I have been staying out past Bridger Bowl ski area where there is not even text connection. It’s Sat afternoon and I’m sitting in the public library parking lot using my card for connection as the public is unsecured, me share this info? Just between me and you.
So Monday PM after a shower at the Y I drove out past York to Beartrap Gulch for a camp spot for the next day’s ride up Trout Creek, climb some resource extraction roads then drop down Bear Trap gulch.A faint recall told me about this trail, and an idle brain is a terrible thing to waste.
Tuesday AM I headed out. Trail is spectacular as it climbs up following the flowing then sinking then flowing Trout Creek which cut down thru the limestone creating a narrow defile for a tread.
About 3 miles of this opened up to a logging road for a climb out. The trail had the appearance of having had a road thru it but prolly frequent flooding caused it to cease functioning as a road. The climb out on the resource extraction road was gentle till the turn onto a lesser traveled road. Cow damage. Meadows destroyed. Quit y’all eating so much beef.
Finally the single track down the Gulch dropping 2113′ in 4 miles. Mountain mountain biking is sometimes a big climb for just a few miles of gravity pull speed. My cockpit setup gives me confidence, here is what it looks like:
Back at the van I put up the bike and changed clothes then drove back into Helena for a shower. Clean I drove to Bozeman, Dinner at Ale House then drove out of town past Bridger Bowl ski area to the N end of the Bangtail Divide trail. I discovered a short gravel road dead ending at a locked gate down by a flowing stream for my camp spot.
Wed I rode from my spot to the N end of the Bangtail trail. Ride today was a hump up to the ridge high point, a hike over to a sight line visible line back to Bozeman for cell service, then turn around and enjoy gravity. Smoke from far away forest fires cloud the sky
Rocky tread. I climbed 4 miles gaining 1558′ in 51 mins of actual pedaling, I took several time outs to catch my breath. Trail climbed up to 7500. Turn back time was 23 mins non stop. I have been going faster taking advantage of the bike. I am still concerned about not really beating my carbon rims.
I took a solar shower and settled in for the evening. Still warm enough for no heat.
Thursday was a town day and wash. I remember using this particular laundromat in past visits. Found it. Clean clothes. While there I noticed a couple about my age sitting together outside the door. Past experience said that a couple sitting at a laundromat meant they were on the road. Sure enough. Dirt bagging like me but not bikers. We shared some stories and tips. Fun.
I drove into town then went for a walking tour. I scored a copy of Trudeau’s “Yuge” his collection of 30 years of cartoons featuring trump. Bookstore said they were on their second reorder. I did carry it in a plain brown wrapper. I visited with Will of Beartooth publishing who makes maps. We rode together in Sedona several times. My pic is still on the cover piece of the Sedona map.
Friday I drove from my spot over to the North end of the bangtail trail as my plan was to ride the paved road down to Olson road then climb up to join the trail. I believe I am hosting bad things in my gut which lessened my desire and ability to ride the entire trail. At the TH Julie was getting ready to go, She is riding for the first time a rental current tech suspension bike but no dropper post. We chatted as I am wont to do. She headed south on the trail and I headed s on the road. I climbed up Olson road to the trail junction for 7 miles of trail which included the 4 miles downhill. I encountered Julie, we chatted again. She was flabbergasted on the ride quality. My ride was 15.9 miles climbing 2290 in pedal time of 2 hours. I demand more of my respiratory system than it can support. I need to pedal slower. What gets me are the short punchy climbs during a coasting downhill. Steve, I will still be riding your wheel on the climbs.
Back at the TH I hung out. Julie is riding this bike for the first time which might have beaten her up and she still had the 5 mile climb before the 2 mile downhill back to the TH. I had time on my hands and goodness in my heart. I drove down to meet her and drive her back up. I told a hiker at the southern TH that I was waiting for a single woman. Julie rolled into the TH w/ a big smile on her face as the hiker shared my info. She knew that she didn’t have to pedal the road back. At the TH 2 guys rolled in. I chatted with them. Todd is a mag publisher knows Brandon of Freehub. Julie drank a Moose Drool as I drove her back.
Afterwards I drove to my camp spot to find that a truck w/ Texas plates in “my” place. Too small to share. I drove out then took the next gravel road that climbed up a bit. I found a nice flat open area for my spot. It turns out it must be pretty popular as several rigs pulled in then turned around. I need to leave quickly as it is after 4 to score the same spot. This AM in the dark thirty several rigs climbed past me for archery hunting.
I am planning on a backpacking trip up Spanish Creek next week and spend several days at Big Sky then return to Bozeman.
Mike Van Able ex director of IMBA is resigning. What changes lie in store?
Rain forecast for the next several days.
Off to no electronic stimulation.