The New Steed

OK, so I did the 2500 miles of the GDR (Helena to Mexico) with the BOB trailer with my GT Sensor Elite full suspension, and it worked fine, and I could finish up the GDR using it. But a friend poked me about riding more desert whilst bikepacking, and a narrow tired trailer probably wasn't the right rig.

So I started searching for a Plus bike, with 3.0" tires set up to handle deeper sand that I would be exposed to in the desert.

I landed on a Marin Pine Mountain 2 - 27.5 Plus bike, hard-tail, with the right braze ons to mount a rack. Turns out it is damn fun on the trails too!

I needed to outfit the fine filly, and after a bunch of research, here is the outfitted steed


So whats all on the newly outfitted rig?
Revelate
- Revelate harness is my handlebar carrier, holding my tent and sleeping bag in this configuration



In the cockpit
-  I also have a Revelate Grab bag for a water bottle, and the Egress pocket bag for handy stuff on top/front of the tent and sleeping bag. The revelate Grabbag has an nice novel pull open, pull shut closure cinch system.
- A second grab bag from Moosejaw ( on the left) out of my home state of MN. Seems to be working well after several hundred miles of training
Blackburn provides the gastank bag which I am using for snack along the way; the two zipper design is well thought through. I wish the side pock zippered compartment was big enough for a credit card though





I have a small frame, and I was finding few off the shelf option for a frame bag.
Blackburn expandable frame bag fits quite well. I am using it for most of the tools, spare parts, lube, etc. A tube is in the underseat bag, along with a couple of hangers,  power links, boot patches, and a tubeless flat kit





The Rack is a Blackburn's Outpost Fat bike rack. I like the design as the panniers clip on to a rail below the top rack, rated to 70 lbs, lets hope I never need that much shhhhhhh- tuff ( unless it is food and water of course)
The rack was a bit of challenge to work with this bike in the small frame, due to the angle of the seat stays, but a trip to Ace hardware and I rigged up a threaded extension, which I later tighten down with locktite.  Its has held up well during the several hundred miles of training ( off pavement most of it, though a lot of rail trail) and am hoping it is solid for this and future adventures. I did get some spare bolts needed by this quite configurable rack.

The Panniers are the new Ortlieb Gravel Pack aimed specifically at bikepacking; water proof and I expect bomb proof after learning about them over the last couple of years




I did pick up a few Granite Gear dry bags for the rack and the harness. One issue I am running into again is the small frame, and the tire is hitting the front bag sometimes when shock is compressed. Rearranged contents to allow more compression up front and found that helps, as well moving a 2.8 front tire. But still issues on occasion.
I found a rather novel innovative compression bag that looks to help, from ExPed. The sideways compression is exactly the solution I need. Have fitted it, but not ridden, clearance seems good and expect it will be fine.
Still musing over a design that allows me to mount a piece thicker plastic to the bottom of the harness to take any hits from the tire. That will have to be a project while on the road.





Tires
- Well I did research some plus tires that might be better suited to bike packing that has substantial dirt and FS roads, something a lower rolling resistance when riding on a smoother surface.
I choose the Teravail Cumberland ( rear) and Kennebec(front). Have gone tubeless, seems to the way way to go when mixing in desert riding.

Can still ride my single track training route up in to Blodgett Peak open space, but not quite as trail friendly as the original WTB Trail Bosses that came with teh bike.
Still, after pulling the bob so far, I am amazed at what sort of trails are ridable even when fully loaded.

So putting it all together

A Boy,

his Bike, and

the Bags

Dans Big Adventure - Part Duex - Summer/Fall 2018

Ok, Not quite so big this time as summer of 2016, but hoping to bicycle (bike) pack on my new steed lots of backcountry over august, September and October..

3+ segments being eyed.

