Author: Bill

Good morning. It is out the door for another stage in the ECOLOGY CENTER CLASSIC 2004. I am going to the Perma Road Race this morning. It is part of a big stage race here in Missoula. I am hoping for some pictures. Yesterday was a hoot, except for the rain. It was exciting. I have never been in the BIG TOUR but this was very exciting. Waiting high in the mountains waiting for the leaders to snake their way up to yourself.

Hanging onto wheels

Grunt

Straggler

Keeping Up

Pain

Pelaton

Refeul

Here they come

Climb

Curves

Looking for relief

Leader

Breath

KOM

The following is from the organizations website http://www.ecologycenterclassic.org/perma.htm

BURKE & ASSOCIATES, CPAs PERMA ROAD RACE

Saturday, May 29, 2004

The road race is held on scenic, smooth, remote country highways with few cars. The course will be challenging for all, with two category three climbs per lap along with some rollers and sections that are as flat as a billiard table. Thanks to lots of support from the Montana State Highway Patrol and the Sanders County Sheriff”s Department for this race, this is a very safe and fun race. The course is a 52 mile loop–Elite Men will ride the loop twice, everyone else will do one lap.

RACE START

See the race bible for complete list of start times.

It takes about an hour to drive to the start from Missoula; please plan ahead to get there on time. There will be packet pickup at the start line from 8 -10:00am for those travelling from the west or north on Saturday morning; we strongly encourage you to pick up packets Friday evening in Missoula and come to the $5 pasta feast.

THE COURSE

The race starts near the hamlet of Perma (intersection of Highway 200 and Route 382). From the start, the course follows the Flathead River on Highway 200. At the town of Plains, the route goes right on Highway 28. Soon thereafter, riders will encounter the first climb, a four mile climb with an average gradient of between 4 and 5%. The course continues northeast on Highway 28 to Route 382. Riders will make a hard right on 382 and immediately begin the second climb. This one is about 2 miles long with an average gradient of between 7 and 8%. From there riders descend about two miles and then begin the final stretch to the finish line which will be on Route 382, about 0.5; mile from the intersection of Highway 200. The scenic beauty of this course cannot be overstated!

The Elite Men will have a neutral feed about three miles after the top of the four mile climb on Highway 28 on each lap (at about 31 miles and 81 miles). No neutral feed will be provided for other packs, but feeding will be allowed in the designated zone.

GETTING THERE

From Missoula, take Interstate 90 to Highway 93. North on Highway 93 to the town of Ravalli and Highway 200. West on Highway 200 to Route 382. Right on 382 for about 0.25; mile, cross Flathead River and look for sign-in area. All others consult a map.

I am writing from the Pintler Road Race. I have already got some pretty great photos. The setting is absolutely beautiful and the pelaton has passed twice. i have spent my day driving around just ahead getting shots of the race. I have never been to the big tour but there is something special and exciting being high in the mountains watching a road stage in a road bike race. This is something I would of never experienced living in the East. The climbs that i have been on today watching the race is very intimidating. I wonder if I could endure such monsters. I cant wait to try.

I sit here now waiting for the Pro leader to come into view far down in the valley. I keep checking through my zoom on my camera for the flashing lights and the motorcycles that proceed such an event. From here I will try to stay ahead 1000 feet at a time in front of the leader trying for that great racing picture. This last climb is beautiful. Switchbac after switchback and at the top is this waterfall and lake. Stunning stuff. In the end they will have climbed 7200 feet.

Good morning. It is out the door for this adventure hungary man. I am going to the Pintler Road Race this morning. It is part of a big stage race here in Missoula. I am hoping for some pictures. I also hope to approach it seriously and maybe impress someone enough to use my photos. The following is from the organizations website PINTLER ROAD RACE

Good morning. It is out the door for this adventure hungary man. I am going to the Pintler Road Race this morning. It is part of a big stage race here in Missoula. I am hoping for some pictures. I also hope to approach it seriously and maybe impress someone enough to use my photos. The following is from the organizations website PINTLER ROAD RACE

Friday, May 28, 2004: The Pintler Road Race stage is now in its second year at the Ecology Center Classic, though it has been the venue for a popular Montana Racing Series event for many years. The road race is held on remote country roads with very few cars, and features 7.5 miles of smooth unsurfaced road on each lap. Flats were common last year; we recommend heavier tires for this stage. All racers must check a pair of wheels for neutral support cars and wheel stations. The course will be challenging for all, with several excellent climbs per lap and another long climb to the finish line. Elite Men will do two laps plus the climb and lap around Georgetown Lake; Elite Women will do one lap plus the climb and lap around the lake. The Montana State Highway Patrol and the Granite County Sheriff”s Department will provide rolling enclosures for this race.

