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Welcome all new and returning Luna Hens!
I have prepared a biking schedule (2025 Ride Schedule) for the season. It designates a meeting place for each ride and a carpool meeting place when applicable. Each ride is lead by a volunteer leader. Please refer to this chart weekly and contact the leader for any questions or updates
Below the ride schedule are the ride start times for each month and a description of each ride.
Hopefully this season-at-a-glance helps avoid multiple emails and allows potential new BWAGs as well as occasional bikers to see what type of rides we enjoy and to decide if they are interested in joining us. Our group includes bikers of all abilities, so you can usually find someone who bikes at your pace. Please note that some of our bikers now enjoy using e-bikes.
Some of our rides are close to town and don’t require a full day commitment, but others involve a longer drive to the start so we may be gone most of the day. We usually bring a snack or lunch on our rides and occasionally have lunch at a local restaurant. Always bring plenty of water and wear layers in anticipation of changes in the weather.
When we carpool, remember to bring cash for the driver.
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Weather/cancellations:
Wind is usually the factor I most consider when deciding whether to ride or not. Make the best decision for you as I will not always send cancellation emails.
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BICYCLE SAFETY:
We BWAG bikers are all safety aware. We need to be sure that none of us are among the 20 bicyclists per week that are killed in the US. It begins by being SEEN by car drivers. Below is an excellent link that summarizes what you already practice:
Wearing helmets, checking equipment before riding, wearing bright reflective clothing, keeping hands on bike, using turn signals, limiting distractions, using rules of the road (like cars), riding with flow of traffic, staying off sidewalks, using bike lanes.
We have been reminded of other important safety considerations because we are riding in a group:
Riding single file
Keeping together
Keeping space between bikers in case someone stops suddenly
Using hand signals
Stopping when the group can get safely off the road
Editorial: Why is stopping at a stop sign a bad idea? Cars stop there, too. Too many bikers bunched up together risks one of us getting hit, because car drivers can’t see everyone.
BWAG Bikers: Your good safety behavior protects others in the group!
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Yellowstone National Park information:
Many of you are interested in riding in YNP before the road opens to vehicles in the spring or after the roads close in the fall. We don’t usually get to schedule this ride because the weather doesn’t always cooperate on a Thursday. Check with the park to verify road opening and closing dates each year
From the YNP website: Every spring and fall, bicycling, including e-bikes, may be permitted on park roads while they’re closed to motorized, public travel. Electric or pedal-assist bikes are considered to be bikes (as opposed to motor vehicles). They can ride anywhere bikes are allowed. Roads will not be free of cars during these times: bicyclists will encounter employees, contractors, plows, and other administrative vehicles on the roads. If you plan to bike on any roads open to public, motorized travel, check out our bicycling page.
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3rd/Mystic Hills/Nash/Sourdough/Triple Tree/Fowler/Loop (4 options)
Start at MOR or Sacajawea Middle School and ride South 3rd Ave to Nash Rd. From here you can choose to continue straight up to the Mystic Hills neighborhood to 19th and return to starting point or take a left onto Nash then a left onto Sourdough Rd then a left onto Goldenstein Ln and right back onto South 3rd and back to starting point or another option is to take a right on Nash, cross 19th, bike through the Hyalite Vista neighborhood to Fowler, make a right onto Fowler and a right onto Patterson, a left onto 19th, a right onto Goldenstein and a left onto 3rd to return to starting point or an additional challenge would be to go up Triple Tree and back from Sourdough.
Abandoned Railroad Bed Bike Trail/Yellowstone Trail
This mostly level dirt trail starts northwest of the Heritage and Research Center in Gardiner. It follows the abandoned railway bed north paralleling the Yellowstone River to the park’s northern boundary at Reese Creek. (We will bike this route in reverse.)
Bear Canyon
from the Highlands baseball fields parking lot ride Ellis St to right onto Haggerty Ln left onto Bluebird Ln left onto Mt Ellis Rd cross the RR tracks and right onto the frontage road, right under the interstate onto Bozeman Trail Rd, left onto Bear Canyon Rd to the end. Turn around and return by same route.
Cherry Creek
Bike ride is Gravel & Paved – Need hybrid bike. Bike from the MOR to Story Mill (gravel), toward the M (paved), through Legends development (gravel) to McIllhattan road, through Manley Meadows development (paved) & on to Cherry Creek (gravel). On return bike around Glen Lake to Story Mill and back to the MOR (mostly gravel).
Chico
Park at Chico Hot Springs and ride out to and make a left onto East River Rd to the end where it meets US 89. Follow same route back.
Often bikers choose to soak and/or have lunch at Chico Hot Springs or Sage.
Clarkston
Start at the Gallatin River fishing access site on the Logan-Trident Road
This ride is along a very scenic, paved, hilly, lightly trafficked road with no shoulder. We’ll ride toward Clarkston and return by same route.
Cottonwood/ Gooch Hill
From the Kirk Hill parking lot make a left onto S 19th then left onto Cottonwood Rd then right onto Law Rd ( dirt/gravel for about 1 mile) then right onto Gooch Hill Rd then right onto Blackwood Rd and right onto Cottonwood Rd and left onto Patterson and right onto Fowler and left onto 19th back to the start. This ride is hilly.
Ennis Lake
Start at the Community Park parking lot at the end of town and follow 287 south to Jeffers Rd, to Ennis Lake Rd to the bridge and back.
You can add mileage by riding down to the dam and back. Options for bag lunch in the park or restaurant in town.
from Jeannie’s
Jeannie’s address is 17130 Brackett Creek Rd. This ride is along Brackett Creek Rd towards Clyde Park. Jeannie invites bikers to enjoy their lunch on her porch after the ride.
from Teri’s
Meet at Teri’s 25 Willem Way Belgrade. Teri will choose ride from her house. Teri invites bikers to enjoy their lunch on her porch after the ride.
