Author Topic: Ride for a day on the Great Divide?  (Read 5072 times)

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Offline BDJ

Ride for a day on the Great Divide?
« on: May 25, 2022, 10:58:22 am »
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

Offline BikeliciousBabe

Re: Ride for a day on the Great Divide?
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2022, 09:39:49 am »
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?

Offline ray b

Re: Ride for a day on the Great Divide?
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2022, 08:34:42 pm »
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.
“A good man always knows his limitations.”

Offline BDJ

Re: Ride for a day on the Great Divide?
« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2022, 10:17:51 am »
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!

Offline BDJ

Re: Ride for a day on the Great Divide?
« Reply #4 on: June 16, 2022, 10:19:53 am »
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. 

Offline ray b

Re: Ride for a day on the Great Divide?
« Reply #5 on: June 16, 2022, 12:16:37 pm »
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.
“A good man always knows his limitations.”

Offline BDJ

Re: Ride for a day on the Great Divide?
« Reply #6 on: June 16, 2022, 03:52:38 pm »
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