Cycling the Bitterroot 2017

Cycling

bitterroot the the

ravalli republic ravalli republic

june 2017 may 2016

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Page 4 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

In this issue

Ride the Bitterroot Trail.......................................5 2nd Annual MT Bike Ride Celebration..............8 Bike your park....................................................10 Bicycle commuting under the Big Sky.............13 Rest stop and camping at RC Fairgrounds......15 Victor park restroom..........................................17 Map of valley breweries.............................. 18-19 Cycling events in the Bitterroot Valley.............20 Farm to Fork.......................................................22 Funding for shared-use path............................24 History of the Bitterroot pathway.....................26 Lost Trail Bicycle Fest .......................................28 Discover the Valley of Three Trails...................30 A cycling adventure in Cuba.............................32

Cycling

bitterroot june 2017

the

ravalli republic

in partnership with

Cycling the Bitterroot is published by the Ravalli Republic & Missoulian Newspapers, divisions of Lee Enterprises

Mike Gulledge, Publisher • Perry Backus, Associate Editor Project sales, Kathy Kelleher, Jodi Lopez & Lauren Parsons Dara Saltzman, Production & Design Community Liaison, Kris Komar Cover Photo by Lance Pysher Cycling the Bitterroot is copyright 2017, Ravalli Republic.

Photos on this page Lance Pysher, Tom Robertson and Tim Meikle

232 W Main, Hamilton, MT 59840 • ravallirepublic.com

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 5

Ride the beautiful Bitterroot Trail

Photos Courtesy of Nye Imagry Ltd

By Jean Belange-Nye President Bitterroot Trail Preservation Association

Pump up the tires! Put on your walking shoes!

Saddle up your horse! The Bitterroot Trail awaits. Take a weekend ride from Hamilton to Missoula or Missoula to Hamilton and spend an

evening and night enjoying what Missoula and Hamilton have to offer in terms of fine dining and entertainment.

If you are not up to the 47 mile ride from Hamilton to Missoula check out these shorter rides averaging between seven and ten miles.

Page 6 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

Photos Courtesy of Nye Imagry Ltd

Hamilton to Woodside is a quick five mile ride. And next year construction will begin on the bridge and pedestrian trail to Corvallis.

Hamilton to Victor is thirteen miles. Take a break in the Victor Park with its new restroom facility. Enjoy lunch at Cowboy Troy’s or the Hamilton House. Stop in at Lisa Archer Silks for a stunning display of artful fashion. The studio is full of great accessories and silk is compact to carry home with you.

Ride or hike on to Stevensville, another nine miles. Here you can visit Saint Mary’s Mission, the oldest Mission in the Northwest, ride out to the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, or peruse Main Street’s unique galleries and shops, excellent restaurants, and, of course, the Blacksmith Brewery.

Bass Creek Forest Service Campground is halfway between Stevensville and Florence. The Campground has a beautiful bicycle campsite with spots for tents. It is recommended that bicycle campers arrive early (or stake out the spot in the morning by putting up a tent). By late afternoon, it is First come, first serve.

Florence is the next stop, nine miles from Stevensville or Lolo. Florence has an easy trail down to the Bitterroot River. Hungry? Have a piece of pie from Glenn’s Café or lunch at Caffé Firenze. Take a break in Lolo, ten miles from Missoula. Visit Travelers’ Rest State Park and walk the trails of the Lewis and Clark Encampment Area, try and spot some of the 147 bird species that frequent the Park, or visit the Museum. The Lolo Steakhouse, KT’s Hayloft,

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 7

Bamboo Chopsticks and Lolo Peak Brewing Company provide a variety of dining experiences. Ice cream is available at The Sweets Barn and Dairy Queen.

The Lolo to Missoula stretch is the newest portion of the Bitterroot Trail.

It is ten miles of scenic beauty. With rest stops and great photo opportunities all along the way. The Bitterroot Trail ‘ends’ with a ride over the new Reserve Street Overpass for pedestrians and bicyclists which connects the Bitterroot Trail and downtown Missoula. If you’d like to explore the trail system in Missoula, an on-line map available is at www.ci.missoula. mt.us/207/Maps.

Photos Courtesy of Nye Imagry Ltd

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Page 8 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

The 2nd Annual Montana Bike Ride Celebration

Tom Robertson by

Jean Belange-Nye

Bitterroot Trail Preservation Alliance

The Second Annual Montana Bicycle Celebration will be on July 15, 2017 with the Bitterroot Trail Preservation Alliance and the Stevensville Main Street Association partnering to present the event. With the great enthusiasm expressed by many of the 1,200 participants in

the inaugural Bitterroot Trail ride in July of 2016, we anticipate an equally memorable experience during the 2017 Celebration.

