Bicycle Journalists Interview Mike Green, Fat Bike Rider

The Bicycle Journalists met Mike Green while they were riding through the desert-scape of the Great Divide Basin. Mike is riding a fat bike, a Muru, from Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia, Argentina. Mike has some interesting points of view about how to choose a team, how to set a pace, and what makes a great touring bike.



Stay tuned for more interviews. It takes about 20 hours per interview, and we are working through the large data files to get you the best information from other people who have been riding their bikes over long distances.  Touring by bike, riding the Tour Divide route or Great Divide route, you will enjoy what these cyclists say!

#beablackburnranger2017 Tim Paynter, Jimmy Salazar

This is our application video to become a Blackburn Ranger as a brand ambassador for Blackburn and their partners. If you like the video, please share on facebook, instagram and other social media! You can also like and share on youtube!

Hey, thanks for your support!

Fun Fun On The GDMBR

We had to make a quick trip home, but we are back, riding the GDMBR, the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route!  So far, it has been mostly up and more up, at least that is the way it seems!

At the base of Rabbit Ears Pass.  We biked home and then
took a taxi back to our leaving off place

We started the second stage of our grand adventure at Strawberry Park Hot Springs.  From there, we took the Hot Springs Cut Over to the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.

Cycling to Radium Hot Springs

The route climbs from Clark, Colorado, over some spectacular terrain.

You need to know where you are going in this area.  We found rout-finding very difficult.  Usually, we followed bicycle tire tracks, but on this rocky surface, it was often a huge challenge.

Oak Creek, Colorado

Oak Creek is an old mining and ranching town in Northwestern Colorado.  In the 1960's, the town was invaded by those little understood people called "hippies".  It has never been the same since.

Jimmy stands next to one of the mining fixtures.  The equipment has only gotten larger
since this piece was added as an exhibit on Oak Creek's main street.

New ideas from the hippy generation mixed with conservative values creates something unique for a small town:  Open minds.  Things are changing in Route County, once one of the most conservative places on Earth.  Today, a new vision for Colorado has been created and Oak Creek, together with nearby Steamboat Springs, are helping lead that vision.  Rural living has some true blessings.

Like many mountain towns, Oak Creek is growing.  Just a few years ago, there were only about 500 people living in the town.  Today, over 850 live there.  That is nearly a doubling of the population.

 New people are coming in with new ideas.  Some of those new ideas are in the form of great restaurants, like Kate's Cafe and Lupitas Cantina.  

Kate makes everything fresh.  The breads are to die for, and don't miss the chocolate covered cookies.  Who would have thunk you could find better food in Oak Creek than you can find in a posh setting like Cherry Creek in Denver?

Lupita's Cantina is another gem.  Sunset Magazine rated it as one of the 99 best roadside eateries in the nation.  I had the Mahimahi fish tacos and I about dropped dead.  What a surprise from what looks like an expensive taco stand?

Kate's Cafe, Oak Creek, Colorado

Tim Paynter and Kate at Kate's Cafe

In the old days, the Peabody Mine Company plied the nearby hillsides with a huge trenching machine to mine coal.  Many of the miners were of Italian descent.  They were today's Mexican immigrant, essentially cheap labor, hard working, underpaid.  Some things never change as our country continues to exploit immigrants.

The bicycle journalists had a great meal at Lupita's in Oak Creek

Technically, Oak Creek is not on the GDMBR. But it is not far off the route, and the side trip from Stagecoach Reservoir which is on the route, is well worth the effort!  The nice thing about spending a billion calories a day is you can eat anything!!

Riding the Divide

We finally started our great adventure.  We plan to ride the Great Divide and then travel Westward to Seattle, Washington.  This is one of the hardest things I have ever done.

Jimmy takes a lot of the photos you will see on our blog.  He is also a great mechanic
and helps me organize the ride.

Our plan is to ride the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (and sometimes the Tour Divide) from Breckenridge, Colorado to just outside of Yellowstone National Park in Montana.  From there we will either take the Northern Tier mapped by the Adventure Cycling Association and South, or the Transam route to Oregon, and then North to Seattle.

We plan to interview riders we meet along the way.  By telling their story, we are telling our own story. We are the bicycle journalists.  You can find us under the hashtag #bicyclejournalists (instagram and facebook), #bikeadventurertimg and jimosalazari (instagram).

