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Hi - I just made sure ahead of time that I got out on my bike 2-3 times a week doing maybe 20 miles or so. Nothing too structured. I also went on a bikepacking trip for a week in Spain to try out my bike and gear and refine my set up. No structured plan, no gym membership, just did some good rides throughout the week and tapered off before my start date (early July) Hope that helps. All the best 👍

Hi - Thanks for getting in touch. I spent about £700 each way with flights. Spent just over 2 months completing the route. Although I can’t put a final figure together, perhaps the following might help. Basic camping was averaging $10, Motels say 1x week would be $70-$120, daily snacks (Clif Bars, garage snacks and burritos, maybe $15 -$20. Occasional main meals $10 -$20 with McDonalds etc being often used (!). Groceries were quite expensive - I could easily spend $40- $50 dollars in Walmart every 4 or 5 days. I ate basic stuff for calories - bread, tuna, sardines, noodles etc.I took the view that if I stayed at home I would be buying groceries so didn’t worry too much about spending. I got penalised by the airline on my way home as I put too much baggage in with my bike so got stung £200 for excess baggage. I’d have been better ‘carrying on’ more stuff. Hope that helps - it was a fantastic experience which I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to you. All the best..

@@solway17carlisle Thats really useful information, thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I hope you have some more adventures coming soon. :)

Hi - yes, I carried the full set of paper maps and enjoyed planning ahead using these most evenings when on the trail. I also had the ACA app which was fantastic for double checking my navigation and anticipating stores/eateries etc along the way. In addition I also had the route on my Garmin bike computer - belt n braces, I know, but I didn’t ever get lost…😉🙂

Ha Ha - that’s a very cool play on words….also happy at reaching ‘legend’ status at last 😉 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

@@solway17carlisle Fully deserved👍

Hi - yes I’ve now used it on a few cabinet builds and it’s fine. I use the Trend biscuits and it all fits well once glued and screwed up. All the best..

thanks for the quick reply. nice to know you can get accuracy with out an extortionate price for us DIYers.

Hi Dave - I think so. I was surprised how big they were and totally unphased when I cycled by…Thanks 😊👍

Hi Jim - 64 when i set out. I sure you’ll be fine if you have reasonable fitness. There’s plenty of scope to find places to rest and recharge along the route. Took me over a week or so to get into my stride, but although I’m not as quick/fit as i used to be when in my prime, my endurance was what carried me through. Thanks for the advice regarding looking after my bike 👍😊Take it steady and enjoy it. All the best….

It’s a great route - some hiker bike but Worth the effort. Enjoy…

It’s a pleasure - Thanks for watching 👍

Hi Graham - that’s very kind of you..I’ve noticed the noise as well and daren’t increase the speed/rpm as it really sounds bad. Might need to investigate further. All the best - Thanks for the contact info 👍

Hi - that’s an absolute pleasure….glad you enjoyed them 😊👍

Hi - Thanks so much for watching- I started from Banff on the 5th July. Enjoy - it’s a great route 👍

Hi Eric - Thanks so much for the kind words and for watching…One or two others have suggested a gear video so I’ll get onto it in the NewYear. All the best 🙂🎄

Ha ha - you’re right! Think we’re both happy when I disappear over the horizon on my bike! All the best..👍

Hi - so pleased you are heading out to start the route in July. As you saw, the weather was pretty warm all the way through - I wore the sun-hoodie almost all the way from Canada to the Mexican border. I had good rain gear which I was glad of as when it rains it cools down a lot. Also at altitude I was glad I took a 3-season sleeping bag and full length Thermarest Neo Xlite sleep pad with decent R-value…important to sleep as well as you can.I was also glad of my lightweight down puffy in the mornings and evenings. I sent some gear home - double wall thermos flask etc. I was happier drinking filtered water then brewing up morning and night. My aim was to travel as light as possible without compromising safety. I was very diligent about bear safety - all the way to the Me I can border you are in the wild/forests I had the Adventure Assn Maps, App and GPX files - App on my phone and gpx on my Garmin. I used the maps for forward planning on the go and better gauging distances and terrain for the next resupply. Expensive (I know…) but I didn’t want to lose my way!! I was extremely nervous about going, but once I got started I settled quickly into the daily pattern, and managed my bear fears ok - saw them, but they never bothered me thankfully. I met people on the trip which was good but I also wanted to experience this on my own so was happy to ride alone. I was glad I’d put some training in before hand - riding the bike getting used to it over time and going on some occasional longer rides getting used to the slower pace of a mountain bike. I didn’t hang around in Banff - got my essentials and set off. Lovely place but very expensive! I hope you have a great time - what a grand adventure to look forwards to! All the very best and please get back if there’s any other info I can help with 👍