#1) Northern Great Divide Mountain Bike Route
Finish the USA portion of the Great Divide Route. 2 years ago I road from just north of Helena MT to the Board of New Mexico and Mexico. Don't ask why I did just stat at the border, please don't ask.
Any ways, gives me an excuse to travel up to northern MT and get the ~ 400 miles between Roosville ( on the Canadian border) to near Helena.
My lovely bride Glenda will be sagging on this section through some of the wildest lands in the lower 48, given it is home to wolves and grizzly bears. (we carry bear spray).
Journey up July 27/28, explore for a few days and commence riding on 8/2, end up in Helena ~ 2 weeks later




#1B) Union Pass area between Dubois and Pinedale Wyoming.
This section was on fire two years ago, I will start at Togwotee Pass (a bit north of the alternative on map below) and ride over Union Pass to at least Whisky Grove campground north of Pinedale. This is about 70 miles, 2 days of riding, and 1 over night. Expect Glenda will sag for this night as well.
If I do both #1 and #1B, I can rightfully say I've biked North to South, border to border




#2) Rio Colorado Ramble
Commute back down to our place in Breckenridge. Plan is to ride backcountry, 4WD roads and a few trails From Boreas Pass on the Continental Divide above Breck to Grand Junction or Moab staying in the Colorado River watershed (a fairly loose constraint in the west). Will get a good scenic tour the Blue River, Williams Fork, Flat Tops, Glenwood Canyon, Roaring Fork Valley, and then the Grand Mesa before diving down over the edge into Grand Junction/Fruita on Lands End road. Still puzzling over water for the Kokpelli trail section from Fruita to Moab. If weather is hot, or running late, may not get it the Kokopelli this trip. The section from Breck to near Gore Pass follows the Great Divide Route. On my original trip 2 summers ago, I missed a section of backcountry main route between Gore Pass and the Colorado River, so that empty space on the map will be empty no more for me.
For either destination, Glenda (with the camper) will pick me up on the way to Capitol Reef and Zion National Parks for a couple of weeks of camping, hiking ( and meeting up with our son from CA)







#3) SW Utah.
There is some fantastic country out this way surrounding Zion, Bryce and Cedar Breaks. The Adventure Cycling Association has a ~ 300 mile loop through this country, and at looking  at some variants to add in. Notion is, after Zion, have Glenda drop me off for a few weeks of bikepacking and exploring.
https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/utah-cliffs-loop/


Variants are being mulled
- 84 mile desolation side trip out to Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada, never been to that mountainous park (11,00' peaks) and there are caves to explore to boot. This section is part of the Western Express ACA route my friend Mike did fall 2017 on a road tour. Sez to do it in a day, tho he was on a skinny tire road touring setup, hmmmmm ......
- Link in some of the Plateau Passage Route sections that cross this area. The whole route is not for this adventure, if ever, though toying with the Virgin Rim Trail, amongst other sections.
https://www.bikepackingroots.org/plateau-passage.html



- Eventually I will need to be retrieved ( err, rescued ) at some point and might need to head east to facilitate. Could do some of the ACA Western Express paved route into eastern Utah.....


Decision decisions.........

GDT Day 54 - Hwy 146 to Antelope Wells

Fri. Sept. 30, 2016,
 Hwy 146, mile marker 9 to Antelope Wells Border Station

Start - ~4400'
High pt  4401'
Lo pt. ~4399'
End Elv ~4400'
Climbing ~500'??

Miles ~54.5
Total time 6:00
Ride time 5:30
Day with BOB 51
Last continental divide crossings, #30?
Total miles ridden - both on and off route
2485

This is it, my last day of riding the route, for this year at least? The long journey nears it's completion and I am ready for this milestone.

It rained last night and it is overcast as Glenda drops me off. The land here is a broad flat valley, with yucca, mesquite  and creasote bushes. I roll through the almost abandoned village of Hachita, and stop at the cavernous and empty community center, whose doors are open to Divide bikers and hikers to stay. This would have been my overnight last night if not for Glendas support.

I turn and peddle south from Hachita, taking in the desert and it's offerings. It is towards the end of the wet season here, and things are actually kinda green, in places. I see a frog!, some praying manti and hordes of a large type grasshopper working to propagate the species.

Big Hatchet Mountain dominates the views south. Big Hatchet grows as does my milage. I actually do climb a little around Big Hatchett, and a few other spots. On the other side of the Hatchet Gap, there are mountain ranges flanking both sides, and drifting south out of sight into Mexico, though they look barren, dry, and forbidding to me. I keep peddling, and pass a few widely spread ranches off in the distance.

I am counting the mile markers down, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10! Single digits are left! I start thinking, what are my top ten highlights of the trip? Much musing over the next hour or so helps me deal with the afternoon headwind. Probably worth a seperate post. Glenda passes me with about 7 miles left. I pass mile marker 5, I can taste it! The end is nigh, and the rest of life lies just beyond.

