Category: Blog Posts

Ok, well maybe that title is misleading; but it is the way I see it. The University is bulldozing its golf course to make way for a apartment complex, the state is banning smoking in public places, and the state is also outlawing drinking while driving. I do not believe that a person should drink beer and drive and I do not believe that I want to hang around a bar to breath in cigarette smoke. That is my choice, not the government’s.

You see I believe that we are making it a place for people to move to … People that do not agree with the Montana lifestyle. I moved back here after being away out East and now live back in Montana … now I am pissed off. Just because stupid people want to come here to live, but not take on the responsibility to live with bears or others that may do things they disagree with … we are killing bears and making laws. I think it is wrong!

When an bear went into the Greenough Park recently, he headed to a nearby apartment complex and it’s garbage cans, it’s bird feeders, and even walking up some stairs. The bears kept residents out of their homes. The ”Fish Wildlife and Parks“ department killed the bears.

They had issued a warning letter earlier and the new residents directly ignored them. The result … a dead bear, but residents that feel more safe. Screw them, it is the new residents that move here which have never been around wildlife. This resulted in this and other bears deaths this spring. Wow, way cool place to live!

I guess we are willing to give our wildlife’s life for more people and more dollars. What else can we do …. Hmmm! Lets make laws like they have in other more populated states, so people will move here. Bottom line; some people that move here do not want to take any responsibility for others around them. Also they are not willing to live with each other and they are selfish. We should not sell out to the evil dollar. Believe me the society outside of Montana has nothing to offer, so why bring it here. I want to be free … I am not an American … I am a Montanan!

I currently work for Work Force Inc. which has me at M.A.R.S. Stout Inc doing XSLT and XML using PHP work. I am hoping to become an employee at M.A.R.S. Stout Inc but in the meantime I am working on other projects in return for asistance in paying my bills.

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What started out as a disaster turned out to be quite an adventure. Everything I hoped for, I found. It started out bad though as I arrived at the Lee Creek Campground ready for my ride into Idaho. As I suited up, I noticed that I forgot my gloves. Any summer day this would not be a problem but the temperatures at 10Am were 35 degrees, no way would I go road biking without gloves. Therefore, I threw a fit and headed home.

As I headed home the Excedrin I had taken before I left home due to a headache started to kick in and I was enjoying a spring drive in my Beetle. But alias, how would I afford the gas. I worried that when I got home I would have to stay because I had no more money for gas. I decided to use my credit card for gas and headed back out for my ride. By noon, I was climbing Lolo Pass on my road bike.

I crested the pass and started to descend. All the sanding during the winter rendered the road a marbled mess. I descended with extreme caution and at time feared for my life. It was exuberayting and I hope that my tires would not puncture due to one of those little sharp rocks.

After the decent into Idaho my first rest stop to get water was at a big cedar forest. I could not help but to take some pictures of these giants. About 20 minutes later down the road, I heard a ping. I looked down and knew that at once I broke a spoke. I did some real handy work to fashion another one and got the wheel back in working order. I headed back to the car from Papoose Creek (20 miles in).

I had been thinking how hard the climb back out into Montana would be but as I approached the pass I realized that I overestimated the climb. It was not easy but I did motor up it in 35 minutes from the chain up area. The rest was downhill and I screamed back to the car. In the process of descending, I noticed a waterfall.

Once back at the car I grabbed my tripod and headed over the Waterfall that I noticed coming back. The waterfall is called Snowshoe Falls and I spent some meditative time there sitting on a large boulder photographing the falls. The pics will be online soon. So there you have it, I made it back and seemed to avoid all those logging trucks.

In all the road bike ride on Rte12 was 41.38 miles in which it took me 3 hours to ride. I did a total of 2,428 feet of vertical climbing on an average grade of 5 topping out at 5,250.97 feet.

Hey, folks! Bill here, ready to share my biking plans and a few adventures from the saddle. Today’s plan is to hit the trail and ride out to Lolo Pass, venturing into Idaho as far as these legs can pedal me. I’ve got my trusty camera gear with me because you never know when a photo-worthy moment might pop up.

I’ll be kicking off from Missoula around 9ish, aiming to get on the bike by 10AM. My starting point will be the Lee Creek campground just past Lolo Hot Springs. Unfortunately, Marcy is sitting this one out; I don’t expect to be on the road for more than 5 hours, and I’ll be covering around 50 miles in total. My legs are feeling a bit worn out after a week of road biking, so that’s my sweet spot for today.

