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Justin! I do believe I still have your contact info you handed me in my same rain jacket from that day!!! I found it just the other day as it’s been raining here at home. You sir stopped when I needed it the most that day as we were pedaling down that busy rainy highway off route due to Rowdy’s vet visit. A beacon of light you were! And knowing we could contact you if our vet visit needs became a multi day ordeal was soooooo appreciated! 🙏 You were one of our first trail angels! Welcome aboard the adventures of Affinity Forest and Team Rowdy! It’s gonna be a wild ride! Glad you were a part of it! I hope to in future, get braver about asking to film folks and trail angels like you or at the very least ask permission to record your voices that we meet on trail to fully document all the magic.

Oh my gosh! You’ve given me an idea…..i may need to go through and re edit it all to tell his story from his perspective once this series is over! I do quite enjoy writing from the dog’s pov.

STEVE! Oh! Yay to connect here! You sir get my best of award for cooler and snacks! They really really helped! I saved my pretzel pack for days after and ate it somewhere later in the trail and the peanut butter salty crunch hit the exact spot I needed to get up another crazy pass. Trail Angeling is so cool, because I thought of you with warmth and love. Tiny peanut butter pretzel packet did that! Thank you man! You were so inspiring with your story! You left an unforgettable influence on me as I pedaled on through your gorgeous country...slowly pedaling and pondering your way of life. It is beautiful man. Hope to stay connected! And oh yeah, Rowdy is rowdy for everyone like that. These videos aren't coming across yet with his true colors...(He was a rescue to us 1 month prior to our trip, so he comes with some pre-assigned "issues". We are working through.). : ). Don't take it personal at all. He does it to EVERYBODY. Maybe next time we roll through, you'll get some pets in.

@oregoniangal heyyy! Very heartfelt response, sent to my girlfriend and she was impressed by your thoughtfulness and remembering of the exact snacks along the way. I laugh many times folks I meet when at property or stay overnight, things like I'm awesome, great, etc., it's just some water & snacks I'm not the one awesome riding the gdmbr, y'all the awesome ones! Good luck with rowdy, I'm sure he will do fine with yours love and care. I had a rescue akita reactive other animals at 115# with bite pressure over 300#, he learned, unfortunately had to put down medical this past spring, my little new rescue, barks at people or bikes here but has learned just another bike rider, never met a bad one. I thank all the riders here for their help, it brings joy and happiness in my life that hasn't always been, I'm a two time serious suicide survivor in remission because of huge life changes and sacrifices. Next year I plan on making youtube of riders here, couldn't figure out technically of gopro, laptop, good internet signal for being off grid basic person this year in time.

​@oregoniangal one other tid bit, I started with just tossing case of water at road 2019, riders appreciated it so kept adding on, the bike on tree was new addition this year with the single gate for bikes to access, out here I don't need unwanted vehicles to access or even sherrif to harassment of me, it's good ole boy system and once an issue always bias against. No worries, family situation Midwest, protecting elderly parent from abuse & neglect by siblings I took one for the team and exposed situation doing overall 4 years prison, no regrets parent got full time in home care and siblings shunned in home town, family was well known communities business of parent, lots of wealth from 1970's, I live off grid minamilst views.

Wouldn't have guessed the guy with water & snacks did time with hard core inmate killers and things doing life. Very true! Now I have wonderful life with beautiful very smart succesful girlfriend with no judgement of my past. That's not true with main society and why all the riders a bit off the path is enjoying to meet. Spring 2019 is when I got released, gave my life in 4 years time parent and released gave water riders. No hero here just living life on it's terms.

Oh thank you for the feedback! I’ll try and keep em coming. 🤙

Thank you, the cheers feel helpful even now that we’re home and done with the trip 🤣

Oh, I’m glad my personal share was meaningful to another 💛 And yours as well to me! Huge hugs to you today! Oh and We loved Wayfarers! But cliffhanger! Stay tuned to the next episode as things get reeallll spicy for us at Wayfarers that night!