At last, there is the border station, and only the vorder staion; I am tired, jazzed, thoughtful, relieved, satisfied.
This trip is done, but upper Montana and a short section Wyoming remain and beckon,  and the divide stretches both north and south Canada and Mexico....

GDT Day 53 - Silver City to Hwy 146

Thurs. Sept. 29, 2016,
 Silver City to Hwy 146, mile marker 9

Start - ~6100'
High pt  6200'
Lo pt. ~4400'
End Elv ~4400'
Climbing ~1000'??

Miles ~69.6
Total time 8:00
Ride time 6:50
Day with BOB 50
1 continental divide crossings, #29?

More blue sky greeted the day this morning, making me feel better about the long day planned.  I want to finish the remaining 125 miles of the route in 2 days instead of the three recommended in the guide. Glenda is with me now, and there is no camping on route for the trailer, so we have arranged a pickup where Hwy 146 starts the final 65 miles dash to Antelope Wells and the lonely border crossing there.

The day starts with a rolling and climbing18 miles of Hwy 90 through chapparell like landscapes with squat desert oaks spread apart at regular intervals.
I pass the giant Tyrone mine before getting to my turn to Separ and leave the pavement behind for 33 miles. There are now  more downs than ups, though sandy in places. It gets steadily drier and desert like as the route drifts further away from the consolidated mountain ranges. Soon the largest plants are yuccas to accompany me on this last section of backcountry. I see almost no one; except for one rancher, a road crew, and a sole border patrol jeep just outside Separ on I-10.

About 5 miles in on the dirt, I bag another divide crossing, though really the road and the divide follow a modest ridge together for several miles. Once again I look to the right and that leads to the Colorado River and the Pacific; to left,  the Rio Grande and the Atlantic. I marvel at the sameness of this ridge to many others, yet here in this spot it has this distinction.
I stop at the trading post in Separ and they offer me ice and water before I go.
Eight miles of dirt frontage road along I-10 brings me to the pickup point, and I am done with the dirt!!! The remaining portion of the route is a paved 65 miles of empty hwy to the border. It is still early, so I decide to knock out some more miles to shorten tomorrow's ride. Glenda catches up with me 10 miles in ( only an easy 9 miles to Hachita and some biker only camping), and shuttles me to Deming and the RV park, where dinner and a hot shower await in my short term future. I find I am tired  from the day and should sleep good tonight.

GDT Day 52 - Mesa CG to Silver City

Tues. Sept. 27, 2016,
 Mesa CG to Silver City

Start - ~6100'
High pt  7500'
Lo pt. ~5900'
End Elv ~5900'
Climbing ~2500'??

Miles ~30.8
Total time 5:00
Ride time 3:40
Day with BOB 49
1 continental divide crossings, #28 ?

The day off exploring yesterday was cloudy with occassional rain showers, indeed there was the pitter patter on the roof of camper as we went to sleep last night.
This morning, it is partly to mostly cloudy, but no rain. I decide to drop the trailer and ride the single track CDT alternative.
This has me back tracking a few miles until I leave the hwy, and all people as it turns out, behind for 12 miles. Along the way I see dozens of turkey vultures roosting in a dead tree, amazing.
The trail starts off as a ATV trail and climbs up the ridge along Skates Canyon. I find the cairned single track turn off, and have to double check, as it is not a well worn trail, and looks a little dodgy. A little ridge riding around Skates brings me to a long gentle up hill stretch rising with the mesa terrain. It is pretty green up here and while the trail is cairned in the juniper, pinon and yucca forest, the cairns are mostly hiding in grasses. The trail is lightly used and faint for long stretches, with rounded and broken lava rock generously applied. I have to hike a bike 3 or 4 times due to loose rock.
It is lightly used, and I see no one, see no signs of man, other than the trail and its markers. I finished the single track portion in another healthy ponderosa forest, and take series of forest roads out to meet the paved route near the top of a climb. A long down hill and modest climb takes me to Pinos Altos, a small mining town who's main street is a forgotten link to the old west.
Just out of town is another divide crossing, and then 8 swooping downhill miles to the city of Silver.