Again, so much time has passed since writing that events get mingled.

Let’s get started.

Will picked me up and drove us tot he TH for Corbly creek trail. Road in would have destroyed my van. Nice fall weather and late in the afternoon which flattened the light. Just gorgeous. Corbly trail was rebuilt 2 years ago correcting previous execution. Nice climb on sustainable grade. Woods dirt and rocks up higher. We climbed to where the new joined the old then turned around for our earn your turns downhill.

View out over valley:

I usually ride during the heart of the day because I have all day and like to have afternoon for clean up and getting ready for decent dinner time. Will has his publishing co to tend to which made for the late afternoon which gave us this incredible fall light. shorter ride w/ all the benefits: 8.34 miles round trip climbing 1680′, that’s 1680′ in 4.17 miles. Descent smoked. To me a trail that can be climbed is also a satisfying speedy return.

Will took pics for the cover of his revised map. I don’t know if this will make the front piece:

We ate a late dinner at the Ale works. Sitting beside Will was Mason, an owner of Alter bikes shop in town. I checked his shop on the next day and he hooked me on their vibe, my now got o shop in town.

I slept on the street in town near the rail road tracks and I90. At least I was not bothered.

Thurs I did my laundry at the same laundromat. I drove down to Big Sky for a ride Will proposed. I stopped for a soak at the hot springs.

At Big sky i checked out bike shops, Grizzly Outfitters shared lots of info. Dispersed camping is limited. I chose south of down, up river. Before I made Taylor creek road I saw Red Cliff, a USFS XG. Senior pass means half price which is affordable. I found a spot in the almost empty XG. 3 guys from WA on a road trip stopped for conversation, 1 hand around a beer bottle and the other in the pants pocket. They drank beer while I did my dishes.

A free public bus route stopped in the Big Sky Village and drove up to terminus at Moonlight lodge. From there i rode down the easier Otter Way which is a machine built downhill w/ berms and table tops, blue color run. I was route finding using MTBProject to find the friendly Mountain to Meadow trail back to the village. I dropped down to the base area at the bottom of a chair lift that was carrying riders up mountain. I chatted w/ the liftee about how to get to the M to M trail. He ended up giving me a free ride up the chair with instruction to ride Snake Charmer which is a blue downhill run. I found the trail. Table tops, bigger berms, and loose rock connected me w/ another trail that connected w/ M to M. I rode a piece of Coolridge that friend Shane had connections to. M to M had its man made challenges. I made it back to the Village w/ sore knees from soaking up the contrived features. I hung around under the sunshine till I convinced myself to take another go at a free shuttle to ride just M to M. However when I arrived at the bus stop to no bus then read the schedule, the next bus was not for another 2 hours at like 4:30. I baled on the ride. I ate some bison meat at local brew pub. I sat at the bar between men. Wasn’t long b4 I had a conversation joining the 2 groups. I left just b4 dark to drive back to the XG. SO nice having a saved spot.

Plan for Sat ride was to meet Will at The Corral for a late Bfast. From there we drove down to Taylor fork road where there is dispersed camping. The start of the road was deemed too nasty by me to drive my van. We drove to a TH way back almost at the end of the road and parked amongst the hunters’ ATV trailers. Nice fall day. A solo rider pulled in and Will invited him along as this is Grizz country and solo riding is not always a good thing. The first part of the ATV trail had been remade making it a climbing traverse till it joined the old less steep trail. Place looked familiar but I couldn’t name the tune. Visions started flashing and I recalled my ride here back the first year of my travels named Blowout. We turned right and continued the ATV trail on the Oil well trail. Our high point was Pika Point at 9475′.

We reached the end of the ATV trail right where the fun stuff downhill started. Only dirt bikes were permitted.

 

Trail was steep and loose rock chunder causing to error on the safe side and walked several short pieces, other wise is was aiming the bike and letting gravity pull over the rocks. tech trail. Down towards the bottom Will stopped to check out this tree:

Our bear spray cans remained in our holsters. My van was parked way out just off the highway. I had 3 beers chilled in my fridge that I shared w/ Will and Kyle the other rider.

I left to drive to the Spanish Creek TH for a back pack trip.The drive from the pavement was about 6 miles of stutter bumped gravel and threading my way thru massive herds of ted Turner’s bison. None of them contested my right to be on the road as cows do. he has around 5,000 bison that he raises as income producing. I had been paying attention to the weather forecast whenever I received internet which called for weather going to shit on Sunday night: rain starting then cold temp turning wet into solid. i was enticed by Spanish Lakes way up in the alpine about 8 miles in. This would be my first backpack trip on non work hardened body. I wanted to spend a night out. I hiked listening to my body. The lake goal became more of a pipe dream to obtain. Skies were turning mean hinting that the forecast was actually going to happen. I saw an old campsite just below the trail and right on the river bank. I scrambled down to check it out. It was the old trail and there was a smooth flat spot for my tent. Good enough for me. I set up camp.

I have a thermorest  air mattress and I have a new chair setup that I had not looked at  since I bought it last summer. Turns out the chair was made for a 20″ wide pad and I sleep on a 25″: not a  good fit. I hiked a ways up stream to another trail junction sort of looking for other camps pots. Trail is in narrow canyon w/ slope and lots of rocks and trees, I got the good spot, I filtered water from the creek and threw a rope over a leaner tree to hand my food. I fixed, ate dinner,and cleaned up while watching threatening clouds and dropping temp. Just before dark became too dark to  read sprinkles started. I climbed into my tent and switched on my head lamp and kept reading. Sprinkles became more persistent changing to real rain. I was snug as a bug in my tent . i was also sleeping for the first time in my new Feathered Friends blanket sleeping bag rated to 20 degrees. I zipped up. Bag is so light weight by design that the zipper needed finagling to zip closed. I tossed and turned a bit,I was never too cold or too warm. Just before light I no longer heard rain falling on the tent. I looked out and saw white: sure enough Snow was falling. I was faced with packing a wet camp and hiking back down in snow. I camped at just under 7,000′ the lakes were 9,xxx” and would  have had more snow to contend with. I packed up my wet tent, spread almond butter and honey on a bagel, then shouldered my pack. All of a sudden my back like froze up not allowing me to stand completely upright. WTF? I was fine packing up then bang: froze up. Snow fell all the way back to the van.

