Boneshakerbike

Category: Blog Posts

  • North Bitterroot Grand Loop

    North Bitterroot Grand Loop

    I got a late start but the ride ended before dark which was good. I sit here getting ready for a 6 hour ride today  but first better show you all photos from yesterdays grand loop [map]. I got started around 2PM but had numerous bail out plans in place to come back down route 12 to my car.  I set out and promptly got lost. The good thing about getting lost is seeing unbelievable beauty out here.

    The Setup

     Once I got back on track it was up Granite Creek to Granite Pass on the Montana Idaho border.

    Oops Wrong Way

     Climbing from Granite Pass I headed to Lolo Pass. The climb was a surprise which included more sudden vertical but once on top the views were spectacular.

    Finally The Right Way

    The open ridges going to Lolo Pass had me stopping every 5 minutes to take in the view and get some snapshots.

    Near the State Line Trail

    At around 3 hours I knew I better put thee move on and get to Lolo Pass to re-water and do the second half of the loop.

    Trail Near Crystal Theator

     Suddenly Lolo Pass comes into view. Time to get water around 5:30 PM.

    Peaks In The Distance

    The second half of the loop started with a ride on Elk Meadows Road.

    Long Winding Downhill

    Elk Meadows Road was the longest section as I rode around 17 miles back to the Montana State border. I went by waterfalls and beautiful views from the backside of the Bitterroots.

    Open Ridgeline

    I started to hammer up the valley because the time was nearing 7PM and was afraid my 6 hour ride would turn into a epic all nighter. Still was not in familiar territory.

    Just About To The Montana Border I Look Back
    Halfway Stop At The Pass
    Just Past Packer Meadows
    Road To The Giants
    Approaching Lolo Pass
    Spruce Creek
    Backside Of The Bitterroots
    Lolo Pass Down Below
    Babling Brooks Glalore
    Climbing On The Elk Meadows Road

    Once I realized it was hammer time I didn’t stop for any more photos.  I ended my ride just a tad past the 6 hour mark at around 8:20(ish). Now it is time for another 6 hour round

  • Taking A Step Back

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    Yesterday I got news that a crew member has reported that he is out of the trip to Canmore. I am currently in shock because now I don’t have a seasoned mechanic. I needed to take the day off from training and go for a recovery hike. This is where I miss Marcy the most, helped me recover, hike, and figure things out.

    I went out to Orange Street Trail and did hike and got all things worked out in my mind. Still full steam to Canmore. In two weeks at this time I will be preparing to start the World 24 Solo Championships

  • Thursday Night Ride

    group

    Last night I met up with about 9 others in the Rattlesnake Recreation Area parking lot which was heavily being patrolled by rangers. It was almost like being in another country except instead of weapons they carried ticket books. No tickets for us last night.

     

    trail The trails were excellent and I didn’t run into many others as I bombed off the front to do some hard efforts (was scheduled on my plan so wanted to eat my cake and throw it too).  At some discrete moments I found myself in awe of the glorious beauty of the area.

    julie

    At the end I had to come home early as the rest of the group headed up to do the Wallman Trail. Julie Huck had to go too so we started riding back to town together although I think she took an alternate route because I went back up the trail but couldn’t find her. So I went home

  • 3 Workouts a Day

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    Keeps the bed bugs away

  • 17 Days To Go

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    Last night did some Hill Sprints out at Crazy Canyon and felt so so but mostly missing my Turner. I rode the back up bike so I don’t put any more training stress on a already worn drive train.

  • 18 Days To Go

    Running down a hill after breaking my nose during a fall on some roots

    Eighteen days until the Elite 24 Solo Worlds in Canmore, baby! Feeling like a finely tuned machine (a slightly dusty machine, maybe, but a machine nonetheless). Gotta give a major shoutout to Lynda, the queen of all things “LWCoaching” (dot com, obviously). This woman dropped some serious knowledge bombs on my training plan – for free, no less! Like, who does that anymore? Seriously, is she secretly Wonder Woman disguised as a coaching guru?

    Anyway, long story short, the 24 Hours of Rapelje got the ol’ snip-snip (thanks, Mother Nature!), and I was all set to go rogue with a 24-hour solo ride to prove something… probably to myself. But Lynda, bless her heart, intervened and hit the brakes on that train wreck of an idea. Two weeks of threshold torture (think burning legs and questioning your life choices) followed by a sweet, sweet 10-day taper is the new game plan. Feeling good about it, folks. Feeling real good.

    Now, excuse me while I go stock up on enough gels to fuel a small rocket and maybe, just maybe, practice channeling my inner Wonder Woman. Canmore, here I come! (And hopefully, my legs will follow…)

  • 4th Of July

    BBQ @ Ronnies

  • Fun Filled Month Ahead

    The New Rocket

    Got a re-supply of Carbo Rocket from Brad in preparation for a month of big epics. Starting off with elite 24 Solo World Championships in Canmore, Alberta Canada on July 24th

  • Over The bars

    Wiped out due to a stick jammed in my bike’s fork.

    Testing the Homestake Cross Country track, a corner tricked me, sending me flying. Ended up headfirst. Now nursing a headache and a stiff neck. Wood chips? More like trip traps.

