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Tour Divide 2019
  • cairnswm

Tour Divide 2019

A 44-day adventure by cairnswm Read more
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  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Indiana pass - 3651m

    July 8, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Made it to the highest point on the route. Must admit I have pushed most of the way up the pass!

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Day 26 comments

    July 8, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Two passes today. Indiana pass was very long. I tried to ride as much as possible, but I walked a lot. I just didn't feel efficient today.

    My knee that I bashed back in Steamboat Sprigs is not hurting anymore.

    After Indiana pass I expected a down hill but there was about 20km of riding above 3400m.

    I almost rode past Plotoro but changed my mind and went to get food. Had a hamburg and fries with a salad.

    On my way to a campsite I met a couple that wanted to talk about the Tour Divide. I stopped and we had about a 15minute chat.    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Horca

    July 9, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    Coldest morning of the ride. I laid my flysheet out to dry as it had a lot of condensation on the indide. I then had my breakfast. When I got out of the tent to packup the condensation on the flysheet had frozen.

    The shop in Horca was closed, so no second breakfast today.    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    La Manga Pass - 3118m

    July 9, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Rode up the pass outside of Horca, tar road all the way. At the top of the pass I could not get cellphone signal but there was wifi. A closed wifi network that I presume was for emergency vehicles.

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Day 27 comments

    July 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Missed 2nd breakfast as the shop in Horca was closed. Lots of short climbs today made if tough. Also not much water on route.

    Climbing up one side of the pass there was a lot of water, but once I crossed the devide it was dry. Needed to get water from a cow stream, I carry water purification tablets for exactly these occasions.

    Once I dropped below 2900m I felt I could ride properly again . Only lasted a short while then I was pushing again.

    Met a couple doing a 7 day tour over the route I did in 3 days. We had a chat for a while and they kindly took a photo of me.

    Got to camp late, set up camp even later as I had to fetch water at the nearby lake. Once I had climbed into bed at around 22:30 I found my lower back was sore.    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Summer shop

    July 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Stopped at the little road side store as shown in "Ride the Divide" movie. Didn't need anything but had a burrito and chips to support the store. The lady running the store is exactly like she is in the movie.Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    El Rito

    July 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Stopped in El Rito for lunch. A little restaurant with 6 tables manned by just 2 people. I ordered a full salad, hamburger, 3 hotdogs and fries. I finished nearly all of it, just asking for one hotdog to be wrapped for take away. The waiter and one of the other cstomers commented on how much I ate. The chef took the time to come out and offer some advice on the route ahead, emphasising the need to carry lots of water.Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Abiquiu

    July 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Lunch was another salad and lots of diet coke. Spent about 2 hours waiting for the heat to die down. At 17:00 it was still stifling.

    Got more supplies. Should be in Cuba just after midday tomorrow I hopeRead more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Day 28 comments

    July 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Today was a long day. It was great seeing the Summer Shop. The lady is exactly like in the movie (Ride the Divide)

    New Mexico started by looking the same as Colorado then changed to looking like a sandy desert, then when I started climbing became forest again.

    Riding into Abiquiu was like riding into an oven. Definitly the hottest so far! I stayed in the restaurant shop with aircon and bottomless soda for a few hours before continuing.

    Wonderful sunset to finish the day!    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler
    1

    Top of Polvadera climb - 3153m

    July 11, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    3 hours to go 20km and 750m gain. Wasn't such a bad climb but road surface was bad.

    Back over 3000m. Struggling with climbs again. Seems anything over 2800m I struggle. (that's about the altitude I started pushing)Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Cuba (New Mexico, not the Country)

    July 11, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Did my normal double Subway for lunch, with the now standard 3l of Diet Coke.

