WWR

June 17, 2024

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Day 40: Cycling to Whitefish for our flight back home

EvE Jun 17, 2024

Today we cycled from the Stillwater Lake Campground via Whitefish to the Lasalle RV Park. We had clouds all day, it was chilly and cold at times, and after setting up the tent it started to rain. We rode on non-paved roads until Whitefish, from there it was paved. Riding statistics: on Monday, June 17, 2024, day 48 on the route, it took 07:31h (04:39h moving time), between 6:50 and 2:21, to cover 70.11674 km (43 miles), including 728 m (2389 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 15.0 km/h (9.3 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 48 km/h (29.8 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 8 °C (46 °F) with a minimum of 2 °C (36 °F) and a maximum of 14 °C (57 °F).

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Western Wildlands Route

Admin Jun 17, 2024

“The 2,700-mile Western Wildlands Route (WWR, formerly known as the Wild West Route) offers bikepackers a non-technical riding experience through the vast expanses of wild and public lands in the Intermountain West. Nearly 70% of the route is on public lands - 18 National Forests, 6 National Parks and Monuments, and 4 areas with Bureau of Land Management National Conservation Lands designation.”, according to Bikepacking Roots. This route took us 12 days, 8 hours, 40 minutes, and 9 seconds of cycling time to cover 4312 km (2679 miles), including 47660 m (156372.46000000002 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 15 km/h (9 mph), reaching a maximum speed of 63 km/h (39 mph) on Saturday, June 1, 2024. During cycling, there was a minimum temperature of 0 °C (32 °F) on Thursday, May 30, 2024, and a maximum temperature of 50 °C (122 °F) on Friday, June 7, 2024.

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Where am I?

EvE Jun 17, 2024

Do you want to know where I am? So do my family and friends. Riding the Western Wildlands Route is a multi-week adventure, often without any connectivity for days. I bought myself a SPOT tracker for its SOS capabilities. However, it also provides tracker options. The tracker option of my SPOT device is configured to send my location every 10 minutes (when moving). My progress is plotted in a blue line, and a marker shows my last known location. The grey line is a projected route that I downloaded from the Internet during my preparations.So it might not exactly reflect the route I will be riding.

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Day 39: Reaching the end of the WWR

EvE Jun 16, 2024

Today we cycled from the Tobacco River Campground to the Canadian border, and from there to the Stillwater Lake Campground on our way to Whitefish. The day was clouded. In the morning there was a partial blue sky in the east, but it did not reach us. We clouds, some rain, some hail, and some sun today. In the morning we rode paved roads to the border and Eureka. A little after Eureka we rode on gravel and double-track.

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Day 38: The end of the summer weather

EvE Jun 15, 2024

Today we cycled from the Kilbrennen Lake Campground to the Tobacco River Campground 18mm before the Canadian border. The day started completely clouded, and as forecasted, the rain started at 10:30. After 13:00 it became better again with one or two short rain showers. We rode non-paved for most of the day, only a few kilometers on paved roads. Riding statistics: on Saturday, June 15, 2024, day 46 on the route, it took 10:00h (06:48h moving time), between 6:51 and 4:52, to cover 113.30819 km (70 miles), including 1469 m (4820 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 15.0 km/h (9.3 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 48 km/h (29.8 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 10 °C (50 °F) with a minimum of 6 °C (43 °F) and a maximum of 21 °C (70 °F).

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Day 37: A deli at the perfect location

EvE Jun 14, 2024

Today we cycled from our dispersed campsite at the Noxon Reservoir to the Kilbrennen Lake Campground. We had blue skies with a few clouds. The road surfaces were a mixture of paved and non-paved. Riding statistics: on Friday, June 14, 2024, day 45 on the route, it took 10:00h (06:48h moving time), between 6:51 and 4:52, to cover 112.50171 km (70 miles), including 1419 m (4656 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 17.0 km/h (10.6 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 48 km/h (29.8 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 25 °C (77 °F) with a minimum of 12 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 42 °C (108 °F).

