Ride for a day on the Great Divide?

[BDJ]

I am going to be riding the Great Divide Route this summer north to south starting in June.  I will be riding the route two recommended days from the book for per my one day of riding.  Based on my research there are a couple of days/sections it is recommended not to ride solo. 

I wanted to see if anyone else would be riding and would like to connect for a day or partial day of cycling along the route.  Let me know if you are interested. 

Date   Day        Route                                                         Miles
6/28/22   Canyon Campground to Weary Creek to Elkford (Book Day 3 & Day 4)   52.9
6/29/22   Elkford to Sparwood- Fernie.  (Day 5 & not in book)   53.7
7/1/22   Eureaka to Red Meadow Lake (Book Day 9 & 10)    60.8
7/5/22   Cedar Creek Campground to Holland Lake to Seeley Lake (book day 14 &15)   69.9
7/7/22   Lincoln to Helena (Book day 18 &19)   62.6
7/11/22   Beaver dam campground to Little joe campground, Bannack. (Book day 23 & 24)   72.4
7/14/22   Upper lake to Big springs to warm river -Bart's Cabin. (Book day 28 & 29)    63.8
7/15/22   Warm River to Flagg Ranch to Jackson Lake Lodge (about 20 miles from flagg ranch) (book day 30 & part of day 31)   67.1
7/16/22   Jackson Lake Lodge to Turpin Meadow campground to warm spring creek. (Book part of Day 31 and Day 32)    74.9
7/18/22   Warm Spring Creek to whiskey Grove campground Whiskey Grove to Pinedale (Book day 33 and day 34)   74.5

[BikeliciousBabe]

Out of curiosity, why is it not recommended to ride Beaver Creek to Little Joe solo?  Also, I don't quite understand what you wrote about that day.  The Little Joe Campground that I know of on the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is not in Bannack.  Are you planning to camp at Little Joe one night and then Bannack S.P. the night after that?

[ray b]

Almost everyone I ran into on the GDMBR last summer was riding solo.
If you're a fair mechanic, have basic bike handling skills, and are a bit of an outdoorsman/outdoorswoman, statistics are with you.

[BDJ]

Out of curiosity, why is it not recommended to ride Beaver Creek to Little Joe solo?  Also, I don't quite understand what you wrote about that day.  The Little Joe Campground that I know of on the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is not in Bannack.  Are you planning to camp at Little Joe one night and then Bannack S.P. the night after that?

I am riding from Beaver Dam to little Joe and then to Bannack that day.  The first half of the ride from beaver dam to Little Joe I was told is technical riding and is recommended to not ride solo.  I was able to find a companion for this section. 

Thank you!

[BDJ]

Almost everyone I ran into on the GDMBR last summer was riding solo.
If you're a fair mechanic, have basic bike handling skills, and are a bit of an outdoorsman/outdoorswoman, statistics are with you.

Thanks, I am looking forward to the adventure.  Hoping the snow storms slow down over the next week before I start. 

[ray b]

One observation - you have an aggressive schedule for someone who is concerned about riding solo.  Racers do it all the time, and I can think of a dozen spots off the top of my head, where a mechanical issue or wrong line could cause a nasty spill.

Remember to keep a little flexibility in your schedule to allow time for your body to adapt, unexpected delays/long slogs, and a chance to smell the roses.

You need to be strong and smiling at the end of the trip.

Have fun.

[BDJ]

Thanks for the advice.  I have built in a number of rest and flex days into my ride, but plan on being adaptable and enjoy the journey.  Excited and nervous to get started. 

Cheers,

Ben