Wow, the Big Wander is a major ride. Having just ridden these roads three weeks ago, some first hand info:
1. Do not count on food being available in Yellow Pine. Despite official hours saying they were open, The Corner was closed on a Monday when we were there. Saturday They maybe more likely to be open. The East Fork Cafe is a food truck, good food, if
they’re open, they are supposed to be, but just last week they were closed despite their official hours. That’s it, there is nothing else there. The general store was repossessed and is closed. So carry enough calories to get you thru the day.
2. Water - I carried three bottles and went thru all of them over 67 miles and the weather was cool. Water may or may not be available in YP, when we were riding there the water pipe had broken that day. It was repaired by the time we got there but it
was recommended that we either not drink, or filter the water. We had filters, so be prepared you may have to filter water there or from the river.
3. FS Road 474/ S Fork road is paved for all 32 miles back to Warm Lake Rd. And the pavement is pretty nice actually. RidewithGPS says it’s not paved, but that’s out of date.
4. Have the route loaded in your bike computer, the roads aren’t hard to follow but you really don’t want to get lost. I had no cell service on most of the route (ATT), Verizon was a little better, YMMV.
Have fun, watch out for each other!
Jim