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Day 36: The campsite that was not there

EvE Jun 13, 2024

Today we rode from the City Limits RV Park in Wallace to a dispersed campsite at the Noxon Reservoir. We had blue skies all day. We rode a quarter of the distance on a quiet paved road and the other half on non-paved (gravel, double-track, loose sand, etc). Riding statistics: on Thursday, June 13, 2024, day 44 on the route, it took 10:47h (07:49h moving time), between 6:01 and 4:49, to cover 106.41236 km (66 miles), including 1710 m (5611 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.0 km/h (8.7 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 43 km/h (26.7 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 21 °C (70 °F) with a minimum of 3 °C (37 °F) and a maximum of 35 °C (95 °F).

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Day 35: The Hiawatha Trail

EvE Jun 12, 2024

Today we cycled from our dispersed campsite on the Olympian Trail to the City Limits RV Park in Wallace. We had blue skies all day. A little bit of a breeze which felt chilly sometimes. We road non-paved all day, except in the town of Wallace. Riding statistics: on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, day 43 on the route, it took 11:02h (07:53h moving time), between 6:56 and 5:59, to cover 97.756 km (60 miles), including 1208 m (3963 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 15.0 km/h (9.3 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 44 km/h (27.3 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 21 °C (70 °F) with a minimum of 4 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 42 °C (108 °F).

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Day 34: Back to the original route

EvE Jun 11, 2024

Today we cycled from the Kreis Pond Campground to a dispersed campsite on the Olympian Trail between St Regius and Haugan. The morning started cloudy, but after a few hours we had lots of sunshine. We rode non-paved most of the day, except between Superior and St Regius. Riding statistics: on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, day 42 on the route, it took 11:02h (07:53h moving time), between 6:56 and 5:59, to cover 110.79423 km (68 miles), including 1501 m (4925 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.0 km/h (8.7 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 48 km/h (29.8 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 25 °C (77 °F) with a minimum of 8 °C (46 °F) and a maximum of 46 °C (115 °F).

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Day 33: The detour continues

EvE Jun 10, 2024

Today we cycled from the Angler’s Roost RV Park in Hamilton to Kreis Pond Campground between Missoula and Superior. We had clouds and sun all day. A little bit of rain when riding out of Missoula. We had a lot of paved roads, but ended the day on gravel. Riding statistics: on Monday, June 10, 2024, day 41 on the route, it took 11:01h (07:50h moving time), between 7:00 and 6:02, to cover 140.5233 km (87 miles), including 672 m (2205 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 18.0 km/h (11.2 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 46 km/h (28.6 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 24 °C (75 °F) with a minimum of 10 °C (50 °F) and a maximum of 35 °C (95 °F).

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Day 32: Again a huge detour because of snow

EvE Jun 9, 2024

Today we cycled from the Spring Creek Campground to Angler’s Roost RV Park close to Hamilton. The day started with sun and dark clouds, which changed to blue skies with a few clouds, and later to very threatening clouds, followed by rain showers and lightning, and finished with threatening clouds and some light rainfall. We cycled on paved roads all day. Riding statistics: on Sunday, June 9, 2024, day 40 on the route, it took 11:38h (07:29h moving time), between 6:35 and 6:14, to cover 137.331 km (85 miles), including 1235 m (4052 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 18.0 km/h (11.2 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 53 km/h (32.9 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 26 °C (79 °F) with a minimum of 12 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 42 °C (108 °F).

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Day 31: From creek to creek to river

EvE Jun 8, 2024

Today we cycled from our dispersed campsite at Morgan Creek to Spring Creek campsite. We had blue skies all day, sometimes a little breeze, but it was welcome. We only rode on gravel roads today. Riding statistics: on Saturday, June 8, 2024, day 39 on the route, it took 11:38h (07:29h moving time), between 6:35 and 6:14, to cover 111.37019 km (69 miles), including 832 m (2730 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 17.0 km/h (10.6 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 43 km/h (26.7 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 26 °C (79 °F) with a minimum of 5 °C (41 °F) and a maximum of 43 °C (109 °F).