    Went to the local convenience store to get water and food for the next few days. While I was sitting outside packing my food for my bike a car pulled up next to me. A man jumped out: "Hey man, you want some food". Me, caught by surprise, "yeah, sure". He hands me a still warm burrito and jumps in his car and drives off. I suppose I must really be looking like a hobo now!Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Day 29 comments

    July 11, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Made it to Cuba in a day that just saw lots of trees and forest roads. In Cuba I had my now traditional Subway wrap and footlong.

    First part of day had lots of Rocky tracks. Got to top of climb at 7km/h. Reached just over 10km/h before Cuba. Including a tar road downhill of 14km that took 13minutes (then they added some hills)

    Resupplied in Cuba. Tried to complete the next 64km section of tar road. Did about 50 before camping out at 23:00 from being too tired.    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Grants

    July 12, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Reached Grants and stoped at the KFC, I passed by the Subway in favor of KFC. I ordered an 8 piece family meal with large sides of coleslaw and sweet corn. I ate the coleslaw and corn before touching the chicken, my body was obviously craving something in the salad.

    Stayed in the Sands Motel on route 66.    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Day 30 comments

    July 12, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    So hot!

    It was tar road all the way but temperatures felt in the high 30s or even 40s. At one point my 2 cycle computers said 38 & 42. (they never agree, the 38 was slightly in shade of water bottle.

    KFC for supper then to the Sands Motel, the cheapest accommodation I could find.    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Pie town cafe

    July 13, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Pulled pork salad for supper. And 2 take away meals for later and breakfast.

    Some nice clouds this afternoon to make it cooler. But could get caught in rain storm tonight.

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Day 31 comments

    July 13, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Breakfast at the motel was cereal and coffee, not very filling, nor useful for long riding. Left just before 7. Hoping to make subway when it opened.

    Unknowingly took wrong turn where there was also a Subway (which only opened at 8) so stopped at convenience store, bought prepackaged burgers. Then realised I went wrong way, corrected and got to correct subway at 8, as I already had food I rode past.

    Stopped at La Ventana arch for some sightseeing and to eat. The burger is so dry it needs to be washed down with water. American burgers are horrible.

    At my next food stop met 3 British guys who had just started their trip north.

    Made Pie Town a bit late and got to the cafe just in time to order food. Had a meal, diet coke and coffee before continuing.

    As I left the rain started. I rode in the rain for about 20km, getting quite cold before it stopped. Camped out in the Gila National forest at aoput 23:00. Riding in the evening helps as its cooler. So I'm taking a few hours off in the afternoon to avoid the heat.

    Tomorrow I hope to sleep at a lodge and make Silver City in the late afternoon, will treat myself to another motel/hostel there as well. Looks like I can finish on 16th or early morning on 17th.

    The photo is of a lava flow. There were numerous lava flows all parrallel to one another as I rode. They constrasted the sandstone cliffs on the other side of the road.    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Chats with Yolande

