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Ron Suchanek
Приєднався 13 гру 2011
2024 GDMBR | Episode 3: Llama Ranch to Butte
Pat’s journey came to an end in Helena, marking the last day of riding together as we departed from the Llama Ranch. Once again, Barbara and John’s hospitality at the ranch was exceptional.
As we climbed out of the valley, we were met with a challenging road-steep ascents, rough terrain, and pouring rain. Pat’s friends, Monique and Kevin, came to our rescue just outside of Helena, and we spent the next couple of days with them. We enjoyed great food, explored the town, replaced my sleeping pad and food supplies, and took some time to relax.
Riding with Pat was an unforgettable experience. Finding the right riding partner can be tough, but we worked together seamlessly-like a well-oiled chain, SRAM, of course. In this episode, I’ve included some of Pat’s incredible photos from the trip.
Pat and Jalet Farrell- spokenhostel.org/
PNW Bikepacking- Chris Wilson and Rob Parker @pnwbikepacking
Code: J66PQ6R7SOTXE2DC
As we climbed out of the valley, we were met with a challenging road-steep ascents, rough terrain, and pouring rain. Pat’s friends, Monique and Kevin, came to our rescue just outside of Helena, and we spent the next couple of days with them. We enjoyed great food, explored the town, replaced my sleeping pad and food supplies, and took some time to relax.
Riding with Pat was an unforgettable experience. Finding the right riding partner can be tough, but we worked together seamlessly-like a well-oiled chain, SRAM, of course. In this episode, I’ve included some of Pat’s incredible photos from the trip.
Pat and Jalet Farrell- spokenhostel.org/
PNW Bikepacking- Chris Wilson and Rob Parker @pnwbikepacking
Code: J66PQ6R7SOTXE2DC
Переглядів: 1 994
Відео
2024 GDMBR Episode 2 - Seely Lake to Llama Ranch
Переглядів 2,4 тис.28 днів тому
More brilliant fun on the GDMBR, from Seely Lake to the famous Llama Ranch. The route was tough/beautiful, and weather was mostly good, with a bit of rain. Name drop: Chris Wilson and Rob Parker UA-cam- @pnwbikepacking Spoke's Hostel www.spokenhostel.org/
2024 GDMBR Episode 1: Whitefish to Seely Lake
Переглядів 7 тис.Місяць тому
Last year, in 2023, I pedaled 600 stunning and grueling miles along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR), from Banff to Helena. Apparently, I didn't learn my lesson, because I went back again in 2024, and this time I was joined by my good friend Pat, co-owner of the famous Spoken Hostel in Mitchell, Oregon. Spoken is a donation-based hostel situated along the ACA TransAmerica Bike Route...
2024 Great Divide - Trailer
Переглядів 8692 місяці тому
Hello everyone! I am starting to go through the footage from my 2024 GDMBR trip and hope to post something in the next few weeks. After 3 weeks on the route in 2023, I spent another 4 weeks in 2024. It was a fantastic journey. It has turned into a section ride, and I will continue in 2025. I had fun putting this trailer together, and look forward to working on the complete videos. Thanks for wa...
Packing for the GDMBR 2024- Final setup
Переглядів 3,6 тис.6 місяців тому
This is the setup I will use for the 2024 GDMBR. Last year I rode to Helena, and this year I am picking the route back up in Whitefish. I waited until the last minute, so it's a bit rushed.
GDMBR Part 5: The Last Days on the Route (for now!)
Переглядів 3,3 тис.11 місяців тому
After a rest day in Lincoln, the Kiwis and I headed south to the Llama Ranch, where enjoyed the incredible hospitality of Barbara and John, met a famous Tour Divide champion and met some other riders. Ellie, August and Bill continued on their journey, and mine was ending. They made it all the way to Antelope Wells a few weeks later, encountering rugged terrain, weather and illness along the way...
