CDT Trail ride

[bryanchurch06]

Thanks, I've mailed a ton of stuff home, way over packed for this

 

[Cardinal Direction]

 

[SneakyDingo]

Nothing to add really other than I left the hotel in Rock Springs in a big hurry because I felt the hotel was making me sick (huge headaches). The ride over was bloody cold!! Paused at each 33 mi point to warm my hands. Today I’ll be wearing a puffy jacket under my riding jacket.

The lodging in Pinedale is superb by comparison. I walked around town a little and really enjoyed it. Room is clean, warm, fully functional. Kudos to the people who run the place.

Today’s trip will be to Yellowstone, crossing over into Idaho sometime this evening. I’ve been dreaming of doing this for decades - first learned of Yellowstone from National Geographic as a child, and 15-16yo bucket list me never thought he’d ever get to see the prismatic springs. It took over 2 decades to achieve it, but it’s coming off the list today if all goes well!!

edit: also found a Husqvarna for sale but I’m not sure it’ll get me to the border better than the Honda.

 

[bryanchurch06]

Traveled from Pinedale to Jackson then turned west into Idaho before turning north to west Yellowstone and my campground, just text Sneakydingo and he just got to old faithful, says traffic is terrible so he's still got quite a ride to go, tbh these 200 mile days are kicking my ass. If I went directly to the border from here it's a little under 500 miles, the cdt track is 800? I think. Tomorrow we'll look at the weather forecast and go somewhere , thanks again for all the well wishes and support, and congrats on being smart enough not to come with us

 

[KYtrailfan]

Traveled from Pinedale to Jackson then turned west into Idaho before turning north to west Yellowstone and my campground, just text Sneakydingo and he just got to old faithful, says traffic is terrible so he's still got quite a ride to go, tbh these 200 mile days are kicking my ass. If I went directly to the border from here it's a little under 500 miles, the cdt track is 800? I think. Tomorrow we'll look at the weather forecast and go somewhere , thanks again for all the well wishes and support, and congrats on being smart enough not to come with us

Did Clark W. Griswald and family camp there?

 

[bryanchurch06]

Did Clark W. Griswald and family camp there?

Didn't see them

 

[bryanchurch06]

Not much to say today, left campground around 630 am for 3 forks, Sneakydingo going to Helena to see a friend, I'm going to deer lodge where I used to work at the prison to see friends. Less than 400 miles to the border if I go straight there without following some sections of the cdt. TBH I'm ready for this to be over with, been dealing with a leg injury since NM which greatly affects my mobility and the weather hasn't been complying with my plans, lol. 400 more miles, 2 days then how to get home? Always something I guess. Have a great weekend everyone

 

[SneakyDingo]

Sneaky’s report: the ride to Helena was pretty good. Rejoining the official CDT for a bit. I expect I might cross paths with the SOBO bicyclists tomorrow; Lael Wilcox is already between me and the border so it’s a very high possibility.

Spent several hours chatting with my friend. Ends up he has a very interesting house and has a serious deer problem.



Also swapped out the rear tire for new and did an oil change. The rear tire didn’t need replacing but it gave me a guarantee of the tire having enough tread to make it home comfortably, plus his place was en route and he agreed to be a drop point for resupply and gear (and Helena actually has a Honda dealer). Going to stay in the same town as @bryanchurch06 tomorrow evening, final push to the border on the final day and then heading home after that.

Oil @ ~1885 mi

 

[bryanchurch06]

263 miles rode today from 3 forks to Kalispell 70 more miles to the border.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Sneaky’s checkin:
I decided to get my fill of dirt today and get it out of my system. Thankfully that didn’t take too long.


For those who are unaware, the RtD bicycle race started and the SOBO riders are crossing paths with us. As I was picking my way through the route I could see several bicycle tires through the section I was on, undoubtedly having an equally difficult time.

Most it was pretty like the above photo. But I realized I haven’t really taken any photos of just how badly messed up the trail is. There were several sections where the water had driven channels deep enough to swallow 2/3 of a wheel, hills consisting entirely of rocks the size of dollheads, steep gear 1 inclines and declines, and lots of mud puddles, only some of which I was able to avoid. Tons and tons of mud too. So this will be my one and only reminder that often we share the good, but gloss over sharing the bad. Holy f that was hard, easily the hardest riding I’ve done on the entire trip. And only a measly 66 mi of the BS. Several sections were 4-5mph for several minutes of traversing terrain.

Imagine this for 66 mi, and this is the GOOD part.

Eventually after getting to the other side, amazingly without falling, I proceeded to roll on pavement for a bit and head into Kalispell. Skipped all food breaks, petrol had been purchased in Helena and carried with me, so I chose all my own stops today. Hands are hurting from all the rocks I had to sneak the bike over gently.

Now things have settled down, gonna check out the local eateries and plan tomorrow’s trip home as well. Not sure where @bryanchurch06 ended up but he seems to have made it in an hour before me, so probably not in this motel.

 

[Tchap]

263 miles rode today from 3 forks to Kalispell 70 more miles to the border.

Those would be a lot of miles for me, in one day. I guess that you’re a very seasoned rider and used to it. Any butt callouses? Just kidding. 70 miles to go, man. You’re almost there!