  • The Best Friends

    Hello from sunny, warm, and finally a summer filled day in Missoula Montana. I have not blogged since before the 24 Hours of Rapelje. So here is the catch up blog.

    2009_06_21_24_of_rapelje-1 crew

    24 hours of Rapelje : Did not happen as planned. I had my Carbo Rocket dispenser Bob Waggoner (Triple Ring Productions) ready to rumble. All my Muleterro Teammates were there. I was just settling in when they pulled the plug because of the weather.

    pitting help

    It totally sucked that I had to quit and for most of the week I have been really depressed. Just when the course was getting good (started with a slight impression on the plains and ended up great single-track loop). We even had a Live Race Feed! Bummer! Check out Rich

  • 24 Hours of Rapelje

    24 Hours of Rapelje

    In a quaint Montana town, under a vast blue sky, the perfect setting for a grueling 24-hour mountain bike race unfolded. Bill, with his competitive spirit and love for biking, was geared up to master those trails.

    The race started with an electric vibe. Cyclists, driven by adventure and a hint of craziness, gathered at the start. Bill, recognizable by his fiery red hair, was in his zone. His bike, as eager as he, seemed to throb with excitement.

    The course was relentless – steep climbs, thrilling descents, and winding paths through Montana’s rugged terrain. Throughout the day, Bill faced each challenge with grit and skill. He saw the race as more than physical; it was a test of personal limits.

    The night race was surreal – just Bill, his bike, and a headlamp under the starry sky. Each pedal was a fight between exhaustion and thrill.

    But Rapelje’s heart lay in its community. Riders shared tools, stories, and support, creating a camaraderie rare in races. Bill, ever the joker and motivator, was a key part of this spirit.

    As dawn broke, the race ended with everyone tired but exhilarated. Bill finished with a satisfied grin, already sharing his night adventures.

    The 2009 24 Hours of Rapelje was more than a race; it was about endurance, friendship, and the love of biking. And for Bill, it was yet another epic tale for his collection. Watch out for more stories of biking and the great outdoors!

  • 24 Hours of Rapelje

    24 Hours of Rapelje

    Good morning from Missoula, Montana. I’m checking the not-so-great weather forecast as I prepare for my trip to Butte. I’ll be meeting Bob Waggoner at Triple Ring headquarters to pack up for our journey to Rapelje.

    Joining the trip are fellow Thursday Night Ride member Alden and Larry. This experience is going to be a game-changer for them. Also racing this weekend are Team Muleterro members Rich Shattuck and Sten Hertsens, who’ll be in the solo race with me.

    This race is a major prep for my World Championship and serves as a curtain call since I’ll be in Canmore in 5 weeks. This means I need to be mindful of my effort, doing some final testing and practice. One such practice is live race updates. Ideally, a pit crew member (Rick, who’ll be the communications director in Canmore) will update my Twitter account Bill24Solo.

  • Butte 100 Course Preview

    Butte 100 Course Preview

    Last weekend was fantastic – I joined the crew at Triple Ring Productions headquarters for a mountain bike ride on a segment of the Butte 100 course. Along with me were Rich Shattuck, Sten Hertsens, Guy Vesco, and, naturally, Bob Waggoner. The trail was exactly as cool as I remembered it. We even got caught in the rain at one point, but nothing could dampen the joy, thanks to my Carbo Rocket boost. And now, I’m gearing up for the 24 Hours of Rapelje this weekend.

  • Rattlesnake Ride

    2009-06-14-rattlesnake-ride2009-06-14-rattlesnake-ride-12009-06-14-rattlesnake-ride-22009-06-14-rattlesnake-ride-42009-06-14-rattlesnake-ride-5

  • Finding New Loops

    Mornin’ from City Brew in sunny Missoula, Montana. Had a wild ride last night on the Zepher Trail with my racing bike, the Leader. It’s those moments—wind in your face, tough paths, and Missoula’s night sky—that really bring back the magic of mountain biking. Cheers to more rides and bright mornings!

  • Back Up

    Ol Lolo

    Last night I went riding at 11 PM in the dark on the newly built up backup (get it

  • Out on Miller Creek

    Out on Miller Creek

    Last nights spin took me out to Miller Creek where I met up with 5 cool people out enjoying the roads. Nice sunny afternoon. We discussed Chad, The Red Barn, and I found out that one of the group had just purchased a Turner from Chad.  Good bikes. Spun back home and proceeded to spend 6 hours cleaning up my Turner from last weekends big romp.

  • Smoking The Bowl

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    The goal was to ride for 6 hours in zone 3 with minimal stops. The place I choose was Snow Bowl here in Missoula. I named my virtual event“Smoking The Bowl” (map).

    IMG_4869 IMG_4871 IMG_4872

    The climb is about 8 miles with no flat sections, just a long gradual climb. I wanted to see if I could go hard and not cramp at the end of the day. With my new top secret formula I was very successful. When the 6 hour mark had passed it was tough to get stopped. I felt great.

    IMG_4870

    The downhill is one of the finest examples of epic single-track available. It is long and very challenging at times. Today it was pre-season and there were about 50 blow downs and I got to practice jumping on and off of the bike. At one point I snagged my leg warmers and ripped them right off. Epic awesome and almost Butte-100-like day.

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