Katrina, you are SUCH a badass! The fact that you decided to scratch doesn't diminish that fact in any way. Thanks, once again, for posting a great inspirational video.
Admiration for both recognizing the mental task ahead was not within you this year but then to fully realize just go over the state line and ride something equally beautiful and allow yourself the gift of grace and freedom for the love of the bike. Great response!
A very genuine and honest account. Bravo for making the right decision. Often, it can be much harder to scratch from a race than to continue. And thank you for a lovely video!
I was running the Rene Hearse Fleecer Ridge (700c x 55mm) in the front and Oracle (700c x 48mm) in the back. I’d run them again…an aggressive tire makes a big difference! Thanks for watching!
Fantastic video Katrina and it was great running in to you again. That course is brutal, especially if you aren't used to the heat like all of us. - Joey
Wow this must of been insanely hard because YOU killed it on the GDMBR. Double the miles per day of most riders. So I know what shape you’re in. So glad you made the smart decision and not end up on an IV in the hospital
@@katrinahase ya, I bet. But it’s all part of this type 2 (2.5?). I like what they told you, such sound words of wisdom. I made notes of your ride on GDMBR, and thanks again for sending me the short alt route gpx. Will leave Banff next Sunday.
If you learned something about yourself and your capabilities -- even though you "scratched", you will be much further ahead in the long term. Glad you listened to your body and turned around. Being former search and rescue, I have had to go in and pull people out who didn't listen to their bodies and made bad decisions which just compounded worst as they kept spiraling downward. Anytime you can get out under your own power and can ride another day = win.
Thank you for that important perspective! I heard a podcast by Moose Mutlow, a search and rescue volunteer, and it really stuck with me the trauma they experience when a rescue becomes a recovery. Best not to get into that situation for all involved!
Katrina, I reckon as soon as you swap ‘ride’ for ‘race’ your mindset switches and you find yourself pushing a little harder. e.g Zone 2 becomes Zone 3 etc. You made a smart decision. The race will be waiting for a stronger Katrina next year. 😊
I think you’re exactly right. I had planned to ride the route two weeks earlier before I learned there was a race. Might have been a cooler start had stuck with my plans!
Tim! Thank you for the coffee and cake 😃. In short, there is no water on Polvadera Mesa. We saw a couple of muddy cow ponds, but those were not too appealing. I strapped an extra 1L bottle to the top of my seat bag for this section. I had one night on the Mesa and was into town by early afternoon the next day, so it worked out. Make sure to hydrate well the day before you head out!
How did you feel about being alone out there? I love solo adventureres myself and I'm inspired by your ability to head out here on your own! Just moved to Canmore a few years ago. 😊
Canmore? Wow…lucky you! I think being alone made me much more receptive to having conversations with people, which greatly enhanced the overall experience. I also think it made me more present and able to notice and appreciate my surroundings. I only had one time when I was nervous (see episode 2), but it was only for a moment until I read the situation clearly. So glad to meet another solo adventurer!
I saw all of episodes. A beautiful adventure, incredible strength and courage 💪🏻 GDMBR is my biggest cycling dream 🫠 thank you for the great videos 🙂 Greetings from Poland ❤
Congrats on your huge accomplishment. I rode several sections of the GDMBR and it was definitely a highlight of all the riding I have done. Your videos and commentary were excellent. Thanks for sharing your trip. I hope to ride the full route at some point. Your positive outlook and grit are very inspiring to me and I wish you the best out there on the trails wherever you may ride next.
Thank you! For what it’s worth, I could see riding sections at a time as being a great way to ride the GDMBR…you can really focus on what’s in front of you that way. I really appreciate you watching and your kind words.
I usually don't comment on RU-vid. I've raced the Tour Divide 3 times, and this year will be #4. I've watched everything about the route I can possibly find, and your videos are my favorite. Thank you.
Do you believe you could have kept your devices charged w/o the front hub thingy? Did you ever feel the need for extra water capacity above the 2 Liters? Were you using the free version of ‘Relive’ or the paid? Any suggestions regarding using the app? Monthly or annual? Was the warm showers app easy to use and a good value? Thanks for the insight and fine videos. You’re helpful.