Yesterday, I ventured out towards Frenchtown, but boy, the winds were giving me a hard time. The terrain was flat, but I was riding under my training heart rate to give these legs some well-deserved recovery time. Managed to squeeze in about 18 miles – not a lot, but it did the trick for a recovery ride.

Now, I’m looking forward to the weekend, and if you don’t hear from me by the end of Monday, well, send out the state troops on ol’ Route 12 because I might be hitching a ride on a logging truck. Just kidding, but you never know where these adventures take us!

And for those curious about the stats, here’s a quick look at my biking log:

• Miles This Month: 118.78
• Miles This Year: 354.85
• Climb This Month: 8,445.06 ft
• Climb This Year: 10,936.06 ft

If you want to check out the route or some photos from today’s ride, head over to my website. Until next time, keep the pedals spinning and the adventures rolling!

Miles This Year: 336.78
Climb This Month: 7,586.67 ft
Climb This Year: 10,076.67 ft

Last night’s ride marked the first time I have gone riding this year on my road bike without getting a flat. I rode to the Arlee area and back. The entire ride was 33 miles with 2,100 vertical feet of climbing and took me around an hour and a half.

Starting at Merault’s Travel Plaza, I traveled north up the Evaro Pass and down what turned out to be a rather dangerous road. There are no shoulders, and the “death crosses” (road markings indicating high-risk areas) were all over. Additionally, I have heard of the many drunk drivers that frequent that stretch of road, which terrified me. The one thing that put my mind at ease and coated my eyes with beauty were the Mission Mountains. The air was clear, and the views were beautiful.

I have had the worst luck since last Friday. Friday night I went running and felt so tired I had to walk back to my car. I decided to take it easy on Saturday, maybe go with some friends on a easy ride.

Saturday I woke up and decided to go on a ride with my friends here in Missoula. I fixed up my road bike into a Cyclo Cross Bike for this one ride because i knew there was going to be a gravel road section. Long story short, we rode up and over Deer Creek Pass via logging roads and singletrack back into town through Pattee Canyon. What is so bad about that? Broken spokes front and rear with a broke free hub body to boot.

After bumming out all evening Saturday I decided to take Sunday off and fix the bikes up the best I could. I found a freehub body and spokes at Open Road and went to work on the bikes. The TREK frame is ruined so I made it into a singlee speed (a good climbing gear). The road bike I was able to fix completely. I found some extra time in the evening to go for a ride up pattee Canyon. Why is this bad? Try a brutal down-pour.

Monday after a rough day at work and ate chocolate all day. Why is this bad? I went home and fell asleep … missing my hike with Marcy. Marcy would make me pay a little later.

On Tuesday I went for a small ride to gear up for the season. I rode out towards Rock Creek and the ride was flat. The day was beautiful, a much needed break from the cold. Why is this bad? Try flatting and having to use thee credit card to get a new tube and c02.

That brings us to last night, Wednesday. I decided to take a long road bike trip up the Blackfoot. The day was qwesome and it definately felt like spring. What is wrong with that? I can say that the rest of the evening will explain! I got to about 45 minutes out and realized that in my rush to get going from work I left the key in the door of my car and my laptop was just sitting in the front deat waiting to be stolen.

I tried to rush back only to get anouther flat tire. I was able to finally get back to the car and took the same trip to the bike shop that i took the day before. To top of everything I got home to find that Marcy had ripped apart my $40.00 fleece slippers that I had bought last year to camp with. And there you go … she got back for not getting to go hiking on Monday.

B I K E L O G 2005

Total Miles This Month: 67.47 miles
Total Miles This Year: 303.47 miles
Total Climb This Month: 5,434.67 feet
Total Climb This Year: 7,924.67 feet

So, tonight’s run was almost a DNF (Did Not Finish) thanks to a post-work chocolate binge and some serious couch potato vibes. But hey, even heroes have cheat days, right? After dozing off for what felt like an eternity, I finally dragged myself out the door, determined to get some blood pumping.

Originally, Mount Sentinel via Hellgate Canyon Trail was the plan. But let’s face it, after a nap and indulging in my sweet tooth, even a squirrel could outrun me. So, I downshifted my ambition and opted for the more manageable Kim Williams Trail, with a promise to myself to conquer Hellgate Canyon on Monday (rain or shine!).