    July 14, 2019 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    2019/07/14, 16:53 - Yolande Cairns: Think your tracker stopped
    2019/07/14, 16:53 - William: Yes, batteries died
    2019/07/14, 16:53 - William: Put old batteries in
    2019/07/14, 16:53 - William: Will turn on occasionally to set point
    2019/07/14, 16:54 - Yolande Cairns: OK cool. Then I can still see. How you doing today?
    2019/07/14, 16:55 - William: First few km every day are hard until I get going
    2019/07/14, 16:55 - William: Started feeling ok now
    2019/07/14, 16:55 - Yolande Cairns: Think you going to be stiff once you stop.
    2019/07/14, 16:56 - Yolande Cairns: Good. Love you lots. Can't wait to see you in person😁
    2019/07/14, 16:56 - William: 😍
    2019/07/14, 16:56 - Yolande Cairns: Are you eating?
    2019/07/14, 16:56 - William: Tracker shows its updating but not updating on site :(
    2019/07/14, 16:57 - William: Just after I left Pietown it started raining
    2019/07/14, 16:57 - William: My lights arn't good so it was difficult 4 hours of riding
    2019/07/14, 16:58 - William: But I did the 40km I wanted
    2019/07/14, 16:58 - William: Had beef burger and coke in Pietown
    2019/07/14, 16:58 - Yolande Cairns: You made good progress. Try get there before dark tonight then. Is rain gone or still cloudy?
    2019/07/14, 16:58 - William: Gone
    2019/07/14, 16:59 - Yolande Cairns: Eish and the temperature today?
    2019/07/14, 16:59 - William: Not too hot yet
    2019/07/14, 17:00 - William: From 11 it gets bad
    2019/07/14, 17:01 - Yolande Cairns: You probably going to eat anything. You must remember to take extra food on the plane.. Sealed
    2019/07/14, 17:02 - William: Yes. I've been thinking of that
    2019/07/14, 17:02 - Yolande Cairns: I love you. Moving Kaylen in tomorrow morning.
    2019/07/14, 17:02 - William: Accuweather says max 30 today.cloudy later today
    2019/07/14, 17:03 - Yolande Cairns: That should help a bit
    2019/07/14, 17:05 - William: 109km still to do today
    2019/07/14, 17:06 - Yolande Cairns: Still early. You have 500km left. Your last tracker was 299 miles left.
    2019/07/14, 17:07 - William: My calc says 420km left
    2019/07/14, 17:08 - Yolande Cairns: That's even better
    2019/07/14, 17:10 - Yolande Cairns: Love you lots    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Day 32 comments

    July 14, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Today was head down and ride. I didn't look at landscape much.

    One highlight was seeing 3 Javalina - I didn't know they existed here. (I thought they were wild boar, when I first saw them they looked like warthog without tails).

    Got to the Tour Divide water spot. The Trail Angels put out water and snacks for the riders. I really appreciated the snacks as I was running out of food and Silver City is still a long way away.

    Lodge was not open so I filled up water and pushed (literally) on for a bit. Did about 3km then camped out.    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Chats with Yolande

