Now around Bozeman, MT. Arrived here Sunday afternoon after short heat affected ride at Helena. So far MT is about climbing big elevation. Made my ride last 60 mins for 6.12 miles climbing 1047′. Hot. The shuttle went to the CDT at the Pass. I rode it one time and that was enough as it was very rocky and the downhill wasn’t all that great. Knapweed has taken over openings on Ascension Mtn. Whenever I would stop my bike I would pull plants. Another reason wildlife is scarce because only goats are able to digest the plant. It has to do with the liver.
Beer at Bozone brew pub before driving up to the N end of Bangtail trail. Gravel lot. Collection of dirt bikers and mountain bikers, almost even number. From my van I watched the two wheeled riders negotiate the last switchback, more of a climbing turn. The dirt bikers had troubles while the mtn bikers railed the turn. Visible evidence on how to make architectural features to challenge this user group. Before dinner I was all alone. earlier gun fire rattled the quiet: practice. Temp was 42 at get out of bed time. Ran the furnace which performed per spec.
Monday I decided to make a rest day. I drove back to town. Not even cell phone at TH which is about 20 miles out of town. Visited with Mason at Altered bikes, and Will at Beartooth publishing, the maker of the Sedona map with a pic of me on the front piece. Ordered new pair of Free Rider Pro shoes as the soles are almost worn thru from the pedal spikes. Dinner at Ale House. Visited Wildrye, a distillery, did enjoy a drink of their wild spiced rum made from sugar beets. Sugar Beets, sugar cane, both are sugar not starch. Bought a bottle of straight rum, they don’t age. Haven’t tasted it yet. Distillery is owned by Phil whom I met on a Moab ride. Drove back out to Bangtail TH.
Bangtail: big ride, big demand. I harbored much apprehension about completing the entire ride. Over my previous visits here I had ridden it several times so I had faint recall to what I would be in for. I even made an almond butter strawberry preserve sandwich for energy, plus 2 Clif bars and about 80 ozs of water. Ride starts on pavement, the first 1.7 miles climbs then the remaining almost 6 miles was mostly nonpedaling downhill. Hit 31 mph, bike is a bit squirrelly on pavement at that speed. About a mile of gravel road finished at bottom of climbing turns climb. Riding at start at 5,xxx’ elevation. Climbed up to 7,800′ finally. Big hump, bit of walking as my engine has lost age affected performance. Trail climbs thru private property that has been logged.
Towards the n end the trail was bordered by blue berry bushes which broadcast their smell. I picked a few for taste. Tread is sharp edged smaller pieces of rock.
Cows grazing on our public land damaging our resources. Hunters complain that wolves are killing off the deer and elk. My put is the cattle rancher running cows on grazing lease destroy habitat such that only man cared for cows can survive. Trail crossed a riparian area, used to be a small stream which ran clean, Now:
About 5 miles from the N end the trail turns downward and real excitement started. Payback for the humps. Broken rock, exposure, dirt bike holes. Letting the bike have more free rein so to speak by lessening the braking and trusting the suspension and my ability to make the correct moves. Screamer. Several places the trail was so rough and my speed so high my eye balls almost started bouncing because the muscles attached to the eyeball became fatigued. That really happened on a ride years ago on a fully rigid bike bouncing over stutter bumps on a logging road. I had to stop because I couldn’t see.
So, this ride was survival. I finished in 1 piece pedaling 30 miles in 3 hrs 38 mins climbing 3530′. Little enjoyment, just satisfaction of completion.
Trail in many places is below grade and like V shaped from the dirt bikes. Beat up.
The final downhill is rough. Look down the trail riding mentally what is coming. Suck up what the suspension can’t get with my legs. Liked it so much that tomorrow I will ride a shorter version of the big ride by pedaling up Olson Creek road which connects to the trail. It ain’t no picnic either.
I am no longer going to Ohio as my nephew’s wedding has been called off. I am working over plans to stay mostly west of the Divide. I am here until USPS delivers my new shorts.