@@solway17carlisle Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I know what you mean about Banff it will be a short shift out for me too. I also have a healthy respect for bears and must admit they are my biggest apprehension. Still not sure about the paper maps but am enjoying the planning stage. I live across the Irish sea from you at the bottom of a mountain making it handy for training. Thanks again.

Thanks Richard….👍

Hi - Thanks for commenting, though I’m not sure what ‘white cement’ is? Kind regards…

Hi - yes it was cold in parts. The snow was localised as other higher territory was free of it…Thanks for watching 👍

Hi -ah, Thanks for that..I’ve just googled and found ‘Coreopsis’. As you say, native to America where it’s known as Tickseed apparently. Thanks for commenting and watching 👍🙂

That’s very kind of you- Thanks. Also really appreciate you watching the series of videos 🙂👍

Hi - Thanks for watching the videos…much appreciated. The frame bag will eventually get damp in prolonged rain as the stitching isn’t sealed, so although the material and zip are resistant, the stitching will let in eventually. In practice not a problem as I kept bike tools in the pockets and other items where it wouldn’t have mattered so much if they got a bit wet. I like the design as it allows me to have a handy water bottle on the frame. Hope that answers your question- all the best…

@@solway17carlisle Thanks, I might give one a go.

Hi David - Thanks for the great feedback - glad you enjoyed and Thanks for watching 😊

Hi Ron - Thanks for watching. I think I was very lucky with the weather and some issues with the bike were eventually sorted. I look forward to watching your upcoming video(s) and hope that you will pick up the trail next year. All the best 🙂

Thanks - I’m glad you enjoyed it…All the best 🙂👍

Hi Andrew - It’s a Sonder Broken Road, Titanium. It worked well and the ride was very comfortable on 2.3” tyres. I saw plenty of Ti bikes but also a number of steel frames, possibly Surlys. Weight is an important aspect but when bikepacking the weight of your gear also makes an impact. Some were riding with suspension forks but mine were the fixed carbon variety. I would say Ti is lighter than cromoly steel so overall will make the bike lighter. When paired with bigger volume tyres the comfort improves. If you can afford Ti that would be my suggestion but don’t discount a good steel frame with decent geometry and tyre clearance…I hope that helps? All the best..

Hello Mat - Thanks for finding my video…I remember you saying ‘If you’re thinking about doing this…Just do it!’ So i followed your advice and so glad i did. Thankyou for your videos and inspiration. All the best..

Thanks Mat - it was a fantastic adventure I hope it brings back some memories for you…Also congrats to you on your most recent Trans America epic ride 👍👍Thanks again and thanks for all you do..

Hi Kenny - Glad you enjoyed it. As you may well have picked up, I had to shorten the full route, but still had a great experience. Would recommend the route…enjoy your retirement when it arrives. Kind regards.