GDMBR Part 4: Ferndale to Lincoln
Переглядів 5 тис.Рік тому
Thanks for watching. This episode begins leaving Ferndale and making my way to Lincoln, Montana. We encountered a large huckleberry patch, a mother bear protecting her cub from smelly bikepackers, scenic vistas, bratwursts and more grueling climbs. Zack makes a return appearance, and I got to meet Kathy Schoendoerfer in Ovando. The episode is capped off by a visit in Lincoln from my wife and ou...
GDMBR Part 3: Montana, Days 9-12
Переглядів 6 тис.Рік тому
I encountered brutal climbs, headwinds and heat. But some trail magic more than made up for it. And best of all, I reconnected with Bill, Ellie and August. Portland Bike Bus: www.tiktok.com/@coachbalto/video/7276123939686878506
GDMBR 2023 Trailer
Переглядів 79Рік тому
Follow my 2023 adventures from Banff to Helena, Montana on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route on my channel @RonSuchanek
Back in the US - The GDMBR Part 2, days 5-8
Переглядів 7 тис.Рік тому
Continuing along the GDMBR through more rugged, spectacular Canadian wilderness, crossing the US border and into Eureka, Montana for a rest day. My companions continued on from Eureka, with the hopes that we would reconnect in a few days.
Arriving in Banff and starting the Great Divide- Part 1- Days 1 to 4
Переглядів 21 тис.Рік тому
On June 21, 2023, I started the GDMBR. The trail was immediately stunning and brutal, and I worked through some second-guessing early on about my decision to do this. A Kiwi couple who were riding the GDMBR with their 15 month old son rode into the campground on he first night, and we hit it off immediately. The 4 of us rode together for most of the 3 weeks I was on the route and became great f...
Mr. Grumby's Eastern Oregon Hoedown
Переглядів 281Рік тому
A shakedown ride near Mitchell, Oregon in prep for the GDMBR (Great Divide Mountain Bike Route) starting in June.
Rafters on the Salmon River, Riggins, Idaho
Переглядів 636 років тому
Rafters on the Salmon River, Riggins, Idaho
Sugar the cat in Dickinson, North Dakota
Переглядів 556 років тому
Sugar the cat in Dickinson, North Dakota
Birds from our tent - Pickstown, South Dakota
Переглядів 1326 років тому
Birds from our tent - Pickstown, South Dakota
I thought Lael taught you about Fritos!
Lol!
Hi Ron, I followed your 2023 videos. I thought your were going to ride one of the Eurovelo routes in the EU in 2024. You decided to ride the Great Divide again? I was prepared to ride it again in 2024, but had a surgery instead, yeah! Now shooting for a Banff start June 21, 2025. Thanks for your videos!
Hey Mike, it wasn't me looking at the Eurovelos, but it might be on the radar in the future. Thanks for watching! I'm going to be on the GDMBR again in 2025, either picking up at Island Park SOBO or possibly leaving NOBO from Antelope Wells June 1. Maybe I'll see you out there!
More ! Give me more ! You and Matt Ryder have the best GDMBR videos , I want to do this in 2026 . Oh and Happy New Year .
Happy New Year, and thanks for watching! I'm working on the next installment as we speak. And thanks for the compliment. I love Mat's videos, and he's a really nice guy (I got to meet him on his TransAm tour). You should make it a point to do the divide in 2026!
@RonSuchanek happy new year, great video. Mat is nice guy, met him on TD my home one afternoon, commented video and sure enough said we met, rembered my bus out here and working on place. Maybe we met as well between kremmling and Silverthorne before ute pass Henderson mill, cooler at rode and bike decor.
Hi time, hope to see your in 2026, make note between kremmling and Silverthorne colorado (ute pass) MM 14.5 cooler at road, bike decor and single gate enter and rest or camp, it's rural out here.
I guarantee that I will remember the bear auction technique next time I'm riding in bear country. I might even conduct raccoon and chipmunk auctions to keep those animals out of my campsite. It would be nice if a mosquito auction would yield similar results. Also, I couldn't help but notice that when you rode over the cattle grate at the 17-minute mark, the video never shook. It's a testament to either your steady hand, the self-leveling ability of your camera, or some kind of advanced suspension system on your bike. Another fine installment, Ron.
