Montana 43 construction

[mattdwyerva]

Fyi, east of Wise River on 43, there is a one way stretch on 43 that is being repaved.  It's one way and about 7-8 miles long.   Once you get a green light, you will deal with construction trucks and other traffic.  Not enjoyable as lanes are tight.  We stopped and got off road a few times when trucks roared by. 

We rode this yesterday on our way to the Pioneer Scenic Byway, a detour on our Trans Am ride.  Nice road, but a big climb.  Saw firefighters on the Scenic Byway, but no obvious fires on the road.

FYIO

[BikeliciousBabe]

Done the Pioneers 3 times heading towards Wise River.  Great ride. Pretty easy climb (except for the last five miles) going that way.  The other way, not so much.   

BTW...The Wise River Club is now partially owned by one other than Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame.  Currently has limited hours because they are feeding firefighters.

Did you take the dirt road between Twin Bridges and Melrose?  Great ride, but though.

[mattdwyerva]

Yes, we took that dirt road.  Scenic and quiet, but all washboard.   We saw some bald eagles and a herd of pronghorns.

 Nice but washboard got old.  37c tubeless worked but wished I had  2.3"instead

[BikeliciousBabe]

Yes, we took that dirt road.  Scenic and quiet, but all washboard.   We saw some bald eagles and a herd of pronghorns.

 Nice but washboard got old.  37c tubeless worked but wished I had  2.3"instead

Nice!  Got a earful from a common snipe one time.  The only quadrupeds I saw in my three trips were free range cattle.

Yeah.  The road can be rough.  I had 37c tubed tires and never flatted, but wider tires would have been nicer.

The last time I rode it (2016), I stopped for a break and realized that I could not hear any man-made sounds.  Only insects buzzing, birds chirping and the rustling of the grasses in the wind.  In 2011, the GF and I saw pronghorns grazing up on the hill you hit just after 43 ends and you get on the frontage road to Melrose.

If you stayed at the Bike Camp in Twin Bridges, how is it looking these days? I have spent a total of 5 nights there during 3 trips.  Also stayed at Divide Bridge Campground all 3 times I was out that way.

[mattdwyerva]

Ah, my wife want hotels which is best with her ebike anyway, so inside only for us.