Deep in Bear Country-The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route-Part 2

Hello and welcome to episode two of my journey on the Great Divide mountain bike route. After an unfortunate false start up in Canada because the airline lost my bike, I finally started the adventure from Whitefish, Montana. The mountains up here are breathtaking, and in this video, you're going to meet all sorts of inspiring people as I make my way to the charming little town of Oando. If you like this video, please share it with your friends. And if you really like this video, please consider joining my Patreon. All right, let's do this. Good morning. As you can tell, my rainfly is on now. It was not when I went to bed. I almost never put the rainfly on cuz I like fresh air. But there comes a risk with that because sometimes it can rain in the middle of the night and that's what happened. So, I scrambled around to get my rainfly on and then I was good. It didn't rain too much. Slept pretty well and now I'm listening to the sounds of the birds. >> Thank you. Soft ground. This was a great place to sleep. Look at this heaven. Oh yeah. Got to look good in the woods, you know. Okay, kickstand up. Let's do this. All right. What a great place. Feeling good. I'm seeing blue skies. That always makes me happy. It's 6:30 in the morning, which is a pretty early start for me, but I woke up at 5:00 and I was ready to go. All right, day two. Here we go. No crashies, no flatties, no whammies. My butt feels good. My legs feel good. Mind, body, spirit. We're ready to roll. Oo, there's the sun. All right. Relax. Heat. And I just realized that today is Thursday. So, happy Thursday everybody. Happy Thursday, grizzly bears. So, I've been on this adventure now for just 24 hours, but it feels like I've been out here for a lot longer. I feel like I've come home in a way to something that I've loved for a little over 20 years now. And I imagine as I move further south on this trail, it'll feel more comfortable in some ways and less comfortable once my body and legs get tired, you know, and I get a little tired of the the grind. But that's that's what it's all about. It's not always amazing. It's not always beautiful. It mostly is, but it's definitely a challenge. I come out on these adventures knowing that I'm going to have to push myself in just about every way. And that's a good thing. I need that from time to time. It grounds me. It uh brings me back to the simplicity of just being outside. And I'm just so privileged that I get to do this, that I created a life where this is how I make money and how I make my mark. You know, my goal has always been to create content that hopefully inspires people to get outside and challenge themselves. And here I am doing it myself. And hopefully these stories help people on their own journeys. It's Okay, it's time for the first single track of the trip. I love this section. It's so green. It's so beautiful. Feels like the forest is hugging you. It's so close. I'm just trying to talk loudly so I scare away the bears. There's some bear poop on the ground. Hopefully that's from yesterday. I'm loving this section, but I'm definitely paranoid because this just seems like the place where bears would feel cozy. You know, it's off the road. It's more hidden. It's quieter. Except when I come through. So, yeah. High alert. High alert. I found some more pretty fresh looking bear poop. Yeah, that definitely puts me on edge a little bit. Listen to those birds, though. I'm going to be okay. Little pavement, little traffic. I'm glad I'm not in this on this for too long. Yikes. Get me back to the dirt. Here we go. Left turn. How we looking? Look both ways. Look at that. Holland Lake. So beautiful. I came here to eat some breakfast. Peanut butter and Nutella on tortillas. I first learned about Nutella when I was an exchange student in Sweden. We didn't have it in Boulder at the time or maybe not even the United States, but now it's everywhere. It's definitely not healthy, but man is it good. Look at that thick peanut butter yumminess. Look at that. You roll it up just like a burrito. I eat 90% of my food off of a tortilla. M, man, it's beautiful. And here's a pro tip. This is one of my butter knives from home. I've been using one of these on every bike packing trip because it makes spreading beans and whatever else so much easier. You don't want to mess around with that plastic stuff. It always breaks, especially on a cold morning when your Nutella is hard as a rock. And I came over here because I had the worst night sleep of my life right there. It doesn't smell awesome, but we are dry. And there's my buddy. And I slept right there. And my air mattress popped. My air mattress. The valve broke. So, it didn't hold any air. So, I was sleeping on cold