My riding partner, Jimmy Salazari will go with me.  This is an adventure of a lifetime!

Jon from Sweeden #bicyclejournalists

Counting Days

There was a time this year when I thought we would never get away.  Untangling from all of the things in life has been a long process.  The idea is to ride and to be free.

 We recently drove the first five days of our trip.  By car, it was only 4 hours on dirt and marginal roads.  By bike?  We could do it faster, but why rush?  Kremmling, Colorado, will be our first metropolis, where we will ply basic goods from a sleepy town.  The next stop along the way will be Steamboat Springs!

We don't have long now.  We are putting the last touches to all of the details.  We have sponsorship for our major needs and are firming up final relationships.  The #bicyclejournalists are soon to ride!

We want to tell your story.  If you are an adventurer, if you live to ride a bike, to break camp at sunrise, to see new places and meet new people, you might be the person we are looking for.  Please send us a note, bikeadventurertim@gmail.com!

Bicycle Journalists Coming To A City Near You!

The Bicycle Journalists are coming to a town near you!  Unfortunately, we did not get the nod from #blackburndesign.  But nothing stops us now.  We are in motion for adventure!

If you have an adventure you want us to cover, send us an email, adventuero@gmail.com or contact us via instagram, @bicycleadventurertimg.

Pacific Coast Tour What is Your Story?

Getting Ready To Go

We Want To Tell Your Story

We are getting ready to go!  Hard to believe things are moving so fast!  We plan to ride Canada to Mexico, and to get to Canada, we are thinking, maybe we will ride from Colorado to Canada!

We applies to #beablackburnranger2016.  We plan to ride
from Canada to Mexico. @blackburndesign

We are journalists and love to interview people.  What is your story?  Why do you love adventure?  Why are we meeting you on the trail?

In the process of telling other people's stories, we will learn a lot about ourselves.  That is because all of us share things in common.  When we see these things in others, we find them in ourselves!

We hope Blackburn Design @blackburndeisgn will choose us for their #beablackburnranger2016 program.  If they don't, we are going anyway.

Well, see you out there!

Glenwood Canyon Bike Tour and Bike Safety

They pulled off a miracle in Glenwood Canyon. Why can't they create safe bike spaces from Seattle to San Diego?

For years, environmental groups opposed running I-70 through Glenwood Canyon.  In the end, the engineers built pedestals and then hauled in pre-cast concrete road sections in order to reduce environmental damage.

My riding partner doing a field repair

Fortunately, they had the wisdom of including a bike lane while they made the effort to build the road.  If bike lanes had been included in the construction of highways years ago, this would not be an issue.  We might be on the leading edge, instead of the trailing edge, of environmentally friendly transportation.

I am planning on riding the Pacific route this year.  I hope that is as a #beablackburnranger2016.  The bicycle accessories manufacturer, Blackburn Design, sponsors six riders each year.  But in whatever capacity it is, we know the route is not bicycle safe.  The road is narrow in many places and riders complain about the fear of getting hit.

We are bicycle tourists.  We find adventure everywhere we go.  It would be great if there were more safe routes for long distance riders.  We are going to go no matter what, but this is a wonderful way to see the world.

Courtney Lewis Wants to #BeABlackburnRanger2016

Mike Wants to #beablackburnranger2016

Tumbling Down The Cliff! REALLY!

When a bike ride goes all wrong...

There are rules of the road.  But in this incident, none of them would have done much good.

What do you do?  Having a plan helps a little.  First, it is a good thing this rider has a companion.  Normally, we say, riders should go in a group of 3.  If one gets hurt, one stays with the injured party, and one goes for help.

Having a basic first aid kit can be helpful.  If you tumble, you want to do everything possible to let the bike precede you.  Otherwise, in addition to the rough ride down, you could have a heavy bike impale you at the speed of a freight train.

I would rather fall off my bike and down a cliff than stay safe and bored in an office.

The Internet's BEST Advice For Bike Touring Newbies + Bicycle Touring P...

This is a great discussion on bike touring from a person who has been out there doing bike touring for years!

A million questions in an hour broadcast.  This guy will tell you how it works, starting from the  great tip "just go and figure it out later" and moving on.  Some of it seems really obvious, but when you think about it, nothing is that simple.  The long and short of it is, if you think things through a little you can avoid a lot of heart ache.

