Dave/all, updated to a new route leaving from pdx and with less climbing, more mileage, and a  lower overall elevation.  Thinking I'm going to give myself five full days for it as I really think the cold is going to take it's toll on me.  My work is going to be flexible with which weekends I take some vacation so whenever there's a warm spell in the route come late jan/early feb I'm going to head out.  Right now most of the route isn't going to get below 20 tonight, I could ride in this without crying too much, lol.  Dave if you feel like vetting my route again feel free!

Jimmy,  Just noticed your post there, yeah, I had considered Kent's route, but I'm actually looking forward to riding the trans-canadian highway. 

Dave,

Yeah, I was giving up on Satus Pass after seeing the cam over the weekend.  My GF is dropping me off from pdx so I was trying to keep her from driving too far. But, I was not really looking forward to being that jerk on a snowy climb with no shoulder so I think you're alt sounds pretty good, I will update my plans!

Nathan

As in, on one map instead of three like you can get from the ACA?

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/greatdivide.cfm

Not that I know of.

The climbing is going to be tough, but I think it's possible.  The temps on the other hand are what are really going to get me.  It's supposed to hit -3 in Bridgeport tonight, it's +3 now, barf.  But it's a cold snap and average temps on the route should be more between 15-35 degrees.  Ugh, if it's colder than zero F then I don't think I'm even going to attempt it.  I'm already buying gear just to get me down to zero, anything lower would just be stupid at that point.     I don't like the cold, what can I say?

So in prep for riding to the TD in 2011 I'm doing a 5 day test run of the route to Banff, but only to the Canadian border.  There's a concrete monument of Stonehenge just past the gorge in Washington which I chose as my starting point.  Hence the name, "Stonehenge to Canada".  Ridiculously epic name for a ride across WA,  .  Elevation looks to be around 25k with a little over 900 miles.  It's a paved ride but still a full fledged bike packing ride so I figured I'd post it here.  It's going to be in January so, woo, the cold is pretty much going to be my incentive to just keep moving, fun!  Anyway, I'll post a tracker if any body wants to watch, at least I know it will keep my dad entertained for the weekend, he's become a blue dot addict.  I attached the route in kml and gpx if anyone is interested.  If any NWers got any re-route recommendations feel free just as long as it's not an insane elevation increase or decrease.

"You see, me and the lord, we got an understanding...

We're on a mission from god."

Blues Brothers quotes work for just about anything.

Thinking about this for 2011. 

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/177-8614629-7016048?asin=B0026WQ72A&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|B0026WQ72A&CPNG=sports&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=B0026WQ72A&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001 


24 is the new 29!

Nathan

Hey yeah, can't blame him, seems pointless sometimes.  Thanks, I was slow but I made it, it was a little lonely!  Looking forward to cruising with a pack at least for a little while.

Anybody from the OR/WA (cascadia!) area looking to ride to up to Banff next year?  Don't know if Kent is going to give it another go round.  I'm planning on riding up from Portland.  It would be cool to hook up with somebody for the ride in.  Anyway, I'm super stoked to see the north end of the route and other goofball TDrs.  Here's to a dry year of divide racing!

Nathan