We were late for the meet up in Hyalite Canyon. We explained to zero attendees that we got hung up on miscommunications and the fact that we ran out of gas as well. In any case we jolted up the hill and too outran all tracks from previous users. The sliders and the doggers. No signs of the snomachines though which kind of sucked because we had to pedal through crust and 5 inches of fresh pow. The BOMB down was stellar with only one crust fall through into a swamp. Fun times for all 2 attendies. Will the snow hold out for another week? Stay tuned.
Last night, amidst the remnants of a pesky cold, I decided to brave it all and embark on an ambitious fat bike ride in the evening, accompanied by our “massive” group of… wait for it… two. It initially felt like a simple quest for fresh air, but boy, did it morph into a bona fide fat bike adventure. And the cherry on top? We were treading wheels in a place that was a mystery to both of us. Imagine that – two intrepid explorers, against all odds, navigating the unknown on two chunky tires. It’s like we were boldly going where no one in our duo had gone before.
Last night was the 34th installment of our Wednesday Night Adventure Series. We had the average group size of 2 and getting to the launch site proved to be a little challenging. This time of year unless you want to road ride or mountain bike mud slog you need to get yourself high. We attempted the upper snowmobile parking lot of the Big Sky Trail but got a tad stuck. Not really, just had to turn around. We parked high and hit the fresh fallen snow. At the turn around point was 3 inches of fresh powder. Down below troughed ice. Still on snow people. Still rolling fatties on snow. Next week … Bridger Canyon possibly.
On this day in history, ‘Hey Zeph! Want an Action Wipe?‘ I asked, after cleaning the blood from my shin.
Two strong showed up at the WNA number 32. Oh yea, we have been keeping up the weekly tradition. The most people that ever showed is 2 and the least amount of folks were 2. So a steady growth. I didn’t blog about the others because if you read my previous post we are at war and I did not have time to post. Let’s see there was WNA 16 The Lever, WNA 17 The Lolly Pop Run, WNA 18 Palisades Fat Bike, WNA 19 Urban Legend Fat Bike, WNA 20 Sourdough Fat Bike, WNA 21 Urban Fatties, WNA 22 Rollin Fatties in the Hood, WNA 23 Rollin Fatties After Work, WNA 24 Rollin Fatties Again, WNA 25 Snow Canyon Fat Bike, WNA 26 Rollin Fatties After Work II, WNA 27 Rollin Fatties After Work III, WNA 28 Rollin Fatties After Work IV, WNA 29 Bearish Return Fat Bike, WNA 30 Squashing The Moser Fat Bike, WNA 31 Rollin Fatties up Blackmore, and now WNA 32 Rollin Fatties up Olsen.
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, A DELIGHTFUL JOURNEY THROUGH THE ARCHIVES:
2015: Posers – An arduous climb up Avalanche Peak in Yellowstone Park, where a tiny cute creature and the strong winds made for a memorable and desolate adventure.
2012: My piece of solitude – Revisiting an old friend, a trail that brings back single track skills memories, and an encounter with a private plow truck on an icy road.
2012: Fallen – Observing the melancholy beauty of trees on Pipestone Pass, where one fallen tree seems to evoke despair in its companion.
2010: Morning Trail – Capturing a quintessential Missoula moment for any mountain biker, “Morning Trail” highlights the beauty of South Sentinel as dawn breaks.
2009: Dirt Coalition – Sharing aspirations to join the GT Dirt Coalition, and catching up on the internet during a rest break from a decent block of training.
2008: Hard Miles – A recount of a challenging 60-mile ride up route 200 in the rain, bringing about a sense of unexpected energy and strength.
2007: Lolo Pass Ride – An ambitious 66.1-mile journey to Lolo Pass, featuring around 5,000 feet of climbing and a cramp that led to late-night blogging.
2007: I Just Keep Ending up Here! – A cozy moment at the Break Espresso, savoring a Carmel roll and a cup of Joe, a simple pleasure amidst biking adventures.
2006: Turah Turah Ride Tonight – Reflecting on a great training ride to Turah and back, feeling good all the way home compared to a previous exhausting experience.
2006: New Pictures Uploaded – The challenge of organizing and uploading pictures likened to herding caffeinated cats, all while chilling at Break Espresso.
2003: What I really Want – A moment of technological simplification, desiring only the essentials like a new camera and a powerbook for summer adventures.
2002: Emotional Alchemy – Sharing the anticipation for a book called “Emotional Alchemy,” following an outstanding mountain bike ride and a need for rest.
