Big Sky road ride -

[David Kirk]

The riding in Montana is so varied that it's hard to pin down. One can find flatish tree line rides following a river, miles long treed climbs, open rides on the hot dry plains or some rides that combine all of the above.

Yesterday's ride started north of Bozeman and headed north from there going up and over Battle Ridge Pass which then spills out onto the basin and range scenery with views of both the Crazy Mountains and the north end of the Bridger chain. It's simply spectacular.

The climb up and over Battle Ridge pass is about 1200' over about 2 miles which is followed by a fast flowing and curvy plunge onto the plains. It passes through the "town" of Sedan.....I included a photo of the sign talking about the place. As far as I can see there are to houses and one ranch that make up the town of Sedan. I love this ride.

I saw about 6-8 cars the entire time and no other cyclists. It's huge and utterly empty.

I'm not sure what today's ride will be but I need to get on it before the heat of the day sets in - have a good one.

dave

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19780557_1487570331304341_998502912216750265_o.jpg ?oh=72ac8b3a7d3938b388140c4262c96669&oe=59D069C0

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19787088_1487570387971002_3191605098402641894_o.jp g?oh=4ade92f6116ef9ddf7bad28453a6720b&oe=59D2282E

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19780737_1487570364637671_4422774110787956052_o.jp g?oh=13ca601c0afaf418cd02572acf87a257&oe=5A09F75A

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19780731_1487570401304334_4697560836773956734_o.jp g?oh=0d075cc93c5387bf7a00a7e2b859093b&oe=59CC689F

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19780374_1487570464637661_2514129428642719127_o.jp g?oh=4f6ab336c1cf9f3a93d70b53e3a7beb3&oe=59FFCD68

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19959213_1487570491304325_6637289600703617270_n.jp g?oh=89acb2704a08e5cae64234befb28070b&oe=59C4FDC4

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19959213_1487570491304325_6637289600703617270_n.jp g?oh=89acb2704a08e5cae64234befb28070b&oe=59C4FDC4

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19679317_1487570507970990_8723990540692155560_o.jp g?oh=45e37850c87f7a2822703b4c990c65ad&oe=5A0E839E

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19942740_1487570524637655_2379594721257121910_o.jp g?oh=de0654256b4b55bab31a610a7760b476&oe=59FF992B

[numbskull]

Living in the NE it is hard to even imagine space that vast.

[Clean39T]

Living in the NE it is hard to even imagine space that vast.



+1 but for the PNW

[David Kirk]

Living in the NE it is hard to even imagine space that vast.

I hear you. I also grew up in the NE and one rarely sees more than 1/2 mile in any direction unless you climb to the top of something.

The second to last photo shows a road headed due east to the Crazy mountains and while they look pretty far away it doesn't seem like that far. But as the crow flies from where I was standing when I took that phototo the mountains it's about 30 miles.

When I look out the back windows of my home I can see across the valley to the Tobacco Root mountains and they are a solid 50 miles away.

Big Sky to be sure.

dave

[William]

Beautiful! I miss living out West. :crap:

Thank you for sharing Dave!








William

[thwart]

Living in the NE it is hard to even imagine space that vast.

+1.

Lovely scenery, lovely bike.

[Lovetoclimb]

Montana is quickly climbing to the top of my list for a cycling trip. Turns out flights from Greenville SC to Missoula or Billings are quite affordable and with a folding road bike ... it may just become a hastily planned Labor Day trip.

I will be sure to look you up Dave if I can make it over to Bozeman or thereabouts. Thanks for all the tempting ride pictures!

[oliver1850]

Looks like great riding. I like places where the whole commercial and social history can be told on one sign. Was this an out and back? Where did you turn around? Looks like you could loop around to Clyde Park and Brackett Creek Road.

[jlwdm]

Looks like great riding. I like places where the whole commercial and social history can be told on one sign...

Just missing the population - 99 at the last census.

Jeff

[oliver1850]

Just missing the population - 99 at the last census.

Jeff

That must be for the whole township.

[1X10]

Man thats good...+1 on sharing

You just made my Sunday:beer:

[Ralph]

Thanks for the pics.

[skijoring]

Love it...I see those mountains and think - winter is just around the corner!

[tiretrax]

Wonderful pictures. Seems like a great place to ride. BTW, I expected to see more cows or sheep.

[David Kirk]

Looks like great riding. I like places where the whole commercial and social history can be told on one sign. Was this an out and back? Where did you turn around? Looks like you could loop around to Clyde Park and Brackett Creek Road.

