• cairnswm
  • cairnswm

Tour Divide 2019

Et 44-dagers eventyr av cairnswm Les mer
  • First oil wells

    29. juni 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    For the next 100km I'll be seeing oil wells occasionally, later there's a spot with 100s of them

  • Day 17 comments

    29. juni 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Some rough trails today. At one point there was no trail and I just had to follow the route on my phone.

    I went through 2 "cities" today. South Pass City has a population of 4, (about 12 houses). Atlantic City at least has a mercantile that's basically a restaurant.

    Water was a concern today. I've had to sterilize water that cattle were using.
    Les mer

  • Wumsutter

    30. juni 2019, Forente stater ⋅ 🌧 21 °C

    So glad to be over the great basin of nothingness. Had a subway and got some chicken pieces for supper.

    Light rain has started.

  • Day 18 comments

    30. juni 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    I rode very slowly today. I got to Wumsutter before lunch. I ate a subway footlong and got some more food. I continued on, about 5km later I realized I had left my backpack with clothes behind. I rode back to fetch it, wasting 10km and about an hour.

    I continued to ride on slowly. I only completed 131km, so did about 121km progress....

    When I left wumsutter it started to rain, and stopped a few minutes later. A bit later it rained properly for a few minutes.
    Les mer

  • Savery

    1. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Got to the tiny town of Savery. Pretty much nothing here but a museum. At the museum they have a small shop for riders. Two tables full of snacks and food that you can buy. The shop works on an honesty principle where you pay the price as marked on the item.

    I also found I can drink any kind of coffee. There was a cold pot of coffee that I finished before they made a new one.
    Les mer

  • Bike repair

    1. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Coming out of Savery I realised that my struggles over the last few days were my rear brakes rubbing. As I was riding down a section of tar road I found my bike slowing down. I knew that on a slope like that I should not have lost speed.

    I found a fence post and using a strap turned it into a bike stand so I could adjust the brakes.
    Les mer

  • Brush mountain lodge

    1. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    A quintessential part of the Tour Divide, Kirsten has been looking after riders for the last 12 years. Everything is free to riders, just make a donation when you leave.

    I had pizza, sandwiches, cherries, water, green juice and got some more supplies (trail mix)Les mer

  • 3012m

    1. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    As far as I know my first time over 3000m (with feet still on the ground).

    Dropped down to 2800m to camp, which was the first campsite I saw below the snow. I really enjoyed the campsite. It was just a nice open space with no amenities but it I suddenly realized how much I was enjoying the camping experience.Les mer

  • Day 19 comments

    1. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    The day started like the previous few, I just could not get going. I finally reached Savery and as I entered I saw a sign for tour divide riders to get supplies. I sat and ate and got supplies.

    On the way out of town I found my bike slowing on a tar downhill, when I checked my rear rotor was touching the brake pad! So for 3 days I've been riding against my brakes.

    I found a gate and reset my brakes. Will maybe go to bike shop tomorrow.

    Brush mountain lodge was great. Got pizza and all sorts of other stuff. Was sorely tempted to stay overnight but had nearly 4 hours of daylight left. I pushed on over the pass, only about 30km further. But it's one more pass done. The pass had some snow I had to push over.

    I've got a beautiful camp site to myself.
    Les mer

  • Clark store

    2. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    When I reached the Clark Store I stopped for 2nd breakfast and coffee. I had granola with blueberries and yogurt. I really enjoyed it.

    So far Colorado is very beautiful

  • Day 20 comments

    2. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Can't believe I've been riding for 20 days now. I suppose it's become a way of life now....

    From my camp site to Clark was a pleasant ride mostly downhill and after Clark tar road to Steamboat springs. I got some clothes and groceries.

    Somewhere is Steamboat springs I bashed my knee and am now struggling to pedal. I passed Stagecoach Lake, very pretty, maybe my favorite views soon.