This curated list of blog posts offers a glimpse into my biking adventures, poetic reflections, and life’s simple moments, painting a vivid picture of the journey through years.
2 strong and determined to roll into darkness we set out and climbed until we could see no longer. Then we just flipped on our lights and bombed back to the parking lot. Yea, good times. We have a strong average of 2 riders per adventure and that spells success.
on October 14th a fantastic group of 2 showed up for the inageral Moose Run. Named so because before we turned around we saw a moose. But really just wanted to post that we rode and what number it is and the map …. bla bla. Over and Out!
As we approach the end of the mountain-bike-in-the-daylight portion of the Wednesday Night Adventures the photos of each event has dwindled. Not only because it is getting dark so soon but because unruly weather starts to rear its hooves as we plummet into winter around these parts. As such there are no photos for the Truman Ride as it was raining and so slippery we couldn’t ride on top of the bikes let alone get some pictures. Along with a sever health issue, I tried to have a carbohydrate before the ride, one rider of the massive field of two was alone out front. Mo claimed the ruler of the 1000 foot climb before turning around and riding back to the vehicle in the darkness. next week we break out the night light gear.
It is that time of year when the evenings get shorter. So now it is time for the shorter rides. The classic short ride around these parts is Moser. I like to call it Missoula because it reminds me of the greeat trails in Zootown. The ride tied a record attendance with 2 strong riders.
Last week we took a week off to do a cyclocross race. Enough of that sillyness. Due to a family emergency we were not set up to leave work and go directly to a trail head. So we made our way back home, after a recycling run of course, and threw on some adventure clothes. then we proceeded to get lost and finally find the Middle Cottonwood trailhead. Thankfully the large group, um no one, waited up for us. It was a short 4 mile ride. Welcome back the the Gallatin, where rides are short and the trail unforgiving. A record tying number showed up in the form of 2 great riders. The massave fun ended in the dark. Maybe we will be prepaired next week.
A late start resulted in a fantastic downhill extravaganza into a great sunset over the peaks of the Bridger Range. We were two people strong and a surging front runner was able to clear the tough climb out of Fairy Lake. We all got to the car just as the sun set. It is that time of year you know.
We came out in the dark which in not unusual for me. Last nights adventure was the The Mysticlly Hidden Trail. In the end it was 2 survivors but no photos. Lost GPS, fading light, and a forgotten trail entrance ensured that there was no time for the pretty photo. We did see Elk moving across a high meadow in the sunset. Totally cool. Also spotted were numerous deer and 1 suprised fox. But no Moose!
Last night a strong field of two attacked and overcame the Wheeler Gulch climb. All riders were rewarded with a beautiful sunset on the trail. I sure wish I could do the FitzBarn this year 😦 … all my fault. A little ride like this to sooth the soul.
In Hyalite there are two cabins, Maxi and Window Rock. This ride went by both of them. It was the best of rides and it was the worst of rides. Worst because it came to an end and best because of the different kinds of terrain one encounters. We had fire road, double track, mud, dust, rock, swamp, bushwhack, and sweet single track. The best riders in the area showed up for the showdown and was done moments before dark. 2 were in attendance. See you next week.
Tonight’s ride was 2 riders deep. A pretty stacked field of the worlds best climbers. And the test was formidable. with over 2,500 feet of vertical it was tough. but the views and rewards many. Next week … South Cottonwood maybe.
The ride tonight was moved from Wednesday to Thursday in honor of the TNR Missoula. The ride starts at Bear Canyon trail head and follows the signs to Bear lake … well there is some turns here and there one must do. But then again you should join us if you want to know the route. It was real greasy as always. Mo crashed and almost got impaled by a stake. then the mosquitoes sucked our blood dry at the lake. Fun time were had by 2 riders.
Exhausted we could not just forget what we started. A last minute move to save the series it was decided to ride the Urban legend, a quick and dirty as you will. There is more single track then you think and it is the reason it is my long way home from work. total participants was two. 2 = “fun”++, right?
Someone, and I will not mention who, forgot their helmet. So we needed to start from Aero Cafe. This is a formidable ride. Tons of climbing. From story Mill up to the junction of the Foothills trail. And then the heralding bomb down to the ravine between Sypes and the M trails. Then more climbing that wold bust anyone open. Finally a cruise to the M. The ride home on death highway was not fun with a sudden downpour. I think rain is going to be the common theme with this years series. Total riders in tonight’s group … 2. Perfect!
Boneshakerbike 