Thanks for watching Greg! I hadn't thought about using an auction as a mosquito deterrent, but I'd be willing to try anything. The GoPro has excellent in-camera stabilization, much more stable than me in any context. The Ogre is rigid, but, due to laziness, my tire pressure was pretty low, which smoothes the ride a bit over cattle guards and such.
Greg, ride fast, auction loud! or Loud (vocal) pipes save lives! The mosquito auction might work on many levels... As in, I've never heard anyone say, "Gee, I hope we get to camp next to an auctioneer". Ron does great work. I'm hoping we get to ride together again in 2025.
@@patrickfarrell6817 lol! Yes, we're going back out in 2025!
@patrickfarrell6817 , don't think for a minute that I didn't consider how loud auctioneering would keep human animals at a distance while camping. As an antisocial cyclist, I thank you for the tip, and I'm glad to see Ron has accepted you as a companion next year.
@@gregorygarceau7625 Pat usually keeps better company than me.
Please wear a helmet. Especially when riding down hill on a newly paved road going over 20 mph. Safer for you and good example for your viewers. Look forward to next installment
Great work as always. From an emergency nurse for 25 years, riding down hill on a newly paved road at 20 mph, please wear a helmet. Safer for you and good example to others. Look forward to next installment
Thanks for watching. I appreciate your perspective. My plan is to wear the helmet on downhills, or when there are other issues like traffic. I'm just not as disciplined as I'd like to be. My wife reminds me too when she watches.
Amazing documentary! Looking forward to your next installment.
Thanks for watching!! I'm working on the next part now.
You make it look easy Ron. Looking forward to the next video.
Thanks Scott!
Semper Fi
Thanks for watching!
Well, that was delightful. And Patrick's photos made a really beautiful slideshow ending. Good work Mister G!
Thanks!
What handlebar are you using on your ogre?
Jones loop bar with the 2.5 rise.
Good work Ron. Looks like you should change the title to Llama Ranch to Butte! Did you show a bit of the Huckleberry Pass / Kleinschmidt Flats area a bit out of sequence? Very fun and well done!!
Haha thanks Larry! I get so caught up in the stuff that I forget to check my work. Thanks for watching!
Cool video, I stayed in that same hut.
Yeah it was a great place. Thanks for watching.
My name is Inigo Montoya, prepare to go to "Ovaaando"
Lol! Dang, missed opportunity! Thanks for watching.
Great work Ron . Nice to see the route again.
Thanks Larry.
LOL. Need to say, "Lael Wilcox, personal friend of mine..."
Lol. Wish I'd have thought of that. Thanks for watching!
Another fine video, Ron. Nice cloud at the 17:18 mark. I've really enjoyed the repartee between you and Pastor Pat. Your companion is clearly a fine philosopher, faster than "Neil Armstrong," and an expert at skidding to a stop on gravel. Your interactions reminded me of some of the out west backpacking trips I took with a good buddy way back in the 1990's & 2000's. If interested, here is an embarrassing compilation of some of the silliness we engaged in back then. That was before cell phones, so most of it was recorded with a bulky video camera while driving. It wasn't something we wanted to carry in our backpacks. ua-cam.com/video/k9QK4KdhaL0/v-deo.htmlsi=Bikc64gMiC450NMh
Thanks Mr. G. I'm glad you appreciated that cloud. It was something. And Pat is a lovely guy. He and his lovely wife Jalet run the Spoke'n Hostel, along the TransAmerica route in Mitchell Oregon. I can't wait to watch your video!
So cool to see your trip! A buddy and I did the same thing back in 2023 and we stayed with Art at Holland Lake as well. Best Burger-Trail-Magic we had!
The best. And totally unexpected. The rest of the campground was full and we were not sure where we'd sleep, but Art came to the rescue.
I can't believe you actually met Lael Wilcox
Crazy, right???
