Spring Training

Whoa, hold the phone! Let’s take a quick break from our regularly scheduled blogging extravaganza to dish out some fresh-off-the-press news. Yesterday’s cycling adventure turned out to be a rollercoaster ride in what felt like the heart of spring. So, the eagerly awaited “Best Photos of 2009” feature will just have to wait until tomorrow.

I embarked on my go-to Bitterroot escapade yesterday, clocking in a cool 75 miles on my trusty cross bike. As my knobbies serenaded the pavement, I ventured onto a medley of terrains – sandy dirt roads, gravel, and paths littered with rocks were just the appetizers. I managed to scope out three roads that had been haunting my dreams: Upper Woodchuck, Ambrose Creek Road, and the elusive Burnt Fork Roads.

The snapshot from Upper Woodchuck Road? A total letdown. Despite the epic dirt road climb that got me in the zone, a buzzkill sign declared everything beyond was private property. Just great, another slice of paradise gobbled up by some mega-corporation with more dollars than sense. Reluctantly, I turned back, dreams dashed by the harsh reality of land grabs.

Back in the day, you could waltz into forest service land from any which way. Now, it’s like Fort Knox, with private lands playing gatekeeper to what’s supposedly ours. It’s a real bummer.

Next stop, Ambrose Creek Road – a mixed bag, but in a strangely positive way. I’m betting that once summer sends winter packing, I’ll be able to venture further. For now, a snow blockade had other plans.

The third leg of my quest actually delivered. The Burnt Fork Roads – North, South, and Middle – were a feast for the eyes, with asphalt giving way to vistas that screamed ‘adventure this way’ towards forest service lands. Alas, Father Time and the setting sun had me on a tight leash, so “up the creek” remains a mystery… for now. But I’ll be back, you can bet on that.

I did the usual Bitterroot getaway yesterday and popped off a 75 mile ride on my cross bike. With knobbies humming up the pavement I soon found other surface types. Sandy dirt road, gravel, and dirt road strewn with rocks where just a few. I was able to investigate three roads that I had on my mind, Upper Woodchuck, Ambrose Creek Road, and the Burnt Fork Roads.