Made it to the end, lungs burning, sweat dripping, and feeling pretty good… until it came time to turn around. Running back felt like pushing a boulder uphill, so I surrendered to a walk, forcing myself to run the last mile just for some semblance of a workout.

Now, back home, I’m a puddle of exhaustion, hoping tomorrow brings better energy and banishes this scratchy throat. Birthday weekend is upon me, and the plan is epic: a bike ride into Idaho with the Deer Creek Ride crew, followed by a kayak adventure film night at the Pipestone Store. Sounds perfect, right?

But there’s one snag – the weather gods. Please, universe, no birthday rain! All I want is to celebrate by exploring Idaho on two wheels. So, weather gods, I’m begging you, be kind to this birthday biker!

Here’s to hoping for a healthy, adventurous, and weather-blessed birthday weekend!

Well, it is Friday, and this weekend I start getting into shape for the upcoming summer season of fun in the sun on a bike. I have selected Lolo Pass because of its vicinity (just up the road … have you checked the gas prices lately?) and it has a pass. I have taken the week off to recover from my “mountain run a day for 31 days straight” campaign and I feel out of shape as usual.

The weather is a different story. Our spring-like weather has left, and a more seasonal briskness has returned. I am hoping to have warmer temps visit us as I begin to go road biking.

So tomorrow off I go on my first road bike ride in Montana. Last year I did not have a chance to do a real long ride anywhere since I was new to the area and succumbed to the mountain biking season.

• BIKELOG 2005
• Total Miles This Month: 108.56 miles
• Total Miles This Year: 236.00 miles
• Total Climb This Month: 1,368.5 feet
• Total Climb This Year: 2,490 feet

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://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/one-big-circle-the-first-90-degrees/
[2] https://www.komoot.com/guide/44269/road-cycling-routes-in-montana
[3] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/2013-rmvq
[4] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/the-rmvq/
[5] https://www.ridethehiawatha.com/the-trail

The recovery of last weekend’s climb up Lolo peak is complete, and now I am preparing for my road cycling months here in Montana. April and May, I usually hit the road to get into shape and to get into a better shape. Being poor, all I could get to prepare my road bike was two cheap tires, and with those, I will overhaul my bike tomorrow. This means getting the mountain bike somewhat going so I can ride to work on something that is not tricked out with clip-less pedals and a greasy big chain ring. If you are a commuter who likes to keep their pant legs clean, you know what I mean.

This Friday I will complete my days off from training by going on a run, and this weekend I am planning a 50-mile bike loop or mountain pass ride somewhere. I am thinking Lolo Pass since it is close, and I have never explored beyond the pass itself. The weather is turning spring again, but the rains are supposed to keep the spring feelings at bay. Let us hope April will be better.

Last night was FFOL, and it was just mom and I. Kathi came in a little later with some digital photo questions that I must research a little further today for her. In addition, my aunt Paula needs a map to Iowa for her swaray. Therefore, I better run to work and get busy there. Cheers to the adventurous today; May they find the week adventurous.

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.

Before I forget

Ah, hats off to the folks at MARS Stout Inc., for turning what I anticipated to be a dull evening into a marathon reading session of my own life’s chronicles. There I was, supposed to be scoping out last May’s weather patterns in Missoula for this year’s cycling escapade, when I tumbled down the rabbit hole of my own blog. It was like binge-watching my life’s series, from my inaugural day in Missoula right up to the present. Quite the emotional rollercoaster, let me tell you.

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://www.komoot.com/guide/44269/road-cycling-routes-in-montana

Man, I just crawled back from Lolo Peak last night, rolled in around 10:30 like a deflated beach ball. It was an epic battle royale with Mother Nature – 5,000 feet of elevation gain, snowdrifts deeper than a Kardashian’s weave, rocks more treacherous than a politician’s promise, and wind that could rip the shingles off a dragon. Talk about character-building! My legs feel like overcooked linguine, but I’ll write more when I’m not face-planting into the keyboard.

Honestly, this might be the toughest peak I’ve tackled yet. Up top, the weather went rogue – winds howling like a banshee on a bender. Brutal doesn’t even begin to describe it. But hey, there’s something weirdly satisfying about pushing yourself to the limit, right? Like, even when my brain was screaming “Dude, turn back!”, my feet kept moving. Especially when the sun started setting and I realized I wasn’t even close to the summit. Talk about a motivator! By the time I finally made it down, it was pitch black – I practically navigated by glow-in-the-dark socks.