Participants will either start in Missoula at the Fort Missoula Regional Park or in Hamilton at the Fairgrounds and ride the Bitterroot Trail to Stevensville for an afternoon/evening of swimming, farmers market, artists, food and bever-

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 9

ages.

The highlight of the Stevensville Main Street Celebration will be a concert with Jack Gladstone and the Great Northern Band.

Participants may elect to stay overnight in Stevensville (hotel and camping facilities are being coordinated) or return to their point of origin or other destination. Van support for riders who do not want to carry their gear will be provided at an additional cost. Camping gear will be shuttled on Saturday to Stevensville and on Sunday to either Fort Missoula Regional Park or to Hamilton Fairgrounds.

Riders may register for the ride at www.bitter-

roottrailpreservationalliance.org/2017_mbc .

All proceeds from the ride will assist the Bitterroot Trail Preservation Alliance to help maintain and improve the Bitterroot Trail. The Bitterroot Trail maintenance and development is a partnership between the Montana Department of Transportation, the Bitterroot Trail Preservation Alliance and Missoula and Ravalli Counties. This year, your support of the ride will allow the Bitterroot Trail Preservation Alliance to purchase bollards for mileage markers, develop signage and rest areas and eventually install permanent restroom facilities along the Bitterroot Trail.

Tom Robertson

Page 10 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

Bike Your Park in the Bitterroot Tom Robertson

The paved Bitterroot Trail follows the same route as three historic and geological trails designated as parks/public lands. by

Eva Dunn-Froebig

Adventure Cycling

Adventure Cycling’s second annual Bike Your Park Day on September 30 encourages people throughout the world to discover nearby parks and public lands by bicycle on the same day—and it’s easy

to experience the Bitterroot Valley. Opportunities range from mountain biking on Forest Service trails, bicycling to several state parks and using the paved Bitterroot Trail to visit three historic and geological trails that follow the same route.

Bike Your Park Day participants can ride any dis-

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 11

Saara Snow

tance to or within parks and public lands whether it’s a national park, state park, Forest Service land, or wildlife refuge. The ride can be with friends and family, solo, or a group ride. In its inaugural year, Bike Your Park Day included over 1,400 rides with more than 11,000 participants throughout the world, including the Bitterroot Valley.

“Adventure Cycling wants to inspire people throughout the world to discover nearby parks and public lands by cycling on the same day,” Adventure Cycling Executive Director Jim Sayer said.

“Bicycling is a healthy, sustainable way to travel and recreate.”

Bike Your Park Day is consistently held on the last Saturday in September, the same day as National Public Lands. Many public lands offer free admission, hold special activities, and have opportunities to participate in service projects.

It’s free to register for Bike Your Park Day at BikeYourParkDay.org and everyone who registers by

Where to go: Ride to or within parks or public lands in the Bitterroot Valley for Bike Your Park Day. • Travelers’ Rest State Park, 6717 Highway 12 West, Lolo: stateparks.mt.gov/travelers-rest • Fort Owen State Park, 100 Stevensville Cutoff Road, Stevensville: stateparks.mt.gov/fort-owen • Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, 4567 Wildfowl Lane, Stevensville: fws.gov/refuge/lee_metcalf • Painted Rocks State Park, 8809 West Fork Road, Darby: stateparks.mt.gov/painted-rocks • Ride the Bitterroot Trail between Lolo and Hamilton to follow these national historic and geological trails, which are part of our public lands: bitterroottrail.com

1. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail: nps.gov/lecl

2. Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail: fs.usda.gov/npnht

3. Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail: nps.gov/iafl/index.htm • Mountain Biking Areas (Darby Ranger District, Stevensville Ranger District., Sula Ranger District. and West Fork Road): www.fs.usda.gov/activity/bitterroot/recreation/bicycling/?recid=60222&actid=24

Page 12 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

September 18 will be entered to win a bike from Advocate Cycles and a trip for two on Amtrak to Glacier National Park.

Bike Your Park Day’s interactive map of rides includes many that are open for others to join.

Those interested can contact the ride organizer via the interactive website. Local Bike Your Park Day volunteer advisors are also listed at BikeYourParkDay.org and can answer questions about bicycle safety, bike-friendly routes, and nearby parks and public lands.

Media tools are available online for those wishing to promote their ride, including the Bike Your Park Day logo, sample social media posts and images, a template press release/newsletter article, and a downloadable fill-in-the-blanks poster.

The Bike Your Park Day hashtag is #bikeyourpark.

Adventure Cycling asks Bike Your Park Day participants to contact the park and public land they plan to visit in advance to ensure that they are following policies and permit requirements, particularly for group rides.

