The Divide

So what is this Divide that I keep referring to and for which this route is named? Assuming a drop of water does not evaporate or get absorbed into the ground, the Divide separates where water will end up. Water will end up either in the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Mexico) depending on what side the divide the water originates on. So far, I have crossed the Continental Divide 15 times and it's pretty neat to stand there and know that I'm standing at the watershed, that water one one side of me might flow into the Pacific via the Snake and Columbia Rivers and the other side will reach the Gulf of Mexico via the Missouri and Mississippi.

Encompassing most of Nevada, some of California and Utah, the Great Basin is one place where water doesn't drain into an ocean. It basically pools into lakes or evaporates. Another place is the Great Divide Basin in Wyoming, where the Continental Divide splits and forms a "bowl". Water will form seasonal creeks and ponds but for the most part, it evaporates. And this was the place where I spent the weekend.

The Great Divide Basin was everything I expected and some I did not. I expected it to be lonely, dry and hot.

I was actually surprised at how unlonely I was in the basin. There were lots of animals-- rabbits, antelope and the marmot I saw making a beeline at me. It ended up diving into it's burrow, startled by me. Lots of birds also, small ones and large raptors. At the campsite I chose at A&M Reservoir, one of the few water sources in the Basin, there were a set of car campers, about 8 guys who pulled up on BMW touring bikes (you can see their camp in the photo below) and two Continental Divide Trail through hikers.

The Basin was dry, though you could see the effects of the recent Wyoming rains in puddles left behind. I got water at Diagnus Well (below), which technically isn't in the Basin yet, but it was the last water source until A&M Reservoir. We take fore granted things until they are scarce. I was transferring water from one bottle to another and, while trying to swat a bug from my foot, spilled half the bottle of water. What a tragedy. Fortunately, I still had plenty of water, but I knew I wasted a precious commodity.

As for hot, I lucked out. Temps barely reached the 90s, which is pretty good for the Divide Basin. But the wind. Oh the wind. Most of Saturday morning, I lucked out with a tail wind. The afternoon was a head and cross wind. When I got to A&M Reservoir, I felt like I could go further, but it would be directly into heavy winds. These were winds strong enough to blow my bike over while it was leaning against me. I waved the white flag and camped at the lake rather than fight the winds.

It took me a day and half to make the ride from Atlantic City to Rawlins. This was one of the parts I dreaded as I prepared for the ride. It was difficult and carrying extra water sure made me slower, but it was a surreal experience being in the desolate landscape.

Other Notes:

- Hulk got a new chain and some adjustments in Pinedale. I didn't mention it before, the chain broke on the bike near Lima, nearly a week ago. I fixed it and it made it over 400 miles to the first bike shop on the route since Butte, MT. Actually, it's a hardware store that has a bike repair area in the back. The guy working on the bike said he gets lots of Great Divide riders since there's not another shop until Steamboat Springs, CO.


- Dodged rain all day Friday. Didn't start riding until after 12:00 since it was pouring in Pinedale. Locals were apologizing to me, saying it never rains this much--- they're semi-arid! Made it about 20 miles and then saw a storm to my south as I was heading east. I pedaled hard and watched it pass through where I had been (below pic). Saw the same guy on the BMW that passed me on the Ashton-Flagg Ranch Rd 3 days before. Also, met John from southern Pennsylvania. Saw another storm from afar. Tried to pedal away from it too. I missed the middle of the storm, but the edge caught me. A third was gaining on me late in the day. I huddled in a Rest Stop for 45 minutes waiting for that one to pass.

- Had breakfast in Atlantic City on Saturday with a couple of re-enactors who were there for an event at South Pass City. They were from all over but knew one another. I was bummed I wasn't going to get to see them in action and the events at South Pass.

- Met two college buddies from MIT when I was heading into the Basin.


- Apparently, where I camped at A&M Reservoir is on the Continental Divide Trail as two through hikers came rolling in about 8:30. I gave one of them my bear spray as I was out of bear country.


- Had great Thai food in Rawlins. Anong's Thai. Highly recommended if you're ever in Rawlins.

- Rode through road construction this morning in southern Wyoming. I was afraid they were going to close the road, but I got up early enough to make it through most of it.

- Three Forks Ranch, which I rode by today, is ridiculous. It's like a mini Biltmore. Their main house is huge!


- Met these three guys from Spokane. They started 3 weeks ago in NM.

Back on the Bike

Today, I got back on the bike and went for a little ride. The rule I've created is that it is fine for me to have multiple bikes as long as they get used. So I grabbed the road bike for a spin. Man, was it awkward.

A bike is a bike is a bike. Bikes are a lot like people. We have a basic anatomy, but within that are so many variations. Some of us are tall. Michael Phelps has disproportionally long arms. Our frames are different: Bone structure, density, muscular development.

Let's not forget that I was on Bella, my Surly Long Haul Trucker almost every day for nearly two months. You get used to things. So today, on my K2 road bike, it was like riding a brand new bike:

- Man, the K2 is light. Somewhere around 13 pounds of aluminum and carbon unlike Bella's 27 pounds or so.