Now, I just finished sorting through my pictures, and let me tell you, they’re mountain masterpieces. Seriously, the best I’ve ever captured. Stay tuned for an upload tomorrow – they’re so stunning, I might even try to sell one (don’t judge, gotta feed this hiking habit somehow, right?).

Anyway, gotta crash. My body is begging for a truce, but my brain wouldn’t shut down until I said hi and scrubbed my hiking plans off the web. Don’t want anyone thinking I became a permanent resident of the peak!

Until next time, happy adventuring! (And maybe pack an extra layer next time… just sayin’.)

The recovery of last weekend’s climb up Lolo Peak is complete, and now I am preparing for my road cycling months here in Montana. April and May, I usually hit the road to get into shape and to get into a better shape. Being poor, all I could get to prepare my road bike was two cheap tires, and with those, I will overhaul my bike tomorrow. This means getting the mountain bike somewhat going so I can ride to work on something that is not tricked out with clip-less pedals and a greasy big chain ring. If you are a commuter who likes to keep their pant legs clean, you know what I mean.

This Friday I will complete my days off from training by going on a run, and this weekend I am planning a 50-mile bike loop or mountain pass ride somewhere. I am thinking Lolo Pass since it is close, and I have never explored beyond the pass itself. The weather is turning spring again, but the rains are supposed to keep the spring feelings at bay. Let us hope April will be better.

Last night was FFOL, and it was just mom and I. Kathi came in a little later with some digital photo questions that I must research a little further today for her. In addition, my aunt Paula needs a map to Iowa for her swaray. Therefore, I better run to work and get busy there. Cheers to the adventurous today; May they find the week adventurous.

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.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28947-Activities-c61-t214-Montana.html
[3] https://www.komoot.com/guide/44269/road-cycling-routes-in-montana
[4] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/the-rmvq/
[5] https://www.ridethehiawatha.com/the-trail

Marcy’s spirit of relishing every adventure truly sets her apart. She doesn’t merely cross the stream; she leaps energetically into its deepest parts and joyously bounces through. The sheer amount of energy this little dog exhibits is unmatched by any human. Outdoors, she’s an absolute whirlwind of excitement.

This morning, running late for work gave me the perfect excuse to pedal my bike faster than usual. In the woods, I channel my inner Marcy on my bike. However, as I rounded a corner, my gracefulness fell short of Marcy’s expertise in navigating terrain at high speeds.

It had snowed earlier, and the wind was so fierce it felt like being in a wind tunnel. The temperature was bitterly cold, the kind that hinted at black ice hiding around every turn. Approaching a traffic light that started to turn yellow, I thought, “Hey, I’ll just zip around this corner and keep going… that way, I don’t have to stop.” So, I dove into the turn – and straight onto the black ice.

I hit the ground, performing the classic road bike slide. Quickly, I got up, gathered my bike, and continued on. As I rode, I adjusted my rear fender and assessed the situation. My bike seemed fine, but I was left pondering over a sharp pain in my elbow.

At work, I noticed the damage to my ROAR jacket and braced myself for what I’d find underneath. Sure enough, there was a significant patch of skin missing. My knee also ached, but I was more concerned yet relieved that my only pair of jeans had survived unscathed. Jeans truly are unbeatable. Had I been wearing my cotton pants, I’d be sitting here with a hole in them.

Hey there, folks! Bill here, and let’s dive right into this Monday, which is, well, feeling like a classic Monday. It’s all coming back to me, especially last Friday. You see, I’m still a software guy at heart, and on that fateful Friday, I was supposed to create a flow chart. Sounds simple, right? Well, not so much. My co-worker and I couldn’t quite agree on what we wanted, and long story short, I ended up working an extra hour. Yep, that’s Friday for you.

But let’s turn our attention to today, shall we? Monday means picking up where we left off, but before we get into the nitty-gritty, I have some exciting news to share. I went hiking yesterday, and it was an absolute blast. A long, 10.5-mile hike that didn’t feel half as long because the sights were simply spectacular.