Tom Robertson

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Bicycle commuting under the Big Sky

provided photo by

Linley Davis

Member Coordinator Bike Walk Montana

Jump on your bicycle, pedal to work, help combat global warming, and improve your health by bicycle commuting under the Big Sky. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Sure, it does. But hang on… the truth is there are many things that can kick your butt when it comes to bicycle commuting with-

out a plan of action and a little understanding of the basics.

In a bicyclist’s dream world, you have perfect weather, unlimited access to interconnected trail networks, separated bike lanes and you’re surrounded by treed boulevards. But let’s get real--this isn’t the case for most, so use these tips to help make you an earth protecting bicycle commuting warrior.

Page 14 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

Give Your Bicycle TLC – Air up your tires, clean and lube your chain and make sure your brakes work before you head out on your journey. If you don’t want to maintain your bicycle take it to your local bike shop and let them do the work for you.

Two P’s – Plan and Practice – You should not be escaping danger every time you decide to pedal yourself into the office. Take time to plan a route that utilizes the most shared use paths, trails, bike routes, and least traveled roads as possible. Once your route is planned, actually practice it before you are expected at an 8 a.m. meeting with your boss. It’s good to know how long it takes and how safe it is so you can tweak your route if needed.

Be Visible – Want motorists to watch out for you? Make sure they can see you. You don’t need to roll around dressed like an orange safety cone, but making sure you’re visible will help you remain safe. If wearing bright colors isn’t your thing, you can greatly increase visibility by adding reflection where possible (backpacks, shoes, pant straps, helmets) and by installing lights on your bicycle.

Same Road, Same Rules – Don’t be a bicycle road rebel. Road rebels give all bicyclists a bad rap. Ride with traffic, obey traffic signage and lights. Stop signs actually mean stop; a complete stop.

Hand Signals – Learning bicycle hand signals not only makes you safer on your bicycle, it makes you safer behind the wheel because you know what a bicyclist is communicating with you. Left turn: Left arm straight out to your side. Right turn: Right arm straight out to your side. Stop: Bend your left elbow with fingers to the ground.

Weather Protection – The weather in Montana can be very unpredictable but it is possible to keep riding year-round. Dress in layers, have gloves with you (even in June), and have protection against wind, snow and rain. Wearing a helmet is also good weather protection and protects your brain.

Now you’re informed. So, get rolling and feel good because you’re improving the air you breathe, your health, and you get to enjoy the view of Big Sky Country in the saddle all the way from your doorstep to the office.

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 15

Rest stop and camping at Ravalli County Fairgrounds

Photo Courtesy of Ravalli County Fairgrounds by

Cryss Anderson

Ravalli County Fairgrounds

The last time this cycling publication hit the presses, the students at Trapper Creep Job Corps were busily constructing the all season restroom and gazebo at the main gate of the Ravalli County

Fairgrounds. Fast forward to this year and we are happily onto our third season of usage for the infrastructure improvements at the south end of our grounds. The Pavilion is a nice shaded area, perfect for a pit stop when bikers first come into town.

If you are entering Hamilton from the north we

Page 16 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

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are situated perfectly to get you off busy Highway 93 so you can get a handle on how you want to spend your time while you are here. The fairgrounds is centrally located in our community and making us your first stop is ideal if you want to freshen up and make a plan for exploring Hamilton. An added bonus of our locale is that most everything is within walking distance should you care to get out of the saddle for a bit.

Campers will likely be happiest at the north end of our grounds near the big poplar and cottonwood trees. There is lots of nice lawn space and plenty of seclusion on most days. If high winds are in the forecast, it might be smartest to pitch your tent under the cover of one of the arenas. There is room to spread out on our grounds with no shortage of great places to pitch a tent. If you are unsure where to camp, stop by the fair office, or call ahead. Our irrigation is fed off a mainline, which means you won’t have the surprise of 6 a.m. underground sprinkler systems waking you up! We greatly appreciate a donation for camping; advice is always free. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. There is no need to make camping reservations.

The bicycling rest area is located at the south end of the fairgrounds, next to the main gate. The restroom there is always open and we are delighted to have these amenities in place to help cyclists enjoy their time in our community. There is no need to make camping reservations, as camping is offered on a donation basis for bikers and there is plenty of space throughout our grounds. More information about the fairgrounds and events can be found on our website, www.rcfair.org, or on Facebook.

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 17

New restroom at Victor park by

Roger DeBrito

Ravalli County Fairgrounds

The Bitterroot Trail Preservation Alliance promotes trail use through establishing resting places along the trail. One such place is the new public restroom in Victor at the Victor Park adjacent to the Bitterroot Trail.

The success of this project is directly related to the enduring work of the Victor Park Board with the support of the Ravalli County commissioners and the Bitterroot Trail Preservation Alliance. Many local citizens and businesses put effort into the completion of this project.