That’s a lot of questions! Ok, here goes: 1. Dynamo hub: I don’t believe it was needed on the Divide because I was typically not away from a power source for more than 2 days. 2. I actually carried close to 4L at the start. I did add more capacity for NM so I had 5L. 6 would have been even better. 3. Relive. I pay the yearly subscription and only use it to make the videos. I record my rides with Strava. 4. Warmshowers: I used the old version of the app…they’ve done a major upgrade since, so I can’t speak to the new one. Even though it was low-tech, it worked well. I highly recommended using Warmshowers because the people and hospitality added incredible depth to the overall experience. And I did save a lot of money, too. Sounds like you are heading on your own adventure. Have fun!
I budgeted about $2500 for food and lodging. Food was a major expense. It took me 54 days total; 4 of those I was sick. I also had 2 rest days. So 48 days of riding.
@@katrinahase that's awesome. yeah i been biking seriously for over 30 years. i been lifting weights for that long to. i am in good enough shape stamina wise and esp. strenth wise i could just jump on the bike and go. i would not need to train for that. my issue is money. and i have an apartment i have to look after. i could not be gone that long. i am retired on a fixed income.I guess i could put all my furniture in storage and give up my home and do the ride, but i am not willing to do that. I do a lot of bike packing on rides that are not over 2 weeks at the most. I like biking rail trails. no need for special navigation or anything. But i am impressed with your ride. not many 50 year old women could do it!! take care and keep riding!!
Look, i am impressed with your ride. I ride a lot, but never done anything like the divide. Look, I am gonna do something that i never do. it's a no -no in my book, but i have to know. by looking at you, i assume your in your 40's. that's an awesome ride for a lady in her later years. heck it's a ride for anyone in there 40's. All you have to say is yes in the 40's ,and you dont have to give exact numer. either way i am very impressed with you and your ride. if i had to guess, you must really tack on the miles each month. either on an indoor trainer or outside. you have to have a heck of a milage base to do that ride. anyhow, i really like the video.
I did the ride to celebrate my 50th birthday. I used Trainer Road to train for the Divide, working out consistently 4-5 days a week for an hour to 1-1/2 hrs per session. Workouts included a lot of sweet spot, threshold and endurance training zones. I did some long weekend rides as well, but that was supplemental. I also did weights twice a week and yoga. When you’re in your 20s or 30s, you may think of the 40s and older as “the later years”, but when you reach my age, you will come to realize that you are in your prime. I no longer have parenting responsibilities, so I’m free to spend my time devoting myself to cycling and other passions. And I have the experience and economic security to be able to take long stretches of time away from work, so I can take on epic adventures. You may also be surprised to learn that a great number of people riding the Divide that I met were in their 60s and 70s. At any age, the Divide-and many adventures-are attainable through discipline, planning and passion.
awesome video!! but let me ask you something, why did all your stuff get wet. you should have waterproof bike packing bags. and what about navigation. how are you navigating? thanks
Thanks for watching! The tarp on my tent doesn’t come down to the ground, so if there’s a side wind, rain can come in. That’s what happened…my sleeping bag got damp on one side. I also wanted to dry the tent itself before packing it. I navigated using a gpx files I downloaded from Ride with GPS and uploaded to my Wahoo Elemnt Roam 2 bike computer.
viewing your work here during a late may snowstorm, with a full season of biking ahead... simply charmed to have discovered your series. brings tears to my eyes.
I was biking a short 20 mile ride that weekend near Madison WI. I swear there was more green in the afternoon than in the morning! All the leaves seemed to bud out in a few hours. I don't think I've seen such a rapid change before, even in WI!
i am curious about any traffic, for example, on the long gravel climbs and descents ? Do they come ripping by ? is it dusty as all heck ? do they offer bottles of water or something silly like that ?
Overall, the traffic is pretty light along most of the gravel roads. Most people are pretty considerate. Keep your eye out for oversized pickup trucks…white ones are often the worst behaved. I have had people offer water and even ice, but that’s pretty rare while riding. Most trail magic occurs in towns.
