Author: Bill

Just dropped my list of 2006 mountain biking adventures (and then some) on the site. You can’t miss it—it’s chillin’ in the main menu under “2006 Races”. But hey, I’m only human. Spotted a typo? Got a race that’s not on the list but absolutely needs to be? Hit me up through my “Contact Form” or shoot me an email if we’re already buddies.

Now, onto the juicy bit—tonight’s Thursday Night Ride.

We’re kicking off from the Crazy Canyon Trailhead, and let me tell you, I’m buzzing with excitement. Heard through the grapevine that some of my pals are back from tearing it up at the Sea Otter Classic (pretty sure that’s the one – check it out at https://www.seaotterclassic.com/). One of them even snagged the top spot. Can’t wait to catch up, swap stories about the race, and chat about what’s on the horizon. After a long winter, it’s about time we hit the trails together again. Can’t wait to see who else decides to join. Here’s to good times and great rides ahead!

Today I hit the mountain pass at Lolo Pass on the Idaho Montana border for this weekend’s bike ride. I am going it alone and will be taking limited tools, food, and water. I’ll use my filter to get water from the Lochsa River. I might even stop off at the hot springs for a soak. The weather looks nice but on the pass who knows pass web cam.

I should be back this evening after 8 pm as I start out of here at 10. I want to be on the bike by 11 as the weather is supposed to peak on the nice side by then. I am feeling pretty good although last night Marcy and I hiked University Mountain and I could feel remnants of last week’s knee soreness.

• Date: April 9, 2006
• Distance: 75 miles RT
• Max El: 5,251ft
• Climb El: 8,999ft
• Est. Tm: 5 to 6 hours
• Map: click here

The content reflects a deep passion for cycling, endurance challenges, and the spirit of adventure. It’s inspiring to see individuals push their limits and embark on such extraordinary journeys. The dedication and determination of the participants shine through in these engaging narratives.

If you’re a cycling enthusiast, these links will provide you with a wealth of information about challenging biking routes, personal achievements, and the incredible spirit behind these adventures.

Citations:
[1] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/2013-rmvq
[2] https://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/one-big-circle-the-first-90-degrees/
[3] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/the-rmvq/
[4] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/the-rmvq
[5] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/

From Break Espresso, my morning haven—it’s not just about the coffee, which is so well-priced it could make even a night owl chirp at dawn. The pastries? A gamble, sure, but there’s a charm in yesterday’s scone. The service can be a sunrise smile or a backstage scramble. Yet, it’s the unpredictability, the mix of experiences, that reels me back. It’s like trying to recall Spring Break with Paul—bits and pieces, vivid and hazy all at once. Every visit here is a mini-adventure, a nod to life’s unexpected moments, latte in hand.

I woke up this morning determined not to let the outcome of yesterday’s web changes at work not control me the way I let some people do at Sikorsky Aircraft. There were people on my team at Sikorsky that sabotaged my work and thus my reputation. I did not want the latest changes I was asked to do at the MARS Stout website to define or represent my work. As soon as I got to work I sent out a letter:

I don’t like the way our web site looks. Yesterday a new banner got posted and the font colors were changed. The result in my opinion looks dysfunctional and not very professional. … I like to do good work and our current website does not reflect that … in fact I feel embarrassed…

I set out and redesigned the banner and quickly got the site looking a little better. I didn’t ask permission or anything, just sent out the letter, implemented my changes, and restored my dignity. In the end, everyone likes it and I no longer have to be embarrassed to say that I worked on the MARS Stout Website.

Last night I rode the Blackfoot Trail but found that my heart rate was somewhat slower than normal. I may be on the verge of over-training, but I still enjoy it. Perhaps this is why so much at work frustrates me. The rainy weather continues, and I feel like my luck has run out. Tonight I expect to get extremely wet, muddy, and cold, which strangely appeals to me!

{rant section} I was just asked to make some style changes to the MARS Stout website. Personally, I think the new font changes have made the site look worse. While the site does need updating to appear more professional (a future redesign may help), the previous style was pretty good. Now it looks dysfunctional and the design elements are not complementary. So please don’t think this is one of my own sites. Yuck!

Thursday Night Ride Report

I left work around 4:40 and rode to the Blue Mountain Recreation area before the group was to meet at 6. I rode up the Blue Mountain Road and came down the single-track that we usually climb. I met Larry and a new rider, and we set off to do some riding.

