Hi. I am in Quemado NM headed North. Much rain and I guess higher up snow recently. Any comments as to trail conditions in North NM or Colorado? I am concerned mud / snow will make bits of the trail impossible. We will see! Any news, suggestions, ideas welcome!
Thanks, Ben

Hi. Sorry for slow reply. Yes I get your point! Maybe I can ask another question. I usually ride 2inch schwalbe marathon Mondial tyres. My frame will not take wider. I read about scary puncture vines in SW USA. Are these a big problem? I can switch to thicker tyres that are bullet proof - schwalbe marathon tour plus, but these weigh a ton. Any thoughts? Thanks!!!!!!

Thanks for this suggestion, much appreciated. Sounds good! I am currently cycling in Chile so Spanish is slowly improving! I will look into the shuttle. However, if the aim is to reach high country asap is it not better to head NE from Phoenix directly? All advice gratefully received! Ben

Hi!

That is a very kind and generous offer, many thanks indeed! It is certainly a bit of a chore arriving at the airport, assembling bike and then heading off down the shoulder of some busy main road. So your offer of a pick-up is very much appreciated.

I am about to go cycling for 3 months in Patagonia with my wife. We will return to the UK late April. Then I have another 3 months to come to the US from mid-May to late August, while my wife starts a new job. My new job starts in September - lucky times.

My email is bjn000@gmail.com. Maybe we could exchange emails now and then I could contact you again late April? If for any reason you are not able to pick me up in May then of course no worries whatsoever!

Cheers, and thanks again,

Ben

Thanks again, all good!

Many thanks for helping with this! And thanks for the info on permits, I would not have known. How does that work, is there an office in San Carlos where you can buy permits? Are they happy with people camping overnight in the back-country north from there?
Cheers
Ben

Thanks! I picked out this route. Looks more difficult than the GDMBT itself - LOL as the kids would say...

Hi
I am English. I will bike the GDMBR starting Mext may, South to North.
Currently I am booking flights. With a bike I tend to fly BA, as they allow the bike as part of normal hold luggage allowance and I never had any hassles from them. That means flying in to Phoenix and out from Calgary - both nice direct flights to London, direct flights preferred as less loading / unloading means less chance of damage to the treasured possession.
SO
My question is what are suggestions for cutting from Phoenix to the GDMBR? Looking at the map it seems pretty cool, due East from Phoenix there are Tonto and Gila National Forests and some nice looking country. I am half tempted to just burn it on asphalt roads, as I know I will be impatient to clock up some miles, but any suggestions for good dirt road routes heading E or NE from Phoenix would be very welcome...
Thanks!
Ben