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Day 30: More snow, and difficult climbs

EvE Jun 7, 2024

Today we cycled from the basic Eightmile Campground between Stanley and Challis to a dispersed campsite at Morgan Creek. We had blue skies, with some friendly clouds all day. We rode almost all day on gravel roads and double-track. Only in Challis we rode on pavement. Riding statistics: on Friday, June 7, 2024, day 38 on the route, it took 11:38h (07:29h moving time), between 6:35 and 6:14, to cover 79.21935 km (49 miles), including 1731 m (5679 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 11.0 km/h (6.8 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 59 km/h (36.7 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 27 °C (81 °F) with a minimum of 1 °C (34 °F) and a maximum of 50 °C (122 °F).

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Day 29: The Salmon river and ghost towns

EvE Jun 6, 2024

Today we cycled from the dispersed campsite 45km after Ketchum to the basic Eightmile Campground between Stanley and Challis. We started the day with blue skies, during the morning dark clouds formed and started to chase us, in the afternoon it was overcast, with threatening clouds before dinner, and it ended with some clouds and sun until the sun disappeared behind the mountains. We rode mainly on non-paved roads, except for a couple of kilometers in the morning and 20km out of Stanley.

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Day 28: The Harimann Trail

EvE Jun 5, 2024

Today we cycled from our dispersed campsite 25km before Bellevue to another dispersed campsite 45km after Ketchum. We had blue skies all day, sunny, warm day. Most of the day we have cycled on gravel roads, double-track, single-track, a a bit on pavement. Riding statistics: on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, day 36 on the route, it took 11:38h (07:29h moving time), between 6:35 and 6:14, to cover 100.55701 km (62 miles), including 1241 m (4072 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 13.0 km/h (8.1 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 37 km/h (23.0 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 26 °C (79 °F) with a minimum of 6 °C (43 °F) and a maximum of 48 °C (118 °F).

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Day 27: That poor snake

EvE Jun 4, 2024

Today we rode from the Mountain View RV Park to a dispersed campsite 25km before Bellevue (just before a large climb). The weather was great again, blue skies, with only a few clouds, warm temps, strong winds. Most of the day was on non-paved, a section at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve was paved highway. Riding statistics: on Thursday, January 1, 1970, day 35 on the route, it took 07:01h (06:03h moving time), between 6:36 and 1:38, to cover 0 km (0 miles), including 0 m (0 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of %!f(int=0) km/h (%!f(int=0) mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 0 km/h (%!f(int=0) mph). During this ride the average temperature was 0 °C (0 °F) with a minimum of 0 °C (0 °F) and a maximum of 0 °C (0 °F).

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Day 26: Lava country, and rain

EvE Jun 3, 2024

Today we cycled from our dispersed campsite 30km after Blackfoot to the Mountain View RV Park in Arco. We had threatening clouds all day, got rained on for about 45 minutes in total, had again super strong winds, and a little bit of sun in the late afternoon. Except for riding into town, we only got, sometimes difficult, double-track. Riding statistics: on Monday, June 3, 2024, day 34 on the route, it took 07:01h (06:03h moving time), between 6:36 and 1:38, to cover 82.47265 km (51 miles), including 599 m (1965 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.0 km/h (8.7 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 34 km/h (21.1 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 14 °C (57 °F) with a minimum of 11 °C (52 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66 °F).

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Day 25: Idaho grasslands, and a brutal headwind

EvE Jun 2, 2024

Today we rode from the simple Sagehen Flat campground to a dispersed campsite 30km after Blackfoot. Today we got a cloudy day but also a (less warm) sun was shining. The road surfaces today were paved and non-paved 50/50. Riding statistics: on Sunday, June 2, 2024, day 33 on the route, it took 11:07h (08:16h moving time), between 6:51 and 5:59, to cover 119.49895 km (74 miles), including 841 m (2759 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.0 km/h (8.7 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 60 km/h (37.3 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 23 °C (73 °F) with a minimum of 8 °C (46 °F) and a maximum of 32 °C (90 °F).