Great video thanks! Lael is usually smiling and positive; she's a good force for adventure cycling. ☮
I agree. She was gracious and friendly to all of us star-struck tourers.
I ran into Lael Wilcox today and she asked me if I knew a gentleman by the name of Ron Suchanek.😂
Lol! "Gentleman" is laying it on a bit thick! Thanks for watching
Lael Wilcox my story is that I rode with her on day 13 of her around the world race in France just 70km from our house I rode with her for 52 km and gave her some of my home made flapjacks that's my story and will be telling it for years😀
That's a great story, and I'm impressed you got to ride with her for so long. I'm sure she'd leave me in the dust after 5 minutes.
@@RonSuchanek Rode along side her for 25 km but had to draft behind for the last 27 km she was doing 28 plus and I am 68 years old ,will have to post the video I look.
ua-cam.com/video/LKLBpwqOwMs/v-deo.htmlsi=XxW-ZqY2lNsKXP1E
I'm trying to remember... Did I hear a rumor that you met Lael Wilcox?
I don't know how that got out😅, but yeah, I did get to meet her. Thanks for watching
Passing Lael on top of Blue Ridge in V.A. ua-cam.com/video/ga43LEJiEls/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
That's great!
Great video Ron. Does Pat have a breakdown of his ride pack? Liking how comfortable he's riding. Tnx man. ua-cam.com/video/WCrJEb0EN7s/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
@markdobbins007 my kit is a result of great people helping me make my first Bikepacking tour a success. Ron had great intel from his tours and loaned me some gear, as did another veteran touring friend Doug Strange. My biggest kit influence came from @RobParker8 who relentlessly chided me for packing too heavy. Rob is a former mountaineering guy, and rides regularly with Chris Wilson @pnwbikepacking on insane routes. His advice was critically important. The kit is as follows... Handlebars: Salsa Side loader Sausage dry bag with a down bag, inflatable pillow (all loaned to me by Rob), tyvek ground sheet and a pillowcase (must have). Also on the handlebars is my Fuji X-T3 and 3 lenses (go mirrorless my friend!). Bear spray. On the Stem: 1 Randijo Fab Feedbag and one Relevate Feed Bag for liquids. Right fork: Swift Walrus tent from eBay Left Fork: Kitchen which consists of a small titanium pot, with a pocket rocket 1.0 and fuel inside. A Tupperware container used for everything from coffee to dinner. Sawyer silicon water bottle water filter. Top Tube: Tent poles Frame Bag: Relevate Ripio Small (thanks to Doug Strange). Main compartments for food only. Rob Parker taught me the importance of always keeping a fast food supply in there. I only took one Mountain House as a backup (which I devoured at Soap Creek). Top left pocket was for passport, spork, papers, etc. A water bottle mounted to the lower bottle rack held patch kits, tire spoons and full size Allen keys. Rear Rack: Aero donated by @pnwbikepacking with a Relevate dry bag for (all clothes purchased used on eBay); 1 pair of merino full length tights, merino wool socks, puffy jacket, wild rag, sport towel, reflective rain jacket, first aid, tools, tire goo, charging cords, 2 small battery packs, fox MTB gloves, water shoes. RR seat stay: Cat Box... Light fiskar plastic shovel, wipes, extra Ziploc bags, water-bottle-bidet from Amazon (worth it when you really need it!). It's worth pointing out that my wife is the mastermind behind Spoke'n Hostel in Mitchell, Oregon, where I met Ron, Rob, Chris, Doug and literally thousands of other incredible people. I've had the benefit of spending time with life-long world-touring veterans and hardcore bikepackers and seen their kit setups. Hope that helps!
I'll ask Pat to post his setup here. Thanks for watching!
Lael Wilcox rode through my hometown on the Madison County Bike Trail on the home stretch of her around the world ride in 2024. I did't get to meet her - she rides really fast. So, you sir are a lucky man. This happened about 2 weeks before Mat Ryder rode through my area - and I did meet and ride with him - for which I am grateful. Great videos of your GDMBR trip so far. Thanks for sharing.
