Thread: Bicyclists

Is it just me, or are there an unusually large number of bicyclists touring the country this summer? This question is irrevelant to folks that never leave the city limits, but in rural Montana I see 15-20 every day.

Originally Posted by Duane Nelson

Is it just me, or are there an unusually large number of bicyclists touring the country this summer? This question is irrevelant to folks that never leave the city limits, but in rural Montana I see 15-20 every day.

I run into them (not literally but almost) just about every single day. Middle TN is known worldwide for its rolling hills, good winding roads and challenging bigger hills!

It is frustrating when you come upon a pack of cyclist who do not want to share the road but expect you to share the road. Starting in 2012 the State Troopers have started to ticket bicyclist when they do not share the road on state highways and roads. This is not sitting well with the cycling community as you can imagine.

Full disclosure..... We are a cycling family, but we choose old trails and roads with little to no traffic. I also do not fit well on those skinny road bikes!

It's Tour de France time.

The all come out about that time.

My wife and I just spent 3 days on the Discovery Olympic cycle trail is Washington State. Most of it is on the old railway bed. It is like taking a train trip in slow motion sometimes, touring the backyards of the nation. The trail is very well marked, well mapped, and mostly paved.

Duane,

I recently drove from CT to my place near Mosby and back. I also saw a lot of them on the road from Montana through Minnesota. I was wondering the same thing. The poor guys/gals were fighting the 100+ degree weather we had around July 4th.

I cycle too. There are plenty of places to cycle without dealing with traffic. Those who choose to ride in traffic IMHO are risking their lives. Be safe.

Harold, are you talking about Mosby, MT? Our daughter's mother-in-law was a Mosby.

Originally Posted by Duane Nelson

Harold, are you talking about Mosby, MT? Our daughter's mother-in-law was a Mosby.

Yes, we have a place about 7 miles north of 200 off Old Stage Rd.

Originally Posted by Harold Doughty

Yes, we have a place about 7 miles north of 200 off Old Stage Rd.

After posting the question, I looked up the info on your 41 acres. How is the hunting over there? I have two elk tags for HD 700. Usually hunt up closer to the lake.

I'm pleased and impressed that it's happening. Better for the riders and the planet than taking a Sunday drive. A bit frustrating in my "hood" because there are little to no shoulders on the roads, but I ride a bit myself & try to be patient. They're fairly easy to clean off your grill, so just send them love

I haven't been hunting up there yet, but my neighbors out there say it is great. they usually go farther in toward the lake or down near the Musselshell.

We see bicycle campers all the time in the Pacific NW. Last weekend I just road 205 miles from Seattle to Portland (STP) with the Cascade Bicycle Club. 10,000 riders participated. I was one of the course medics and fortunately only saw a sprained wrist and some road rash.

//Rick

I live in Cumberland, MD, which sits on US 40, the original "National Road". We get many cross country (road) riding groups every year, many heading to Washington DC.

We are also at the western terminus of the C&O Canal National Historic Park, which consists of the old canal basin (rewatered in some places) and the 184 mile towpath that goes to DC. Plus, over the last several years, the former Western Maryland Railroad line that went from the canal terminus to Pittsburgh, PA. has been converted (rails-to-trail) so you can go from Pittsburgh to DC (350 some miles) without going on a road.

All in all, thousands of distance riders come through here every year.