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Day 24: Entering Idaho

EvE Jun 1, 2024

Today we rode from our dispersed campsite near the Smokey Canyon Mine to Sagehen Flat campground between Soda Springs and Blackfoot. The day started with blue skies but soon clouds formed above the mountains, there seemed to be rain behind us, but we only got threatening clouds in the afternoon, and eventually friendly clouds with some sunshine to end the day. We have cycled mostly on gravel and some double-track.

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Day 23: The snow got us again

EvE May 31, 2024

Today we rode from the North Eden campground in the Bear Lake State Park to a dispersed campsite 1km after the Smokey Canyon Mine, and 3km before the top of a pass. We mostly cycled on gravel today. The weather was a clear blue sky all day, plus a bit of a sometimes chilly wind. Riding statistics: on Friday, May 31, 2024, day 31 on the route, it took 11:07h (08:16h moving time), between 6:51 and 5:59, to cover 100.68347 km (62 miles), including 1531 m (5023 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 12.0 km/h (7.5 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 53 km/h (32.9 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 22 °C (72 °F) with a minimum of 4 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 39 °C (102 °F).

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Day 22: Wyoming, Utah, Wyoming, Utah

EvE May 30, 2024

Today we rode from the Phillips RV Park in Evanston to the North Eden campground at Bear Lake. Today we had beautiful weather with blue skies and a few clouds. We did have the colder wind again. The road surface was mainly on gravel and double-track, and some pavement. Riding statistics: on Thursday, May 30, 2024, day 30 on the route, it took 12:17h (08:45h moving time), between 6:44 and 7:02, to cover 140.11634 km (87 miles), including 1108 m (3635 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 16.0 km/h (9.9 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 57 km/h (35.4 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 19 °C (66 °F) with a minimum of 1 °C (34 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82 °F).

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Day 21: Wide open Wyoming

EvE May 29, 2024

Today we rode from the Cottonwood campground in the Rockport State Park, Utah to the Phillips RV Park in Evanston, Wyoming. We had blue skies with friendly clouds all day. The road surfaces we cycled included pavement, rail-trail, and gravel. Riding statistics: on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, day 29 on the route, it took 07:27h (05:44h moving time), between 6:50 and 2:18, to cover 99.14885 km (62 miles), including 845 m (2772 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 17.0 km/h (10.6 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 46 km/h (28.6 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 24 °C (75 °F) with a minimum of 7 °C (45 °F) and a maximum of 34 °C (93 °F).

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Day 20: Difficult roads and another detour

EvE May 28, 2024

Today we rode from our dispersed campsite east of Strawberry Reservoir to Cottonwood Campground in the Rockport State Park. We had lots of sunshine, but also some threatening clouds. Road surfaces were difficult double-track, pavement, gravel, and a path used by wildlife. Riding statistics: on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, day 28 on the route, it took 12:01h (08:03h moving time), between 6:39 and 6:40, to cover 122.32888 km (76 miles), including 1709 m (5607 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.0 km/h (8.7 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 59 km/h (36.7 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 25 °C (77 °F) with a minimum of 3 °C (37 °F) and a maximum of 42 °C (108 °F).

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Day 19: Meeting Anna and John

EvE May 27, 2024

Today we rode from the campground in the Palisade State Park to a dispersed campsite 15km east of Strawberry Reservoir. We had blue skies with a few clouds all day. We mostly rode a paved road, and a short difficult single-track. Riding statistics: on Monday, May 27, 2024, day 27 on the route, it took 12:01h (08:03h moving time), between 6:39 and 6:40, to cover 140.42627 km (87 miles), including 1165 m (3822 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 17.0 km/h (10.6 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 51 km/h (31.7 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 27 °C (81 °F) with a minimum of 8 °C (46 °F) and a maximum of 47 °C (117 °F).

