Since completing the TransAm last year, I have been searching for another adventure for 2020 when I'll once again be able to take a couple months off and hit the road on a long bike tour. After considering several options over the past few months, I've finally decided on doing the Great Divide from Jasper to Antelope Wells. I remember the exciting feeling I had this time of the year in 2017 when I finally decided on the TransAm and spent the following 10 months preparing--I've got that same motivated feeling again.
I've purchased my maps--will get the digital data later--and am now contemplating the bike I'll ride. I rode a Trek 520 on the TransAm and although I don't think it would be out of the question to use that same bike with a few mods--bigger tires, different gearing, etc--, I'm thinking it would be wise to go with a more traditional mountain bike set-up. I'm really liking the design of the Trek 1120. I've looked at a lot of other mountain bikes, but I keep being drawn back to the rack system on the 1120. If anyone has any experience with this bike--good or bad--I would appreciate hearing your thoughts.
Don't have a lot of questions right now, but am sure I'll post more as the months go by. I thought about starting with the Great Divide racers in the second week of June, but after doing more research I'm leaning more toward a start later in the month of June or early July...I also want to start at the newer location in Jasper instead of Banff. The TransAm last year was one of the best adventures of my life--blog link below--and I'm excited about planning and preparing another long adventure. I'm thinking in the neighborhood of ~40 days, so if anyone else out there would like to at least start together--no commitment to stay together--give me a shout. I'm sure I'll post more later as the planning progresses.
http://steveacrossamerica.com/