She rode through Oregon as well but I didn't meet up with her. But, like you I did meet Mat on his Transamerica ride. He's a great guy.
Really enjoyed this, Ron -- and a drone now too -- yay! What beautiful scenery, a fun biking companion, and a helluva good workout. Keep 'em coming!
Thanks Kathleen. I have some work to do on my drone skills, and wish I'd have shot more during the trip. But 2025 is coming! Thanks for watching.
Good work Ron. It's fun to revisit the Whitefish south from my trip two years ago. I guess we missed the mosquitos!
Thanks Larry. They really were only bad at Holland. Black flies were brutal south of Bannack.
We went from Eureka to Butte in late August-September 2023, so missed the bugs. That section from Ferndale to Seeley was my favorite part!
Bulletproof Surly ogre .Great video Ron I am going next year end of July or first week in August
Yeah I love the Ogre. You'll have a great time! I'm probably going back out next year to do another section.
Just came across your channel today in November. I live in Veneta just outside Eugene so seeing you cruising through the country makes me want to endure the rain and wind today and go for a ride. Nice documentation of your trip 🚴♂️😎
Thanks for watching! It's hard for me to get motivated to ride this time of year. I get out occasionally but usually default to the bike trainer.
That is some really spectacular video footage Ron. And it looks like you guys are having a blast.
Thanks Bob, it was a lot of fun.
Ron this is great! Love seeing the olderish guys back at it, and I do appreciate the grace and humor.
Thanks for the nice words. I feel lucky to be able to do this kind of stuff, and want to continue as long as I can.
Watching from asian ❤
Thanks for watching!
I got back home from a visit to Iowa at 11:15 p.m. and was ready for bed. I don't know why I had to turn on my computer first, but I did, and the first thing I saw was the notification of this video. "Okay, I'll check out a minute or two," I thought, "and finish tomorrow." HAH! I watched the whole thing. Among the many fine things I wanted to comment on was the perfection of the Soup Creek campsite, your good judgement in giving the skunk its space, and the beauty I saw between the 23:45 to about the 25:00 minute mark. And did I see some pork grilling @ 17:19? If so, I hope it was Iowa Pork.
Thanks for sticking with it at such a late hour, Mr. G. I appreciate it. The grilling was beefsteak, courtesy of camp host Art Crane. Thanks for watching. More to come.
@ 13:22, i've always heard this circus move called the "cowboy mount" (or dismount :-) (a.k.a. "cyclocross dis/mount" in some muddy circles) Best to practice _without_ a huge sausage bag hanging from the back of the seat. (and on a soft surface. ;-)
I like the sound of cowboy mount. It seems like something I ought to try, but I agree, not with a lump of gear on the back.
Although I worked on a ranch for a while I would in no way consider myself a "cowboy". But you're right, even with my limited time on horseback, it does feel a bit like swinging up into a saddle (sans the unpredictability of a thousand pounds of raw muscle and free will under the saddle).
Wow, it reminds me when I was hiking in Hong Kong 🇭🇰 my friends and I went deep in the streams. Oh, it feels so good ...
Brilliant! Thanks Ron. What fun 😁
Thanks Nicola! It was so fun, as you know, and terrible sometimes. But mostly fun. We're visiting the South Island in Feb/March. If you live there, and are around, we'd love to stop by and say hello. We're renting a campervan.
Definitely. We will be here. Settling back in after a rewarding time away. Stay in touch will be great to see you 😊
@NicolaHoodless excellent!
Hey Ron, that was really fun to watch! Such a great ride and scenery! Well done capturing it! I’m not so sure about your choice of riding partners though. 😁❤️🍻
Thanks for watching, Rob! I love watching the trips you and Chris do. And we spent a not-insignificant amount of time talking about Parker wisdom, tips and tricks. And, yeah, I felt sorry for Pat and brought him along. He's so uptight and hard to get along with, which really comes through on the video 😆
To be considered questionable is a high compliment coming from you, Rob! 😁
❤
When did you do this, I can't believe how clear the air is in the video. We did the same section in 2021, and it was so smokey. I was jealous.