We rode for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. In that time, we rode up to the first upper parking lot, turned left, and climbed up and over to a great downhill that I had never ridden before. We ended up by the footbridge at the bottom. We rode back up the gulch and came down my favorite downhill before returning to the parking lot.

Even though we received a record rainfall yesterday (1.68 inches), we were able to enjoy a ride without too much mud. In fact, the riding conditions were pretty good.

I just turned off the TV where forecasters are predicting rain, rain, and more rain. They even lowered the snow line to around 5,000 feet, so we are looking at over a foot of new snow up on the trails. This doesn’t bode well for tomorrow’s Thursday Night Mountain Bike Ride.

Yesterday’s weather promised to be the same, but I lucked out with a dry evening as I rode to Swartz Creek and up the dirt road for about two miles into the beautiful valley. The ride took me two and a half hours and totaled 45.4 miles. Over the last four days, I have traveled 150 miles… nice to be back. Did I just hear a snow plow go by?

Tomorrow will be my third day on the bike, and people at work are going to start wondering if I ever go home. I arrive with cycling wear, put on work clothes, take them off, put on the cycling clothes, and head out the door. They don’t understand.

Last night’s Friends and Family gathering went off as usual with the usual characters. Topics included movies, travel, and site visitors. If it is sunny in your neck of the woods, enjoy it!

It feels good being back in the saddle on my road bike this spring. While it hasn’t been a long cold winter, I do feel like it’s time for spring. Cycling is my life; it’s what my soul craves when I’m not doing it. I love riding all day and then lying around unable to muster enough energy to do anything else. I laid around all weekend when I wasn’t in the saddle. It was mentally and financially draining after last weekend’s race in Lewiston, Idaho.

The Devil’s Slide: Last weekend, I decided on Saturday to go to a race in Idaho. I hastily threw all my gear together and split around 1 pm. The drive was beautiful, even though it was treacherous due to a big rainstorm that pounded me all the way through Idaho. When I arrived, I found the campground that I had called earlier closed to tent sites (RVs only). Then, every time I decided to go for a pre-ride, it started downpouring.

Frustrated from not getting a ride in, I set up my tent in an RV spot and didn’t fill out the campground slip because there was no way I was paying for an RV spot when I was given bad information on the phone about tent space availability. I got it all set up in the pouring rain, and all that was left to do was to quickly throw in the bedding without getting it too wet. I searched the entire car and couldn’t find my sleeping bag. I had forgotten it.

Right then, I decided to drive back home and abandon the entire weekend. I drove around town for quite a while in a daze; my brain was fried. I finally stopped at the worst place ever… Burger King. Now thoroughly disgusted, I headed home.

I passed the Super 8 on highway 12 going back to Missoula and remembered that my friends were staying there. I decided to go and leave them a message about my disappearance. For some reason, I gave up the ghost and decided to use my credit card to spend the night there. I was absolutely done trying to navigate my emotions and the daunting task of driving 4 hours straight back home.

My friends showed up later that night, and we went out for some food. At that point, things started to look up. I decided to stick around the next day and watch them race.

The next day, the sun was out, and it was absolutely beautiful. I decided I wanted to ride. After riding the course, I decided that I wanted to race and headed to the registration table to spend the next week’s grocery money. My friends had saved my weekend, and with their help, I was able to race. The day before was a mess; I shouldn’t have gone to the race as I don’t have money to burn, and it seemed as though it would bite me in the ass. It didn’t, and the weekend turned out fantastic. I got 3rd place, as well as two of my other friends.

Week of Rest: It took a week of resting before cycling had re-entered my soul. All I could think about was getting on my bike and riding all day. I planned some future races and was glad to find out that there was a Montana Series in the works this year. This weekend, I went road riding both days and laid around the house when it was hailing, raining, or nighttime. Yesterday, I went out for a great 67-mile ride to the Nine Mile Valley and back. The entire ride took me 4 hours, and after, I laid in the sun in the front yard. What a weekend! That is what life is all about.

So now it’s back to the grind. There is a race next weekend that I want to do, but I don’t have the cash for it yet. But I don’t care; it’s spring and a new riding season. Isn’t that exciting?

It is suddenly mountain bike season. It seems too early for me but this Sunday there is a mountain bike race in Idaho and I am currently receiving offers to go on a ride tonight. Could it be because of the 60-degree weather suddenly upon us? The problem is the big snow pack in the mountains that will keep us all low in elevation and forever cleaning the mud off our bikes.

