[Mollybones]

Hello Tdubbers! Have any of you guys ridden the Continental Divide Trail from Montana to New Mexico? I'm thinking this may be my next adventure. And what thinks ye of the high altitude issues, oh technical types?

 

[small's]

When you planning on doing it? I would love to do that ride. Mine survived over imogene pass which is 13,114'. The tw started missing out around 9,500-10,000' and she didnt like it but i never fouled a plug with the stock jetting. I would think the 01 and newer bikes might be a little better at high altitude.

 

[Mollybones]

I need a couple of years to save up, so am shooting for 2014. Did the Newfoundland, Labrador, Quebec loop last summer, so am all kitted out including expanded gas tank, aluminum panniers and sweet butt cushion. The thing is, that I am used to going it solo and taking my time. On a trip like this however it may be smarter to have some buddies. Don't want to ride with any speedy types and I don't do motels, just camp out. I'm a mosier and stop to look at every animal track and butterfly, so may drive a fellow adventurer nutty. Psyched to hear about the altitude thing. Mine's a 2009. When loaded, a Vermont hill can drag me down to 45mph before I crest her, but I imagine I'll crawl up a dirt track in low gear anyhow. Once on a trip in NE India we only shifted into third four times in three days! Let's keep communicating as plans evolve.

 

[peruano]

The New Mexico route is definately doable. I've done parts of it in a 4x4 and long looked at doing the rest of it on the TW. Mud and lightening and distance between gas stations would be the major hazards in the

South. Routes (gps) have been posted on the ADVrider trip section.

Do it but by all means let us know so we can pull emergency trail response or meetups as needed. Tom

 

[Mollybones]

The New Mexico route is definately doable. I've done parts of it in a 4x4 and long looked at doing the rest of it on the TW. Mud and lightening and distance between gas stations would be the major hazards in the

South. Routes (gps) have been posted on the ADVrider trip section.

Do it but by all means let us know so we can pull emergency trail response or meetups as needed. Tom

 

[Mollybones]

Thanks Tom. Good information to know. Also, very sweet to offer the emergency back up plan which I will be sure to set up if and when I go. I will also not go solo on this trip. I'm somewhat paranoid about a lot of mud. In 2009 I slipped in it on a Honda Karizma and broke my leg in two places. It was two weeks before I got to an exray machine and another month before I reached the states. By the time I got home and had access to things like nice crutches and a cast, it had healed! Not into that sort of adventure again, though it was a great way to get a visitation permit extended and get to know some awesome people. Maybe this ride could be one where other tdubbers join in where they can along the way. Seems like we are a special breed and it would be fun to meet some of you guys.

 

[peruano]

Mind you we don't have mud all the time, but when it comes (monsoon season) it can take us unawares and create havoc where none is expected. Cityman (on this forum) set out to do a roundtrip journey (up the shadow of the rockies and down the continental divide to El Paso) and got into some trouble on the first leg. He's back riding some but has altered his ambitions and respect for the great outback. Having some degree of backup is part of the game, and we all need to plan for unexpected events. Keep in touch and keep dreaming. Tom

 

[B-dub]

I did the northern half of the CDR in 2010 from the Montana border to the trail's intersection with I-70. Very beautiful and very worth doing. Unfortunately I wasn't on the TW.



I think the longest stretch is between Pinedale and Rawlins, Wyoming - about 200 miles. At last report there was a guy in Atlantic City (about 80 miles south of Pinedale) who would sell gas if you asked around. There are no services between Atlantic City and Rawlins. Watch out for the badger holes in the middle of the road!



In northern Colorado we did get caught in a fast moving thunderstorm, and as a result had to fight some mud.



I haven't done the southern half yet, but I do know from reading others' reports that the weather can change rapidly in the higher elevations of Colorado, and you have to be prepared for thunder, lightning, rain, and hail. Peruano has outlined the hazards in the New Mexico section.



Even if you choose to do it alone, you won't be totally alone. We passed a fair number of pedal bikers on our trip, and had a few dual sporters pass us headed in the opposite direction. I doubt it would be much different for you.

 

[Mollybones]

Thanks B-dub and Peruano for even more info. All you guys have got me dreaming. I'll put more time into researching this over the winter, but for now I need to focus on our thirty acres of vegetables! I'm sure I'll be on here to rack your brains then. Thanks again everybody. Mol