safer than expected way.  However, that doesn't mean that you can't be prepared and self sufficient.  The riding was beautiful and not necessarily hard. I found it surprisingly easy to ride along at a talking pace for the majority of a day.

I'm open to more questions.  Enjoy the trip, but planning is also 1/2 the fun.

[stever1210]

Tom,

Hey man thanks for the pics!

Wanted to ask how you guys did on the "wall" section.

I have been reading about  people on crazyguyonabike journals!

It seems that those that were loaded up with either panniers or BOB trailers had to break down and carry stuff to top and then get their bikes.  Something about using hand holds that steep!

Anyway those journals are awesome to read.

Also was there a reason why you only did trip to Ovando.

do you plan to ride more of it or whole thing.

What was your sleeping rated to? and what did it weigh?

here is my email
coachsteve56@gmail.com

thanks again for talking to me

Steve Reynolds