The web site I am working on today relies upon a state run database and it is offline permitting me to break for a blog.

I tried a ride last night up Kim Williams and around Deer Creek then to Pattee Canyon and down. There was deep mud and ice along the railroad tracks. On Deer Creek Road it was Ice covered with 2 inches of slimy mud. Pattee Canyon Road is finally dry.

Alden reports that he part of Mount Jumbo south of the saddle road opened on March 15. ”From the saddle road north is closed until May 1. However, one can go around by going up the Plum Creek road on the east side of Marshall canyon to where it crosses the Woods Gulch to Sheep Mountain trail. The Woods Gulch trail is open but probably still has snow.“

So yea! Tis the Season. On tap tonight is a ride with Alden and down to the Kettle House for a beer and maybe I can get a load of laundry done. Tomorrow it looks like a trip to the Pass for some tele skiing! Sunday is the race. I still have not herd back from friends that want to go so if interested give me a call.

Hey from University Ridge! Found myself a comfy log to spill my thoughts. The sun’s dipping low, painting the sky all sorts of gorgeous. Couldn’t make it all the way up—turns out the snow’s still king of the upper ridge. But hey, this evening’s trek with Marcy (my trusty four-legged sidekick) is pretty awesome. Spring’s in the air, days are stretching out, and the nights? They’re finally shaking off the chill.

So, I once mentioned I’d go all out to protect my dog from aggressive ones, right? Well, today was a real test, and let’s just say, timing could’ve been better. Last week, I had a bit of a mishap with a tree while skiing, leaving me with some serious bruising and painfully sore ribs. And wouldn’t you know it, tonight’s walk with Marcy had us face-to-face with a pit bull attack.

It was a gorgeous evening, temps in the 50s, and the sunset was gearing up to be a showstopper. We headed to Waterworks Hill for a stroll, soaking up the vibe until we were rudely interrupted. Heard someone approaching over the ridge and quickly leashed Marcy, bracing myself.

Then it happened. A woman’s dogs, including a pit bull, charged at us. As the pit bull went for Marcy, I intervened, only to aggravate my chest injury in the scuffle. Amidst the chaos, the other dog targeted Marcy’s leg.

The pain was intense, my chest on fire as I shielded Marcy, shouting for help. The owner? Cool as a cucumber, telling me to calm down while I’m wrestling her dog off mine. She eventually got her dogs and I, clutching my arm in agony, made a beeline in the other direction.

Missoula’s got a serious issue with reckless dog owners letting their potentially dangerous pets roam free. Imagine a child, not just another dog, being attacked. It’s a ticking time bomb. How many more incidents before we take serious action against these irresponsible owners? Pit bulls can be dangerous—denying it doesn’t change the reality.

I just got back from the airport where I dropped off my good friend Paul. I’m going through so many emotions and physical sensations right now that I cannot pinpoint exactly how I’m feeling. This song keeps playing in my head, “give me emotion… la la la la la.”

Yesterday was our last hurrah. We went to Lolo Pass for some dreamy, creamy telemark skiing. After that, we spent the afternoon looking through the bargain bins at REI. To finish out the day, we stopped at the Iron Horse Saloon for our last meal together. What a week!

Now I must go to work, and frankly, I don’t know if I can survive the day. A sore heart, sore ribs, exhaustion, and loneliness! I sure hate it when a good friend leaves. Just like in the movie “Touching the Void,” I plan to set little goals for myself. I’ll try to make it through the first hour, then to break time, and on to lunch. If I can only make it through the day!

Ah, Sunday—the universal day of reflection after a Saturday spent paying homage to the gods of beer, Thai delicacies, and cinematic epics about the raw, unfiltered human spirit. Just last night, “Touching The Void” graced my screen once again, proving its undying worth in the pantheon of movies that make you question your own tenacity (and sanity, if we’re being honest). The day before, despite proclaiming it a ‘rest day’, my buddy and I still managed to conquer Waterworks Hill—a feat that seems minor only if you ignore the aftermath of our brawl with Little Saint Joe, a towering behemoth in the Bitterroots flirting with the heavens at over 9,000 feet. And now, here we are, bidding adieu to a Spring Break that’s been nothing short of epic. Paul’s off to the snowless lands of Plattsburgh, New York, tomorrow, while I’m about to clock back into the real world.