I did it as an out-and-back. It was 90° with 12% humidity so being able to carry enough water is the real limiting factor. I tuned around at Jone's corner before the road heads east to the Crazies.

dave

[OtayBW]

I lived near Elko, NV for a few years a while back. I can't say that the riding out there thrilled me much - out and back was about it and that gets old pretty quick. I should say that this was in the days before the gravel grinders came into their own, so maybe that would have opened up some other options.

[choke]

That looks like a great ride.

A couple of years ago, on my way to Cino, I spent a night at the Battle Ridge Campground. I did get a short ride in that day, I went down the hill (away from Bozeman) and then took a left on a gravel road that's maybe 1/4 mile from the top....IIRC it went to a lake, though I didn't make it that far down the road due to time restraints.

This pic was taken not far down that gravel road.

http://www.cycle.ciocctoo.com/bozem2.jpg

[David Kirk]

That looks like a great ride.

A couple of years ago, on my way to Cino, I spent a night at the Battle Ridge Campground. I did get a short ride in that day, I went down the hill (away from Bozeman) and then took a left on a gravel road that's maybe 1/4 mile from the top....IIRC it went to a lake, though I didn't make it that far down the road due to time restraints.

This pic was taken not far down that gravel road.

http://www.cycle.ciocctoo.com/bozem2.jpg

Nice - I know that road. A few miles up there are some epic mountain bike trails.

dave

[tuscanyswe]

But what a beautiful bike you build David!

Is this bike a tad smaller than you usually ride or is it perhaps just the perspective making it look so?

[David Kirk]

But what a beautiful bike you build David!

Is this bike a tad smaller than you usually ride or is it perhaps just the perspective making it look so?

Nope - same size. This is the bike that I brought to NAHBS and took home the best road bike award with and it's the same fit I've been riding for the past few decades.

dave

[saab2000]

How is the 9100? Any real difference from 9000? Also curious about the direct mount brakes, though they're not on your bike.

They seem to give more tire clearance.

Anyway, back on topic, those are beautiful pictures and they make the riding seem very enticing!

[David Kirk]

How is the 9100? Any real difference from 9000? Also curious about the direct mount brakes, though they're not on your bike.

They seem to give more tire clearance.

Anyway, back on topic, those are beautiful pictures and they make the riding seem very enticing!

I've been planning on writing up a full ride report on the 9100 but have not had the time fall into my lap....but suffice it to say that it's wonderful. The shifting so so fast and crisp one wonders how even Di2 can have any advantage over it with even the front shift being so light and quick.....and the brakes have a *****load of room for big tires and wonderful modulation and power.

The 9100 is the best stuff I've ever used hands down.

dave

[saab2000]

I've been planning on writing up a full ride report on the 9100 but have not had the time fall into my lap....but suffice it to say that it's wonderful. The shifting so so fast and crisp one wonders how even Di2 can have any advantage over it with even the front shift being so light and quick.....and the brakes have a *****load of room for big tires and wonderful modulation and power.

The 9100 is the best stuff I've ever used hands down.

dave

It's very tempting. I've got a few bikes with 9000 and one with 5800. The 9100 is very nice looking stuff.

Regarding tire clearance, the direct mount brakes look even nicer and yes, I agree that the standard ones already allow for a lot of tire.

Sorry for the tangent, but the scenic photography did include a bike...!! So I'm not really apologizing! :D

[merlinmurph]

Man, Dave's not kidding. For a guy from the east, riding in MT was whole different experience for me.

We hit MT last September on our around-the-country trip in our RV trailer, and riding was pretty cool. I did a few dirt rides, and it didn't take too long to be in the middle of nowhere and feel pretty small.

[sand fungus]

Wish I was taking my bike. Planning to do hiking and hanging out with friends. Should be fun!

[nesteel]

I sure do miss riding up there. Thanks for the nice photos Dave.

[Mikeys]

That looks amazing. Montana has been on my list of places to go visit and now I'm bumping it to the top

[holliscx]

OT but do you fly fish Dave?

I visited BS last summer and had a blast on a Specialized Demo DH for a day. But the best part by far was sipping an IPA on the drive down to the Gallatin for a couple hours fishing before dinner. I don't normally drink and drive but my brother encouraged me to take advantage of MT's lax open container laws.

Do you have respect for rod builders in the same vein as frame builders? Have you checked out Winston in Twin Bridges?

I can't imagine a better day than riding up to BS and stopping at that barbecue restaurant about 5k after the Meadow. Caliber Coffee too!

How's Bozeman in winter? Does it get too small year round?

[Climb01742]

Amazing scenery and photos Dave. Thanks for sharing them with us. The detail on the Sedan sign that really struck me was when electricity came, 1949. I think most of us would be surprised how late it came to much of America.