Rowdy is quite pawsome, we agree. 😍Breed is Toy Australian Shepherd or "Toy Aussie" A Pawfect pet companion for very active lifestyle folks, and a recent Rehome to us from a couple that unfortunately weren’t able to give him the adequate exercise. We like to think he has found a perfect fit adventuring with affinity Forest.

We’ve created a monster!

🐶 Doesn’t it though? Feel like if I’m ever sad, I’ll just watch clips of Rowdy angerily eating his ice cream lol

Oh boy, well I hope you enjoy the adventure! Glad you’re on board! It’s gonna be a wild one for sure full of flies, heat and elevation for sure! All from the comfort of your living room. 😊 Luckily somehow for us, no smoke this year! Good point on the miss of a nod to ACA. I did include it in the description box to the video under cool stuff mentioned in this video. I know I mentioned the map in my gear review because that map lived front and center in my frame bag. I do hope to do a full bike and gear review for Aaron and Rowdy’s rig shortly including navigation system used and I’ll be sure to do a pawsome full highlight of the ACA.

Oh, welcome! So glad to have you a part of the adventure! Hang on tight! It’s gonna be a wild ride!

Grrrrrreat question! Pun intended. 😊 Rowdy’s paws did fine. Mostly because he only ran outside of his basket about 4-5 miles a day. Some days a lot less. A few days not at all.

It absolutely is! I hope you enjoy!

​@@oregoniangalI will, every second 🙂👍

Oh, thank you for the kudos and tips! I hope you are out there now on trail just enjoying the ride!

You absolutely love the GDMBR! Speedy recovery my trail friend! As far as if it’s recommended to go full face, I mean more protection can be a good thing. I personally don’t go full face unless I’m doing some serious downhill at a bike park…and good thing too. One time, I really took a long shred face plant out there and slid on my mouth piece for a good stretch of trail. I wouldn’t have my jaw if it weren’t for that full face that day. Aaron wears one all the time because he’s just not taking any chances at all I think.

We LOVE John and Mira! Rowdy is a fanboy for sure!

Austrian sheepdog (I think)

Oh, I'm so glad you liked the video! There is so much more to come. Yup, we started out conservative while I worked my way up to higher mileage. I did a lot of training and seat time prior to our trip, but I knew the real training would be the first couple of weeks out there as my body adapted. I honestly wasn't sure what I was capable of, but was out there to see. But yes, I think life's a journey, not a race. I mean, unless you've signed up for a race now and then. But I'm much more the enjoy the ride, feel good type. Stay tuned to see what kind of mileage we were getting toward the end. Rowdy is a stunner for sure. Breed is Toy Australian Shepherd or "Toy Aussie"

You got it! Breed is Toy Australian Shepherd or "Toy Aussie"

Excellent question! Watching him ride always made me so hot, from watching him grind up the hills with 16 pound Rowdy to the full face - which he always wears even for weekend rides. I'll have him chime in soon, but my personal theory is he's protecting the beard more so than his face in the event of a possible crash lol. We had a friend with an epic beard back at home here recently crash and mess up his jaw and mouth, requiring medical treatment. Our friend posted his aftermath photo and of course he had to shave his beard. If you've ever seen a dude who has rocked a beard for 10 plus years suddenly get it shaved...it's k kinda not a good look. Not to mention that was 10 years worth of work! This is just my theory though.

This seems to be a top/hot question that comes up often. It's the BELL Super 3R MIPS helmet, and the mandible guard is removable. Reasons why... 1) Camera Mount - I modified and added a motorcycle chin camera mount. Having a beard, the chest mount isn't practical as things get in the way :D. Having a chin mount offers a better camera angle over the handlebars. It allows me to swivel my head and point to what I'm actually looking at. My head acts as a natural gimball and steady cam. As far as comfort, I like it better then the chest mount. 2) Noteriety - :D I'm realize now that I'm going to be "That guy with the full face on". And of all the things I could be known for, this one isn't so bad :) 3) Safety Third - Its cheep insurance. But mostly I wear it because I'm lazy, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest, it's more annoying to find a place to pack it, when removed.. People complain that it's 'hot' but I don't really feel/attribute it to being any warmer. (Mostly, I think this complaint about heat is basically the same as "seat-belts are uncomfortable".. and largely irrelevant)

Oooo thanks for the transportation tip re: Budget. Will keep this in mind for future. Congrats on your own adventures both on and off trail!

