Missoula Bound in June

[BikeliciousBabe]

Flight is booked or June 17th.

The planned route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49509260

It was drafted when the plan was to start from the KOA, but I am going to spend the first night at a motel and pick up the bike at Hellgate Cyclery.

Much of the route I have done over the years, but there are some new segments planned.  Where I stay when will mostly be decided on a daily basis, with the exception that I will have a motel reservation for a night in Butte a little over half way. Day off planned for the Bike Camp in Twin Bridges.

One unknown is how the government worker purge might affect USFS and BLM campsite availability.  It could cause me to alter some of my planned overnight locations, and I will be adding a water filter to my gear incase I have to practice dispersed camping.

Especially looking forward to seeing the Big Hole Valley, the Pioneers, the Bike Camp, Gem Mountain, and Rock Creek Road again, although I may opt for Skalkaho Pass if I am feeling spunky.  When I did it in 2014, there was a very cold, heavy rain heading down towards Hamilton.  I spent only about two minutes at the falls taking a couple of photos before moving on.

Can't wait.  It will be my first long trip since becoming seriously ill literally at the end of 2022 and speding the next 3 moths in the hospital and rehab, which included heart surgery and being on a feeding tube for two months.

[John Nelson]

Wow, fantastic trip. I can see why you're excited about it. I too am planning to camp in a lot of government-run campgrounds this summer.

[davidbonn]

I hope the trip goes well for you.

On water filters, you can use either Sawyer or Katadyn water filters with larger CNOC containers that have compatible threads.  In my opinion that works better on the average than the tiny containers that come with those filters.

I've also been told by a salesperson at REI that the Katadyn filter should be replaced once a year whether you think it needs it or not.  The Befree replacement filter costs $25 to $30 so isn't a grossly expensive thing to replace once a year.

Looks like a very cool trip!

[BikeliciousBabe]

I hope the trip goes well for you.

On water filters, you can use either Sawyer or Katadyn water filters with larger CNOC containers that have compatible threads.  In my opinion that works better on the average than the tiny containers that come with those filters.

I've also been told by a salesperson at REI that the Katadyn filter should be replaced once a year whether you think it needs it or not.  The Befree replacement filter costs $25 to $30 so isn't a grossly expensive thing to replace once a year.

Looks like a very cool trip!

Yeah.  I am probably going to go with a Katadyn pump.  It's only 6 oz.  I have a little over $100 in REI dividend to spend, so I will wait for its spring sale.  I don't expect to have to use it every day.  My concern is that wells at government campgrpunds might be turned off.  There is a long stretch where there is nothing but USFS campgrounds and one BLM campground.

[jamawani]

Enjoy!

Over the years, I've biked a lot of those stretches.
Hard to beat riding in Montana & Wyoming, too.
(Of course, I've lived in those two states for the past 30+ years.)

[harveyrd]

Way to bounce back from your health challenges.   Have a fantastic trip! 

[BikeliciousBabe]

Way to bounce back from your health challenges.   Have a fantastic trip!

Thanks.  We'll see how much I have bounced back. 

Good news is that the bike arrived at Hellgate Cyclery this morning, two days ahead of Bikefight's stated schedule.  And I found a place in town that will fill my fuel bottle so I won't have to ride out to REI hoping to find a quart.  (The REI near my home town stopped selling the quarts, and the product is no longer listed on REI's website.  But you can get plenty of Yeti products.  *rolls eyes*)

[BikeliciousBabe]

Had to camp in Jackson last night.  Woke up to sleet and snow.  Have a cabin tonight.  Forecast low is 29.  On to the bike camp at Dillon tomorrow after it warms up some.  Pioneer Mountains are out due to the snow.  Saw cars coming down from Big Hole Pass this morning with a couple of inches of the white stuff on their roofs.

[Westinghouse]

It must be cold. In July 1987 going over the various passes going west to east on the Northern tier. It was colder than a South Florida winter. Chunks of ice almost as big as a car along the roadside. All my life I was used to heat in July. I have very little experience living in higher elevations. I have been very close to sea level most all of my life.

[BikeliciousBabe]

Here is a BF thread (with photos and route map) about the trip.  You should be able to view it even if you are not a member.

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1310207-montana-trip-report.html

Made a slideshow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkiYEDcUutg

[Westinghouse]

That slide show. The hills and mountains of Montana. Cycling there is nice.