    July 15, 2019 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    2019/07/15, 23:08 - William: 😍
    2019/07/15, 23:08 - William: This is really tough section
    2019/07/15, 23:09 - William: 60km done, 50km to go, already 3pm
    2019/07/15, 23:10 - Yolande Cairns: Hallo love. Glad to see you still there😁
    2019/07/15, 23:11 - William: Ja
    2019/07/15, 23:11 - William: Guest ranch was closed
    2019/07/15, 23:11 - William: I'm guessing I'll be in Silver City around 9pm
    2019/07/15, 23:12 - Yolande Cairns: Just think that's the worst bit. Almost done. It is not a long piece.
    2019/07/15, 23:12 - Yolande Cairns: How's your food and water
    2019/07/15, 23:12 - William: The Walmart and KFC should still be open. I'll get food for next day at Walmart and supper at kfc
    2019/07/15, 23:12 - William: Got too little food but enough water
    2019/07/15, 23:13 - Yolande Cairns: And snacks finished?
    2019/07/15, 23:13 - William: Small packet peanuts one energy bar and half a burger, and packet of chicken (like tuna packet)
    2019/07/15, 23:13 - Yolande Cairns: What makes this section tough?
    2019/07/15, 23:13 - William: Got enough water, a fireman gave me 2 liters
    2019/07/15, 23:14 - William: Eating quarter burger now
    2019/07/15, 23:14 - William: Lots of hills so down valley, then up the otherse of the valley
    2019/07/15, 23:15 - William: I'm pushing a lot
    2019/07/15, 23:16 - Yolande Cairns: Love you lots. So excited for you. Almost done. Just keep going. You are doing great.
    2019/07/15, 23:17 - William: 😁
    2019/07/15, 23:17 - William: I'm not taking hotel in Silver City
    2019/07/15, 23:17 - Yolande Cairns: This is the section everyone was struggling
    2019/07/15, 23:17 - William: Will get stuff and get just out of town to camp
    2019/07/15, 23:17 - Yolande Cairns: Why. Love your tent so much now?
    2019/07/15, 23:17 - William: I'm being lucky with weather
    2019/07/15, 23:20 - Yolande Cairns: That's fine. After a good rest I still think you can finish in one day. All others have done that. Most way down except for last bit.
    2019/07/15, 23:21 - Yolande Cairns: Remember to get batteries for your tracker
    2019/07/15, 23:21 - William: Every afternoon is cloudy
    2019/07/15, 23:21 - William: Just to extra 5km and not have to wait for breakfast
    2019/07/15, 23:22 - Yolande Cairns: That's good.
    2019/07/15, 23:22 - William: Love you
    2019/07/15, 23:23 - Yolande Cairns: Love you too. What did you see today?
    2019/07/15, 23:23 - William: Also decided Walmart was more likely to have batteries than convenience store
    2019/07/15, 23:23 - William: Roads, trees mountains firemen
    2019/07/15, 23:23 - William: But
    2019/07/15, 23:23 - Yolande Cairns: OK cool
    2019/07/15, 23:23 - William: Yesterday I saw wild boar(pigs) running next to me
    2019/07/15, 23:24 - Yolande Cairns: 😳 How close
    2019/07/15, 23:24 - William: I thought I was imagining warthogs without tails
    2019/07/15, 23:24 - Yolande Cairns: 😁
    2019/07/15, 23:24 - William: About 20 to 30m on my left running parallel with me
    2019/07/15, 23:25 - William: Tried getting camera but they then hid away
    2019/07/15, 23:25 - William: Also day before saw a herd of elk
    2019/07/15, 23:25 - Yolande Cairns: That nice you saw some cool animals.
    2019/07/15, 23:26 - William: Yeah
    2019/07/15, 23:26 - William: Very good sightings
    2019/07/15, 23:26 - Yolande Cairns: Cause you were going slowly. Glad you were looking around😉
    2019/07/15, 23:27 - William: I'm just before last big climb
    2019/07/15, 23:27 - William: Think about 40km to silver city
    2019/07/15, 23:27 - William: (A long way)
    2019/07/15, 23:28 - Yolande Cairns: That's good. Almost there. You can make it. Even if you push..
    2019/07/15, 23:29 - William: Honestly can't push. Just doing my best to keep moving
    2019/07/15, 23:29 - William: There is likely a 10km push in those 40k
    2019/07/15, 23:29 - Yolande Cairns: Very proud of you. You just need a big hug 🤗🤗🤗
    2019/07/15, 23:30 - William: Big hug, step, and your shoulder to put my head on
    2019/07/15, 23:30 - William: Ok, I need to go
    2019/07/15, 23:31 - William: Love you lots
    2019/07/15, 23:31 - Yolande Cairns: Love you lots. Nice we could talk. Good luck
    2019/07/15, 23:31 - Yolande Cairns: ❤    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Day 33 comments

    July 15, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Got a slow start to the day. Was lazy to get out of bed. Today was a short day. Just over 100km to silver city to do, but included the last few big climbs of the trip.

    As normal it took my body a while to get going. The short, gentle hills making me walk. Mostly I just tried to keep moving as far as possible.

    I was riding through forested hills. Didn't look much like desert, but the hills created a few quite technical descants, feeling much steeper than the climbs.

    I was concerned I did not have enough food and water. I met a fireman who was doing maintenance along the road while monitoring a fire nearby. (I had seen the smoke in the valley but thought it was mist). We had a good chat, him saying he was too old to do what I was doing (he is 40). He gave me 2l of water.

    I am very low on food. My 2 hamburgers and 2 snacks are being very carefully rationed.

    We ended up with hike-a-bike section along the CDT (continental divide trail - hiking) for about 10km. I could hardly ride the trail at all and was pushing very very slowly. TYhis took so long that I ran out of food.