cement. It's nice to come back here on a warm day with no saddle sores, feeling a lot better, and smiling. That mattress is dead. >> I'm sorry, dude. So, I just left Holland Lake Campground and I met my first divider. What's up, Alice? >> What's up? >> From New York City. >> Oh, yeah. >> That is so cool. >> Yeah. So, I just graduated college. Um, so I have about like a month or two to do whatever I want before I start my job in September. So, I like fixing bikes and I like backpacking. I had never bike packed before, so I decided to bike pack um down the Great Divide for as long as I can go um and see how far I can get. >> Right on. And where did you start? >> I started in B. >> And how's it been so far? >> It's been really fun, really beautiful. We had a lot of rain in the past couple days and so this is like the first day, second day that we have sun and it feels so good. >> Right on. And what are you looking forward to most out here? >> Um I'm looking forward to meeting people like you. >> Right on. High five. >> Let's go. >> Let's go. Um, I'm looking forward to sort of pushing my limits and honestly I've never been to Montana or Wyoming before and so I'm really excited to see or I've been seeing but see more of the country. >> So this is a question I'm asking everybody I meet. What do you do and how do you get through hard times in life? >> Um I listen to a lot of music. >> Okay. >> Um and I for in this moment I sort of am leaning on my friends texting them. Um sort of being like oh this is how I'm doing. What's up with you? to give me some outside world cuz I am doing it alone and so that's been the probably the hardest part so far is doing a hard thing alone and so when I get into down I'll call my parents or something and that really helps me out. >> All right, it looks like you've packed quite a bit of stuff in here. >> Oh yeah. >> Oh yeah, you've got everything. What's your one luxury item? >> Uh my second sleeping pad. >> Oh >> yeah. I have two kind of crappy sleeping pads but I put them on top of each other and then it's like luxurious. Yeah, I sewed the frame bag myself. >> Oh, you did? Let's see that. Yeah, it's kind of, you know, the inside is good, but the I could have done a better job with the the straps. >> That's cool. You made that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There's Alice. >> City girl in the woods. >> In the woods. >> So, Peg Miller, I've heard about you. You're a legend already. My mom told me last night that this woman was trying to be the oldest person to ride the divide, and here you are. So, tell me your story. >> Shoot. I started cycling with team and training when I was about 50. slowest woman on the team. Never saw this coming. Roadie started mountain biking at 60. Uh last year I did section five and six and I thought, shoot, I'm going to train. I thought I'm going to try the whole kitten kaboodleoodle and do individual time trial. Started a week after the grand depart. >> And how's it going so far? >> It's been really hard. Much harder than section five and six, I think. And what's been the highlight so far >> today with well meeting you guys minimal mosquitoes. >> Yeah. >> But the first this is day 15 I believe. >> Canada was so so hard with uh cocoa claims and the wall. >> I didn't want to fall and break my hip in Canada. >> Yeah. >> And I'm asking this question to everybody. How do you get through hard times in life? >> I just feel very grateful. My father passed at 41 in the 60s with a heart attack and they did nothing. So, especially every day after that has been a treasure. And being a semi-retired nurse, I know that your life can end in a nancond. So, I'm just eternally grateful. And I usually will pull over and take a break if I'm really feeling >> tired and pooped. >> May I ask your age? >> Sure. I'm 70. 70 >> born in 1955. >> Right on. And how many miles a day you're doing and what's your hope when do you hope to finish? >> Oh my gosh. I think that day with Coco claims I only did 20, but I know last year I did 120 one day where the route took you on pavement. So I'm just trying to go till 8 or 9 at night. >> What's your luxury item here? >> Shoot. I'm going to think my baby DeWalt. Oh, little speaker so you can jam out. >> If you saw Castaway with Tom Hanks, this is Wilson. >> Any advice for other ladies your age doing something like this? >> If it's something you want to do, uh, baby steps. I took classes at REI, YouTube all the time. So, I've just looked at resources available and then take notes and practice. I did dry runs, which were kind of frightening at times. We might have the youngest and the oldest on the divide right now. This is so cool. I am so happy I met both of you. Let's go do the divide. What do you say? Let's go to Mexico. You know, meeting those two really gave me