GDMBR Clothing

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Clothing Used on the Ride

Be prepared for all weather. I experienced unpredictable temperature fluctuations from 15f / -9c to 100f / 37c, rain, snow, hail, sleet, and lots of wind. The mornings were typically clear and by 1-3pm it was raining half the time.

• Wool beanie hat
• Polarized sunglasses
• Synthetic bicycle jersey – (don’t recommend)
• Icebreaker short sleeve wool t-shirt
• Smartwool micro weight long sleeve zippered  turtle neck shirt
• Smartwool micro weight boxer briefs 1 - pair
• Pearl Izumi Micro Sensor 3D - 2 pairs
• The North Face medium-weight fleece jacket (I also used my jacket as my pillow)
• The North Face Diad ultra light rain jacket
• Gore-Tex rain pants - mesh lined inside
• The North Face hiking pants
• Rain shoe covers
• Smartwool sock liners - 3 pairs
• Light duty wool socks - 2 pairs
• Teva’s (recommend a lighter alternative)
• Shimano SH-MT50G bicycle shoes (very comfortable to use in town or on short hikes)
• Specialized bicycle gloves
  • PRO: Must have item for protection.
    • RECOMMENDATION: Pair of lightweight rain/wind shells to be used with gloves. A few days were finger numbing cold and wet. Be sure they are ergonomic to protect and relieve pressure on sensitive ulnar nerves or your hands will go numb

5 Important Clothing Tips:

• I found the wool shirts to be more breathable than synthetic, dry faster, and don’t smell after several days. After one day of wearing a synthetic jersey, I couldn’t stand the smell.
   

• I mostly wore my wool micro weight long sleeve shirt, primarily because of exposure to the sun. I also felt cooler on hot sunny days with it because I minimized the solar heat with its reflective color.

Wearing a long sleeve shirt also meant not having to apply sticky suntan lotion or bug spray to my arms. Nights where water was a problem meant I didn't have to use as much water to wash up and remove the sticky residues.

• I originally I took my Teva's along for town and crossing streams. I ended up crossing streams in my bare feet. With the right bike shoes you will not need town shoes and you could save a 18oz by using only one pair of shoes for everything.
   

• My rain jacket had lots of vents but it was not breathable enough and I often became damp from sweat.
   

• Mesh lined rain pants can also serve for warmth and eliminate the need for regular long pants.

The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, GDMBR, also called the Great Divide Route, GDR, Great Divide Trail, GDT, is the mountain bike touring version of the Continental Divide Trail, CDT. Pictures may not be used without consent. The off road ride extends from Banff Canada to Roosville, Montana MT, Idaho ID, Wyoming WY, Colorado CO, to New Mexico NM, Mexico. Long distance mountain bike touring 05/17/2008 Site Map