Come Wednesday, we found ourselves in a dance with nature, hiking and skiing our way up to the Rocky Mountaineers Cabin perched on Little Saint Joseph Peak. This rustic escape, nestled around 7,500 feet up, gave us a much-needed respite from the biting cold, courtesy of its humble wood stove. Kicking off our ascent at the crack of dawn (or what felt like the middle of the night at 5:45), we didn’t hit the cabin until the stars were high, lugging our 40-plus pound packs over a merciless 4,000 vertical feet climb from the trailhead. Talk about a workout that makes your regular gym session whimper in the corner.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by fellow adventurers—proof that warmth and good company can be found even in the most remote corners of the earth. The cabin, already toasty, and the morning advice on prime skiing spots were blessings in disguise. The previous occupants made their exit just as we set out, carving our first paths in the pristine snow, surrounded by vistas that would make your jaw hit the floor.

The decision to extend our stay was as swift as it was wise, made over lunch with a view that could put any postcard to shame, gazing out towards Saint Joe Peak and the snow-capped sentinels of the Bitterroot Range. Another night under the stars was non-negotiable.

Our final day’s ski was nothing short of legendary, marking a descent back to civilization that felt both triumphant and bittersweet. Reaching the car as darkness embraced us, we capped off the week with Mexican food and a growler of local brew. What a week, indeed—a tale of friendship, endurance, and the unforgiving beauty of nature that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Spring Break Saga Continues…

So, imagine me, just vibing at Break Espresso, my phone turned face down (apologies to the almighty Gmail deities, but it’s content creation time, baby!), soaking up the vibes of another epic week gone by. Oh, those skiing tales I teased you with earlier? Strap in, my friend, because the ride just escalated to new heights of crazy—and, dare I say, comedy gold.

We made our grand return to Lolo Pass, and folks, the sunset was nothing short of a Bob Ross masterpiece—think majestic golden skies and shadows performing a ballet on the snow. It was like glimpsing Mount Fuji through the lens of a ski aficionado’s dream. Words like “breathtaking” barely scratch the surface. ✨

But then, the plot thickens. Mid-descent, my boot decides to bid adieu, snapping in half and leaving me as deflated as a party balloon post-celebration. Major downer, right? But, in the spirit of when life hands you lemons (or, in my case, rebellious ski gear), you make lemonade (or perhaps venture for a hot spring adventure instead).

So, with a “let’s roll with it” attitude, we set our sights on Idaho’s hot springs. Picture the scene: Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, under the cloak of night, following a half-hour trek through the wilderness (because, apparently, relaxation must be earned), and WHAM! We’re suddenly extras in a scene that could fit snugly in a Coen brothers flick. There’s this woman, battling the sub-20 chill, in a comedic struggle with her attire. Suffice it to say, these hidden oases come with their own brand of entertainment.

Awkwardness quickly gave way to bliss as we melted into the warm embrace of the hot springs, our earlier troubles (and perhaps a sneaky snowflake or two) dissolving into the steamy air. Capping off a day of serendipitous twists with a possible elk cameo near Elk Meadows (because on-the-nose naming is just part of the charm, right?).

In short, spring break keeps delivering the unexpected, and honestly, I’m here for all of it. Keep your eyes peeled for more escapades (and fingers crossed for fewer boot catastrophes)!

Ah, Fridays. They swoop in like a superhero, signaling the start of the weekend marathon: launching laundry into the machine with the finesse of a discus thrower, navigating the grocery aisles with the strategy of a chess master, and embarking on the sacred pilgrimage to Kettlehouse. But, in a twist that would shock M. Night Shyamalan, my internal clock decides to join the dark side, thinking 3AM is the prime time for a wake-up party. Seriously, why do I suddenly become the life of the party when the rest of the world is off in dreamland?

Then there’s that magical morning view from Mount Sentinel, a reward for last night’s adventure. The plan was a group conquest of Sentinel, but it turned into a solo mission. Middle ring engaged, I summited alone, and let me just say, I’m doing a victory dance over here. Who’s the MVP? Yours truly.

Looking ahead, the weekend’s agenda is a deep dive into refreshing the trail descriptions on my blog, with a sprinkle of optimism for hitting those trails myself. But alas, the sands of time wait for no one, and my brief escape is up. Back to reality, I go.

At MARS Stout Inc, I’m the one-man army behind our web services, ensuring everything from servers to PHP and MySQL runs smoothly. Recently, I’ve been developing an exciting application for our Tourism Services Division. I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Travelers Advantage, a part of the application now available to the public.

