Riding in Montana

[ljjohns]

Trying to do some planning for next summer. There's some folks in Seattle; we're down here in El Paso. We have family in Wisconsin and originally thought that maybe the Washington folks and we could travel up there separately.

The next tentative concept was for the Washington folks to wander over to Billings and be met by us folks from El Paso in Billings and then over to Wisconsin (how to get back was not discussed).

Now we're not long-distance tourers, and the SO's have small concerns about travel time and big concerns about pannier capacity for the "necessaries."

So we're wondering about meeting up somewhere in Western Montana and, riding from a central point or points, spending most of the time in day trips.
This is based upon the "green dot" routes in the Rand-McNally. Does anyone have some insights into what'd be the possibilities up there?

Thanks in advance.

[ranks]

Don't know much about the area, but as far as concerns of panier size are concerned, there are a couple of options.

You can box up and mail stuff to your destination, then back home before you leave.

You can get a trailer to help carry all the extras.

My wife and I aren't real big on doing laundray along the way. Just using the paniers, we can only make a three day weekend out of it.

[mpillis]

depending what time of year you go, I rrecommend going to Glacier National pak and ride Going to the Sun road. I went in end of June and tthey were still plowing snow and it was low 30's and raining. In other words the weather sucked and I went half way up, had to turn around and ride around to the other side (70 miles around) west to east. Great trip getting there though. But from what I did see it would be a must!

[Yiet]

This is a great riding area. I was thinking that a Montana rider would respond but I've ridden this area three times and at least three more times in a car so I'll jump in here. Try to go in late August or early September if you have a choice. This will ensure that mountain passes are open and most of the usual forest fire smoke has cleared out of the mountains and the RV traffic is declining. I am assuming you won't want to miss Yellowstone and Glacier. The east end of Montana can be hot, dry and dusty while the west side has great roads, mountain passes, fishing streams and many activities for every interest. I think you need at least one week and if the SO prefers the luxuries you could base yourself in a place like Missoula or Bozeman and have great one or two day rides to both Yellowstone and Glacier. Another good option is the Cour de Alene, Sandpoint area in Idaho which would allow you to travel into southern BC also and do a two day ride including Banff and the Arrow Lakes region.

Coming from El Paso you will have some long, hot riding days ahead of you and I find that both the SO and I enjoy these kinds of trips much more if she takes a flight to the destination point, we do the tour from a suitable base and she then flies home while I complete the journey on my own timetable. It also solves the packing problem. If that is a possibility, Spokane is probably your best bet for flight connections.

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

[avonfloater]

Hwy 93 that comes off I-90 west of Missoula is worth the ride - takes you along scenic Flathead Lake and up to Glacier NP country.

Denny

[usmctpdog]

Agree with all of the above, Have done runs to Kalispell on Hwy2 and connecting roads to Flathead lake often. Addiitonally * I thought CA S.F. Bay area drivers were bad and scary to be around until I started riding into Montana.

Beware of lots of construction on roads and drivers that ignore anyone & anything in their pickup trucks going 95+ MPH even tho you are on a MC at and above the little noticed speed limits..... They will pass you on the right in construction zones, etc..

[MosBMR]

Finally a Montana responder! Yes, I live in Kalispell (about 35 miles from Glacier). One of the earlier responders was correct that if you want to gurantee riding the Going To The Sun Highway in Glacier waiting until July-August- or early Spetember id the best bet to insure the road is open.

There are numerous hotels in Kalispell is the largest city and has all the ammenities. Whitefish and Bigfork are resort communities, and Columbia Falls is a blue collar town with the fewest dining options.

There are great day rides in the area, and a ton of activities for any family members not on bikes (watersports, fishing, numerous golf courses, godola ride at the ski resort...). Loop rides include Flathead Lake, Plains/Paradise/National Bison Range, Eureka/Lake Kooanusa/Libby/Thompson Falls, and the Swan Seely Loop. Of course the GTSR Road in Glacier is the highlight, and can be a loop trip over Marias Pass at the southern end of the park too, but many people travel the GTSR both directions as the views are very different.

If you have time and passports (easiest) or DL and copy of birth certificate, extending the trip to take in Banff and Jasper in Canada makes for some spetacular riding too.

Hope this helps