recumbent on the GDMBR?

[david]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has insight into the possibility of riding Great Divide Mountain Bike Route on a recumbent - something like a Lightfoot ranger? How much would you end up pushing it? Just curious...

Thanks,
david

[MrBent]

Hi, David: I'm a big recumbent fan, and, from what I've read, most of the route would be quite doable on a 'bent, something like the Ranger.  You'd end up doing some pushing, but people on reg. mtn. bikes push, too.  Perhaps the toughest aspect to deal with would be the washboard and other rough surfaces.  I'd want to do plenty of long test rides to see how such terrain felt.  Could you keep it up for hour after hour?  Since the vast majority of the route is NOT single track, the technical aspects of the route are not a problem.  The key issues are comfort and durability.  By all accounts, gear takes a tremendous beating on the Great Divide.  A Ranger towing a bob would be a cool rig!

Scott