1

2 3

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BREWERIES OF THE BITTERROOT VALLEY

Page 18 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

6

5

4

101 Marcus St, Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-7468

308 E Tanner Ave, Darby, MT 59829 (406) 646-6003

BREWING CO.

Map provided by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce

6 BANDIT

BREWING

518 N 1st St, Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-5204

BREWING CO.

5 BITTER ROOT

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 19

Page 20 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

Cycling events in the Bitterroot Valley Tom Robertson.

It’s summer and that means valley organizations offer bicyclists an excuse to come together to enjoy a quiet ride through the countryside or work up a healthy sweat in a miles-long race for the finish line.

So take a look, circle the date and get ready to ride. Actually, most events welcome non-tri participants to join in the fun and volunteers are always needed.

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 21

Burnt Fork Spring Ride June 3, 2017 BikeWalk Bitterroot, Bitterroot Land Trust bikewalkbitterroot.org, A 30-mile mixed surface cycling adventure to Kerslake Ranch with chili, local brews, and live bluegrass after.

Montana Bicycle Celebration July 15, 2017. bitterroottrailpreservationalliance.org/2017_mbc The Stevensville Bike and Brew, is part of the Montana Bicycle Celebration. Read an article on this event in another story in this publication.

Tour of the Bitterroot Sunday, July 16, 2017 Bitter Root Land Trust tourofthebitterroot.org The Tour will have two routes this year, a 48 mile loop (half road/half dirt) through the Forest and an 18 mile round trip on Sleeping Child.

The BBQ lunch at noon will be accompanied by live bluegrass music. Kids ride at 1pm. If you aren’t riding, you’re still invited to the BBQ! Registration is now open.

Lake Como Triathlon Saturday, July 22, 2017 Benefitting Lost Trail Ski Patrol, Lake Como Trails Club, Trapper Creek Job Corps, and Ravalli Search & Recue lakecomotri.com The Tri is held at Lake Como in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley just south of Hamilton Montana. A challenging Xterra style race: Open Water Swim (0.9mi), Mountain Bike (12.6 mi), and Trail Run (7.7 mi). The open water swim starts at 8:00am at the public beach. Day or season passes are required for all vehicles parking in the Lake Como Recreational Area.

Registration is now open.

Lost Trail Bike Fest and Shuttle Extravaganza August 25-27, 2017 ltbikefest.com In its 5th year, the Bike Fest and Shuttle Extravaganza is the perfect way to wrap up the summer on two-wheels. Check out the ride pro-

files and maps on the web site and, while you’re at it, register, too. Camping is available at the base camp at Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski area. And there’s a movie night and a dance!

Registration is now open. Read an article on this event in another story in this publication.

Bitterroot Classic Triathlon Saturday, August 26, 2017 bitterrootclassictriathlon.com The Bitterroot Classic Triathlon is a fun, family focused sprint distance tri: Swim (750 yards), Bike (12.4 miles), and Run (3.1 miles). The Classic is held every year in Hamilton, Montana at the Bitterroot Aquatic Center on Kurtz Lane. First swim heat starts at 8:30am. If you aren’t going to tri, you can volunteer to help with the event.

Registration is now open.

Fork to Farm Tour September 17, 2017 www.bikewalkbitterroot.org Ride and eat, repeat. Details at the web site.

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Page 22 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

Farm to Fork

By Katrina Mendrey for the ravalli republic

In the Bitterroot Valley, country roads wind through pastures and orchards with open vistas of the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains. The scenery is enough to get even the most reluctant cyclist on their bicycle. But the Bitterroot Valley has more to offer cyclist than just great scenery. Organized rides give cyclists the opportunity to experience the agricultural heritage of the Bitterroot, support local non-profits, and

enjoy the splendor of locally produced foods.

Fork to Farm and the Burnt Fork Spring Ride, are both organized by Bike Walk Bitterroot, an advocacy organization for safe and accessible walking and biking in the valley. “Fork to Farm and the Burnt Fork Spring Ride are opportunities for both organizations, farms, and other like-minded non-profits to show locals and visitors alike what the Bitterroot has to offer,� Bike Walk Bitterroot Board President

Matthew Rohrbach said, “We want riders to walk away with a new understanding of local agriculture, land conservation and their role as cyclists in continuing to make the Bitterroot Valley a vibrant community.”

Fork to Farm and the Burnt Fork Spring Ride are fundraisers for the BikeWalk Bitterroot and the Bitter Root Land Trust and support their ongoing work as well as supporting the local agricultural community. They also provide opportunities for partner organizations--Bitterroot Land Trust and MSU Extension--to showcase their work with local farms and ranches.