Gallatin Gateway
Start at the Community Center, follow Gateway South Rd until it ends at the stop sign at US 191. Return by same route.
Riders can add mileage by riding up and back Cottontail Rd on the way back.
Gallatin Gateway from Cottonwood School
Start at the Cottonwood School.
Follow Cottonwood Rd then right onto Law Road then left onto Gooch Hill Rd then left onto trail along 191 then use the tunnel under 191 to Gallatin Gateway Community Center. Follow Gateway South Rd until it ends at the stop sign at US 191. Return by same route.
Those bikers who want to avoid gravel roads can meet at Gallatin Gateway Community Center to join the group 30-40 minutes after the start of the ride.
Hyalite
Start at the kiosk and ride up to the reservoir and back while the road is closed to traffic.Jackson Creek RdThis ride is along Jackson Creek Rd to the interstate and back. It is very hilly! A great side ride is up and back Bridger Vista Drive.
Kelly Canyon
From the Highlands baseball fields parking lot ride Ellis St to right onto Haggerty Ln left onto Bluebird Ln left onto Mt Ellis Rd cross the RR tracks and right onto Kelly Canyon Rd. This ride is up to the top of the Kelly Canyon Rd and then back by the same route.
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park/Cardwell
From Lewis and Clark Caverns SP lower Visitor Center parking lot make a right onto MT 2. Follow this road along the Jefferson River, then left onto MT 359 and right onto McKeown Lane to right onto Tebay Lane.
The turn around spot is where Tebay Lane comes near the interstate.
Return by the same route.
Livingston
This ride is about 16 miles round-trip, all paved, flat, some side streets, but mostly trail. From hospital, out Old Clyde Park Road, then thru town, & down south 89 to end of pavement. There could be an extension option on East River Rd. as far as riders want to go. Lunch could be at restaurant in town or picnic at the park by depot.
Caution: WIND!
“M” Trail
This ride will begin in Story Mill Park, wind through nearby neighborhoods and travel along the path to the Drinking Horse parking lot. Return is by the same route.
Manhattan Nixon Bridge
Meeting place: Four Corners Fishing Access (4.8 miles west of Dry Creek Bible Church, south of Dry Creek Road, good idea to have MT Conservation License, $8)
From Four Corners Fishing Access, go east on Dry Creek Road very briefly and take an immediate right onto Central Park Road. Turn around at Frontage Road and return to the path near Four Corners Fishing Access.
Continue on the path to Manhattan. Thread thru Manhattan to Nixon Gulch Road. Stop at Nixon Bridge Fishing Access on Gallatin River for a snack. Return. Top the ride off with an extra tour of Central Park Road.
Natural Bridge State Park
From McLeod turn right onto Main Boulder Rd to the State Park
We usually explore the park and enjoy a bag lunch before returning by the same route. This ride is hilly!
Nelson Road, Outlaw Country and Mountain View Neighborhoods
Park at 2710 Kid Curry Drive, home of Joanne Kamplain.
Turn right out of her driveway, circle around Kid Curry Drive to Butch Cassidy. Go straight onto Nelson Road, until it meets Frontage Road. Turn around at MDT. Return on Nelson Road until it intersects with Airport Road. Return on Nelson Road to Larkspur, turn right. Ride through the Mountain View neighborhood, by Bluebell, Painted Canyon, Sacajawea Peak, Mountain View, Painted Canyon, Bluebell, and Larkspur. Return to the parking spot.
Outlaw Ride
The ride meanders past Chief Joseph Middle School toward Harper Puckett road, crossing Valley Center road and heading west to Cameron bridge where we turn around and return by same route.
Ryen Glenn to Saddlepeak
Park near 2107 East Silver Circle, Belgrade, in Ryen Glenn neighborhood. House of Monica DeLaney.
Go north on Powers, west on Penwell to Dry Creek, Turn around, continue on Penwell until Stimson. Turn right. East up Baseline and south on Walker to east on Saddlepeak Road. Return.
Shield’s River Rd
Start from parked cars on Hwy 89 down Shield’s River Rd to the bridge and back. Great Mountain Views and very little traffic both ways. This ride is hilly!
Shortline Trail
The trail begins near the corner of Iris Street and Obsidian Avenue in West Yellowstone, MT. The trail is a non-motorized trail open to hiking, biking, rollerskating, roller skiing, skateboarding, and more. By policy of the US Forest Service, motorized vehicles, including E-bikes, ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes, are not permitted. Wildlife sightings are common along the trail.
Three Forks
Start at the parking area across from the campground and follow the trail into Three Forks. You can choose to ride down to Willow Creek and back along Old Yellowstone Trail Rd or you can bike through town and pick up the paved trail to the Jefferson River. Return by same route.
Gravel riders can take a loop from the campground parking lot towards Trident and take the Logan Trident Rd to the Frontage Rd and back to the starting point.
Yellowstone National Park
Many of you are interested in riding in YNP before or after the road opens to vehicles. Check with the park to verify road opening and closing dates each year.
From the YNP website: Every spring and fall, bicycling, including e-bikes, may be permitted on park roads while they’re closed to motorized, public travel. Electric or pedal-assist bikes are considered to be bikes (as opposed to motor vehicles). They can ride anywhere bikes are allowed. Roads will not be free of cars during these times: bicyclists will encounter employees, contractors, plows, and other administrative vehicles on the roads. If you plan to bike on any roads open to public, motorized travel, check out our bicycling page.
Thursday Meeting Times 2025
April 10:00
May 9:45
June 9:30
July 9:00
August 8:30
September 9:30
October 10:00
Ride leaders will determine meeting time at carpool meeting area based on weather and length of car trip and include it in their Sunday email.