Although much of the site is still under development, the “Plan A Vacation” >> “Activities” section is fully operational. This feature leverages my Bortal Technology, PHP, MySQL, and a remote database maintained by the state of Montana, making it easy to find activities in Montana within just a few clicks.

I’m working on expanding the application to include “Places To Go,” “Events Calendar,” “Places to Stay,” and detailed city information with maps. With the core framework established, I anticipate rapid progress.

Useful Links:

• New Activities Application
• Montana Vacation Info
• MARS Stout Inc

Some Eating Place Neither Has Tried
Trapper Peak Ski
Over Niter in a Dwelling & Ski
Glacier Park Ski
Tipus all you can eat
Hong Kong Chief Lunch Special
Honey Teriaki
Berniece’s
Taco Del Sol
Staggering Ox Ooh…Staggering Ox late niter breakfast
mocha…a pie or something at Break
Schoom Crape
Beer at Kettle house
Iron Horse…eat lunch at Iron Horse
lunch at Charley B’s
Top Hat
RM cabin on Little Saint Joe
Moon MARS Stout from across the river!
Ski at Kooteni Cabinets Region
Check out Sports Store in Kalispell!
Canadien Rockies
Breakfast at Rattlesnake Gardens
Shopping trip to Big Lots
Greek place near Orange Street Market
Fries and fresh banana shakes in St. Ignatious
Winter trip into the rattle snake
Huckleberry Ice Cream w/ Chocolate @ Big Dipper
Lumberjack Saloon
Soak in Hot Springs
Chef Paul Bardis Night w/ “Into the Void” movie!
Throw a dart at a map, drive to it, find something to do!
Drive to the Big Hole, knock on a door and ask for directions!
Ski Squaw Peak!
Lolo Pass, Ridge South o Fuji

Weather Alert! Just in, the mountains are gearing up for a winter wonderland encore with two feet of fresh powder already down and a monstrous storm on the horizon, promising an additional 3 to 5 feet. Yep, you read that right. On top of the already staggering 50,000 feet (gotta be a typo, but let’s roll with it) of snow up there, winter’s far from done with us. Meanwhile, Missoula’s getting a light dusting, teasing us with the thought of spring that’s apparently still ages away.

Last night’s trek up Waterworks Hill with Marcy was a breath of fresh air, literally. We even made it back while it was still light out—felt like a win.

And get this, I stepped outside without a jacket the other day and actually felt the sun on my face. Pure magic. Makes me look forward to my buddy Paul hitting up Missoula for some good times. It’s funny how I catch myself wondering about what he’s up to, like picturing him chilling in Chicago while I’m stuck at work.

On the bright side, United’s throwing us a lifeline with a new flight route from Missoula to Chicago. Hello, convenience! This means more visits from friends and fam. Get ready, Missoula; we’re about to be a hotspot!

Ah, the classic conundrum of balancing openness with security—a dilemma as old as the internet itself. Imagine this scenario: your site, akin to a cozy mountain lodge nestled in the vast wilderness of the web. Pologra waltzes in with a suggestion that could either breathe new life into this digital retreat or turn it into a free-for-all.

She proposes, “Why not ditch the login requirement? Let’s make it more inviting, more fun!” At first glance, it’s like throwing open your home’s doors, not just to friends and family but to anyone wandering by. Intriguing, yes, but fraught with the kind of risks that have you double-checking your locks at night. Imagine a stranger breezing in, claiming, “I’m your mother,” with nary a proof in sight. It’s the wild west of identity, where anyone can be anyone, and privacy and security are the tumbleweeds blowing in the wind.

But here’s the twist—I’m actually considering it. Not in a “let’s throw caution to the wind” way, but as a genuine pivot in how we approach the Web Lodge. The idea isn’t to strip away all safeguards but to reimagine our digital gathering place as something more accessible, yet still secure. It’s a delicate dance on the tightrope of the internet, where every step could lead to innovation or a privacy faux pas.

So, while Pologra’s suggestion sends a shiver down the spine of our inner security guards, it also ignites a spark of creativity. How can we keep the lodge’s essence, its warmth, and community spirit, without turning it into a fortress—or, conversely, a free-for-all? It’s a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, but one thing’s for sure: the Web Lodge is on the cusp of evolution. Stay tuned, adventurers. The next chapter might just be a game-changer.