Each ride is around 30 miles and offers cyclists the opportunity to visit working farms and ranches while enjoying foods prepared from local and seasonal ingredients. The Burnt Fork Spring Ride this year was held June 3. Riders meandered up the Burnt Fork to Kerslake ranch where they enjoyed a chili lunch before hopping back on their bikes and pedaling back to Stevensville.

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 23

Fork to Farm on September 17, 2017 will once again showcase the diversity of agriculture in the Bitterroot. Similar to the 2016 ride it will start at the Montana State University Experiment Station in Corvallis. Riders will visit four farms where farm fresh foods will be served before returning to the Station to enjoy live music and a final meal.

In 2016 riders visited a vineyard, orchard, sheep dairy, and vegetable farm. Along the way they sampled locally made beer, wine or hard cider as well as such delicacies as wood fired pizza with Bitterroot grape compote and melon bowls filled with sweet peppers, basil, lamb, and topped with feta. At the MSU Experiment Station, riders enjoyed live music played by Pinegrass and a stew made with locally raised and butchered chicken and, of course, Bitterroot Macintosh apple crisp for dessert.

Farms are still being identified for the 2017 ride and online registration will be up by midJune at www.bikewalkbitterroot.org.

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Page 24 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

Funding for shared-use path maintenance by

HB HB 225 HB 225

Ed Greef

for the

Estab Establishing fun Establishing funding fo maintenance an main maintenance and educ

Ravalli Republic

As you may have noticed, there are sections of the Bitterroot Trail in desperate need of repair. However, there is no money or mechanism to pay for maintenance. It is for this reason that I began the journey to find funding through state statute. Hence the creation of House Bill 225, a bill that would indeed establish funding for maintenance of shared-use paths as well as statewide bicycle / pedestrian education.

The bill certainly experienced a rollercoaster ride throughout this 2017 legislative session! After easily sailing through the House, it came to a sudden stop in the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee; the bill was tabled and presumably dead. Senator Terry Gauthier, a member of that committee, brought it to vote again, but again it was voted down.

As a last resort, Senator Gauthier made a motion on the Senate floor to bring the bill onto the floor for full vote, thereby circumventing the committee. The motion passed, the bill was brought forward for a full vote and with a very narrow margin of two votes, did pass. The bill has since been signed by the Governor and will take effect July 1, 2017.

So what exactly does this bill do? There will be a new option added to the vehicle registration providing the opportunity for you to contribute an additional $5 when next renewing your license plates.

The $5 will be deposited into a special account and administered by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT).

WHY TRAILS GOOD FOR FOR MONTANA WHY TRAILSARE ARE GOOD MONTANA

WHY TRAILS ARE GOOD FOR KEY •

PUBLIC PUBLIC HEALTH

•

HEALTH

KEY FEATURES Nearly 70% of Montanans • overweight Nearly 70% of Montanans (MT are or obese • Establishes funding Statewide Outdoor areComprehensive overweight or obese (MT and bi • Estab Recreation Plan) Comprehensive Outdoormaintenance Statewide • Nearly 70% of Mont education mainte For every $1 spent on building Recreation Plan) ob walking and biking paths inare overweight or educa • For $1save spent on building Montana, every we could close Statewide Comprehensive biking(MT paths in to $3 walking in medicaland expenses Statewide Comprehensive Montana, we Outdoor couldRecreation save close Plan) Recreation Plan) (MT

to $3 in medical expenses PUBLIC • For every $1 spent on walking and biking pa HEALTH Montana, we could s •

ECONOMIC VITALITY

•

ECONOMIC VITALITY •

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Bicycle tourists contribute Recreation Plan) an estimated $377 Million to Montana’s economy (Institute of• Tourism and Recreation Research) Bicycle tourists contribute

to $3 in medical expe

Trailsan areestimated the most desired $377 Million to Comprehensive community amenity that Statewide (Institute Montana’s economy homeowners seek when Recreation of Tourism and Recreation Research)Plan) buying a home (National Association of Home Builders, 2008) • Trails are the most desired

WHY THIS IS IM

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Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 25

Eighty percent of the money collected will Even though the bill becomes effective be used to maintain shared-use paths within July 1, it will most likely take the Department the MDT district in which the money was of Justice some time to update their comcollected. The remaining 20 percent will be puter system in order to begin collecting used for statewide bicycle and pedestrian the fee. It may take a while until enough education. So for example, if you live in the money is collected before it can be used Bitterroot Valley or Missoula area, $4 of your for its intended purpose but the money will $5 contribution will be used to maintain accrue and it will makefor a difference.

Establishing funding trail You can shared-use paths MDT District 1 (western help make a difference by checking the box Montana). The other $1 will be usedmaintenance for and payingand the $5education the next time you register statewide bicycle and pedestrian education. your vehicle.