RACE START: Men Pro/1/2 will start at 11:00 am
Women Pro/1/2/3: will start at 11:10 a.m.

THE COURSE: The race starts in the town of Philipsburg. Registration, staging, and start of the race will be at the Phillipsburg Parks and Recreation ball fields area located about .25 of mile south of downtown Phillipsburg by the Granite County School and USFS office. There will be a neutral rolling start onto Highway 1 – racing will begin once riders reach the highway. Riders will head southeast towards Anaconda/Georgetown Lake for 6 miles, then turn right onto Highway 38 (aka Skalkaho Highway) for approximately 12 miles – then take a hard right turn (dangerous corner) onto Rock Creek Road. Rock Creek Road has an unpaved dirt surface that is fairly fast and smooth (for dirt, anyway). Racers will proceed for 7.5 miles on Rock Creek road until it turns into pavement at Highway 348. Then riders will proceed about 14 miles on Highway 348 to Phillipsburg where they will take a right turn onto Highway 1, go past the start and town of Phillipsburg. Men will proceed with another lap (one lap is approx. 40 miles). After their lap(s) are complete riders will pass Highway 38 intersection again but this time continue straight on Highway 1. Approximately one mile past the Highway 38 turnoff the riders will begin climbing roughly 4.5 miles up to Georgetown Lake. One lap around Georgetown Lake takes you to the finish. Total race distance is approximately 104 miles for the Elite Men, with 7200 feet of climbing. Elite Women do 64 miles with 5000 feet of climbing.

GETTING THERE: PLAN AHEAD; it takes about 75 minutes to drive to the starting line from Missoula!!! There will be race registration at the start line staring at 8:30 am.

From Missoula, take Interstate 90 to Highway 1 at Drummond. North on Highway 1 along Flint Creek to the town of Philipsburg and look for sign-in area south of the downtown by the US Forest Service office and the Granite County school.

The route starts out on the Mount Jumbo Rec Area trails that start out heading towards the interstate. The climb is moderate but turns steep as you leave the hiking trails and continue around and through Helgate Canyon. The views are remarkable. I wish I had my camera. Once on the East Missoula side the single track becomes exciting as you wind your way into town. I used my brakes more than I should. I was taken back by the steep terrain and unbelievable speed on could obtain ripping down this narrow side-hill track.

The road section to Marshall Canyon Road is boring except for going past the river. Once to the road you climb about a mile and head into a old logging road to the left. The climb on the road is nice and some views of the valley below are good. The climb continues into the Mount Jumbo Recreation area again. The loop goes over the saddle and back down into the Rattlesnake residential area of Missoula. The downhill is ripping fast.

The loop finishes up with roads back to the starting area. The entire ride is great only because of the initial climb around Mount Jumbo. The single track into East Missoula is the best I have ver rode and also the most exciting. The rest is just a workout with a view. The downhill into the last road section is also a highlight if you like speed.

I just posted more photos of my trip to Missoula. I spent a couple days hanging with my aunt Paula. It was great (except for that 24 hour flu 🙂 ). One day Pat came over and we went on a photo safari of Lambert MT. I also got to see my aunts oil wells. Check back later as I am working on getting up some more pictures from my aunts house.I just posted more photos of my trip to Missoula. I spent a couple days hanging with my aunt Paula. It was great (except for that 24 hour flu 🙂 ). One day Pat came over and we went on a photo safari of Lambert MT. I also got to see my aunts oil wells. Check back later as I am working on getting up some more pictures from my aunts house.

My sister Kathi and I decided to take some of the hoodlums out for a day in the wild of Missouri. Hey … we almost got eaten by a snake. The sun was great and I think I got a sunburn. We also visited a place that I used to work called Watkins Mill State Park. It was there that we ran into a big black snake.

Here I am back at the Raven. It is raining today but snowing in the mountains. I am settling into my new place. I am now just trying to change all my addresses. I just cant wait to get all caught up and on line at home. That seems far off as on line options here in Missoula are limited and very very expensive.