Spring is in full swing, and everything is turning a vibrant shade of green. I couldn’t resist stopping at times to capture the beauty of this lush greenery. And just when I was about to swing left and head up the Lantern Ridge, guess what? Snowfall! It was like a magical touch to the already stunning landscape.

Instead of tackling Lantern Ridge, I decided to venture a little further on the South Fork Lolo Creek Trail and then follow the creek back to capture some mesmerizing waterfall shots. But here’s where adventure met reality – once I hit the wilderness boundary, things got rugged and thick. It became clear that following the creek back wasn’t the best idea, so I retraced my steps.

As I made my way back, a storm tagged along, but just when I was within 3 miles of the trailhead, the sun burst through the clouds. And that’s when it happened – I captured a magnificent picture of a rainbow touching down right in front of me. Mother Nature sure knows how to put on a show!

After basking in the sun for a while, I headed home, but there was one small hiccup – a huge blister on my heel. So, this week’s project? Fix those boots, no doubt about it.

Don’t forget to check out the pictures from the hike for a visual treat. Until next time, keep exploring, stay prepared for Monday surprises, and always keep those boots in tip-top shape!

Good morning, world! Bill here, and it seems like the apartment’s shrubs have met their match – the landlords decided to give them the chop. Now, anyone strolling down the street can take a sneak peek into my humble abode. But hey, let’s not dwell on that because there’s a snowy spectacle outside right now. Snowstorms are putting on a show, but the catch is, it all melts away within an hour.

Now, let’s rewind a bit and chat about last week. Well, it wasn’t the most successful adventure, I must admit. I wasn’t exactly feeling like a million bucks, but I decided to give the South Fork of Lolo Trail a shot. I made it to the junction where Lantern Ridge begins, and the trail continues back down to the South Fork of Lolo Creek. But then, Mother Nature decided to throw a fierce snowstorm my way, and visibility went from hero to zero in seconds. I had about a foot of snow dumped on me in that last mile before I had to make the tough call to turn back.

But you know me, I’m not one to shy away from a challenge. Today’s plan, weather permitting, is to tackle Lantern Ridge and conquer Lolo Peak. Now, why am I a bit skeptical? Well, those pesky snowstorms are in the forecast, and if I can’t snap some decent photographs, then Lolo Peak will have to wait for another day. As a side plan, I’m thinking of sticking to the South Fork of Lolo Trail until I stumble upon some creek or waterfall opportunities. And yes, Marcy’s joining me on this adventure!

Don’t forget to check out the map for a sneak peek at the route. So, whether it’s clear skies or a snow-filled wonderland, the adventure must go on. Stay tuned for updates, and let’s see if we can make it to the peak today. Until next time, keep exploring, stay warm, and embrace the unexpected!

Just slapped some fresh pics up on the ‘gram. So, last Thursday, I needed a bit more oomph than the usual pep talk to lace up for a jog. Armed to the teeth with my camera and a smidgen of hope that it might actually see some action (aside from the usual dust gathering), I ventured out. But let’s be real, trotting around with a camera that feels like it’s got its own gravitational pull is no picnic. That’s when the lightbulb went off – a pit stop at Starbucks for my ultimate pick-me-up. A piping hot coffee of the day paired with a blueberry scone that’s basically heaven in a bite. Alas, the evening had set in, and the bakery section was screaming “night owl snacks,” so a cookie had to play understudy to the scone.

And would you believe it? That was the magic potion I needed. I hit the trail at Grant Creek, camera in tow (because let’s face it, who am I if not the paparazzi of nature?). So, take a gander at the snaps!

Ah, a groggy hello to the world from my little corner of it. The thermometer’s flirting with 27 degrees this fine morning, and here I am, for the umpteenth time, staring at the ceiling at 4 AM, wondering if sheep have a union to ensure they’re counted in proper working conditions. Here’s to sharing new snapshots today (feast your eyes on this teaser from the South Fork of Lolo Creek).

Last evening’s escapade involved me attempting to conquer Woods Gulch by trail running. Marcy, in her typical superhero mode, zoomed ahead, while yours truly was more like a vintage car on its last legs—sputtering and coughing. Today marks day 20 of my mountain running marathon, and I’m eyeing 10 more before I allow myself the luxury of rest. Yep, that’s a new record in the making for my tired legs.

And now, as the last of my Malt O Meal bids farewell and my toast plays its swan song, I must too part ways with this digital confabulation. Until next time, adieu.