a boost of energy and not like physical energy, kind of like a spirit energy. You know, one is very young and just graduated college and is about to, you know, make her mark on the world and the other is a retired nurse doing something really hard and they're both out here for different reasons, but connected by this beautiful trail. And I'm just so grateful I got to share a little bit of time with them. H this is what makes it all worth it. You know, I love riding. I love pushing my body. But it's really the people I meet that just lights me up, makes my heart happy. And now I'm heading up a big old mountain pass. And it's a beautiful one. Oh, you sound so sweet. Look at that little How you doing, buddy? So, I just popped out of that single track right there and I see a rider coming downhill and it's my new friend John. >> Oh, hey Ryan. >> How you doing, buddy? >> Oh, I'm doing well. Having a great trip. Day 34. Columbus to B. >> No way. >> Yeah. >> So, you're almost done. You see the finish line? >> We can. It's less than a week away. Under 500 miles. I can't believe we're here. >> Yeah. >> Honestly, >> how's the journey been? >> Uh, it's had its challenges. Generally pretty good. Uh everything from one of my rack bolts broke. I had to deal with that. Flat tire at one point. My buddy broke his chain. But all stuff that you got to expect on the Divide and it's no big deal. >> Yeah. I'm I'm guessing this is a like a big lifetime dream for you to pull this off. >> Sure is. I've been planning for three years for this and preparing for it. Uh watching your videos for inspiration, honestly. >> Uh and I've got the support of my wife and family. My school district that I teach for is following my dot back home. >> So, that's even more special. >> Yeah. And I'm asking this question to everybody. How do you get through hard times? >> Yeah. How do you get through hard times? Uh, you know what? I first of all, I remember the goal where I'm going, but I break it back down into small steps. So, if it's uh hard climb, all right, I'm going to get to that next shadow, to that next rock. Keep it really small. >> Uh, we rode in rain for 3 days. Same thing. Nothing changes. get to the next hill, whatever that may be. >> Right on. And you're from Minnesota? >> I am from Minnesota. Chaska, Minnesota. Yeah. I'm a head coach of the mountain bike team and my my uh school district that I teach, Chroview Middle School. And uh yeah, love the sport. >> Cool. And what are you looking forward to most when you get to B? >> Uh my wife is going to be meeting me there and so I haven't seen her in six weeks and I cannot wait to get a huge hug from her and >> and hang out with her. We're going to vacation in B too. >> Oh, good. >> As well. And then my buddy Mike who's up ahead of us right now. I can't wait to give him a huge hug. It's been a huge huge thing for us together. >> Awesome, man. I'm so glad I ran into you. High five, brother. You're going to do it. You're only 500 miles away. >> Yes. No big deal. >> You got this. Heat. Heat. This might be my favorite section of the entire Great Divide route. This is the spooky part. Oh, it's spooky. I'm going to stop here and do what I call a love shout out. And my friend Dana inspired this, but it's when you get to the top of something high and you have a great view, you shout out love to the people you love. So, here goes. I love you, Mom. I think she heard me. And it might seem a little silly, but I like doing it because it makes me think of my mom, which makes me happy, fills my heart, and in a funny kind of galactic way, maybe she just felt a little love. You know what I'm saying? And we all need more love. I love you, great divide. Woohoo! Yeah, baby. Woo! Oh my god, this is so fun. in the trees. >> So, I'm flying down this mountain having the time of my life and then I run into this smiley lady right here, Brenda. How you doing? >> I'm good. How are you? Great to meet you on the trail. >> Great to meet you as well. So, how do you get through hard times in life? >> Life has given me a hard time in the past few years. um diagnosed with uh bone cancer and then had the metal sensitivity to the hardware they gave me and after eight surgeries in a couple years I said just take it off. So I'm three and a half years in. Um I think I owe it to my parents because they made me fight for everything when I was young and that has stayed with me. >> Yeah. >> And good friends. >> Yeah. And uh so you've chosen to keep a active lifestyle obviously. I kiteboard, I hike, I bike, I tried suing, fell off, but that's okay. You just get back up again. Uh, ski touring. Most everything I was doing before, except for backcountry skiing. >> Yeah. And what's it like to to bike with a prosthetic leg? >> Um, well, this is designed specifically for