Adventure StoryNote: having a bit of trouble linking the Spot messages to this account. Go here to see the progress:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0r7yB5l6Se9q93oJksqZsxdN5nPQDFNQsClick here for photos:
June 10-11
http://bestrest.smugmug.com/gallery/8525089_ABbtm#561204154_b7NE7June 12-13
http://bestrest.smugmug.com/gallery/8547803_qieTm#562925445_9KdGS----------------
In 2008 I rode a BMW R1200GS northbound on the Continental Divide Ride from Mexico to Canada. Accompanied by Steve Irby, we transited the course in about 12 days. You can view our photos here:
http://bestrest.smugmug.com/gallery/5409113_CPUta#343443125_bHyhWI had such a good time that I made plans to repeat the journey in '09, riding the course in reverse. Steve wasn't available so I made plans with another rider. At the last minute he had to cancel, so the choice was made to ride this journey solo.
Solo riding has it's own set of problems... there's no one to share the load when it comes to critical components, you have to carry everything yourself. There's no one to help you thru the bad spots, you have to make it on your own. There's no one to help you fix a mechanical problem, you have to do the work yourself and you have to have all the tools.
Kickoff date is Wednesday June 10, 2009. I'll leave BestRest World Headquarters in Mountlake Terrace, WA and ride to Rooseville, MT, which is the "official" starting point for the CDR trail.
So begins the BestRest 2009 Continental Divide Ride.
June 14 - snow in the higher elevations, and rain and mud down lower have caused me to make a difficult (but wise) decision. I've cancelled the ride and I'm headed home.
Gumbo mud near Lima made up my mind for me..... miles of impassable roads ahead, fresh snow in the mountains, and an ominous weather forecast all conspired to end this adventure.
There's always next year, or later this summer.
