Philip Benningfield
Great Divide
Carnero Pass and Places
Certain sections of the GDR have particular places that give us a sense of security and comfort. On the southern side of Carnero Pass is a perfectly situated Forest Guard Station. I have never stayed there but roamed around the seemingly well-groomed grounds and filled up with water after a bout with Mother Nature. Huddling under a measly stand of aspens, with thunder and lightning approaching the pass, lends a sense of comfort while waiting to get the wheels rolling again.
To find a respectable shelter, not an ineffectual set of trees, sets the mind at ease and allows the psyche time to realize that all is well again. Better yet is water, a beautiful setting in sporadic aspen groves, and a cooler with tasty libations, which had been left under the small porch cover.
Could it get any better? Yes, because the miles afterward are downhill, fast, and lead to the rolling pavement beside the Penitente rock climbing and mountain biking area. Better still is the La Garita store: an oasis on the western side of the San Luis Valley.
- IMAGES OF THE ROAD -
Philip Benningfield
Gear List
- MY BLACKBURN GEAR -
- BIKE SPECS -
- • FRAME-2010Titanium Motobecane Fly Team 29er
- • BOTTOM BRACKET-Shimano Deore XT
- • SHIFTERS-Shimano XTR
- • TIRES-Geax Saguro 29er
- • STEM-TruVatin Stylo
- • SPARE PARTS LISTS-Always, always, always a spare derailluer hanger! Chain links, cleat, misc. bolts, brake pads, Haven spoke, tubes, zip ties, duct tape, etc. etc.
- • HEADSET-FSA Orbit XLII
- • PEDALS-Shimano XTR SPD
- • BRAKES-Avid Elixir
- • SEATPOST-Thomson Aluminum
- • HANDLEBAR-Easton Monkey Lite Riser, Ergon grips with bar ends.
- • ACCESSORIES-Princeton Tec light, Blackburn Fleas, Garmin Dakota 10 GPS
- • CRANK-Shimano Deore XT 175mm, XT rings
- • CASSETTE-Shimano Deore XT, 11-34
- • WHEELS-29 Easton Haven Aluminum
- • SADDLE-Brooks Titanium B17
- • BAGS-Oneja Negra framebag, Carousel Design seat pack, front and rear top-tube packs and handlebar pack.
- PERSONAL ITEMS -
- • Electrolytes
- • Ibuprofen
- • A&D ointment
- • Vitamins-(cordyceps mushrooms, Hyaloronic acid/MSM)
- • Basic first aid kit
- • Water purification tablets
- • Spoon
- TECHNOLOGY -
- • Garmin Dakota GPS
- • Princeton Tec light
- • Ipod
- • Blackburn Flea light
- CAMPING GEAR -
- • Oware tarp
- • SOL emergency bivy
- • Thermarest Neoair sleeping pad
- • Sleeping bag-Feathered Friends Hummingbird 20-degree sleeping bag
- •
- MY CLOTHING -
- • Tattered Bellweather bibs
- • Worn-out Pearlizumi Arm and Leg Warmers
- • Marmot Poly shirt
- • Bell Variant Helmet
- • Bellweather outer shorts
- • Trespass waterproof jacket
- • Trespass waterproof jacket
- • Marmot Down jacket
- • Jagged Mountain skull cap
- • Champion jersey
- • Smart wool socks
- • Giro gloves
Philip Benningfield
- FROM: Salida, CO, USA
- DOB: 1964-07-31
- Married to Dawn Heigele
- OCCUPATION: Coffeeshop owner and author
- What was the genesis moment or inspiration for your upcoming adventure? Have your traveled by bike in the past? My motivation comes from some instinctual need to see what lies over the next mountain pass, to see a pristine meadow flushed with wildflowers or filled with stoic elk, or follow a never-ending ranch fence line in as obscure a place as possible.
- What is your goal for the route? What do you hope to get out of this journey? Any undertaking along the GDR is tempered with as little expectations as possible. I find no need to try and experience the trip beforehand as the actual ride far surpasses any expectation. The goal each and every time is to get away from the busy world and witness, with as minimal a kit as I can survive with, the peace found out in the middle of nowhere!
MY MUST HAVES
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Tattered warm Pearlizumi gloves
-
Sleeping Bag
Feathered Friends Hummingbird 20-degree sleeping bag
-
Marmot 650-fill down coat
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Jagged Edge skullcap