Author Topic: Bicycle suitability for Great Divide Route  (Read 3565 times)

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Offline mnferwerda@yahoo.com

Bicycle suitability for Great Divide Route
« on: March 14, 2019, 06:51:05 pm »
Hey,
My friend and I are planning to ride the TransAmerica Trail west to Colorado. We would then like to take the Great Divide Route north all the way to Jasper, BC. I figure we'll be in Colorado by June.

I'll be riding a Surly Long Haul Trucker. The plan is to put 700x50 tires on it when we start the Great Divide Route. I know the LHT is not the most suitable bike for this. My question is are there sections of the GD where riding the LHT would not be effort? I'm thinking some sections in Canada are probably like that. I know people have done it on the LHT and I'm willing to put up with some walking, but I don't want to spend a lot of time walking sections...

So if you have an opinion, please share.hanks!

Mark

Offline John Nettles

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Re: Bicycle suitability for Great Divide Route
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2019, 09:26:57 pm »
Short answer yes.  That is if you are willing to go "off route".

Frequently there are sections that are tough and an easier road is nearby.  For instance, the stretch that is near Big Fork, MT, to near Seeley Lake, MT can be a bit of a bear (pun intended) if following the route exactly.  You could easily take the MT-83 if the route is too tough.  Other places like most of Colorado are fine with maybe a short off route section here and there.

The point is you have to really scrutinize the route using a variety of sources (journals, topo maps, Google Maps (satellite and streetview), etc.) to get an idea of the what is "not much effort" to you.

If you are not beholden to staying on the route, you can pick what is best for you.  Tailwinds, John