the great divide

[mmathes]

My plan is to ride The Great Divide, Mexico to Canada in 2013........couple weeks?? maybe longer...
52 years old (30 year US NAVY Vet.) I have a pretty much "stock" 2001 DRZ 400s IMS 4 gal tank.
thought about getting a better bike..... but there's always something else thats "better" and this is THE ONE I HAVE !!! I Rode the Death Valley 350 last year (loved it!!) and off road on occasians ......now have a Rick Meyers custom seat (and a much happier Butt). I currently have one of the best jobs ever.... teaching people to ride motorcycles "street" and "dirt" but have never ventured more than a hundred miles or so from civilization (on a motorcycle anyway) ( usually ride the OHV parks).
I'm reading everything from Big Dog adventures, TT and ADV riders. I've made lots of Xcountry street rides but the dirt is calling me. looking forward to your advice and directions (literaly) ~mmathes "Skillet"

[Lone Rider]

OK, cool.

What advice or supporrt are you looking for?

It's grand ride.

[Shibby!]

My advice? (be careful, this isn't always wanted)

Do as little research as you can. Don't take the excitement, amazement, and experience away by reading others ride reports. It'll all feel second hand by the time you see it. Trust me, I did it for Baja, I DIDN't do it for Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

All you need to know is BigDogAdventure GPS file, fill gas when you can, and be aware of the two (maybe three) long stretches of remote road with no gas.

I guess be aware there is another GPS file that alters the route in NM and more closely follows the CDT. It also is reviewed as better with more gas availability. If you want it, I have it.

What model DRZ? The E or offroad one gets ok mileage, but the SM model is REALLY good. I rode with two DRZ's in Baja and both had the 4gallon tank.

I have a 6.3 on my XRR, LOVE IT! 400+KM, I'm sure I can sweet talk it into 500 if I had to.

With that information also comes along with the obvious. Be prepared for everything. Have the tools, knowledge, and capability to do your own repairs. You can't expect people to come a long when adventure riding.

My buddy and I are riding the CDT in 5 weeks time.

[lakota]

Blaster11 tried to cover everything about this ride here http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=735441

[Colorado Uli]

I rode it twice from Colorado to Canada and back and loved every mile.

- Be sure to spend a night at or near Polebridge (near the Canadian border) for great food, scenery, beer, live music (if you're lucky), and excellent people.
- Add the Huckleberry Pass - located between Lincoln and Ovanda, MT - section to BD's track (he missed that section). It's worth it.
- Bug and bear spray!!!!
- For fuel between Rawlins and Pinedale (WY), you can swing north to Lander after you pass through Atlantic City.
- I know it's not easy, but travel light. If you're hotelling it, leave all but emergency camping stuff at home. Food is available almost everywhere, so no need to carry much. A lightweight water purification system can replace the need to carry more than three liters.

Let me know if you have any specific questions on the northern part.



Here's my write-up of last year's ride with pictures and some (perhaps) valuable info: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=732908

Cheers!
Uli

[byways]

"... we did get lost trying to follow the Oregon Trail looking for the Ninth Crossing."

Please be aware that Ninth Crossing, and most of the land immediately along the Sweetwater River in the area, is private property.

[GeckoRider]

Not had the time to dig up the BLM maps yet, but was wondering how easy it will be to stop along the way and tent camp without having to make it to a campground?

[byways]

To a campground from where, Pinedale?

There is a lot of camping at the foot of the Wind River Range, in the national forest. Refer to Benchmark's Wyoming atlas. You will have both primitive and campground options along roads leading into the mtns. One very good area (see below) is near the end of Big Sandy Opening Road to Big Sandy campground and trailhead, the main trailhead for folks heading into the Wind River Range. (There's also Big Sandy Lodge.) Beware of the carnivorous mosquitoes!



There are two official campgrounds at Atlantic City, not to mention the AC Mercantile for dinner.

There is camping at a terrific spot at N42.43246 W108.82715 on BLM ground, along South Pass City Road and right on Pine Creek. Primitive; no toilets or potable water. See below:



There also is camping on BLM land on the south bank of the Sweetwater River immediately east of Riverview Cutoff Road (22), the main Great Divide Route road, where the road crosses the river at N42.38928 W108.62346.

For a map of the South Pass area that depicts private/public land ownership, contact the BLM's Lander Field Office:

E-mail: Lander_WYMail@blm.gov
1335 Main Street
Lander, WY 82520
Phone: 307-332-8400

Ask for the South Pass Surface Management Map. I think it costs $6 or so. Try to speak with the recreation planner; ask him to mark the locations of public-lands camping.

Hope that helps!

[GeckoRider]

The tip for the public/private land map is big help. Most times primitive camping is all I need, and I'd rather not pay (hate having to pay for water/electric hook up when I am only in a tent) and will only guerrilla camp if I screw up and find myself out late. As long as I get 5-6 hours of sleep I can push on to the next stop. But I am not planning on trespassing on purpose.

I only plan on hitting a hotel once every 3-4 days to wash up proper (baby wipes the rest of the time to keep big stink from happening).

Trying not to plan things too fine as it adds pressure where there should not be any. Thanks again!

[byways]

You will see many established primitive campsites. Use them, and you'll be fine.

[Colorado Uli]

In that area, my favorite camping spot was on Picket lake. Only a few hundred yards off the trail before you cross the Sweetwater river.

[jimmex]

How easy is it to find hotels for the whole trip? Not my idea but the guys that invited me don't want to camp.

[Lone Rider]

Originally Posted by jimmex

How easy is it to find hotels for the whole trip? Not my idea but the guys that invited me don't want to camp.

Not a prob at all.
Just get the maps, which are excellent, and make route plans for motel nights.
Super trip.

[jimmex]

Thanks.

[buls4evr]

The Dizzer with a 4 gallon tank is perfect for this type of adventure riding. You can easily go 210 miles before reserve if you are set up correctly on jetting. The bigger issues are weather (monsoon mud and flood) and fires blocking your path in places this year. Just camp anywhere. you will be lucky to see more than a handful of people on the whole trip. There are towns to go to for motels and a shower if you start to get a little "gamey".