@@oregoniangal absolutely! We rented a mini van and drove it this week from Yellowstone to Sacramento… $141 to rent and gas.

Samesies! (Currently working my way through in chronological order Chris's series and it's fun to see his journey before we ran into him later) We definitely did do some alternates, due to weather more than pup. Stay tuned! Rowdy gets pretty rowdy on some of the TD sections. Fleecer Ridge, Lava Mountain...oh, he SENDS!

Stay tuned! We were curious as well to see how we'd fare with the winter storm warning! Days 4, 5 & 6 were pretty fun! : )

That water pump saved our butts due to our water filter from Platypus not working at camp the night before. I believe Aaron found it through the American Cycling Association map app???

Hey @RevN3 & fam bam! Let's see if I can answer some of your questions: Good first question...most of the route was drivable for vehicles as a lot was on gravel forest service roads. There were sections (not many) that were single track for hike or bike only. The snow was WILD! We just barely dodged the winter warning for a huge storm that rolled in. Got many of the Tour Divide riders! I think I saw the same video defects you were seeing....I think it just took TH-cam a bit to catch up to making it HD? Is it better now or are you still seeing those defects? (Always trying to get better) Border post was near the Northfork of the Flathead River. Kinda just out in the middle of nowhere. Not someone's back yard. There was a park there of some sort. Not much though. 26 minutes until you hear Aaron. Welcome to our life. : ) That B & B was epic! They'd been running it for I believe 30 something years ish? Hosted a lot of CDT hikers. I think it might have been their last year running. They were SET UP! Solar, beautiful amenities for their own dwelling as well as for us. In the backyard of Glacier National Park.

@@oregoniangal Yup, it looks better now. Topping out at 720p. Aaron does tend to quietness, :) I tried to find him at the burn but was unsuccessful. Hope to see you both on our Oct overland adventure

- Most of the route is driveable, We ran across quite a few motorcycles doing a Continental Divide route of sorts. We also have been brainstorming ideas revolving around driving the route to offer some trail magic, and explore in depth some of the areas we passed through. 26 Min until Carley edited my voice into the mix 🤣

Works pretty well. Best move ever!

I'd love to hear how it differs from your GDMBR ride Mat

Nice! Your series gave me the confidence last year! I hope you enjoy!

Me too : ) Loved his series! Actually re watched a bit of it while out on trail this year.

Ooooo, the campaign is getting traction! I’ll be showing Aaron all the demands for more fun! Personally, his gear is way more cool than mine. He’s such a gear nut! Stay tuned!

So glad you’ll be joining along and adventuring with Affinity Forest this season! It’s gonna be a wild ride!

Interesting!

Sending you speedy recovery thoughts your way and in the meantime while you heal, I hope our GDMBR series will keep you “on trail” 😊

One vote for Aaron’s list! 😊

agree! Man's list next if possible. and background about Rowdy.

@lynnforbes8050 Excellent question! This was something that wasn’t covered in the videos I watched before, and was a lesson I learned while out there this summer. You’ll definitely use the plastic putty knife to efficiently scrape the peanut butter off your tires. You’ll be so glad you packed it and had it on hand.

Oh I've seen the pictures of that stuff. Great idea. Thanks.

Most welcome! I relied on videos like this to get me out there. I hope this was helpful!

I hope you enjoy the adventure!

Rowdy LOVES Mira! 🥰

Heh, heh. Me too actually. I’m back home whirling around in my head trying to make connection with my body like…”what exactly just happened?!?” Reliving the experience by going through the videos for release is going to be such a part of the processing experience! And oh…it was such an adventure!!!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I shall keep your words of wisdom with me during those first few days. 😀 I’m gonna need all the advice and encouragement I can get. Welcome aboard the adventure! Meander on, Lost…Meander On!

Thank you for the encouragement! One pedal at a time 😊🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

@pamdalarryum Best way to train! 😊