Continuing Preparations for The Great Divide Bikepacking Route (GDMBR) With a Training Ride 

One more thing i will take next time is an insulated bottle, my water got very warm from the sun and in the heat it was horrible to drink like that.

I'm really torn when it comes to the padded shorts. I think I'm leaning towards merino underwear. I may take both and ditch the padded shorts once I've been going for a while. I guess it'll depend on my training too. I'll look forward to eating plenty while I'm away!! Thanks for the comment.

I've just bought an insulated Klean Kanteen bottle and a large cage for it. I was thinking about hot coffee and hadn't even thought about keeping water cold. Thanks 👍👍

@@matryderadventures options are good, padded shorts work well for some. i did get to test ride the same bike as yours with a brooks cambium saddle and that had a nice bit of flex and the bloke who's bike it was swore by that seat and merino undies.

@@chromebook2724 I've been considering a Brooks C17. It keeps getting recommended. I might have to get one.

Chubb Rub? I've never heard of it but I'll look it up. Isn't a Chubb a fish? I'm not rubbing a fish on anything!!!

@@matryderadventures no fishys involved.

Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you enjoy the channel. It's nice to hear. I will look into the Squirrels Nut Butter and probably give it a try, just because it sounds fun, and I like squirrels. I'd better start adding planks to my exercise routine. I may even start going to core classes..I know my gym does them. Thanks for all of the advice and thanks again for following 👍

Thanks for commenting. I may go with the Brooks B17 leather saddle. I'll probably take the padded shorts but only use them at the beginning of the trip, and only if I haven't worn the saddle in properly. I get your point about the butt cream. I think I'll stay away from it too. Thanks for the advice 👍

Thanks for following along. Twisted Oaks is well worth a visit if you get chance.

I admit my diet is awful. I'm definitely going to work on it...you'll know that if you're from the future 😁

Thanks for commenting. I've just had a look at Dirty Teeth MTB. Excellent recommendation. I can spend my Sunday afternoon binge watching his Tour Divide videos. Cheers. Thanks for following. I can't wait to get out there!

Sudo Cream. I hadn't considered that. I can easily get hold of some too. Thanks for the tip. I'm disciplined enough to do 5 minutes of stretches morning and night so I just need to put a routine together. It's great to hear that you did it in your 60s. I've only recently got into bikepacking but I'm hoping to do a lot more over the next few years. I am definitely looking for information on how to get back. I haven't explored it yet. I got as far as flying from Phoenix but will be grateful for advice. Excellent comment. Cheers.👍

The most economical way I found of getting back was to fly West Jet out of Phoenix. Getting to Phoenix I contacted Jeffrey Sharpe who makes a living out of picking people up from Antelope Wells taking them back to stay at his house for the night and then driving them to Lordsburg where you catch the Greyhound to Phoenix. Have an Uber account to get to a hotel, all the hotels have a shuttle service to the airport. If you want to go this route I can give you Jeffrey's Whats App number, he charges around $200 cash. Ask him to put a cardboard box for you aside so you can get on the Greyhound etc. I am sure this all sounds complicated but it works. The El Paso route is possible but I found the air fare a lot more expensive, if you have any more questions please ask.

Thanks. I've since bought a C17 which I really like. Maybe the B17 would have been better. Brooks are recommended by nearly everyone! I'm hoping to ditch the shorts after a few weeks. Thanks for commenting 👍.

Brooks saddles keep getting recommended. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting one. Thanks for commenting.

It's a fantastic place. The trail is great fun!

Thanks. I'll add them to my cookbook.

Excellent tip. Cheers 👍. I hadn't thought of that.

If I'm honest, my training didn't really go to plan. I didn't do enough and I should have prepared by doing more climbing!! I don't seem to have the energy to stretch in the evenings. It's interesting that you don't recommend stretching.....am I accidentally doing the right thing? 🤣. You've done this twice??? I'm impressed..thanks for the support 👍

@@matryderadventures I think you're doing great!! I've ridden the Divide 3 times but only finished it twice. (Had to scratch in Butte one year after breaking my wrist in Koko..). Soooo amazing every time!

Good to hear. I immediately found mine comfortable. I think I've made the right choice. I've fitted the carved version to my gravel bike to get a comparison and I'll take whichever works best. Thanks for commenting.

Hi. Thanks for commenting. I'll look into Asos cream. The suggestion to rotate different models of padded shorts makes great sense. Cheers.

Just purposely smash into a tree right at the beginning. It'll help you overcome your fear.