Cycling the Great Divide, well known for being one of the longest off-road cycling routes in the world, can be a lifetime dream for many. The distance can be intimidating and taking time away from family and work might seem impossible.

Despite the stunning views along the way, the day-to-day riding of the Divide is truly about repetition. How willing are you to get up, day after day, and ride your bike? Whether you're riding 40 miles a day or 100 miles, cyclists all deal with the same things. Ride your bike, find enough food to keep you going and if it rains, stay dry, and if it's hot, stay cool, and if you're cold, stay warm. Then find somewhere to sleep and do it all again the next day.

With no experience traveling alone, Mary set out on her first solo adventure, bikepacking the Great Divide, which follows the Continental Divide from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, covering 2,500 miles across five U.S. states. With her bike as her tool to get from point A to point B, there was so much for Mary to discover on her journey.