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Day 18: A beautiful valley

EvE May 26, 2024

Today we rode from the RV Park in Antimony to a campground in the Palisade State Park. We had blue skies with some clouds all day. We started on pavement, at noon back on off road surfaces, and in the late afternoon we did some more on pavement. Riding statistics: on Sunday, May 26, 2024, day 26 on the route, it took 12:06h (08:45h moving time), between 7:04 and 7:11, to cover 150.28266 km (93 miles), including 871 m (2858 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 17.0 km/h (10.6 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 43 km/h (26.7 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 23 °C (73 °F) with a minimum of 2 °C (36 °F) and a maximum of 36 °C (97 °F).

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Day 17: Detour because of the snow

EvE May 25, 2024

Today we rode from a dispersed campsite close to Bryce Canyon National Park to a dispersed campsite on the Aquarius Plateau. Oh no, we did not make that. We ended the day at an RV Park in a small community. The weather started great with blue skies. In the afternoon that changed to clouded, and then rain. We were supposed to have a gravel and double-track all day, but eventually the afternoon was paved.

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Day 16: Memorial Day Friday, few camp spots

EvE May 24, 2024

Today we rode from Kanab to a dispersed campsite 10km before Bryce Canyon National Park. We started the day with blue skies, in the afternoon there were clouds, no sun, but the sun returned in the late afternoon. The first 40km was on a paved road. The rest of the day on a gravel road (with sometimes a layer of 1 to 5cm of really fine grained sand. Riding statistics: on Friday, May 24, 2024, day 24 on the route, it took 10:24h (08:03h moving time), between 7:07 and 5:31, to cover 100.11641 km (62 miles), including 1514 m (4967 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 12.0 km/h (7.5 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 44 km/h (27.3 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 24 °C (75 °F) with a minimum of 15 °C (59 °F) and a maximum of 38 °C (100 °F).

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Day 15: Entering Utah

EvE May 23, 2024

Today we rode from our dispersed campsite near the Vermillion Cliffs to a motel in Kanab. We had blue skies all day, and the damn wind again. The road was paved for the first 10km, follow by gravel, good and bad, and the last 20km was also paved. Riding statistics: on Thursday, May 23, 2024, day 23 on the route, it took 12:17h (07:41h moving time), between 5:56 and 6:14, to cover 102.68534 km (63 miles), including 1094 m (3589 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 13.0 km/h (8.1 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 39 km/h (24.2 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 27 °C (81 °F) with a minimum of 13 °C (55 °F) and a maximum of 35 °C (95 °F).

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Day 14: More Red Rocks

EvE May 22, 2024

Today we rode from the dispersed campsite on the Navajo territory to another dispersed campsite near the Vermillion Cliffs. We had blue skies all day, and wind. The road surface was in the morning good gravel, mainly double-track. In the afternoon we had a paved road along the Vermillion Cliffs. Riding statistics: on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, day 22 on the route, it took 12:17h (07:41h moving time), between 5:56 and 6:14, to cover 126.44569 km (78 miles), including 1167 m (3829 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 15.0 km/h (9.3 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 54 km/h (33.6 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 26 °C (79 °F) with a minimum of 6 °C (43 °F) and a maximum of 39 °C (102 °F).

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Day 13: Cycling around the Grand Canyon

EvE May 21, 2024

Today we rode from the dispersed campsite close to Grand Canyon National Park to another dispersed campsite on the Navajo territory after Cameron. Today with blue skies to start and end the day, during the day we had some clouds. Overall warm but not too warm. Most of the day we rode on a paved road, except for a few kilometers where we entered Grand Canyon National Park, and the Navajo territory.

