Montana Road Cycling Routes?

[Sparty11]

Hello,

I am looking for some information on road cycling in Montana.  My plan is to spend 4 weeks fly-fishing and road cycling in Montana and Wyoming.  I have been fly-fishing in Montana several times, this time I plan to drive to Montana with my road bike.  I would like to find recommended looping rides between 80-100 miles that I would cover in a day.  Looking for spectacular scenery, climbing, some solitude, etc.  Any information or advice is much appreciated.  Thank you.

- Sparty

[indyfabz]

I've tried in with luck in the SW part of the state (Wisdom, Anaconda, Ennis, Twin Bridges, Dillon). I keep coming up with loops on paved roads that are in the 110 to 120 range. Hopefully someone with more intimate knowledge will chime in.

BTW...Are you planning to fish Rock Creek at all? I did Rock Creek Rd. (mostly unpaved) as part of Missoula loop tour in 2011 and really loved it.  Later that fall I discovered that a local guy I sometimes ride and hike with has fished it. Have plans to ride the road again this June.

[Sparty11]

I've tried in with luck in the SW part of the state (Wisdom, Anaconda, Ennis, Twin Bridges, Dillon). I keep coming up with loops on paved roads that are in the 110 to 120 range. Hopefully someone with more intimate knowledge will chime in.

BTW...Are you planning to fish Rock Creek at all? I did Rock Creek Rd. (mostly unpaved) as part of Missoula loop tour in 2011 and really loved it.  Later that fall I discovered that a local guy I sometimes ride and hike with has fished it. Have plans to ride the road again this June.

Thanks for the feedback.  I have fished Rock Creek before, I may do it again.  I am looking to explore parts of Montana that are unfamiliar to me.  the newest issue of Bicycling Magazine has a section about cycling in Montana.  However, it is mostly targeted toward MTB.  I may end up bring out my MTB or fat bike as well as the road bike.

[indyfabz]

If you find yourself in MSO, we used this place when we did a loop tour from there:

http://www.missoulabicycleworks.com/

They seemed very MTB oriented. They may be able to give you some hints.

BTW...For road rides...While not a loop, if you find yourself in Wise River I am partial to the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. You could do the 25+ climb up to the top, which is a bit south of Crystal Park and then turn around and come back. There is a stunning alpine meadow section. ACA is using it again on its Cycle Montana tour. No services except in Wise River, but there are a couple of U.S.F.S. campgrounds, including the 4th of July picnic area and campground, that have water. Also, MT 43 east of Wise River to where it ends in Divide is a nice ride through a canyon. For more miles, take the I-15 frontage road from Melrose (another fly fishing-oriented town with a decent restaurant and a motel/campground) to MT 43, then head west to Wise River for the climb and then reverse.