But even heart ache is part of the adventure, says long time bike tour pro Darren Alff.  Biking is a lot more psychological than it is physical.  If you understand that bit of advice before kicking off from the curb, you are a long ways ahead.  In the end, you will realize your moment of pain will turn into your biggest triumphs!

Fat Biking the Great Allegheny Passage, Connellsville to Ohiopyle Pa., O...

Looks like a ton of fun!  Fat biking has become far more than a passing fad.  Sure, they are not designed for a jillion mile journey.  Still, the wide balloon tires will get you to places and over terrain that stops other types of bikes!

For some reason, fat bikes seem to command healthy prices, even on the used market.  You can get into fat biking through the Wallmart at an inexpensive price if you are patient.  However, for quality gear, with an equipment group to match the durability, be prepared to spend a pretty penny.

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Biking Vail Pass East and West Sides

In Colorado, we are very lucky the creators of our primary highways could also envision how the space could be used in many ways to celebrate the spectacular vistas and wilderness.  When they laid the road for I-70 through the Colorado mountains, they had to figure out what to do with the left-over U.S. Highway 6, the original 2 lane highway threading West.

They could have let the old highway crumble into history, as they have with many narrow gauge railroad beds that used to wind through the Rockies.  Instead, as visionaries, they created an incredible span for the non-motorized community.  

Shots from both sides of Vail Pass.  A portion of the West side is a mere few yards from opposing traffic from busy I-70.  A failed wheel or accident could propel a rider right into traffic.  Views are to die for, bears are plenty, so are fish, so pick your pleasure carefully.

The route is open from mid to late May through most of October.  However, spring runoff often creates flooding conditions, especially just before Copper Mountain coming from Frisco.  

Ten Mile Creek, which runs next to the East side path, is a Class 5 rapids during runoff.  You will see intrepid kayakers attempt the stretch.  Caution is warranted.  In 2014, a kayaker lost his life on the Frying Pan River feeding the drainage into Basalt, Colorado, up the highway. The same could happen if one is unable to exit Ten Mile Creek before Officers Gulch, as the river jams into giant metal tubes buried under the car bridge.

Vail Pass soars in at more than 10,500 feet. Pilots must carry oxygen when flying over 10,000 feet.  Bikers won't find any drop down oxygen masks on this stretch.  For this reason, people coming from sea level often take a shuttle to the summit of Vail Pass and let Gravity serve as their emergency oxygen as they coast down.  

The ride down either side of the pass at speed is an exhilarating 30 minutes, less for the carbon fiber crowd.  Those who pedal their way to the summit spend several hours getting there, and often feel a little cheated when the ride down ends so soon!  But not to worry, there is plenty more path left to ride on both sides of Vail Pass.

Shortly after the summit on the East side of Vail Pass is a sharp set of switchbacks.  Riders have been moving so fast they couldn't navigate the 90-degree curves flying off into space, with serious injury.  Also, for East-side descending riders, there is a 90-degree curve as you exit the tunnel 1000 yards from the summit.  Water almost always collects at the curve causing a hazard.

From Frisco, there is a 15 mile ride around Dillon Reservoir and over steep Swan Mountain.  Instead of going around the reservoir, riders can climb the fiercely steep Loveland Pass (11,990 feet). From Keystone, Colorado, to Denver, it is about 75 miles, most of it on path.

The ride up and down Loveland Pass summit is mostly on narrow, 2 lane highway, though.  Motorists are often impatient.  The drop-offs are precipitous.  A missed step could be fatal for a bicyclist as it has been for motorists.

From the West side at Vail, you can ride another 60 miles to Glenwood Springs. Except for a small section, all of it is protected pathway.  That makes the non-motorized route system nearly 160 miles long from Denver to Glenwood Springs.

The only road West from Glenwood Springs, is I-70. Unfortunately, the vision to build protected, non-motorized, routes did not extend to the Colorado-Utah state line, an easy 150 miles further West.  It is never too late to have a vision.

Bikepacking Nevado de Colima

What can we say?  Iohan is weaving (or riding) his magic again!  Be sure to follow him in his adventures as he tours the best parts of parts unknown!

