Unleash Your Adventure: Conquer the Great Divide with the Salsa Cutthroat
The Genesis of a Legend: Salsa Cutthroat and the Great Divide
The Salsa Cutthroat is renowned for its exceptional compatibility with Adventure Cycling's Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. This synergy is no coincidence; Salsa Cycles meticulously engineered the Cutthroat with the GDMBR's demanding terrain in mind. As the third generation model prepares for its launch in March 2026, one fortunate cyclist will have the opportunity to win a new Cutthroat by participating in the 50th Anniversary GDMBR Drop-in Ride. The narrative delves into the interwoven histories of this remarkable bicycle and the iconic route, illuminated by the perspectives of Joe Meiser, Salsa Cycle's senior product manager, and Meaghan Hackinen, a celebrated writer, endurance racer, and Tour Divide champion.
Joe Meiser's Vision: Crafting the Ideal Bikepacking Machine
Joe Meiser, a pivotal figure at Salsa Cycles, shares his journey into the world of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. His awareness of the route and its fastest-known-time races emerged in the mid-2000s, primarily through the blogs of pioneers like Mike Curiak and Pete Bassinger. Inspired by his own successes in gravel racing, Meiser set his sights on conquering 'The Divide' in 2009, commencing his ride in Banff. This ambition necessitated a purpose-built bicycle. During his tenure as a designer for QBP and Salsa Cycles, the team was deeply immersed in the burgeoning fields of bikepacking and adventure cycling. Their research into 'The Divide' revealed a significant gap in suitable equipment. The most pressing need was to mitigate the strain on riders' hands and wrists, a common issue when using traditional mountain bikes. This realization led to the introduction of the drop-bar Salsa Fargo in 2008, specifically designed for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and the broader bikepacking community.
The Evolution to Cutthroat: Lighter, Faster, More Comfortable
After nearly a decade of producing the Fargo in steel and titanium, Salsa riders, sponsored athletes, and employees voiced a desire for a bicycle that was lighter, offered enhanced comfort, and delivered greater speed. This collective aspiration was the catalyst for the creation of the Cutthroat. In 2016, the carbon Salsa Cutthroat made its grand debut at the Tour Divide race in Banff. Meiser recounts the privilege of riding alongside media partners and the project engineer from Sparwood, Alberta, to Whitefish, Montana, a truly fitting way to unveil the new bike. A decade and three generations later, the passion for adventure and the Great Divide remains as fervent as ever at Salsa Cycles.
Meaghan Hackinen's Triumph: The Cutthroat as a Trusted Companion
Meaghan Hackinen, a distinguished writer, endurance racer, and Tour Divide victor, describes her immediate connection with the Cutthroat. From the moment she encountered the bike, she instinctively knew it would be her partner in adventure. Three years later, she embarked on her dream quest, waving goodbye to an enthusiastic crowd at the Tour Divide start line in Banff. The Tour Divide demands unparalleled efficiency across thousands of miles of varied terrain, from gravel roads to thick mud and jarring washboard. The Cutthroat proved perfectly equipped for this monumental challenge. Its balanced design, optimized for both speed and control, made it swift on open stretches and instilled confidence when navigating challenging ruts and rocky paths. Hackinen emphasizes the invaluable nature of a reliable setup when days blur into one another. In the vast, remote expanse of Wyoming's Great Basin, far from any human settlement, the Cutthroat's efficiency was crucial in sustaining her momentum, even when motivation waned. Time and again, her Cutthroat seamlessly performed, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the experience: the serene gravel paths, the hard-won mountain passes, and the profound satisfaction of traversing immense landscapes powered solely by her own efforts.