Today (May 9, 2022) I received the Canada + US map sets of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. It was a bit of a wait because they have been out-of-stock for a while over here in the Netherlands. But after several weeks, they arrived at the shop which sells them here in the Netherlands,…
Cycling the distance of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, while gaining a massive amount of elevation, through good and bad weather, and loaded with gear seems like quite a challenge. Of course, there are other factors like overall fitness, average pace, and most important (I think) the number of hours in the saddle each…
For riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route you definitively need a bike and gear. These are available for any budget. As often, the budget will mainly decide upon quality, weight, and size. I have tried to re-use as much as possible but definitely had to buy quite some stuff. The items listed on this…
Before you can start riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route you need to go to ‘the starting point’. Wherever that may be, depending on personal choices. In my case, the starting point is Banff, Alberta in Canada, where I will start riding South-Bound. So, my bike, gear, and I need to get to Banff….
Riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is quite an undertaking. Along the route, you will pass different types of road, mostly gravel, but also some tougher sections and (very) remote areas. You will also experience all kinds of different weather from heat, to (very) cold, (heavy rain), and possibly snow and hail. On top…
Due to the nature and length of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, careful attention must be paid to the travel direction (North-Bound vs. South-Bound) and the time of year (usually between June and October) for riding this route. Weather can play a significant role in the experiences on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route….
After buying my first mountain bike in 2012, I saw the movie Ride the Divide. This movie follows the participants of the 2008 edition of the Tour Divide, a time-trail event on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. A little seed was planted in my head. I loved the idea, not the racing, but touring…
“The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is Adventure Cycling’s premier off-pavement cycling route, crisscrossing the Continental Divide in southern Canada and the U.S. This route is defined by the word “remote.” Its remoteness equates with spectacular terrain and scenery. The entire route is basically dirt road and mountain-pass riding every day. In total, it…