    Finally got to silver city about 23:00 but Walmart was still open (24hours). After eating I rode a about5km south of town and camped next to the highway.    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Silver City - late night

    July 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    Today had a lot of steep downhills. These were especially challenging as I had removed my front brake pads a few days ago because they were still rubbing. The steep downhills meant I needed to take them very slowly and carefully.

    I got to Silver City at about 23:00 and bought food at Walmart - Vienna sausages and coleslaw.    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Chats with Yolande

    July 16, 2019 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    2019/07/16, 19:56 - William: Clouds are clearing and it's very hot
    2019/07/16, 19:56 - William: Sitting in shade of farm implements as there is no other shade
    2019/07/16, 19:57 - William: Water in bottle burns when I pour it over myself
    2019/07/16, 19:57 - William: Taking a short break to cool down
    2019/07/16, 19:58 - William: I think it's still 17km to Separ
    2019/07/16, 19:59 - William: Weather report for Silver City says 36C
    2019/07/16, 19:59 - Yolande Cairns: Is the where the road turns. Almost there then half way.
    2019/07/16, 19:59 - Yolande Cairns: That's hot. Are you tired?
    2019/07/16, 20:00 - Yolande Cairns: You didn't get much sleep
    2019/07/16, 20:01 - William: Not to tired was also going to wait out heat there,hopefully with bottomless soda fountain
    2019/07/16, 20:01 - William: The downhill is a bit like riding down the spirit, just slightly downhill
    2019/07/16, 20:03 - Yolande Cairns: Looked more impressive on the map.
    2019/07/16, 20:03 - Yolande Cairns: What time do you expect to finish
    2019/07/16, 20:05 - William: 40km to lose 400m, that's a 1% gradient
    2019/07/16, 20:05 - William: No idea
    2019/07/16, 20:06 - William: Separ 2pm
    2019/07/16, 20:06 - William: Rest 90 mind = 3:30
    2019/07/16, 20:07 - William: 3 hours to hachita = 6:30
    2019/07/16, 20:07 - William: Rest 2 hours (try sleep)
    2019/07/16, 20:08 - William: 70km left = 6 hours
    2019/07/16, 20:08 - William: So 8:30 to 02:30
    2019/07/16, 20:08 - William: Will probable stretch it out
    2019/07/16, 20:08 - William: Try finish at 7 or 8 am
    2019/07/16, 20:09 - William: You 3 or 4 pm
    2019/07/16, 20:13 - Yolande Cairns: OK you must make sure you rest. Only 2 hrs sleep then. You going to be exhausted
    2019/07/16, 20:15 - William: That's why I say stretch it out and extra 5 hours
    2019/07/16, 20:15 - William: So get 5 hours more rest
    2019/07/16, 20:16 - William: Weather app says it's over 34 until 4pm :(
    2019/07/16, 20:20 - William: No imodium in medicine bag
    2019/07/16, 20:20 - William: Was sure I had some left
    2019/07/16, 20:21 - Yolande Cairns: Not good. Do you have anything else that may work.
    2019/07/16, 20:22 - William: No
    2019/07/16, 20:23 - William: Maybe I should push on to Separ then wait out the heat,get 3 or 4 hours sleep before continuing
    2019/07/16, 20:33 - Yolande Cairns: Sounds good. Maybe cafe you can sit in. You'll feel better. 🤗😘    Read more

  • cairnswmTour Divide 2019Traveler

    Chats with Yolande

    July 16, 2019 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    2019/07/16, 22:12 - William: I'm in Separ
    2019/07/17, 02:03 - Yolande Cairns: ❤
    2019/07/17, 02:04 - William: 😍
    2019/07/17, 02:04 - Yolande Cairns: Go get your finish last stretch 🏆
    2019/07/17, 02:05 - William: 😘
    2019/07/17, 03:40 - William: On my way already! got 104km to go :)
    2019/07/17, 03:40 - William: Rain stopped as I started    Read more

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