Hi Guys, Here is some info you may find helpful:
The GD route conditions vary dramatically regionally and even year to year depending on factors such as weather, maintenance, logging operations, etc. That being the case, a sturdy vehicle such as a pick-up or SUV can drive the vast majority of the route.
The ground surface can be hard-packed dirt with loose gravel on it, soft gravel, clay, rutted, rocky, dusty, muddy, potholes or any combination of those things. Most of the route provides conditions that are very comfortable, like you often see in the photos in Adventure Cyclist, or on our web site.
Some shorter sections may challenge an intermediate mountain bike riders. So,e people choose or have to walk for a mile or two here and there.
There are huge elevation gains and losses scattered thoughout the entire route. But the grades are not terribly steep most of the time. If you are riding North to South, you can expect the first 10 days to be an incredible challenge, but it is a desiralbe one and an amazing experience you will remember forever. This will be especially true for people that have not speny much time in the Rocky Mountains.
If you are a mountain biker of intermediate or better skill and you love camping and the wilderness, there is no need to be nervous, with a little luck you'll have a great time!
Here is a link to an article you may find helpful:
http://www.adventurecycling.org/features/bikeforthedivide.cfm--
Larry Diskin
Adventure Cycling Association
This message was edited by LDiskin on 1-14-05 @ 12:12 PM
