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Welcome all new and returning Luna Hens!
I have prepared a biking schedule (2024 biking 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, left onto Sourdough Rd, left onto Goldenstein Ln, right onto South 3rd and back to starting point. Another option is to take a right on Nash, cross 19th, bike through the Hyalite Vista neighborhood to Fowler, make a right onto Fowler, a right onto Patterson, a left onto 19th, a right onto Goldenstein and a left onto 3rd to return to starting point. An additional challenge would be to go up Triple Tree and back from Sourdough.
Bear Canyon:
From the Highlands baseball fields parking lot, take Ellis St to right onto Haggerty Ln, left onto Bluebird Ln, left onto Mt Ellis Rd, cross the RR tracks, 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.
Chico:
Park at Chico Hot Springs and ride out to East River Rd, turn right continuing to Mill Creek Rd, turn right until road becomes gravel, follow same route back. Often bikers choose to soak and/or have lunch at Chico Hot Springs.
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; ride toward Clarkston and return by same route.
Cottonwood/ Gooch Hill:
From the Kirk Hill parking lot, make a left onto S 19th, left onto Cottonwood Rd, right onto Law Rd ( dirt/gravel for about 1 mile), right onto Gooch Hill Rd, right onto Blackwood Rd, right onto Cottonwood Rd, left onto Patterson, right onto Fowler, left onto 19th back to the start. This ride is hilly.
Dry Creek to Manhattan:
From the Dry Creek Bible Church, take West Dry Creek Rd into Manhattan. There are several side routes to take in Manhattan and several options for lunch. Return by same route
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. This ride is hilly.
From Roberta’s:
Roberta’ s address is 194 Bison Trail (please park in the driveway, not on the road). Ride along Valley Center’s bike path toward Churchill. After crossing Jackrabbit, turn onto Thorpe and go to Cameron Bridge, turn left going toward Churchill. One can turn off at River Road for an “Out and Back” to the golf course returning to Roberta’s house for a 23 mile ride. If weather cooperates, we can eat lunch on the deck, or inside if not.
From Teri’s:
Meet at Teri’s 4350 Airport Rd. Teri will choose ride from her house and invites bikers to enjoy their lunch on her porch after the ride.
Gallatin Gateway:
Start at the Community Center and 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, right onto Law Road, left onto Gooch Hill Rd, 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.
Hyalite:
Start at the kiosk and ride up to the reservoir and back while the road is closed to traffic.
Jackson Creek Rd:
This very hilly ride is along Jackson Creek Rd to the interstate and back. A great side ride is up and back Bridger Vista Drive.
Kelly Canyon:
From the Highlands baseball fields parking lot, take 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, right onto McKeown Lane, 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, 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
Martinsdale:
From Martinsdale along Hwy 294 towards US Hwy 89. This ride is out and back (as long as you like) along paved, lightly traveled highway. Lunch at Bair Museum in Martinsdale. The drive to the start is approximately 100 miles.
Caution: WIND
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.
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.
Summer Cutoff:
This ride is very hilly. Right onto Manley Road, left onto McIlhattan Road, right onto Sypes Canyon Road, left onto Summer Cutoff Road, then Walker Road, left onto Baseline to Springhill Road, return. Or continue up Sypes Canyon Road to trailhead (3 miles up and back). Bonus ride up Saddle Peak Road (3 miles up and back).
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.
Yellowstone Shortline Trail:
All 9 miles from Iris Street to the Idaho state line have now been paved. As of October 22, construction is ongoing, including shoulder work and other finishing work.The trail has remained open throughout construction, but please be cautious of construction equipment and follow any signs indicating closed sections. The trail currently 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. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Thursday Meeting Times 2024
April 10:00
May 9:45
June 9:30
July 9:00
August 8:30
September 9:30
October 10:00