I wore rain pants.

Back at the almost empty TH I crawled into my van and started the heater. I made a cup of coffee. I changed into city clothes then drove out. The solar panel was too covered by snow to absorb the weak sunshine. I drove thru not as many bison

I wonder how bison are wrangled?

6 miles of stutter bumps brought me back to US 191 and I headed back to Bozeman. I was focusing on soaking in the hot springs hoping that my back would loosen up. At the parking lot I walked  stooped over to the 104 degree pool. I soaked for what I could stand of 13 mins. A bit of relief that didn’t last.

Back in Bozeman I stopped at the PO for my blood testing supplies and my new sandals compliments of Bedrock sandals. No test strips. I called customer service where they told me  the meter I am using is being replaced hence no strips. New meter is to arrive UPS in 2 days which means hopefully Thurs. I gave Alter as my shipping address. Ia m here around town till Thurs.

Driving I spotted a large sign for massage. Perhaps if my my back still wasn’t happy I would seek one today.

I ate dinner and drank 2 beers at the Ale works while sitting at the bar. Wonderful mix of customers. One was from MIssissippi and I asked about segregation. He left for his reserved table. The woman to my right has moved to South Africa and I asked her about apartheid. Give me people and i will find subjects to discuss.

I street slept at same spot. I lay in bed putting off standing up and learning how my back felt. Finally at 8 I slid my legs onto the floor and  stood up: no go: still stooped. Massage appointment today. Made one for 12. She worked me over for an hour attempting to loosen muscles. Seems muscle tightness is compensating for something unhappy in my back. I can stand just a bit straighter.

I am parked at a city park in partial sun and 50 degree temp drying out my wet gear.

Weather forecast calls for shorts weather by this weekend.

During my hike I pulled Black Hills from my memory. Rapid City, SD and Spearfish will be my next stop.

I gave my failed  Raceface Turbine dropper post to ThatBikeLife shop to send in for repair and had not heard anything from the repair shop. On Friday during my Big Sky ride my phone rang: RaceFace. He said they were shipping me a new post as the repair shop was  backed up. Cool. Only the size I need is not in stock. They will call me when available and we will play find a RaceFace shop somewhere done the road. I am using the KS LEV post that works but is slower on the rising up.

Seems to me I “hurt” my back last summer after a  backpack trip near Bend.

Check out new issue of DirtRag. Great cover pic of Sue Haywood and an article. Bama wrote 2 articles about his stuff.

On Friday I added a higher number to  my age: I am now 67.

 

 

I was able to ride a short piece of bangtail divide before the weather changed.

I found this spot to sleep before the rain set in. I returned after the rain sopped the ground and was greeted by this:

Sloppy loose mess. Bad guys destroy the property of all of ours. I kept my wheels close to the all weather road hoping for short distance to firm traction. During the night more rain fell. In the morning I was concerned about getting out. I slid around a bit witht he differential lock engaged thus allowing me to escape.

Sunday I sought med attention at an Urgent Care for my ailing digestive system. Another stool culture was ordered. Monday I dropped it off.

Ground is too wet for me to ride on as I can pick better riding days. Sunday it rained. Monday not as much. I checked out Battle Ridge FS XG uphill from the Bangtail TH. Free. Sites all had some grade to them, I selected the levelest and used blocks to level. Monday the breweries were closed. What’s up with that?

Tuesday I hiked up to Ross Pass. I started from Bangtail TH hiking up past where I had stayed. I didn’t want to drive the road for fear of ending up some place where I would have to back down. I wanted to hike to see how I handled walking and to wear my hiking boots. Turns out that the road continued past where I had stayed and dead ended at a TH for where I was going to hike. I hiked 1.7 miles extra each way for the lesson. Once on the trail which down low was overgrown with water laden plants that I brushed sending the water onto my wool knickers and down into my boot socks. The tread was cupped which caused my feet to twist outward. Nasty walking. Up high the trail became a nasty double track. I saw bear prints in that mud. I turned a corner in time to see the rear quarter of a black bear leaving the trail. I needed an additional 12 feet on my hiking pole and I could have poked it. I told the bear to keep on moving as I hiked thru.

I made the pass where strong winds cause me to seek shelter just down from the pass.

I looked east to Bangtail Divide trail across the valley

I retraced my steps missing the bear and wetness. The boot uppers bruised my ankles from like sidehill hiking. I limped a bit. I checked out the TH passing and decided that it was good enough for a sleep spot last night. I hung at bangtail TH chatting w/ whomever. A solo woman pulled in. She is from Tonasket, WA and we shared some of the same places.

I drove back up to the TH. I planned on riding Bangtail today but more rain fell last night. Darn, no dryness. I ahve been running the heater at night, Temp hit 40 outside.

Today I drove back to town.

The med clinic left a message. I called today. results were completely clean, nothing living inside me. A colonoscopy would not find whatever is causing my loose stool. Suggestion is to take Nexeum to retard stomach acids. I am 3 days into the doses and my stomach is happier although stool is still loose.

Later today I am riding w/ Will from Beartooth.

I still plan on checking out Big Sky and a backpack trip.

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.