WHY THE DIVIDE

It’s a good idea to take on big challenges while you are young so…

At the age of 65, I thought tackling the Great Continental Divide Ride would be fun. This was also the first time the Adventure Cycling Association was offering it as a van supported through ride.

Continental Divide Bike Ride Elevation Graph

THE TERRAIN

The Continental Divide ride is about 2,500 miles, with 86% of the roads dirt, 2% single track and 12% pavement.

The trip would take 65 days with 9 rest days, camping each night, except for 8 motel stays.

We start in Rooseville on the US side of the border with Canada, and ride through Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.

What an amazing way to see this country!

THE START

This ride would be the most physically and psychologically challenging ride of my life and I welcomed doing this with a group.

We are eleven bicyclists and two leaders who I meet for the first time at a campground in Whitefish, Montana. Many on the team had done ACA rides before; this is my first.

Group photo of Adventure Travel Bicyclists
Bicyclists on a dirt road along the Continental Divide Trail

THE TEAM

Our team includes: Jeff who has a steady, very fast pace and always makes it to camp first. Then the team with a core of Mike, Lauri, Niles, Steve, Greg - and sometimes Tom - who ride as a group and stop for lunch together. Allen always rides alone. Jim and Jo ride alone or with each other or with the group at times.

I usually ride alone unless it is going to be a challenging day and then Jo and I team up for moral support and LOTS of laughs. It is so much fun riding with Jo as we always make it an adventure. It is also such a pleasure after a long day, riding into camp, hearing our teammates cheer us in.

THE ROUTINE

We fall into a the daily routine: unload our gear, set up our tents, prepare dinner, clean up. The women on the team like to wash off that day’s sweat (instead of baby wipes) at the end of each day. The primitive campsites are invariably be next to a river or stream so Jo, Lauri and I find the best spot for a very cold and invigorating rinse or even a bucket of water behind the van door.

After dinner is the map meeting where the leaders review the next day’s ride including information about terrain, weather, the route and ending location. We are usually in our tents sleeping by 9pm.

Any day on the bike is the best day!

Next
Next

LOGISTICS & GEAR