Favorite Towns on the Tour Divide

Solitude is what many seek in the Tour Divide. Just yourself, your bike, and 2,000 miles of dirt roads. This solitude is great until it isn't. When you start to miss the simple task of saying hi to a stranger or drinking a beer next to a fellow nomad it can drive you insane. The following towns were my favorite places I stopped at during the 2016 Tour Divide. These places provided great food, friendly conversations, and a welcomed break from the monotony of riding your bike from sunrise to sundown.

Saida, Colorado, USA
Located in Central Colorado between gorgeous mountain peaks, Salida is a welcomed stop for Tour Divide racers. This town of 5,000 people was in full bloom when I arrived on its busy streets in late June 2016. People recognized me from the Spot Tracker and offered me pizza and tips for where to sleep in the town for the night. I had some amazing green chili and heard great music! Can’t wait to go back. 

Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA
The ride into Steamboat was an ass kicker and I was still beaten up from the hell that was the Great Basin of Wyoming. Steamboat is gorgeous in late June and I ran into my riding partner Ricky at the local bike shop that was staying open late to save Tour Divide racers from our lack of bike maintenance. Ricky and I split a hotel room and had killer pizza. The scenery was beautiful and the people were kind, what more do you want. 

Abiquiu, New Mexico, USA
Abiquiu holds a special place in my heart. In November of 2017, we scattered my Dad’s ashes in the Rio Chama just outside of town. During the Tour Divide, I rode into town with a deflating tire, little to no food and a need for conversations. I ran into some fellow racers, Russell from Texas and David from Spain. Russell ended up getting us all a room at the Abiquiu Inn and we ate like kings at the one restaurant in town. The next morning I had some amazing burritos in the local gas station and rode off into Georgia O'Keeffe land. 

Atlantic City, Wyoming, USA
The Wild West still exists. In the middle of the Red Desert of Wyoming lies the sleepy town of Atlantic City. I rode into town as the sun was setting and literally walked through swinging bar doors to enter the towns only restaurant/ bar. The town has some amazing characters and I was able to stay in a small cabin for the night. It was a relaxing night before the hell that was the Great Basin. I hate the Great Basin.

I can't wait to make new memories this summer in new towns and revisit some of my favorite places that mean so much to me!

-Dylan