In 2021, cycling buddy Paul Brasby rode the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route with me from Roosville, Montana to Rawlins, Wyoming, where he ran out of vacation time. During those unforgettable 24 days, we rode 1,300 miles of back roads over every kind of surface and condition, repeatedly climbing high mountain passes and crossing endless prairie, skirting rampant forest fires and steaming grizzly scat, dodging thunderstorms and lightening, and meeting a stream of interesting people.
Throughout this journey, Paul captured hundreds of remarkable images, some of which appear in my blog posts of our ride together. Now, Paul has created a photo gallery of his favorite Great Divide images that he wishes to share. For earlier installments, go to Roosville to Clearwater Lake; Clearwater Lake to Basin; Basin to Hansen Livestock Ranch.
Hello All!
After a ten year dream, the first half of the GDMBR finally came true last year!
As Craig's blog posts of the GDMBR draw to an end, Craig was nice enough to let me share a few photo dumps showcasing the beautiful landscape, road conditions, people we met, and our POI along the way. I'll include some narrative with the pictures, as well. This is geared more to the first time touring riders of the GDMBR/Tour Divide adventures in the near future. I'll include distance and elevation gain of each day's ride as a helpful touring guide. For those that have already partaked in this amazing adventure, whether touring or racing, I hope these pictures bring back fond memories of a ride not soon forgotten.
Join along as Craig and I pedaled SOBO following the ACA's GDMBR from the Canadian border to Rawlins, Wyoming, at which point Craig pushed on solo to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Enjoy!
One more footnote. A big shout out to all those planning and prepping for this year's Tour Divide and for all those touring riders giving it a go this year. Whether SOBO or NOBO, I wish you a safe and exciting adventure! Cheers!
Paul Brasby
Hansen Livestock Ranch to Lima
Day 14, August 2, 2021 (63.2 miles/3,183 feet of elevation gain)
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| Enjoying a hot meal before we head out for a very scenic day on the bike! |
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| Good morning sunshine! Looking westward from Hansen Ranch. |
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| Riding along Medicine Lodge Road to Sheep Creek divide crossing. |
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| NOBO riders Allie & Race from Fargo, ND. |
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| The climb to Sheep Creek Divide. |
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| Craig riding along the Salmon Challis National Forest on Medicine Lodge Road. |
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| Big Sheep Creek Canyon Road. A beautiful 15 mile windy canyon road as you head toward Lima. |
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| We meet up with Tobias from Ohio, as we roll in Lima on Westside frontage road along I-15. |
Lima to Upper Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Preserve
Day 15, August 3, 2021 (59.2 mile/2,264 feet of elevation gain)
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| After a goodnight sleep at Jan's Cabins located behind her restaurant, we hit the road with 8 SOBO riders. |
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| Riding with three guys on Lima Dam Road that we nicknamed the "Three Amigos." Mike from San Diego, Rich from NY, Gary from Indiana. |
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| It's a small world. We ride with Andi & Robb, a couple from Colorado. This pic was taken when Craig & Robb realize they had worked at the same Firm together 20 years earlier. |
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| Enjoying the views on South Valley Road. |
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| Upper Red Rock Campground was a great overnight! |
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| Spring water, bear boxes, bathrooms, and a handful of shady campsites. |
Upper Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Preserve to Warm River Campground
Day 16, August 4, 2021 (71.4 miles/1,719 feet of elevation gain)
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| The scenery gets better by the day! |
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| We say goodbye to Montana and hello to Idado. |
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| We celebrate our 15 day trek across Montana. |
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| One state down, four more to go for Craig. |
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| We stopped at the Red Rock RV park for a cup of coffee. They said if we were crazy enough to ride the Divide, the coffee was free! |
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| The roads quickly changed in Idaho. |
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| We find ourselves weaving around water puddles for several miles soon after the RV park to the Yellowstone Branch Line Trail head. |
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| FYI. If you want to mail a food package, the P.O. in Island Park is a great place to send it to. You'll turn left onto Hwy 20 off of FR134B. The P.O is on your left, along with a bank and C-store. |
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| Yellowstone Branch Line Trail. |
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| NOBO Mike and Tom from Brooklyn. |
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| Going around the closed tunnel on the YLBT. |
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| Left to right ... Ron, Craig, Tobias, Franz & I. |
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| Hiker/Biker campsites at Warm River Campground. The river was refreshing! Water, bathrooms & bear boxes. |
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