An Exotic Adventure You Can Do

by Larry Lagarde

The Continental Divide is a spine of mountains and high ground that runs from Alaska to the southern tip of South America. Since the summer of 2006, three guys have been bicycling unsupported over this undulating spine using single track and dirt trails whenever possible. They're known as RidingTheSpine.

Now midway to reaching their goal, the RidingTheSpine guys (Goat, Jacob, Sean) have amassed more adventure than most people will have over a lifetime. Chronicles of their adventures in newspapers, magazines and online have led many casual bike riders to wistfully dream of embarking upon their own epic rides. Now you can, safely and for a reasonable price.

John Yost (co-founder of adventure travel pioneer Sobek Expeditions) and Coast To Coast Adventures have teamed up to create an incredible, supported bike ride through the cloud forests and active volcanoes of northern Costa Rica. If you're a RidingTheSpine fan, here's the best part: you'll have the unprecedented experience of bicycling beside the Spine guys on a small but truly spectacular portion of their journey. The distances are short enough (28-40 miles/day) so even casual cyclists can participate.

Known as the Costa Rica Fundraiser Ride, the tour takes place from February 3-10, 2008. Cost to participate is just $795 (including hotels, ground transportation, cycling gear & sag support) and all profits from this very economical adventure go towards funding the rest of the RidingTheSpine journey to where the spine drops into the sea at Ushuaia, Argentina.

Being that I've traveled to this region of Costa Rica, I can personally vouch for the scenic beauty of the rain and cloud forests you'll ride through as well as the awesome volcanic eruptions you're likely to see, hear and even smell. If you can take the time off in February, sign up and join Goat, Jacob & Sean in RidingTheSpine. This trip is definitely one you'll talk about for years after.

To learn more about this tour, visit RidingTheSpine.com.

Labels: great places to go bicycling, RidingTheSpine