Just got train ticket to whitefish

[Cheyou]

Well i did it . Starting June 1. One month after my 60 birthday . I will be on a dream ride.


Still lots of work to do before then . Thom

[DocTrike]

Congrats on your attempt!! My riding partner is in late 70's or early 80s and he is strong (recreational club rider) but I hadn't considered him doing the TDR because of his age and dietary requirements. But he grew up in the mountain states and was a real outdoorsman so maybe I should mention it to him.

Have fun good luck, and wave at the trike when you see me go bye.

[threepin]

Congrats,
As a whitefish resident though there are a couple of things you should  know. June itself around here is referred to as Junuary , it is often quite chilly and wet, That trend is often present north and south of here along the divide. Too, the difference is snowpack and trail/rd coverage is quite significant between early and late june. For example i averaged out the depth change during the month of june over the past few years at Stahl peak in the whitefish range and the delta was around 60 inches. So if you plan on an early divide ride you could encounter really really long snow  patches. I don't want to rain on your parade, but thought you should know.

if i can assist in some way let me,its well worth doing. if i'm around, i'll buy you a beer


Bill

[Cheyou]

Thanks for the offer. I live in N Ny 10 miles from Canada in the snow belt . Should I bring my ice biking tires just if case? :0) I wanted to be on trail early to watch the racers go by . We haven't had a hard winter thought it might be the same their .


Thom

[threepin]

We definitely have not had a hard winter ,never got below zero and we are at maybe 90% of normal snow pack. that said a lot of what gets clear depends on the weather from here on out. Too, I have never been able to ride to upper whitefish lake on memorial Day, Part of the issue is that the forestry roads around here used for the GDMR are groomed and used for snow machining so they really get pack and that retards melting.

Regarding Ice tires, I would say no as typically most of the blocked areas would be packed snow, freezing at night softening and rotting during the days. The ice tires would not help much on the soft stuff and would be less fun on the dry. A fat bike would probably be the ticket. Hopefully a racer or two will chime in as i never really go very far on the snow covered roads that time of year by bike.

If you just want to ride in the area and check out the racers as they come through there will be things to ride including the Going to the sun road in glacier which is essentially a bike path as they clear it - highly recommended. Highwood pass in K- country is similar.

The weather is typically rather cool and June is often the wettest month of the year here so come equipped.

Try this link for the snotel at Stahl peak- indicative of snow coverage at nearby Galton Pass and Red Meadow pass-http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/nwcc/sntl-data0000.jsp?site=787&days=7&state=mt

[Cheyou]

I was just kidding about the ice tires . They weigh a ton.Home made lots of screws .  I know I will have great weather or the other. Got to go June 1 it's the only time I can go.

Thanks Thom

[threepin]

If i can help out closer to the time, let me know. Lots of ways to have fun around here
You are welcome to pm me with any more questions or if you would like me to give you a call