HB 225

HOW FUNDING WILL BE GENERATED AND ALLOCATED This program would be funded by a $5 opt-in fee on all Montana light-vehicle registrations. It is not a new tax: the “opt-out� fee is entirely voluntary. Of the funds generated, 20% will go toward bicycle and pedestrian education and 80% will be used for trail maintenance. From the trail maintenance fund, 90% will be allocated toward MDT right-of-way trails and 10% will be allocated toward non-MDT right-of-way trails. The maintenance funds will be distributed by the MDT district in which the revenue is generated (see map below).

$5 opt-in fee on all Montana vehicle registrations 80% maintenance of shared-use trails (allocated to MDT District) 90% MDT right-of-way

20% bicycle/pedestrian safety and education

10% non-MDT right-of-way

MDT FINANCIAL DISTRICTS Cut Bank

Whitefish

Havre Wolf Point

Kalispell

3

1 Great Falls Missoula

4 Lewistown

Helena

5 Butte Bozeman Dillon

2

Sidney Glendive

Billings

Miles City

Page 26 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

Ribbon Cutting for Highway 93 South and the Bitterroot Trail, August 2012

The Bitterroot shared-use pathway: a brief history

By Jean Belange-Nye President Bitterroot Trail Preservation Alliance

The Bitterroot Trail forty-seven mile shareduse pathway from downtown Missoula to Hamilton has taken twenty-six years to plan and build. Inspiration for the Trail came when Rachel, a twelve year old student was struck on her bicycle in front of the Lolo Community Center.

Rachel survived the crash and the pathway would take thirty years to be fully developed.

The Lolo to Hamilton section of the Trail was accomplished as part of the reconstruction of Highway 93 South. As the result of a Friends of the Bitterroot lawsuit, citizen input in the form of focus groups was ordered by the Federal Court, with each community forming its own citizens

advisory group. In addition, advisory groups were formed for wildlife, access and the pathway. The overarching Bitterroot Focus Group acted as a coordinator for all of the groups with the Montana Department of Transportation.

The final approval was given by the Bitterroot Advisory Council composed of government officials and citizen stakeholders representing focus groups from Lolo to Hamilton.

In 1990, the Lolo Focus Group was formed.

The sidewalks and lights were their main request. At the same time a small group of Lolo and Florence community members formed a focus group for a pathway between Lolo and Florence. The trail layout was designed with input from Lolo Middle School students. The

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 27

goal was to provide a safe route for pedestrians, bicyclists, and horseback riders from Lolo to Florence. This portion of the Trail was constructed first.

The Trail was a success and it was the decision of the Pathway Focus group to include the Trail in the construction plans from Florence to Hamilton. Unfortunately, there was no funding for a rural trail system along Highway 93. The only funding was for community improvements and the numerous animal crossings along the highway. An appeal was made to Senator Max Baucus, who headed the Senate Appropriations Committee. One million dollars later the Bitterroot Trail was a reality on paper.

The last section, Victor to Woodside, was finished the summer of 2012 with a ribbon cutting in Victor.

Meanwhile, the unfinished Lolo to Missoula section had claimed the lives of three bicyclists and one pedestrian and was deemed one of the most dangerous sections of highway in the country for bicyclists and pedestrians. Gordon Reese and Jean Belangie-Nye, citizen activ-

ist colleagues for the Trail, decided to form a committee to build a trail between Missoula and Lolo and the Missoula2Lolo Trail was born.

Over fifty members, composed of city, county, and MDT employees, members from Adventure Cycling and Bike Walk Alliance for Missoula, and interested community members, attended monthly meetings to plan the completion of the trail. Finally in 2014, Missoula received the $4.6 million TIGER Grant for the Missoula2Lolo Trail.

Then in 2015, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency under the guidance of Ellen Buchanan and with the approval of the Missoula City Council provided funding for a pedestrian-bicyclist bridge over Reserve Street. The Bitterroot Trail was completed and opened April 29, 2017.

The vision for the future includes connecting The Bitterroot Trail with the Peoples’ Way Trail that will connect Missoula to Polson forming a one hundred forty-four mile pedestrian-bicycle route from Hamilton to Polson in Western Montana.

Page 28 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

Lost Trail Bicycle Fest

Photo by Lance Pysher

By Lance Pysher Bitterroot Back Country Cyclists

Scotty usually shows about seven to start the generator. That’s the signal to crawl out of the sleeping bag and start brewing the coffee. If I’m lucky I can get a few pots brewed for those

who need a little eye opener before I slip off for the first ride of the morning when it is most peaceful on the trail. Usually the early sun erases the last of the morning chill--not that there is much left after climbing the ridge--and I pause for a moment to look down on the Big Hole,

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Bitterroot and Salmon River Valleys.