bicycling. It's a very basic um knee, so I get more knee flexion, so I can drop the dropper post down. The other thing I use is a um magnetic clips. >> Oh wow. >> So they help to keep >> So it just kind of Yeah. >> clips the foot on. >> So you don't have to be precise with where you put the foot. It just kind of >> Right. It just stays on and then it's easy easier to get off than um >> the the tra traditional clipins. >> Right on. >> But it's hard work going up hills. There's some that are easier than others. And you know it's better than sitting on the couch. >> Yeah. And what do you hope to continue doing in the future? All this stuff, >> everything just longer, harder, more challenging stuff and just enjoying the outdoors and just trying to stay fit. >> I love >> meet cool people. >> That's right. You're you're the cool person. High five to you. Awesome. I am so glad I met you. Your story is an inspiration. >> Well, hopefully it'll inspire other people to know what you know, whatever you're doing, just get out and enjoy life. Yeah. >> Get out because this is healthy. >> It is. This is and meeting cool people. >> Yes, >> absolutely. Have an awesome time. >> Okay. >> Your uphill is not too much further. You're going to love it. And the downhill is going to be amazing. >> All right. Then I got to turn around and come back up. Started is the hardest part. >> Yeah, I bet it is. >> One, two, three. >> You're amazing. Woohoo. So, today is the most social day I've ever had at the Great Divide. I'm coming down this hill and I see a familiar face. >> Yes, buddy. Good to see you. >> Good to see you. >> So, we met up uh on the Great Divide race a couple years ago. You came out of nowhere on our very cold, rainy day and you brought me a burrito. Brought bean burritos. Oh my god, they're amazing. What was your name? >> Dave. Dave Conry. >> And it looks like you brought more burritos. You are so amazing. I can't believe it. How you been doing? >> I'm doing great, Ryan. >> Good. >> Thank you. Uh yeah. Well, you know, I saw your dot cruising by and I thought I'm going to go for a bike ride and there you are. You come zipping by me doing 40 miles an hour. >> And also, I've been asking everybody I meet, how do you get through hard times in life? What's what's some good inspiration for me? That's a tough one. Uh, well, I think just getting outside, getting on my bike is number one. You know, I ride my bike a lot >> to avoid stress or relief relieve stress. And uh, it works for me. >> All right, so here's the burritos straight from Missoula, right? Where are they from? >> El Diablo restaurant in Missoula. >> Beautiful burritos. You brought me a chair. Oh my gosh, Dave, my man. Cheers. Burrito. Cheers to you, brother. Thank you so much. >> You bet, Ryan. >> It's these moments that make me just feel connected to humanity and to an old friends now. >> Yep. >> Yep. And I really appreciate you coming out. And the burrito was amazing. >> You motivate me to get out on my bike, man. >> That's the goal. And I will see you down the road. I owe you a burrito now. Or two. Come to Boulder. I am being powered now. Fueled by foes, my favorite energy source. So cool that Dave came to meet me. All right, I am passing Seely Lake right now and then I'm going to hopefully get to Oando. I've always gotten to Oando in the morning and I've always wanted to stay there because they really cater to cyclists there. So that's the goal. All right, I made it to Oando and it's all dressed up for the 4th of July. I love this little town. And I'm going to go visit Kathy in the fly shop cuz she knows everything about where the bikes can camp. How you doing? >> I'm doing excellent. Welcome back again. >> Thank you. So good to see you. >> You too. So >> So tell me about Oando and why you have embraced the tour divide cyclist and what you offer. So, how it happened was when there was only maybe 10 people in the entire race, we had a young lady named Tracy who we got a phone call from and said that she had been down with edema for a few days and that >> there's your phone. Answer your phone. >> Blackfoot angler. >> All right, we'll just start over. You're a business owner. You got to take those calls. >> And just before the Fourth of July weekend, of course, it's every five minutes. Yeah, I bet. >> I feel like I'm planning everybody's vacation. >> So, um Okay. So, how did it start? Back when there was only 10 people. We had a young lady who was really sick and I got a phone call and said she's, you know, only person on the trail cuz there wasn't anybody doing the Great Divide hardly back then. And would we kind of just, you know, do something for her to make her feel better. So, Stray Bullet got her a box lunch. We got her some beer and wine from the store. And at the time, all we had was the sheep