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Day 12: Single-track on the Arizona Trail

EvE May 20, 2024

Today we rode from a dispersed campsite north of Flagstaff to another dispersed campsite just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Today we mainly had overcast, it started an ended with additional sunshine between the clouds. There was also an very strong wind, with powerful gusts, all day long. The roads were not easy today. Some difficult trails with rocks, dried clay, gravel, and single-track. Riding statistics: on Monday, May 20, 2024, day 20 on the route, it took 10:38h (08:34h moving time), between 6:05 and 4:43, to cover 109.45044 km (68 miles), including 1354 m (4442 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 13.0 km/h (8.1 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 46 km/h (28.6 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 20 °C (68 °F) with a minimum of 12 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 29 °C (84 °F).

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Day 11: Passing Flagstaff

EvE May 19, 2024

Today we rode from a dispersed campsite at the top of Schnelby Hill north of Sedona to another dispersed campsite north of Flagstaff. We had blue skies all day, however, because of the elevation and wind it was never too warm. We had some rough roads today, combined with nice gravel roads and a little pavement. Riding statistics: on Sunday, May 19, 2024, day 19 on the route, it took 10:58h (07:01h moving time), between 5:52 and 4:51, to cover 89.60821 km (55 miles), including 1276 m (4187 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 13.0 km/h (8.1 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 43 km/h (26.7 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 22 °C (72 °F) with a minimum of 5 °C (41 °F) and a maximum of 34 °C (93 °F).

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Day 10: The beautiful but challenging Schnebly Hill

EvE May 18, 2024

Today we rode from the Sunrise Resort RV Park close to Happy Jack to a dispersed campsite at the top of Sedona’s Schnebly Hill. We started with blue skies, had some clouds during the morning, and ended the day again with a clear sky. The road surfaces today were either paved or very rough off-road. Riding statistics: on Saturday, May 18, 2024, day 18 on the route, it took 11:40h (08:40h moving time), between 6:14 and 5:55, to cover 103.63061 km (64 miles), including 1280 m (4200 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.0 km/h (8.7 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 48 km/h (29.8 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 28 °C (82 °F) with a minimum of 5 °C (41 °F) and a maximum of 47 °C (117 °F).

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Day 09: The Mogollon Mountains

EvE May 17, 2024

Today we rode from a dispersed campsite north of Young to the Sunrise Resort RV park. We had blue skies starting the day, some clouds during the day, and again a clear sky in the evening. The road surface was mainly gravel, some double-track, and very little pavement. Riding statistics: on Friday, May 17, 2024, day 17 on the route, it took 11:40h (08:40h moving time), between 6:14 and 5:55, to cover 117.42279 km (73 miles), including 1502 m (4928 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.0 km/h (8.7 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28.0 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 23 °C (73 °F) with a minimum of 8 °C (46 °F) and a maximum of 33 °C (91 °F).

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Day 08: Higher elevations

EvE May 16, 2024

Today we rode from a dispersed campsite at the Salty River to another dispersed campsite 15km north of Young. The day started with blue skies, later clouds, sometimes dark clouds in the mountains, and some rain in the evening. The road surfaces was about 50/50 paved vs non-paved. Riding statistics: on Thursday, May 16, 2024, day 16 on the route, it took 11:29h (08:16h moving time), between 6:27 and 5:57, to cover 89.88381 km (55 miles), including 2341 m (7681 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 10.0 km/h (6.2 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 56 km/h (34.8 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 25 °C (77 °F) with a minimum of 17 °C (63 °F) and a maximum of 33 °C (91 °F).

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Day 07: Swim and camp with kind locals

EvE May 15, 2024

Today we rode from our dispersed campsite in the Pina Mountains to a dispersed campsite at the Salty River. We again had hot weather with barely any clouds. The road surface, yeah, a barely rideable double-track with rocks and loose gravel, to nice gravel, and also pavement. Riding statistics: on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, day 15 on the route, it took 11:29h (08:16h moving time), between 6:27 and 5:57, to cover 68.73069 km (42 miles), including 1215 m (3986 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 12.0 km/h (7.5 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 54 km/h (33.6 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 29 °C (84 °F) with a minimum of 13 °C (55 °F) and a maximum of 38 °C (100 °F).

