Great Divide Mountain Bike Route
Roberta Hickman's journal of her 2013 bike packing adventure down Adventure Cycling Association's GDMBR Route from Banff Canada to (hopefully) Mexico
Thursday, July 18, 2013
#15 7/18/13: Helena to Basin - 43.6mi
Thursday, July 4, 2013
#1 7/4/13: Banff to Marble Canyon - 34.1 miles
Breakfast with us four at Tooloulou's and we're off west along the Bow Valley Pkwy. Scenery is spectacular with glaciers on mountain top, fir and aspen, white puffy clouds and trickling brooks. Lots of wildlife: wolf, osprey and chicks on bridge. Oh so nice!
We turn south on Route 93 at Castle Mountain and cross our first Divide Crossing. Although I am disappointed we didn't get to do the Canadian Section of the GDMBR because of the flooding, I am very happy with this asphalt alternative. It's beautiful!
We arrive at Marble Canyon Provincial Park around 2pm and vote we stop as I am very travel weary. We set up in a nice covered pavilion with tables & plumbed water. Then spot wild hares and moose skat.
The guys go for a hike down the Canyon. I just need some quiet time so I just wonder the campground and meet Mike who's cycling solo from Fairbanks to Grand Canyon and Sally with her dog, Aura, from Montana. Mike is wearing "Meals on Wheels" T-shirt with bear chasing a cyclist. Yikes!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
7/2-3/13 Kailua-Kona to LAX to Calgary
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
I'm Off!
I'm sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to Calgary. Fingers crossed everything is packed and safe. I have been preparing for months and now just can't wait to get on the trail. Unfortunately, that won't happen til I reach the US border because the Alberta flooding has wiped out the Canadian portion. So it'll be asphalt the first 5 days or so.
I would like to thank Mike Curiak himself who helped me tremendously. Not only did he build me a beautiful set of wheels but provided tons of advice. Where would I be without him! Roger at Niner Bikes was also very helpful. Thanks to my trusty mechanic, Jason, who patiently checked and rechecked everything. And Dr. Lindborg for his 3rd world experience on how to stay healthy in the backwoods and Dr. Beattie for the Supartz knee shots. Hope they work!
A huge thanks also goes out to Savoury & Lisa who will be taking care of my cat and property. I won't worry about a thing! And Ginny for my good luck charm, Piazzie for the ride to the airport, and Carol for her care.
That's me at Kahuku Natl Park fully loaded! Here we go! 2.5+ months! I've never headed out on a trip not knowing when I'll return!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
T Minus 6 days
I might have camped here!
I'm trying not to be too disappointed as I will be missing one of the most remote and challenging sections of the whole GDMBR along the Flathead Valley. I am very grateful I wasn't in the thick of it when the storms hit and, of course, I feel for all the people who suffered losses. Oh well! Think of the mosquitoes!
Here's the planned detour. Route 93 is a designated scenic highway with several Provincial Parks available for camping. It's 225 miles and probably 4 days. So, all is certainly not lost. Staying with my motto: "Be Friendly! Be Flexible! Have Fun!"
Monday, June 24, 2013
Dedication to Koa
There was a time in my life when I felt I had lost everything - even my sense of self. When I was completely unsure about everything, the only thing I knew for sure was that when I looked at her she made me smile. She was always there for me. So steady, so sure, so patient, so kind and caring.
And now she's gone and I miss her terribly. If it weren't for the consuming preparation of this trip, I would be completely adrift. I don't like working in the yard, eating meals, coming home, going swimming, just being here without her. Her memory so permeates everything I do.
Once at The Pier, there was a man standing in the corner all sad and withdrawn, his arms tightly crossed on his chest. There were dozens of kids Koa could have played with but instead she went right over to him and dropped her ball at his feet. He reluctantly picked it up and gave it a half-hearted throw. She immediately retrieved it, dropped it at his feet again and just stood there staring at him gently wagging her tail, waiting. In just a matter of minutes, he had his shirt off and was splashing in the waves with her. She was always doing things like this.
So here's to my beautiful girl Koa. I love you! And may your goodness go on forever.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
June 19: Am I Nuts or What?
1965 NYC Riverside Church My 3-Speed Royce Union |
Now, 53 years later, biking is more like moving meditation for me. Do you know what I often think about when I ride? Nothing! Nothing at all! I have come to love anything and everything about bikes. There's this compelling fascination for the meshing of the human machine with the mechanical.
Remembering Awesome Cycling Adventures!
In 1999, I had a job working in a tunnel that required I ride a bike. Likewise, biking was the only form of transportation at jobs on Johnston and Midway Islands. I liked how strong it made my legs feel. So, when I got back to Oahu, I bought a little mountain bike and enjoyed exploring the back roads around Kaneohe. When I moved to Maui in 2000, I bought my first performance road bike. That gleaming bright Cannondale CAAD2 almost actually fit me and I started regularly biking to work and climbing the beautiful hills of upcountry Kula. Because of increasing chronic hip pain, I couldn't run or walk much at all but I was thrilled to discover I could hammer away on the bike. I was feeling like an athlete again! So I starting dreaming about what else I could do on two wheels.
2002 Lake Tekapo, New Zealand |
2003 "Around" the Grand Canyon
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Discovering What I'm Good At!
2005: ASR Hip Surgery in India |
I raced in Hawaii for 7 years and I was good at it. At nearly every race, I would podium regardless of age. But each year, the women's field thinned and the events became more disappointing. So, last year I set my eyes on my first out-of-state race. I logged 8,200 miles and 540 hours in 9 months preparing for the 75 mile Vancouver to Whistler Gran Fondo. I was so happy to place 29th out of a huge field of 913 women and 3rd out of 219, F50-59. I was immensely pleased to find these cyclists so courteous and skilled and the event so professionally executed. It was a fantasy-come-true. At 58, I felt truly tested, accomplished, sated, and at the pinnacle of my racing career.
Yes! Adventuring Again!