Colorado, Here I Am!

Phew! Made it to Steamboat Springs, Co. after many hard earned miles and many more feet of elevation. In fact, on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) there is no day where you are not climbing anywhere from 2,000 to 6,000ft. It’s insane. Some days that’s on relatively decent packed gravel and other days it’s beastly boulders or squirrelly sand. All you can do is focus on the 5 to 10 feet in front of you and every once in a while let your mind wander to that imaginary pizza or big green salad (and, of course, cold beer) that you will be rewarded at the end of the day. If you can hold on to that image long enough, it will propel you through the day.

O Mileage Days

This is a new term that I learned on the GDMBR. “0 mileage days” vs “rest days.” I have adopted this term because you never ever rest on rest days. On rest days you are washing clothes, grocery shopping, fixing or cleaning your bike, fixing or cleaning yourself, repairing broken items, or looking to replace items you have lost. In short, you are NOT resting. In fact, you are often more exhausted than you were on your bike. So, now I’m incorporating “0 mileage days” into my schedule every 5-7 days. It’s the only way to go.

Weather

Every person I meet in each new hamlet, town, or state echos the same refrain: “It’s never been this hot, dry, smokey, stormy, or monsoonal here before.” We are clearly living through unprecedented times. Roads have been closed due to fire. Mudslides cover the road after rain in places where fires have caused erosion on the hillsides. Creeks and streams where bikers (and animals) would normally find water have dried up. Smoke is driving animals (including bears) down into valleys throwing us all together in small spaces, and food sources for everyone have shorter and less fertile growing seasons. As a biker moving slowly through diverse terrain you become uber aware of subtle and not so subtle changes to the environment. You almost acquire an animals perspective. Small changes have huge consequences. Sometimes you have to decide if you’ll use your finite supply of water to brush your teeth or make a cup of coffee. Not easy decisions.

Bike Set-up

I’m one of the few out here on the divide route that has a bike touring kit vs “bike-packing”. Ha, I get that now in a way I didn’t before the ride. Hell, I’ve never even been mountain bike riding before this adventure (except for a couple of hours with my friend Sarah two weeks before leaving. A little light bulb went on then, but I choose to ignore it.). So, I weighed my bike in Dillon, MT. turns out my steel bike alone – sans any sort of shock absorbent system at all- weighs 40lbs. Add all my panniers loaded with food and water and that adds another 50lbs. Yep, my super stealthy kit weights a freaking 90lbs. Maybe that’s why pushing my bike up steep hills feels like a fullbody workout.

Going Solo

And, finally…my riding partner, Dana Hansen, decided to stop the madness in Pinedale, Wyoming. He cited smoke and fatigue as his reasons. He just wasn’t having a great time anymore. It’s cool. I get it. We all have our reasons for doing things and not doing things. My “fun” may not be your fun. No hard feelings. Also, I’m a little woo woo. I believe that twists and turns happen to my benefit. I may not know what that benefit is in the moment, but I’m able to suspend belief long enough to let it all unfold (yes, sometimes I kick and scream for a while – it’s not all a zen experience).

So, as of Steamboat Springs, I’m fighting off wild animals, riding through wild fires and nearly drinking my own pee as a water source, on my own. And ya know what? I’m nailing it! I have not melted down on the trail once (in 3 days…hahaha). I’m moving forward. Knocking out the miles. Rewarded by the simple pleasures of life, and finding strength knowing that the universe supports me and my guardian angels have my back. Like that first time you jump off the high dive, there is a power in boldness that we can only experience once we have taken the proverbial leap.

Warmshowers

A huge shout-out to the Warmshowers hosts. We stayed with John in Butte who made the best Cajun food ever. We stayed with Tim in Helena who opened his house/art studio to us. And, special mention to Kristi (and Clay, although we just met him for a second) in Pinedale, Wyoming. It took me three days to decide what to do after Dana decided to leave. In that time, I posted for rides, companions, ate soft-serve ice-cream, waited out storms, swam at the aquatic center, hung out in the library, ate at Wind River Brewery and slept. Kristi gave me the space and time I needed to make my decision. At no time did she pressure me to get a move-on. She was kind, gracious and understanding. Thank you for this sacred space Kristi. You won’t be forgotten!

Fundraiser

First, a big thanks to all you who have donated to Los Buenos Vecinos and their effort to get kids back into school through their hand washing effort! Second, sorry LBV that I’m such a lame fundraiser. I found out that I can’t multitask as well as I’d like. I’ll put in a better effort when I get home. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please have a look at the fundraiser link on my blog. These are awesome people working their butts off to get clean water to those in need.

Oh ya, one more thing… If you subscribe to Adventure Cycling Magazine, I had a personal essay published in the “Final Mile” column in the Aug/Sept 2021 issue. It’s called, “Wild camping in Woss.” FYI, it’s supposed to be tongue in cheek.

Until we meet again down that bumpy road…

Thanks for catching up,

Denise