 

[KYtrailfan]

Sneaky’s checkin:
I decided to get my fill of dirt today and get it out of my system. Thankfully that didn’t take too long.

View attachment 6289
For those who are unaware, the RtD bicycle race started and the SOBO riders are crossing paths with us. As I was picking my way through the route I could see several bicycle tires through the section I was on, undoubtedly having an equally difficult time.

Most it was pretty like the above photo. But I realized I haven’t really taken any photos of just how badly messed up the trail is. There were several sections where the water had driven channels deep enough to swallow 2/3 of a wheel, hills consisting entirely of rocks the size of dollheads, steep gear 1 inclines and declines, and lots of mud puddles, only some of which I was able to avoid. Tons and tons of mud too. So this will be my one and only reminder that often we share the good, but gloss over sharing the bad. Holy f that was hard, easily the hardest riding I’ve done on the entire trip. And only a measly 66 mi of the BS. Several sections were 4-5mph for several minutes of traversing terrain.

Imagine this for 66 mi, and this is the GOOD part.View attachment 6290

Eventually after getting to the other side, amazingly without falling, I proceeded to roll on pavement for a bit and head into Kalispell. Skipped all food breaks, petrol had been purchased in Helena and carried with me, so I chose all my own stops today. Hands are hurting from all the rocks I had to sneak the bike over gently.

Now things have settled down, gonna check out the local eateries and plan tomorrow’s trip home as well. Not sure where @bryanchurch06 ended up but he seems to have made it in an hour before me, so probably not in this motel.

Thank you so much for taking all of us along on your adventure!

 

[Tchap]

Thank you so much for taking all of us along on your adventure!

Right? It’s fun to hear about this epic voyage as it’s happening, experience it a little bit…without the inherent discomfort that’s some part of every big adventure.

 

[bryanchurch06]

Those would be a lot of miles for me, in one day. I guess that you’re a very seasoned rider and used to it. Any butt callouses? Just kidding. 70 miles to go, man. You’re almost there!

Friend if you only knew,

 

[bryanchurch06]

I made it! Total miles from Las Cruces to Antelope Wells to Eureka Canada border 2200 even, mileage was 262 at start, at border 2462. Putting bike in storage and flying home Wednesday to pickup truck and drive back for bike. I will list costs and other items later, what a ridr.

 

[KYtrailfan]

I made it! Total miles from Las Cruces to Antelope Wells to Eureka Canada border 2200 even, mileage was 262 at start, at border 2462. Putting bike in storage and flying home Wednesday to pickup truck and drive back for bike. I will list costs and other items later, what a ridr.

Standing Ovation!

 

[bryanchurch06]

Btw today was a great ride, I left all my luggage except for my tire patch kit in the motel so I rode from Kalispell to the border free from unnecessary weight, even left the helmet. So about 160 miles round trip with nothing but the bike and me. In case you're wondering about my riding gear? I rode the trip in tennis shoes, wool socks, t-shirt, fleece and pull over rain paints. Yes my feet got wet, my ass hurts and I'm physically and mentally exhausted. Nothing about this trip went the way I thought it would, including all the detours. However now I know how to do it I may have to do it again. Next time I'm using a support vehicle to carry gear and tools, supplies etc. Btw both Sneakydingo and I changed back to 14t sprocket leaving west Yellowstone, bike performance was way better for me on the hwy using 14t, 13t was better on dirt inmho. I rented a storage unit here in Kalispell today, my flight leaves Wed, planning on leaving Monday from yankton to pick up my bike then back home in my van. So by next Friday this little adventure will finally be done. Oh I rode the whole trip tubeless with kenda 262 275x17 front and shinko 244 300x17 rear, tires were excellent both on and off road, no flats

 

[SneakyDingo]

I’m still on the road, looking to close out this adventure’s day with a ~460 mi day. Lodging tonight will be Omak, WA in a bit, getting food before I do. If you use google maps, avoid highways and take Hwy 20 W, that’s my approximate route.

Got slammed by a heavy storm on the way in, which actually was kinda nice - it’s been too warm and I was able to pin the throttle and not worry about engine temperature for a bit. That was until flash flooding dumped shit all over the road and it became another off road ride.

oh, and Google Maps decided to send me up some random dirt road for bonus miles. Fun.

 

[bryanchurch06]

I’m still on the road, looking to close out this adventure’s day with a ~460 mi day. Lodging tonight will be Omak, WA in a bit, getting food before I do. If you use google maps, avoid highways and take Hwy 20 W, that’s my approximate route.

Got slammed by a heavy storm on the way in, which actually was kinda nice - it’s been too warm and I was able to pin the throttle and not worry about engine temperature for a bit. That was until flash flooding dumped shit all over the road and it became another off road ride.

oh, and Google Maps decided to send me up some random dirt road for bonus miles. Fun.

View attachment 6309

Damn son, I thought my 300 mile days in New Mexico were tough. You win the Iron ass award on this trip.

 

[SneakyDingo]

454 mi or so? GPS says slightly more but I’m more inclined to believe the trip meter.




You can see the detour Google sent me on too. The non-border crossing blip.