- I had to relearn clipping in as the road bike has Look pedals and the touring bike has Crank Brothers.

- I like the bar end shifters on the Surly, but I had forgotten how convenient and easy integrated shifters are.

- Brakes: on the touring bike, because of weight, I had to really squeeze to come to a stop. On the light road bike, too much of a touch can throw me over the handlebars.

- Speaking of bars: riding position is different and took some getting used to.

- No granny gear on the road bike; it has a compact crank.

I only did 12 miles over Davis Mountain and back up and over Finley Cove. One of my favorite quick loops-- because I can leave from my house and it has some challenging climbs and fast descents.

The other difference I am noticing is the conditioning. I climbed the first part of Davis Mountain Road faster than I have ever before. Further up, is a short, steep hill that I always have to come out of the saddle to clear. Not today. Stayed seated and cruised up. Finley Cove usually slowly wears me down by the time I get to the top. I was tired, but not as beat as usual. And I was able to climb in a higher gear than I usually do.

Two Wheels

My assistant coach was telling about her husband and his 5 kayaks. I thought that was crazy. She said, yeah but they all do something different. I understood exactly what she meant. I have three bicycles. But each are totally different from each other.

My oldest bike was purchased in 1997 or 1998 because I became enthralled with mountain biking. I've been wanting to upgrade for years, but my Raleigh M80 has served me well. We took lots of spills together. That bike has been on trails throughout the southest-- from St. Simons, GA to the New River Gorge in West Virginia. The Raleigh also began my friendship with Hampton Hudson, who used to own and run the Bicycle Shop in Hendersonville.


In about 2003, I purchased a K2 road bike. I loved biking and there were times that I didn't have time to drive to Dupont or Bent Creek. Road biking is much different from mountain biking. I describe road biking as zen: you find a cadence and spin and it's relaxing. Mountain biking is more of a rush as you wind singletrack and dodge roots and rocks.


And this past spring, I purchased my newest bike. It's a Surly Long Haul Trucker made especially for long distance touring. My road bike is light and responsive, it's like driving a Mazda Miata. My touring bike is steady and reliable, more like driving a large sedan. Which would you rather go cross country in? The Miata would be fun, but the sedan has storage, a smoother ride and little accessories that make a long trip more friendly.


Besides having two wheels, the bikes are built very differently. The Raleigh is aluminum, the K2 is aluminum with carbon forks and rear triangle and the Surly is steel. Look at the wheels, they serve their own purposes. Mountain bike tires- fat tires- are for gripping and traction on rough surfaces. Road tires are skinny, run at high pressures, offer little rolling resistance and are meant for pavement and smooth surfaces. The touring bike has wider tires than the road bike. You want little rolling resistance but you also want tires that can bear the additional weight of panniers and all your gear.

To illustrate more differences, notice the braking on the bikes. The mountain bike uses the V-brakes (below top) for all conditions, the road bike has caliper brakes (below middle) that offer great stopping power and the touring bike has old school cantilever brakes (below bottom) that are simple and offer clearance for fenders.




And just as I have to readjust to the feel and handling of each bike each time I ride it, I also have to readjust to shifting gears. They each change gears differently also. The Raleigh uses the "trigger" shifters (below top) that Shimano invented and I like much better than "grip" shifters that some mountain bikes come with. The K2 uses integrated shifters (below middle). Sometimes called "brifters", they combine brakes and shifters into one unit for convenience. You don't have to take your hand of the bars to shift or brake. It's just so easy. The Surly has bar end shifters (below bottom) which are low maintenance and easily repaired on the road.




So, if I were not on a budget, this my next bike:
It's a Moots Cinco mountain bike. Full suspension, disc brakes and made of titanium. She's a beauty. It only retails for about $3,500.

Priorities

First of all, I have way too many "hobbies". I like to golf. I adore biking. I wish I were better at it, but I do dabble in photography. Backpacking is something I look forward to when I get the opportunities.

The problem with my hobbies is that they are all expensive. Golf can add up: the new wedges I covet are about $120.00 retail and an afternoon on the links averages about @40.00 a round. I have a great camera body (Canon 40D), but I wish I had that fisheye lens, 100mm macro or sexy "L" lens ($200-1200). Backpacking equipment can add up. I've acquired mine over years, but it scares me to think about how much I've spent on tents, stoves, bags and such over the years.

Which brings me to biking. I had a choice this year: a new bike or redo the bathroom. Bath could sure use an update. However, I want to do a long distance ride and the tour last summer on my road bike was doable, but a little harsh. A sensible person would have done the responsible thing and invested in upgrading their home. Especially a person who already owns two bicycles. Unfortunately, I'm not sensible.

Here's my new Surly Long Haul Trucker. It arrived last week. It's going to take my bum from Oregon to North Carolina (and become my in town commuter). It's a gorgeous bike, with touring geometry (longer chainstays, more comfortable position), bar end shifters, replacement spokes and great reviews. I added the rear rack, fenders and a new Crank Brothers Candy pedals are on the way. It doesn't add to the resale value of my home, but hopefully it will add some zen to my life (and adventure to my summer).