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Day 06: An oasis in the middle of nowhere

EvE May 14, 2024

Today we rode from a dispersed campsite 12km after Oracle to another dispersed campsite in the Pina Mountains on our way to Globe. We, again, had a hot day, I think even hotter than the previous days, and with less wind because of the mountains. The road surface varied between excellent gravel, paved, bad gravel, and riverbed. Riding statistics: on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, day 14 on the route, it took 11:29h (08:16h moving time), between 6:27 and 5:57, to cover 109.8604 km (68 miles), including 1335 m (4380 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.0 km/h (8.7 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 49 km/h (30.4 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 36 °C (97 °F) with a minimum of 16 °C (61 °F) and a maximum of 46 °C (115 °F).

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Travel: WWR BikePacking

Day 05: Mount Lemon up and down again

EvE May 13, 2024

Today we rode from the Molino Campground on Mount Mellon to a dispersed campsite 12km after Oracle. The weather started as previous days, all blue skies with later some scatteres clouds. The road surface started with a paved road to the top of Mount Mellon and from there changes into off-road, varying from easy and comfortable to very rough. Riding statistics: on Monday, May 13, 2024, day 13 on the route, it took 11:29h (08:16h moving time), between 6:27 and 5:57, to cover 94.35344 km (58 miles), including 1871 m (6139 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 11.0 km/h (6.8 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 49 km/h (30.4 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 28 °C (82 °F) with a minimum of 13 °C (55 °F) and a maximum of 44 °C (111 °F).

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Travel: WWR BikePacking

Day 04: Tuscon again

EvE May 12, 2024

Today we rode from our dispersed campsite north of the Cascabel Community Center to the first campground (at 1400m). Weather same as previous days. The road surface not so much. This difficult and challenging conditions. Riding statistics: on Sunday, May 12, 2024, day 12 on the route, it took 10:53h (07:53h moving time), between 6:19 and 5:13, to cover 79.70318 km (49 miles), including 1454 m (4771 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 11.0 km/h (6.8 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 44 km/h (27.3 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 30 °C (86 °F) with a minimum of 11 °C (52 °F) and a maximum of 42 °C (108 °F).

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Travel: WWR BikePacking

Day 03: Gates, gates, and more gates

EvE May 11, 2024

Today we rode from Thombstone to a dispersed campsite 8km north of the Cascabel Community Center. The weather was similar to previous days, blue skies all over and a bit of wind. The road surfaces included paved (but not as much as previous days), gravel, loose gravel and sand, double track with pinned bushes at the sides and in the middle. Riding statistics: on Saturday, May 11, 2024, day 11 on the route, it took 10:53h (07:53h moving time), between 6:19 and 5:13, to cover 121.31688 km (75 miles), including 650 m (2133 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 15.0 km/h (9.3 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 46 km/h (28.6 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 31 °C (88 °F) with a minimum of 12 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 41 °C (106 °F).

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Travel: WWR BikePacking

Day 02: The official route

EvE May 10, 2024

Today we rode from Sierra Vista to Thombstone. The weather was similar to yesterday, blue skies and winds from the south. Road surfaces were plenty today, a mixture of paved roads, good and bad gravel roads, single track, loose sand, and rolling hills. Riding statistics: on Friday, May 10, 2024, day 10 on the route, it took 08:15h (05:30h moving time), between 7:50 and 4:05, to cover 89.20321 km (55 miles), including 622 m (2041 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 16.0 km/h (9.9 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 56 km/h (34.8 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 32 °C (90 °F) with a minimum of 19 °C (66 °F) and a maximum of 40 °C (104 °F).