I should probably be down at the Lost Trail base soon to register the stragglers who drove up this morning rather than joining us for last night for movies and camping out; but sometimes you need to take a few liberties and mine is “inspecting” the trails to make sure everything is in order for the weekend ahead.

For the last five years the Bitterroot Backcountry Cyclists have hosted 100-200 of their closest friends across the Northern Rockies to the top of Lost Trail Pass for the Lost Trail Bike Fest and Shuttle Extravaganza. A weekend of camping, music and, of course, bikes in celebration of the simple pleasure of riding with friends in search of adventure on the trail less travelled.

Most everyone is familiar with Lost Trail in the winter with Powder Thursdays and the best snow in Montana and Idaho. Fewer people come up in the summer to explore the trails heading off in all directions. Still, the secret is slowly leaking out. Warm Springs Ridge which stretches north from Saddle Mountain holds a collection of some of the best mountain biking in Montana. Choosing which of the five trails to “inspect” is always a challenge. Shield Creek to Overwhich Falls and then over to Warm Springs Creek is my favorite--but it can get rowdy. On these mornings I usually stay high and ride the sixteen miles of Warm Springs Ridge before the final big descent to the shuttle pick up at Spring Gulch Campground.

My friends and I have been riding these trails for years and if we had one complaint it was picking straws to see who would retrieve the car from the top of the pass while everyone else relaxed and enjoyed a cold beer. It was after one of those rides that someone came up with a key ingredient of the Bike Fest, “The Shuttle Extravaganza”.

Since all the trails eventually wind up either at the campground or the Sula Ranger Station along Highway 93 we could have vans and drivers run Photo by Lance Pysher laps all day up and no one would miss out on brews with friends.

With my “inspection” complete I catch the first shuttle back up and return to the task at hand; making sure everyone has a blast. This is not a race and I still don’t understand the people who come to ride, but skip the festivities.

As much as I love to ride, lounging on the deck chatting with people I haven’t seen enough of recently then dancing to live music (Bob Wire, this summer) under the Milky Way is what transforms a ride into a fest. Even if the generator does seem to start even earlier the next morning.

Lost Trail Bike Fest & Shuttle Extravaganza, August 25-26, 2017 www.ltbikefest.com

Page 30 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

Discover the Valley of Three Trails

David Erickson Photo by Lance Pysher

By Kristine Komar Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust

As you enjoying your ride along the Bitterroot Trail, ponder this: you’re on a path that has been in use for tens of thousands of years.

Water ”used” the Trail—and profoundly shaped the landscape—in the form of Glacial Lake Missoula. Between 18-13,000 years ago, water inundated the Bitterroot Valley rising and falling approximately 50 times as the ice dam (in northern Idaho, near present day Lake Pend Oreille) failed repeatedly. At its deepest, the water level was approximately 500 feet deep above Hamilton and Sula had shoreline. The Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail was established by Congress in 2009—the first National Geologic Trail!—to pay homage to this remarkable part of North American natural heritage.

The trees on the mountains now hide many of the features left by the water, but some are visible if you know what to look for and where to look. Do a little research before your next ride and see if you can identify the features as you peddle beneath them.

After the water drained out of the Bitterroot

Valley for the last time, the valley floor became a much used path east for Indians on their way to and from buffalo country with trails through the mountains near what we now call Missoula, Skalkaho and Lost Trail Pass. The Bitterroot Valley was home to the Bitterroot Salish who provided access to all.

The next time you pedal the path, contemplate the 1805 Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery as you pedal. The Bitterroot Trail almost exactly overlays the Corps’ 1805 path from the mountains near Lost Trail Pass to Lolo Pass, so you will be cycling in the footsteps of the Corps. It was in the Bitterroot Valley that the Corps met the Nez Perce and Salish Indians.

Both tribes helped Lewis and Clark with provisions, including horses, and directions. It is generally acknowledged that without the aid of the kindly Indians Lewis and Clark may not have been able to successfully navigate the crossing of the Rockies into the Clearwater Valley.

The Nez Perce were inveterate travelers and frequently moved east through the Bitterroot.

In 1877, they chose this route to flee from their homelands during what we now call the War

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and Flight of 1877. Over 2000 horses, 800 Nez perce, and 200 dogs made the journey through the Bitterroot and east and north to the Bears Paw Mountains, where tired, sick and hungry from their arduous journey, they surrendered to the U.S. Army.

They were only twenty miles from safety in Canada. The story of the four-month Flight and War of 1877 is a sad, but important story.

Nez Perce remember and commemorate the events of 1877 while focusing much energy on their pre-contact culture and heritage and the current culture, which thrives today.