We left June 23. Pat was with me through Helena, about 8 or 8 days, and we were incredibly lucky with air and weather. Thanks for watching!!
Same here. So much wildfire smoke we couldn't see the Wind River mountains in Wyoming while going over Union Pass.
Welp. There's no place as beautiful as Montana in June. I'm so glad you got mostly sunny skies and green grass and clear streams. Now I'm homesick. That drone shot! It stopped my heart.
It's so beautiful there. I keep going back!
Thx Ron!!!
Thanks Matt!
The word “swum” is the past participle of the verb “swim”. It is used in perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect) or in passive voice constructions, always with a helping verb like “have,” “has,” “had,” or “be.” Examples: 1. Present Perfect: • She has swum across the lake many times. 2. Past Perfect: • By the time we arrived, they had already swum to the shore. 3. Future Perfect: • By tomorrow, I will have swum five miles. 4. Passive Voice: • The pool has been swum in by generations of champions. For simple past tense without helping verbs, use “swam” instead: • Yesterday, I swam in the ocean.
Brilliant! If only we'd have known that back in June. Thanks for watching, and for straightening me out.
Excellent video Ron. I've been waiting for these. I think the word is Swimded.
Thanks Mat! We could have used you along to straighten us out on a few things out there.
Good call, Mat. Though, being Irish I prefer Swumded which is, of course, a close relative to the Welsh Swimded. Thanks for setting the record straight. Also, thanks for being such an inspiration to stay on two wheels. I hope we see you at Spoke'n again someday.
Richmond pass was a sod to climb ,we did it July 24
It's a beast!
what bike are you riding? Are those custom handlebars
The bike is a Long Haul Trucker with Jones bars. I used a Surly Ogre on my 2024 ride.
@@RonSuchanek nice setup
@henryguthery5311 thanks. The LHT is great, and I found the Ogre to be better suited to the terrain.
@@RonSuchanek Thank you
Ron - Nice job on the trailer! I look forward to seeing the final cut.
Thanks Larry! I look forward to going through the footage.
1:41 For the record... This was advice I received from a former Montana farmer and rancher on repelling a bear if he's eating you... *Notes and addendums: try at your own risk, not available in all areas, mileage may vary, see store for details.
The disclaimer is a great idea. We don't need anyone assuming that we're advocating this approach. 😂
It was such a joy to ride with you on the Whitefish to Helena section, Ron. Thanks for having me along. I look forward to reliving the absurdity and merriment that marked nearly every pedalstroke of our time together.
We had a wonderful, grueling, fun and absurd time out there!
My brother saw your trailer yesterday and sent me a link to it. How the heck did he see it before I did? I mean, he doesn't even know you. The only possible explanation is that you've become a major UA-cam sensation. I shouldn't be surprised. As writer, director, producer, and cinematographer, you are the Orson Welles of GDMBR videos. Anyway, I'll try to find ways to keep myself busy until the feature film comes out in December.
Hi Mr G! Ahh, your brother is enrolled in my UA-cam Sensation Super Secret Supporter program. For $3,000 a month, you get prior notifications of not only my videos, but everything I do. It's a win-win. I'm thinking about expanding my offerings to include pork chops, but the microwave keeps undercooking them, so that's on hold. (Disclaimer for anyone who might believe this: it's not true, but you can certainly send me $3000 if you want). Thanks for the nice words and for comparing me to Orson Wells. Others say that I'm the Orson Bean of GDMBR videos. Or was it Mr. Bean...?
Hi Ron, what section for 2025? I've ridden about 2/3 of the Divide in sections. I need to finish Banff to Roosville (closed border 2021); and Breckinridge to Antelope Wells section.
Ideally I'll ride from Island Park, ID to Antelope Wells, but I haven't figured out plans yet. That section from Banff is spectacular. I'd like to do it again. Thanks for watching.