    Pushed up half way up Lynx pass and camped. Only about 110km for the day. I've seen a number of dead snakes in the road, but today was the first day I saw a live snake.
    Les mer

  • Day 21 comments

    3. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Woke up in beautiful camp site. Left just before 7 feeling good. Rode well, cycled up the first 2 passes, including miles (it felt like) from the Colorado River to Kremmling (passing it within a few kms) but after that I struggled with energy. Pushed up most of Ute pass, luckily it was all downhill from there to Silverthorne.

    Had difficulty checking in as my booking was made so late they weren't aware of it. Got burgers at Wendy's and into bed just before 11.

    My knee still troubles me. Sore when I pedal which probably aggravates my tiredness
    Les mer

  • Boreas pass - 3511m

    4. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    I rode well up Boreas Pass, about 10km up the pass I realized I had once again left my backpack behind in a Subway. I rode back down to fetch it. Then rode the whole pass again! On the second ride up I joined in with a local mountain bike race and at the water point collected a new bottle for myself.Les mer

  • Day 22 comments

    5. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C

    Long day today and all my fault.

    Followed a wonderful bike path all the way through Frisco to Breckenridge. At places the bike path had speed limits for bikes. In Breckenridge had brakes adjusted and went to Subway, I then got caught up in a 4th July parade.

    Rode up boreas pass then realised backpack was still in Subway. Wasted 3 hours and a lot of m climbing....

    Got to Harttsel just before 8 got into the pizza shop as they were closing but they served me, small town hospitality at its best. They basically sold me everything ay half price. I had coleslaw, water, 6 hotdogs and 2 diet Pepsi for $20. I'll be taking 4 hotdogs for the road.

    Camped out behind the Saloon and café.
    Les mer

  • 3044m pass

    5. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Going very slowly with lots of walking.

    Rode past Salida and stopped at Poncha Springs for lunch. Bit expensive.

    Going to start up Marshal pass (1100m gain over 40km) and find a spot to sleep around 8. Breakfast/lunch is Sargents tomorrowLes mer

  • Day 23 comments

    5. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    The Cafe in Hartsel opened at 6, I was packed and ready at 6:20 and went for breakfast (bacon, ham,sausage and 4 slices of bread and jam)

    Day started off poorly with me pushing a lot. Had some headwinds. One I started down the pass to Salida things improved (they usually do with a 15km downhill!)

    Met a lady just outside Salida taking photos of the riders. Skipped Salida and resupplied in Poncha Springs. Started up marshal pass and camped out just over 3000m. Was surprised that I could ride up the whole pass

    Slept poorly until 2am and solidly until 6
    Les mer

  • Day 24 comments

    6. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    After packing up and finishing the climb to the top of Marshall pass I enjoyed the downhill to Sargents. I stopped at the Cafe for breakfast (avo toast and granola)

    As I was about finished, Mason the host of the Adventure Sports Podcast dropped by. We chatted for a while. When he left he gave me some sponsor products as we parted ways.

    At about 6 in the evening I made supper using Peak Refuel pork and rice. Normally a 2 serving freeze dried meal is not quite enough, but this was too much for one meal.

    I reached a campsite just past the top of Cochepeto pass.
    Les mer

  • Del Norte

    7. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    First stop Subway as normal. I ate their signature wrap with turkey, bacon and guacamole. And then had a standard footlong with that. Bought an extra two to take with me tomorrow.

    Just before I got into town I crossed the Rio GrandeLes mer

  • Day 25 comments

    7. juli 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Was great starting at the top of a pass this morning. Nice long (cold) downhill. Then another pass to ride over.

    I found it interesting that I was glad it was a short pass, only 700m gain in 20km. A month ago I would have dreaded such a long pass. Tomorrow I have a 40km pass gaining 1250m 🙄

    Stopped in Del Norte. Has 2 subway meals and a third for tomorrow. I've booked into a hostel (the Divide Riders Hostel) to have a good rest and charge devices.

    In Del Norte I met a British veteran whose ankles were badly damaged from shrapnel. Pretty amazed he could even walk let alone ride such a long way.

    Becky from England who I've seen a few times on the route so far arrived at the hostel quite late, her belt drive had snapped and she needed to wait in town for a replacement. She is touring the route.
    Les mer