M o C

Check out the trails • • •

Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail www.nps.gov/iafl Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail www.nps.lecl Nez Perce )(Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail www.fs.fed.us/NPNHT

You may also learn more about the Three Trails at: • Ice Age Floods: o Montana Natural History Center, Missoula, www.montanaanturalist.org o Ice Age Floods Institute www.iafi.org • Lewis and Clark: o Travelers Rest State Park, Lolo, www.stateparks.mt.gov/travelers-rest o Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton, www.ravallimuseum.org • Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail o Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton, www.ravallimuseum.org

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Page 32 - Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017

Searching for sunshine: a cycling advernture to Cuba

Walking bikes on the cobbled streets of Trinidad Story for the

and

Photos

by

Tim W. Meikle

Ravalli Republic

Sunshine.

Winter 2016-17 swallowed the Bitterroot Valley in its cold, wet grey grip. On December

19, four traveling companions and I deplaned onto the tarmac at Santa Clara, Cuba. Palm trees swayed and tropical breezes promised a not-too-distant ocean. Escape accomplished.

Cuba was officially open for tourism.

Cycling the Bitterroot, June 9, 2017 - Page 33

Following decades of travel restrictions, limited consider an interstate highway. Eighty-degree tourism was permitted by the United States temperatures and high humidity soon withered under newly approved ‘travel intentions’. Our concerns over lack of mobile phone service. We travel intention--Adventure Journalism. Our transitioned to farm roads lined by sugar cane team included an adventure leader, blogger, and small stucco homes surrounded by banana assistant-to-blogger, and mango trees. Large food photographer trucks transporting sugar and interpreter. cane passed us and we After fifteen minexperienced the exhilautes discussing travel ration of passing horseplans with Customs, drawn carts.

I emerged to find my Beaches, the kind companions watching you see in glossy travel several thousand dolmagazines with imposlars of bicycles being sibly clear water, graced stacked pancakethe roadways near La style on top of what Boca and Trinidad. The appeared to be a fifCuba landform can be ties era van and tied described as a ‘crocowith a frayed rope. dile’ with the long narThe relic consisted row island lying in the of welded together Gulf of Mexico on a shalpieces of Dodges, low reef. The reef conChevys, Fords, powtains world-class scuba View of the Valle de Vinales, Cuba ered by a North diving and snorkeling.

Korean diesel engine and Salsa rhythms pumpDay trips led from our B&B’s to sand and swiming from a modern stereo. After twenty minutes ming through the underwater world of tropical of passing horse carts, we were welcomed to the fish.

Casa Amarillo B&B near the city center.

Our ‘City Day’ was spent biking into Trinidad’s Plans for our eighteen-day excursion included central square – a city with stone streets worn a week-long loop with multi-day stays at B&Bs, from 500 years of foot traffic. Biking across the day rides, snorkeling and enjoying the local culstones was impossible, and we pushed our bikes ture and history. Our first loop took us from Santa up the hill to the city center for music, tourist Clara through Cienfuegos and Trinidad. shopping and people watching.

Our cycling adventure began with a celIf Cuba is a crocodile lying atop a coral reef, ebratory loop around the ancient city square, the scaly ridges are the short steep mountain through a bustling street of businesses, past the ranges providing the backbone of the country.

Che Guevara Memorial, dense clusters of small Our next long day was a forty-mile plus ride from stucco homes, horses, chickens, pigs and busy Trinidad back to Santa Clara. Our guidebook Cubanos at the edge of town before emerging stated that the mountain range contained 14 onto the highway. percent grades. How could this be possible?

The appeal of cycling Cuba was immediately Montana has the largest and steepest of everyapparent when we hit the four-lane autopista. thing, right? Grades up Going-to-the-Sun Road Few vehicles, many horse carriages, and the in Glacier National Park are 8 percent. occasional gaucho riding on what we would Topes de Collantes is a national park in the

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(above) The back road to Vinales, Cuba (above right) Loading bicycles in Cuba (below right) Fishing boats docked in the village of La Boca, Cuba

Escambray Mountains separating Trinidad from Santa Clara. Group consensus ruled that we find transportation to the top of the mountain pass to avoid walking the grades so we could enjoy a mostly downhill ride. Group consensus was that grades were truly 14 percent and that Montanans have nothing to brag about.

The steep roads were lined with vibrant green jungles and challenging even to experienced cyclists. The downhill run exited the park and stretched onto a rural back road where we passed through several small villages and shared the road with chickens, pigs, and nary a vehicle.

Casa Amarillo B&B welcomed us with another standard Latin American meal of beans, rice and

chicken. Part of our group repacked bikes for their trip back to the grey hell called Montana.

The adventure leader and I rested then acquired transportation to the western tip of the country and Playa Maria la Gorda for reef time and continuation of the cycling adventure.

Adventure travel - a fitting escape from Montana’s winter.

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