Thanks for reading it. I think this is one of my better journals, but it didn't get a lot of attention, possibly because I didn't put it on CGoaB originally, but on some blogging website instead. That's one of the things that led to my ouster from CGoaB - putting a journal somewhere else.

I'm glad I wrote it, though, if only to remind myself, no matter how much time softens the memories of the hard times on the Great Divide route, that I mist never attempt the GDMBR again :)

"I've never had any desire to ride the Great Divide, only because it's not my idea of bike touring fun."

Exactly. It's not like regular bicycle touring in North America, where most days you can get a shower, a pizza, ice cream, an air conditioned room, or whatever.

It's a lot more like backpacking, I think, although in some extremely challenging environments, compared to something like the Appalachian Trail.

If I had been on the Great Divide by myself, I doubt I could have listed a week, given my sensibilities. I'm much physically stronger than my wife, but it turns out she is much, much mentally tougher. She kept us going until Silverthorne, Colorado, when we both said "No mas."

This was her last bicycle tour to date. But interestingly, after this, she took up backpacking, and has done some month-long solo backpacking trips. I think she likes the simplicity of it. But I value creature comforts too much to do it, so far.

Congratulations on completing the trip! It was an interesting adventure and I read every page. Now I need to return to your "Vibes" journal - I have fallen behind since I discovered this journal and decided to complete it first.

" I really do think this is the last LONG tour I’ll ever do, however."

Well, since I discovered this journal via a link in your current "Vibes" journal, this prophecy was a bit premature. Which is a good thing for those of us enjoying your Vibes adventure.

I assume the "OK-but-nothing-special motel" you stayed at was the North Park Inn? Because, you know, that's where I stayed the year prior...

And in what's probably becoming a boring theme for you now, I also stayed at the Canyon Motel - while on the Transam in 2015. Enjoying the journal - I've never had any desire to ride the Great Divide, only because it's not my idea of bike touring fun. I certainly understand that others would want to ride it, it's just not appealing to me - I most likely wouldn't have lasted as long as you did before deciding on an alternative plan.

Well, this is getting weird; I also stayed at the Hartsel Springs Guest Lodge, but this time it was the year before you. I stayed there on my Transam crossing in 2015 - since I was doing a "both ends to the middle" ride, Hartsel was my last night before I completed in Canon City. I was the only guest in the lodge - it's somewhat spooky to be alone in such a big place. Not that it bothered me, of course, I'm just saying that it could have been spooky for someone else if they were solo. The lodge was in search of a buyer in 2015, maybe they found one?

I stayed at the Tomichi trading Post 1 year after you on my west to east ride on the ACA Western Express route - also hung out in the restaurant and met 2 couples riding the Divide north to south. Our "cabin" appeared to be a pre-built tool shed that was finished on the inside with a loft - it was cozy for the 3 of us, but very happy to have it.

Oh - and I eventually wrassled the map into submission.

Certainly not "The General", since I detest Robert E. Lee and the evil "lost cause" he defended.

Maybe "Gravel Cruncher", since once upon a time I managed a mobile home dealership, and sometimes in that world you refer to walking onto the (usually unpaved) dealership lot, stalking would-be customers, as "crunching gravel."

1. You can't be a REAL wrassler unless you have a cool name... you can only be a wrestler. I won't copyright any of these if you want to try them on, but if you decide to use on the I get to be your manager: "Jeff 'Bikerman' Lee" or "Gravel-Crushing Jeff Lee" or Jeff "The General" Lee.
2. Who won the wrasslin' match?

OR, it's actually a wolf in disguise:

"The better to hear you with, my dear," replied the wolf.

Just in case you haven't gotten around to reading about this interesting creature, it can squirt blood from its eyes! It sounds like perfect material for a fantastic (ally terrible) sci-fi movie which involves lizards and mutations! From Bill's link:

The Texas horned lizard, along with at least three other species of the genus Phrynosoma, also has the ability to squirt an aimed stream of blood from the corners of the eyes and sometimes from its mouth at a distance up to 5 ft (1.5 m).

I noticed in several of the New Mexico photos as well: that sky is the most incredible blue I've ever seen. Having never lived west of Kansas City KS, and having lived the last 35 years in the suburbs of Washington DC, I'm accustomed to skies that are milky-white with summer haze.

If so many things in the desert are pointy, is this ranch perhaps the source?