Hi - Thanks for the great feedback..I finished at Antelope Wells on the 28th August. Surprisingly I didn’t lose any weight 🤷‍♂️😊👍

Thanks Dawne - glad you enjoyed them…Not sure where I’ll end up next year 🤔😊👍

Hi Roger - Thanks…so pleased you have watched them. Kind Regards 🙂👍

Hi Stewart - absolutely great experience. A bit daunted at the start but I eventually settled into the daily rhythm of ‘ride, eat, sleep, repeat’. As you say, it’s a dream come true to get this opportunity- hope it comes your way in the future, I can recommend it. All the best to you and Thanks..🙂👍

Hi - Thanks so much for watching and your comments over the last few videos - I think you may have a good idea there…watch this space 😉👍 Cheers

Hi Dave - it’s a pleasure to have put this series together and shared it with folks like yourself. I’m a very average bike rider and had this route on my ‘bucket list’ and was lucky enough to have made it this year - I think you’re right that my brother was with me…Thanks so much for watching and finding them interesting. All the best to you..

Hi Harry - it was such an experience…I’m glad to have been able to do it for all the reasons you list. Such lovely feedback..much appreciated and glad you enjoyed watching. Cheers 👋🙂

Hi - Thanks for the lovely feedback! I hope you have great time - there were plenty of northbounders further up the trail. It’s a superb route I hope you have a good time. All the best 👍

Hi both - Thanks for watching and commenting - You were a great team on your tandem, and fantastic that you made it to the end….I think I saw some pics on the Facebook group..Well done. All the best to you 👍

Hi - Thanks for the comment, very much appreciated. Glad you found the series interesting 👍

Hi - Thanks for watching the series, I’m glad you enjoyed them. I had thought about doing a follow up, it may be useful to others planning similar rides…All the best 🙂👍

Hi - Thanks for the great feedback..much appreciated. Glad you stuck with them and found the content enjoyable. Cheers 👍🙂

Hi - for sure! The bike needs some attention now though before it gathers anymore dust! Thanks for watching my efforts…really appreciate it. Cheers 🙂👍

Hi - Thanks, that’s great to hear. I hope it helps you with your own project. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

Ha ha! I know what you mean but I got used to it pretty quickly. My main concern would be wild animals but I was never disturbed by them.

@solway17carlisle looked lovely 🌹

Hi - Father was Yorkshire born so I sometimes have a bit of an accent- otherwise lived in Cumbria, now in Carlisle. On the route I aimed for 50 miles per day, some days way less eg Polvadera Mesa from Abiquiu but some days a bit more…Thanks for watching and your comment. Regards..

@ Thank you, I’m 64 and retire next year and want to ride the GDMBR. Hoping I can do it, currently in London right now for work and wondered where you were from? Couldn’t quite get your accent.

@@solway17carlisle Your accent reminds me a little of John Cooper Clarke, the famous poet.

@ Ha ha - apparently he’s ‘Dr’ John Cooper Clark nowadays 👍- from the ‘other’ side of the Pennines tome 😉👍

Hi - It’s a Tarptent ‘Notch’ - it’s the lightest double wall non-dyneema tent they do. It was excellent- 1 person. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

Hi - I think you’ll be ok but bear in mind that I used lime mortar on earth cob walls and masonry walls held together with old lime mortar - so using lime in these scenarios made sense. If you have ‘cement’ walls which are damp you may be better using a tanking product. If it’s a brick wall with cement joints, rake out what you can. You need to mist the wall/surface with water if you are covering the wall with a render. I hope that all makes sense - Good luck with your project

@@solway17carlisle , thank you! I have a few walls from prefabricated concrete, no damp, I was thinking to apply some kind of primer before attempting lime mortar only. The primer I was thinking is a NHL type 2 lime, a weak version of hydraulic lime, what do you say? They compatible?

Ah, Thanks so much for these observations. Absolutely carry as light as you can - I sent some items home from Helena, Montana. The maps and ACA app were invaluable. I was very apprehensive on the few weeks ahead of my trip and took a good week or so to get into the ‘groove’ - I hope you have a fab time, don’t be afraid to walk on steep bits! All the best…

Thankyou - glad you’re enjoying them 👍😊

Thanks David - I’m quite ‘self-contained’ on these trips. Glad you’re enjoying the content…

Hi - I like that it’s called the ‘Land of Enchantment’ - I really liked NM, very different to my usual north European habitat. Thanks for the praise - I just had to keep going as I saw the end in sight. Cheers 👋 😊