wagon. >> And so, we put a sign out there and said, "This is for you. heard you're feeling bad and you know we're here for you. Enjoy. And a neighbor saw her come up like at 9:00 that night and burst into tears. >> And we just went that felt really good. >> Yeah. >> Can we do this some more? So called ACA up and said, "What can we do more?" They said, this is before anybody was wanting to do it. And they gave us a list and we just took it from there. And it ballooned out to where we get over 2,000 cyclists now. And >> every summer, >> every summer. Well, we actually have a race now. Yeah. That we host for 400 women that's maxed out. >> Oh, wow. >> Um so we host it. They do all the work. But >> they come out and um do gravel racing all day long. And it's just and not only that, but the best part is is that cycling got us to win in 2018 the Montana State Community of the Year for Recreation and Tourism. >> Oh, that's so cool. >> And it's all because of you guys. >> Oh, well, I guess it's a mutual uh love right here. >> Mutual admiration. >> Admiration. Yes, exactly. People can stay here. Tell us about that. >> Okay. We have sheep wagon, which sleeps one or a couple that very much like each other with a mattress. Um, the tepee's got two cotss in it. And this jail has got two rope beds that I've got cardboard on. Camp at the park down at the end of the street, which has got electrical wiring all around it. And then there's the church that houses up to five people. Five people only. And then there's the Stray Bullet open 7 to 2 for breakfast. And then there's Trixies up on the highway. And they have dinner until 8 or 9:00 at night and a full bar. And then across the street is the market and they've got all the gummy bears you guys can consume. >> What's been the most meaningful aspect of opening up your town like this to cyclists. >> Everybody has a story and some of the people that come here need to share it sometimes. So, you can be a shoulder or you can be that person that has the tire that fits their, you know, their bike after they've used duct tape for the last 20 miles or it's just I don't know. I think for me one of the greatest times was last year guy came into town and he stopped right in front of the tepee and he was looking around and he goes, "Oh my god, it's real." And I go, I just walked up and I go, "Hi." He goes, "Oh my god, you're real." And I go, "Welcome to Oando." And he goes, "This is like being on a movie set. I've seen it on videos and I can't believe this is real. And so to have that kind of reaction from people that what you do is meaningful. >> Yeah. >> It's just it's a warm and fuzzy feeling. >> Yeah, definitely. Oh, well, I'm so excited to to be here and finally be able to stay here for the night. Get here in the evening. Yeah, about time. I'm psyched. And this is Kathy's amazing shop here in Oando. And for the cyclist, she has a whole corner here of bike gear. And if you're into fishing, that's what this store is all about, right? >> We're on the Blackfoot River. >> That's right. >> Norman McLean's River through it. >> All the flies. So, I'm guessing you didn't have bike gear when you first opened, huh? >> No. Um, there was a bike shop in Cely Lake that had it and when they closed down ACA asked if I would continue holding some of it for emergencies and so, you know, I don't sell a lot of it and half the stuff I have no idea what it does, but I got it here in case somebody does needs it. >> Oh, that's so funny. I love it. Okay, so I have chosen to stay in the sheep wagon and this will be my home for the night. I hope it's not too hot. It's hot right now, but it'll probably cool down later. The only other person staying in Oando tonight is Allan. How you doing, bud? >> Hey, >> how do you get through tough times, be it on the route or life? What's some good advice? >> I had this yoga instructor who said uh allow for an attitude of acceptance. You're right where you need to be at this moment in time. And uh and you know, I really I really like that. And uh you know, if you're in a tough spot, that's where that's the spot you're in. Uh accept it and uh I I like it because uh it it kind of encourages you to live in the moment. >> My first ever night sleeping in a sheep wagon, and I'm pretty happy about it. Look how cozy this is, man. Day two was amazing. Day two was all about the people and I've been thinking about each one of them throughout the day and all of their unique stories and just how much it inspires me and uh I'm feeling really good. My body feels good, my legs feel good, my butt feels good most importantly and uh yeah, we're going to keep on doing this for a long time. Check out my view from the sheep wagon. Pretty nice. Hey, what's up, Rodney? It's my favorite people. Oh, wow. Good to see you, Barbara. children.