[David Kirk]

Amazing scenery and photos Dave. Thanks for sharing them with us. The detail on the Sedan sign that really struck me was when electricity came, 1949. I think most of us would be surprised how late it came to much of America.

Think of that.....when much of the country was enjoying light in their homes after dark the good folks of Sedan, MT saw it get dark at 5:00 in the winter and the only way to push away the darkness was to light a candle or oil lamp.

I'm glad you noticed that date....it's why I posted that photo.

dave

[David Kirk]

OT but do you fly fish Dave?

I visited BS last summer and had a blast on a Specialized Demo DH for a day. But the best part by far was sipping an IPA on the drive down to the Gallatin for a couple hours fishing before dinner. I don't normally drink and drive but my brother encouraged me to take advantage of MT's lax open container laws.

Do you have respect for rod builders in the same vein as frame builders? Have you checked out Winston in Twin Bridges?

I can't imagine a better day than riding up to BS and stopping at that barbecue restaurant about 5k after the Meadow. Caliber Coffee too!

How's Bozeman in winter? Does it get too small year round?

Nope - I'm not a fisherman. It's tempting but another time consuming and spendy hobby might not be the best choice for me right now!

I do have a number of friends that fly fish and I know a guy who makes stunning bamboo rods. He and I have so much in common in both what we do and how we run our businesses and he's really fun to talk with. If you ever come and need a fishing guide I know a few guys that do this. Many fly fishing guides work as ski instructors in the winter and fish in the summer to fill out the year. I got to know a lot of these guys during my time as supervisor at the Bridger Bowl snowboard school. Good people.

Bozeman in the winter? It gets more populated in the winter due to the students enrolled at MSU being back in town and of course with all the skiers - summer is the slow season. The summer sees a lot of drive-through with people using Bozeman as a gateway to Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Jackson Hole but most don't do much aside from having lunch, filling up their gas tanks and then heading south.

dave

[holliscx]

Nope - I'm not a fisherman. It's tempting but another time consuming and spendy hobby might not be the best choice for me right now!

Don't make it so and lean on your friends for sage advice. The cool thing about fly fishing is you need to learn to cast but then all you need is transport to and fro plus a rod, reel, and license. Plus who doesn't want to see a Kirk fishing commuter with terraplane stays.

But seriously you live in fishing heaven. You're a fool to not fish especially for the reason you state. Even going out once a week is good for your soul and I bet this would translate directly to your frames and broader life.

Fly fishing doesn't have to be an expensive hobby! You can probably barter a frame for a top of the line rod if you really want to, but you're in a great state to purchase a secondhand rod and reel which you could fish for a lifetime.

[cinco]

Beautiful. Bet the winds can be vicious.

Andy in Houston

[oliver1850]

Think of that.....when much of the country was enjoying light in their homes after dark the good folks of Sedan, MT saw it get dark at 5:00 in the winter and the only way to push away the darkness was to light a candle or oil lamp.

I'm glad you noticed that date....it's why I posted that photo.

dave

Probably true for many in the west, but there were options other than candles and lamps for many years prior to 1949. The Delco company started producing home generator/battery systems in 1916. My house built in 1912 had one. Although the generator is long gone, the poured concrete base remains. The neighboring family farmhouse which 5 generations have lived in had commercial electricity in 1917. My house is only a bit over a mile away, so I'm guessing the Delco plant wasn't needed for very many years. It's estimated that there were nearly 1,000,000 Delco plants installed by the mid 1930s. Some places in the US still don't have commercial electricity. The fishing camp in MN that our family visited for decades was still utilizing a generator when it closed around 1980, after being absorbed into Voyegeurs Natl. Park. To my knowledge the closest commercial electricity was about 7 miles away, as the crow flies.

http://doctordelco.com/Dr._Delco/Delco-Light/Delco-Light.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delco_Electronics

[Kirk007]

That's a good lookin' bike Dave. Do you know where you can one like that made?:beer:

[David Kirk]

That's a good lookin' bike Dave. Do you know where you can one like that made?:beer:

I know a guy who knows a guy who can hook you up.

dave

[breakingaway89]

Thats wonderful.. Thanks for sharing you made my day.
-----------------------
Bike Tours (http://breakingaway.com)

[Climb01742]

Think of that.....when much of the country was enjoying light in their homes after dark the good folks of Sedan, MT saw it get dark at 5:00 in the winter and the only way to push away the darkness was to light a candle or oil lamp.

I'm glad you noticed that date....it's why I posted that photo.

dave

My father was born in rural Tennessee and he used to tell stories of what life was like before the Tennessee Valley Authority brought electricity to the hollers of the Blue Ridge. It was a world lit by candles and kerosine. Some of his best stories were about selling Bibles door-to-door there in the 1930s. Not just another time, another world.