The Great Divide (GDMBR) - Northbound - Bikepacking - Day 12 - Wild Flowers & Solitude, North NewMex

Day 12 (June 11): We pedaled 60 miles from El Rito climbing through Carson National Forest to the Stewart Meadows Wildlife Viewing Area in Northern New Mexico. Birds are chirping, beautiful mountains, more wells and surface water - this feels very different from our New Mexico experience so far. The landscape changes from desert mesas to sprawling grasslands, forests of aspen and spruce, alpine and subalpine terrain, tundra and rocky areas. We can hardly believe we pedaled our way to this wonderful place (our legs sure feel like they did the work, though!). It’s an intense and remote experience, where most of our encounters are with wildlife such as wild horses, rabbits, birds, chipmunks and lots of cattle.
In the tiny community of Canon Plaza, Krista runs a volunteer shop for cyclists on the Divide ans opens her shop just for us. We also meet Krista’s dog Bella and horse Bullet and roam through the guestbook - we found your entry from 2016 @kgrides, and another one ;)
We stop at Hopewell lake for lunch and enjoy alpine flower meadows!
We stealth camp near a wildlife viewing area and hear wildlife sounds during the night. What an experience!
Strava GPS:
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#gdmbr #bikepacking #biketouring #girlsbiker #girlswhoride #t1d #t1dwarrior #opencycle #cycling #activecouple #bikecampings

[@romykager3261]

Sehr schön 👌Danke

[@chromebook2724]

I appreciate the extra long episode, that is an amazing adventure. thank you

[@marionkuhn6139]

Thank you so much! It’s been really one of the best experiences for us when it comes to experiencing nature and going for a challenge …

[@christianekuhn3973]

Beautiful landscape, perfect weather and two smart and ambitous biker. Excellent chosen music.

[@DetectingMyrtleBeach]

Excellent video once again. Enjoying them.

[@marionkuhn6139]

Thank you 🙏

[@fritz-peterkuhn6944]

Greatings from Germany. What a lovely bike trip!

[@wojciechnogalski]

Amazing video! Simply beautiful and the last part is just magic!
Looking forward to next episode 🤟

[@jimwilson4911]

I'm looking forward to seeing more of your journey. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.

[@marionkuhn6139]

Thanks so much, Jim!

[@mhernandez4576]

So...so...love the view @36:30

[@MarionandFred]

Stewart Meadows, somewhat secret unique, magical spot we felt too :)

[@quigleyoutside]

Nice day...

[@marionkuhn6139]

Hi Dale! Thanks! One of our favorite days - so much change in the landscape!

[@BretSchnitzer]

Amazing scenery! Thank you. You two are great!

[@MarionandFred]

Thanks Bret! You are the best…so motivating 🚴

[@BretSchnitzer]

@@MarionandFred I was going to say you two are getting me psyched to ride the second half this summer! Thank you.

[@philexploremore]

Wow going through that book was like a who's who of the Tour Divide... Saw Mike Hall's name in there. RIP.

[@MarionandFred]

It was a truly overwhelming moment, I am lacking the words to describe.

[@rneillmojo]

More please - we are having super fun watching south to north - great perspective

[@MarionandFred]

Thanks so much Randy! You are the best 🤩

[@arnoldkerschbaumer6725]

tolle Bilder, zu beneiden

[@MarionandFred]

Uns sind tatsächlich beim anschauen die Augen feucht geworden…vor schöner Erinnerung 😃… das war einer der genialsten Tage auf dem Great Divide 😍

[@marionkuhn6139]

Hi Arnold! Total, wir sind sehr dankbar, dass wir diese tolle Erfahrung machen durften.

[@TravelingThru222]

Awesome series, really enjoying these videos. Ill be heading the opposite direction this year.

[@MarionandFred]

Thanks 🙏 Would love to join 😃

[@richconnell8971]

Beautiful, you really captured this section so well again, I’d forgotten how green spring/ summer 2021 was, and with all those wild flowers! Fred Riding down that washboard road one handed (videoing) into the wildlife area valley; impressive……. 🙂. Thanks

[@MarionandFred]

I can also look at these wild flowers again and again 😍 I have become pretty good riding one handed…that ride into the wildlife area was amazing, wasn’t it…

[@andrevanheerden1088]

Great stuff, we can’t wait to start the NoBo on ( about ) May 20 ( also 100-120 km/day ) so excellent videos and info, thank you ( again )

[@MarionandFred]

Thanks Andre, wish I could ride with you guys 😜

[@mhernandez4576]

@2:15 So....if you had a choice of favorite type ride....gravel or road?

[@MarionandFred]

We love riding both. Generally we prefer gravel as it allows you to get out in nature. On the Great Divide we actually really enjoyed the mix.

[@PolyglotBikepacker]

Ist ein gravelbike mit 45mm okay für die Strecke oder besser 2.3 inch MTB?

[@MarionandFred]

Geht beides. Kommt auf Fahrstil an. Wir haben uns mit den Schwalbe Rock Razor Reifen sehr gut gefühlt.