Yesterday after riding Rattlesnake outside Missoula I continued my drive down US 93 up the Bitterroot valley stopping in Hamilton. I visited The Red Barn bike shop outside of town. I had visited there several times. Chad, the owner recognized me better than my recall. We recounted experiences on same trails as he has gotten around. Small town with local involvement. His shop is a receiving station for donated bicycles. some are bicycle shaped objects. He fixes some up and they are donated to people who need them, yesterday his truck was hitched to a double axle trailer loaded up with bikes as was his truck bed. He would be taking them to Missoula for the same community effort. Friend Randy of Spokane, bought his Turner Burner from this shop. I asked for ride ideas. A local bike club has been formed, Bitterroot Backcountry Cyclist, has a web site. This club has built new trail on the Bitterroot NF, some at Como Lake. I drove out there for the night and a ride today. Memory recall of previous visits. Found a spot off the rough resource extraction road. 31 degrees this morning. Sunlight keeps arriving later each morning, 7 AM is dark and not stimulating get out of bed motions. Furnace ran all night. The propane gauge gives me an idea of amount in tank, yesterday i checked while still in town then took action to refill before last night.
Their bike club is establishing itself with the FS for trail work approval. Chad suggested 3 trails they have built, all hand built. The ground is very rocky.
I rode 2 of them. Well laid out and all pedalable. 9.81 miles climbing 1247′ pedaling for 1 hr 28 mins. Short ride, very pleasant weather and all by myself. I did wear a short sleeve wool T shirt to ward off the morning cold. Fall colors. Tamarac going off way up above me.
Yes, a bear does shit in the woods.
Thursday laundry day chore returned me to town. Task accomplished. Heading back to visit at shop then back to Como for the night. I might ride there again and ride that 3rd trail.
Later recounting of Missoula visit.
Hi Craig,
From what I remember Missoula has some spotty grizzly bear areas. Are you riding with spray or been advised it’s not necessary where you’re at?
My spray is buried deep in a drawer in the van. Missoula made awareness but here in Hamilton all is quiet about packing.
The bear scat did not have a bell in it so life is good