Great Program, Applications Open #beablackburnranger2016

It is pretty rare for a company to give back as prominently as Blackburn Design is giving back.  The bicycle accessories company is in the fourth year of appointing 6 people to serve as their brand ambassadors.  In exchange for testing equipment, Blackburn Design sends the applicants to Ranger school.  The term "Ranger" is what Blackburn Design calls it's ambassadors.

It is a pretty good deal if you have the time.  The company asks it's rangers to choose between riding the Pacific Coast Route (not to be confused with the Pacific Crest Route), or the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMTBR).  Both routes are mapped by the Adventure Cycling Association.



Blackburn says they know who their customers are and they give the ranger sponsor-ships to people who are able to represent the brand well.  In the first year of the program they asked everyone they could think of if the person was planning any long distance rides.  Today, it is a little different, the program has a lot of fans who watch for the application process to open each year.

It is interesting to note, getting the most clicks on your application video posted on You Tube is not a guarantee you will become a ranger.  The person, actually family, with the most clicks last year did not get the nod from Blackburn.

So what does make a good Blackburn Ranger?  The only way to know is to apply.  If you are sitting on the fence, now would be a great time to get your video done.  The written part of the application is very straightforward.  It is a good deal for everyone.  Blackburn Design gets publicity and earns a good name in the community.  The Ranger gets an experience of a lifetime!

You can apply for the ranger program here.

Warm Showers More Than Saving Water With A Friend

Being on the road and "out there" is one of the highlights of my life. As I sit here, I am contemplating getting "out there" again as soon as possible. This time, I hope my trip is as a brand ambassador for Blackburn Design #beablackburnranger2016 and as an advocate for bicycle touring!



When we are on the road there is something we all need but have troubles finding. We can rent a hotel room in an emergency situation (if there is one). But if you are "out there" enough, you know hotel rooms kind of ruin the "out there" feeling. They also become exorbitant if used too often.

Instead, there is a phenomenal program called WARM SHOWERS, in which generous people open their homes for a night to legitimate bike travelers.
Warm Showers says on their website: 

"The Warm Showers Community is a free worldwide hospitality exchange for touring cyclists. People who are willing to host touring cyclists sign up and provide their contact information, and may occasionally have someone stay with them and share great stories and a drink. All members agree to host others either now or in the future, but for some members hosting may be in years or even decades in their future."

Instead of "saving water, shower with a friend", Warm Showers makes a gift to traveling cyclist who need it the most.

Every situation is a little different. Some homeowners will allow you to pitch your tent in their front lawns. Others will invite you into their home to use a spare bedroom and bath. In both cases, you probably get what we really need, a shower to wash the road wear off, and a chance to charge up those critical devices.

Having stealth camped on multiple locations in the bushes but within feet of a major highway, I can speak to the sense of safety Warm Showers hosts provide to their guests. Of course, they can't open their homes to everyone, or they soon become a boarding home and the gift to travelers turns into a job. Rather, it is a special match between the host and the cyclist in which, for a short night, the cyclist gets the things he/she needs the most and the host pays it forward.

In 1993, two friends, Terry Zmrhal and Geoff Cashman thought it would be cool to set up a hosting service for traveling cyclist. Roger Gravel began to update and manage the list. In 2005, Randy Fay added the mapping feature so people could see on the map where their host would be.

A small group of people manages Warm Showers which is a non-profit organization. There are over 80,000 members with locations throughout the world, though primarily U.S. based.

As a bicycle tourist, (and having hosted a Blackburn Ranger), touring is not just about bicycles. It is about the people you meet along the way!

Please "like" and "share"

You can apply to be a Blackburn Ranger here.

You can vote for me as a Blackburn Ranger here.

Be A Ranger 2016 Samuel Littlefield

Here is the latest #beablackburnranger2016 video!  Looks like a lot of people are tuning into the Blackburn program.  We wish every one of them the very best as they make their push to be a Blackburn Ranger.

You don't have to win the Ranger program to be "out there".  Anyone can go, it is just a matter of deciding that is what you want to do.  Sure, it is a challenge to take this much time off and ride that many miles, but you have to be willing to do it for yourself first, and as a sponsored rider second.

Last year there were over 30 applications from people who wanted to be a Blackburn Ranger.  They only choose 6.  But nothing stops the guy who really wants this.  