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Travel: WWR BikePacking

Day 01: We are on our way

EvE May 9, 2024

Today we rode from Tuscon to Sierra Vista. The weather was beautiful, a blue sky throughout the day. All roads were paved roads, some with busy traffic some quit. Riding statistics: on Thursday, May 9, 2024, day 9 on the route, it took 11:27h (07:52h moving time), between 7:33 and 7:24, to cover 131.3488 km (81 miles), including 1209 m (3967 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 17.0 km/h (10.6 mph), while reaching a maximum speed of 50 km/h (31.1 mph). During this ride the average temperature was 29 °C (84 °F) with a minimum of 22 °C (72 °F) and a maximum of 37 °C (99 °F).

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Travel: WWR BikePacking

Traveling to Tucson, Arizona, United States

EvE May 8, 2024

Today is the first day of the entire trip. Traveling from home all the way to Tuscon, Arizona. A long day so that we can start our cycling trip tomorrow! This morning I’ve set my alarm clock at 7am. Of course I was already awake, as I usually already am. I had all the time to get up and prepare. For our convenience, we already put the bike box on the car’s roof yesterday evening. Around 8.15 we (Karin, Stijn, and myself) were all ready to leave.

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Travel: WWR BikePacking

Arranging our flights

EvE Apr 19, 2024

After my bike companion Fons and myself decided that we should go for it, it was time to start arranging the more formal things. For example plane tickets. For my previous trip to cycle the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, I asked for help from a travel agency to arrange my ticket. My reason for that is that I could also ask for their help when I required a reschedule for the trip back home. So, this time I got again in contact with the same travel agency and explained them my new plans. Unfortunately, they immediately informed me that they will not arrange any airline tickets anymore that includes a bike. They had to disappoint some customers in the last two years and therefore decided to stop offering that. Seems like the airlines are making it more difficult these days. Bummer!

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Travel: WWR BikePacking

Bike & Gear changes

EvE Mar 1, 2024

I have started the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route with only 3 days / 2 nights of bikepacking experience. And that was mainly for testing some bags, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and the tent I bought. I based my decision on reading a lot of experiences from others and thinking about what might work for me. Nevertheless, I am still happy with the decision in bike & gear I made. I had no issues during my ride and would not mind using the same setup again. However, I am making some changes compared to the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route setup. Mainly because of convenience and luxury.

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Travel: WWR BikePacking

Another bike adventure?!?

EvE Feb 6, 2024

Short answer: yes. Before riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, I already wondered how I would be thinking about these kind of adventures after my return. Would it be a ’never again’, or would it somehow attract me to do something similar again? Although I was really looking forward to riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, I had no clue how much I would like it. Already a couple of minutes after arriving at Antelope Wells at the end of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route I was regretting that the adventure had come to an end. I immediately envisioned how it would be if we could continue riding. Normal life called, and the both of us had to get back home. After my return people already started to ask about any future plans. I already had a route that I found attractive, but I kept it to myself for a while. Eventually that little seed started growing and I somehow wanted to assess the feasibility of a new adventure. I do realize that we had no real issues during our Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. So, for any new adventure there is a chance for more bad weather, more mechanical issues, more physical issues, etc. We’ve even seen it with others on our previous ride.

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Travel: WWR BikePacking

What is the Western Wildlands Route?

EvE Jan 1, 2024

“The 2,700-mile Western Wildlands Route (WWR, formerly known as the Wild West Route) offers bikepackers a non-technical riding experience through the vast expanses of wild and public lands in the Intermountain West. Nearly 70% of the route is on public lands, including 18 National Forests, 6 National Parks and Monuments, and 4 areas with Bureau of Land Management National Conservation Lands designation. Riders will experience the incredibly remote mountains of western Montana and central Idaho, the desolate beauty of southern Idaho’s Snake River Plain, endless vistas from Utah’s high plateaus at 10,000 feet elevation, the canyon country of Navajo Nation and Grand Canyon region, and the towering Sky Islands and low Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona.