Author: Bill

 

Again, not so much a ride as we hiked South Sentinel. Then it was back to Julie and Ron’s place for some festive cheer. The evening was filled with warmth, laughter, and the glow of holiday lights. We swapped stories of past adventures, toasted to future rides, and enjoyed Julie’s famous holiday treats. It was a night that reminded us all of the true spirit of the season—community, friendship, and the joy of sharing the outdoors, even in the chill of winter.

Guess what happens when you swap bikes for boots? Magic, that’s what! Last Thursday, we traded our usual “Thursday Night Ride” for something a tad more frosty and a lot more slippery. Welcome to our Thursday Night Recreation – Hiking edition!

Our adventure began at the Rattlesnake Recreation Area’s lower parking lot. Imagine this: A crisp, icy evening with the moon casting a silvery glow over the snow-laden paths. There’s Julie, bundled up like an Arctic explorer, Laurie with her ever-ready thermos of hot cocoa, Larry and Aaron cracking jokes to keep the cold at bay, Alden, Dave, Jon Garvin, and yours truly, stepping cautiously but excitedly into the winter wonderland. Only Mr. Cymbals Ed, our usual trip coordinator, was missing. We missed his quirky route ideas and signature cymbal-claps that echoed through the trails.

Despite the icy conditions making it nearly impossible to ride, we weren’t deterred. We hiked, slipping and sliding, laughing at our clumsy attempts to stay upright. It’s one thing to ride through these trails, quite another to hike them under a starry sky. Each frozen branch and snow-covered rock seemed like part of a winter fairy tale, and we were the characters braving the unknown.

We shared stories, marveled at the serene beauty of the Rattlesnake Recreation Area under its icy veil, and even had an impromptu snowball fight. Laurie, with her sniper-like precision, managed to land a snowball right on Larry’s beanie. Payback for his endless dad jokes, maybe?

As the night deepened and our laughter echoed through the cold air, we realized something. It didn’t matter whether we were on bikes or on foot. What mattered was the camaraderie, the shared experience, the joy of being out in nature, no matter the conditions.

We returned to the parking lot with cold toes, rosy cheeks, and warm hearts. This might have been a deviation from our usual Thursday night routine, but it was a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures are the unexpected ones. And as for Mr. Cymbals Ed? We’re sure he would have loved every icy, hilarious moment of it.

Resources:

1. Trail Hiking Safety Tips
2. Guide to Winter Hiking
3. The Best Hot Cocoa Recipes
4. Humorous Tales from the Trails
5. Rattlesnake Recreation Area Guide

Yea, it’s a little dark. I went hiking last night to battle “the funk.” Unfortunately, it didn’t work as expected. Instead, I discovered that I’m out of shape.

Location:Orange Street Trail,Missoula,United States

Been busy. Though I’m focused on work, I’ve been riding a lot. Yesterday I put in a good 25 miles in the frigid temps. The Clark Fork River looks cool, like waves instantly frozen. Actually, it’s ice being pushed up on shore by the force of the unfrozen water behind it. It’s about 10 below zero right now, and the river is totally frozen this morning. Kind of how I feel.

Last weekend’s escapade to 9 Mile Valley with my friends Ed, Laurie, and Julie was nothing short of magical. The holiday festivities in this quaint valley had us brimming with excitement from the get-go.

Our first stop was the iconic 9 Mile Schoolhouse, a charming structure that seems to have leaped straight out of a storybook. Its rustic charm and historical significance made it a perfect backdrop for our holiday adventure. We wandered around the schoolhouse, each nook and cranny telling a tale of yesteryear. Laurie, the history buff among us, shared fascinating snippets about the schoolhouse’s past, adding an educational twist to our visit.

But the true adventure began when we decided to drive up the valley for a hike. The landscape transitioned beautifully as we ascended, with the lush greenery giving way to breathtaking views of the valley below. The trail was a delightful mix of challenging and scenic, keeping us engaged and in awe throughout. Ed, always the joker, kept us entertained with his endless stream of puns and jokes, ensuring there was never a dull moment.

Julie, our resident adventure buff, captured the essence of our journey in her guidance.

Our day in the 9 Mile Valley was a perfect blend of history, nature, camaraderie, and laughter. It was an unforgettable experience, one that we’ll cherish and reminisce about for years to come.

Again, sorry for the lack of blogging. So much biking, hiking, and general fun is out there! This Thanksgiving day was one for the scrapbooks.

The day began after I woke up, sore from a previous run-in with a car the night before. Not one to miss out, I booked it up to Pattee Canyon with my friend Aaron for the one-time-only day version of the Thursday Night Ride / Hike.

It wasn’t long before we were gathering on top of old Sentinel, enjoying each other’s company and the sunshine. We were really working hard on that appetite. The boys tried the last headwall numerous times…

Today, I’m joining friends at Larry’s house to cheer on the University of Montana Grizzlies as they take on the Montana State Bobcats in a highly anticipated rivalry game. This clash is a significant event here in Montana.

Earlier this morning, I embarked on a Sunrise ride, hoping to witness a breathtaking sunrise. However, instead of a radiant dawn, I was met with a gloomy cloud drifting towards me, bringing along a dusting of snow.

Undeterred by the weather, I continued my ride, traversing Jumbo Saddle and venturing into Marshall Canyon. After a brisk descent, I meandered over to Deer Creek, where I tackled the challenging Deer Creek Sneak. The ride culminated in another exhilarating descent down Pattee Canyon.

www.trailforks.com

Deer Creek Sneak in Missoula, Montana

Sent from my iPhone

I hope you enjoyed this snapshot of my day in Missoula. Stay tuned for more adventures from Big Sky Country!

Good morning from the sun-kissed streets of Missoula, Montana! It’s one of those days where the sun beckons you outside, and I couldn’t resist.

Opting for the scenic South Hills route to work, I soaked in every moment. Now, I’m toying with the idea of swapping out my usual lunch routine for a midday ride. Who needs sandwiches when you have sunshine and open roads, right?

Up at 5 am in a freezing Missoula, stressing over bills. The IRS says I owe $700 for underpaid taxes in 2007. That’s on top of a $500 bill from Cellular One and a $2000 car repair. Looks like no mountain bike races in 2010 for me.

Despite being robbed blind, had a blast last night. Rode up Sentinel Mountain with Ed, calling it the Treasure Ride. Felt strong, reaching the top without a hitch. The city looked amazing at night.

Ed suggested extending the ride to Deer Creek, then the Kim Williams Trail. Couldn’t resist.

Hoping to find a buddy for tonight’s ride – US West Trail, Marshall Canyon, then down the Sidewinder Family. Any takers?

Sent from my iPhone.

Mulecross is well documented, take a look at the Mule X Blog. For the visually stimulated there is the video (highly recommended). For the snapshot crowd there are the photos. And the stat geeks the results. Here is my short recollection of last weekend. 

Saturday morning my friend bob and I took the drive to Bozeman in anticipation of snow and cold wet muddy conditions. When we arrived we found perfect fall weather and the mud was really minimal. When we approached the venue I immediately saw the large run-up that dominated the skyline. I said, “holy shit … a real run up”. Not only was this run up steep but apparently muddy.

I haven’t run up a hill like that in the mud since I left Plattsburgh New York. I remember the days behind the fieldhouse when we included streams, single track, and long run sections. Once I remember we even put a gate-hopping in the race.

MC-ing the event was a gunslinger and