While the Blackburn Design team ask rangers to choose between the Pacific Coast and the Great Divide, there are many routes across the country one can choose from and plenty which need to be discovered.  

#beablackburnranger2016 Tim "hot spring" Paynter

I love getting away from the crowds.  This hot spring is a magical spot!  These kinds of unknown springs are the perfect place to find tranquility and spirituality in nature. 

Bicycle adventuring is about discovering new places, new things.  Ways to get away from the din of business life, of the cities, of crazy people, and just have time to nurture.

You can go an amazing distance on a bicycle if you try.  Just pedal away, with a far distant goal, and one day, you will ride right up to that distant place.  The secret is putting one pedal after the other, keep it going, even when it is wet and cold.  

Bikepacking the Fraser Canyon

Iohan just blows me away with his videos and his adventurous spirit. While not everyone can live adventures like these, we can all live them through watching others. But the idea is to break the mold, to get out there and do it! 

 At first, a small cross country may be your big adventure. Sometimes it is enough, but once have been bitten by the bike-paking bug, nothing short of a major effort will do. Here is to Iohan and all of the adventurous spirits who give us inspiration to get out there and live our dreams!

Remember the ones who put it all on the map for many of us:  The Adventure Cycling Association.

Eugene wants to #beablackburnranger2016

Next Application to #beablackburnranger2016

The #beablackburnranger2016 program is in full swing!  Many people are applying.  By the looks of it, they are all well qualified and really know how to create an interesting video.

In today's times, it appears rare for a company to return something to the community.  Blackburn Design is doing that with their ranger program.  Rangers are brand ambassadors.  They test new equipment, talk to people, ride adventurous routes and encourage others to get "out there".

I applied for the Ranger program because I love adventure.  I am the kind of person who wants to see what is down every wandering road.  Riding a bike for me is not enough.  I want to go farther, do more and be fully prepared for whatever I meet along the way.  When it comes to bicycle gear, that is always a challenge.  Weight is critical.  Durability is critical.  There are no "repair shops" along many of the routes I ride.  Having the right gear for the right job is what a successful tour is all about.

If you have what it takes, you can still apply.  Why not?  It is a great chance to do your part in helping this community of adventure enthusiasts grow.  You can apply here!

BE A BLACKBURN RANGER 2016

Here is a video by Blackburn Media. If you have what it takes to be a ranger, this is your chance! Several people have applied already.  Whoever Blackburn Design chooses, you can be sure the riders love adventure and know how to tell a story!

BE A BLACKBURN RANGER 2016

Be a Blackburn Ranger 2016 Isaiah Rodriguez

Second submission for #beablackburnranger2016, Isaiah Rodriguez.  Great video, we wish you the best of luck!

#beablackburnranger2016 Now Open For Biz

Blackburn Design is a bicycle parts manufacturing company.  The rack that I use to carry my panniers, for example, is made by Blackburn Design.

#Blackburndesign is known for making quality parts for the hard-core community.  If you want it to last, buy Blackburn.  That is what I told my REI people when I was looking for a rack.

So when Blackburn opened their Blackburn Ranger #beablackburnranger2016 applications, I was one of the first to apply.  As a Ranger, Blackburn asks you to test equipment, talk to people about your enthusiasm for bicycle adventuring, go to ranger school and not too much more.  It is a great opportunity for those who want a crack at the latest stuff.

Blackburn gives you a choice of routes, the Pacific Coast or the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, both running from Canada to Mexico.  Blackburn will also ask if there is another major route plotted by the Adventure Cycling Association, a non-profit organization which advocates for the bicycle people seeking adventure.  You can join the Association here.

#Transamerica Trail by Adventure Cycling Association

I chose the Pacific Coast route as my first choice route.  However, if I don't run it, I would be happy with either the GDMBR or the Transamerica Trail.  My friend, Jimmy Salazar, is planning on riding the route with me.  I do a lot of journalism things and Jimmy is a natural at photos and videos.  Jimmy comes up with some pretty great angles!

Be sure to check out Blackburn Design.  If I am the lucky cat who Blackburn Design sponsors, (they choose about 6 people each year) then I would love for you to follow us on this epic adventure!~  Please stay tuned, we will let you know who Blackburn chooses!