So, do they have mountain biking trails in Montana?
I mean, we've got 'em in Minneapolis where the percentage of land masses that are mountains is around 0.0%, so I'd assume there's at least one good place to go riding near Red Lodge. My wife and I will be camping there all next week and I'll have my full-rigid SS ride with me (considering throwing the fork on 'er, though). Currently have no geared ride but I ain't worried 'bout that.
When I was last in the area about 10 years ago there was a bike shop in Cooke City with some guys saying they like to do some rides up over the Beartooth Pass. I didn't have time to join them then but I'd like to make time this trip to check it out.
I know. I'm quite familiar with how winded I get just walking up a 50 ft hill at altitude. Don't have much choice in the matter at the moment, however. Waiting for my replacement frame for my cracked Stumpy. My current ride's a Surly 1x1 with no der hanger.
I'm running a 32:20 ratio right now which is what I had at a race this weekend that involved two very big, greuelling climbs. Gears would certainly help but I'll get by. I'm more concerned with my arm strength on those Rocky Mtn. downhills, so I'll be throwing a sus fork on it before gears.
Most of the trails around Cooke/Red Lodge quickly enter the Absorokee/Beartooth WILDERNESS AREA, which frowns upon bike tires...
If I recall, there's one (!) recommended double-track ride somewhere on the Montana side.
I think there's also a bunch of legal stuff in WY, along that scenic hwy (Joseph??), which takes you towards Cody, but I've only scouted it from the car at 70 mph and have never ridden there.
I suspect a rider local to Red Lodge might be more helpful...
There is a couple trails off of the Line Creek Plateau that drop into Rock Creek. They may still have snow, you'll find out when you get there. Look up Bruce Larsen in Billings before leaving. He may be able to steer you onto some good singletrack. Also check out the bike shop in Red Lodge, I here there is one. Have fun!
Check out the book 'Montana Singletrack: The Mountain Biker's Guide to Montana'. This book has three trails around Red Lodge and one trail about 30 minutes away called Weatherman Draw. This is pretty unique area (google it), it felt more like Fruita riding than Montana riding.
west fork of rock creek, check the silver run / ingles creek loop
west fork of rock creek, above the pallisades campground, new single track that climbs to red lodge mtn. also riding to be had on the mountain.
main fork of rock creek, check maurice creek tail, which climbs to the top of line creek
plateau. this also can be done as a loop using corral creek trail. may run into some snow, but should be mostly clear
meeteetse trail out of red lodge, around to north & south forks of grove creek
top of beartooth pass, morrison jeep trail from long lake, either out and back, or 26 mile point to point using shuttle out of clark fork canyon.
Island lake on top of beartooth pass, trail through beauty lake, beartooth lake, etc.
cooke city area, goose lake jeep trail, lulu pass, daisy pass...also a lot of atvs.
many options east of red lodge, cottonwood creek, silvertip creek, long draw. these are around the bridger / belfry area.
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