cycling utah March 1999
The Yellowstone Spring Cycle Tour makes a return engagement for the 1999 bicycle touring season. Two-thirds of the cycling utah staff (Dave Ward and Bob Truelsen) attended the event last year and were impressed enough to name the fledgling tour as "Road Tour of the Year."
The crown jewel of the National Park Service, Yellowstone opens to motor vehicles on April 16. But bicyclists can ride for free from April 1-15 and have the park nearly all to themselves. You don’t have to sneak into the park either, the Park Service endorses bicycling during this period. However, the road to Old Faithful is closed to protect wildlife migration areas.
The main event of the Yellowstone Spring Cycle Tour is the Lakeside Ride on Saturday, April 17. The 65-mile ride begins at West Yellowstone and will take riders past scenic Hebgen Lake and the Madison River Earthquake Lake area. There will be an opportunity to learn about the 1959 earthquake from rangers at the Earthquake Visitor Center.
The ride continues along the Nez Perce and Bannock Indian Trail areas leading into Idaho. Riders then crest Raynolds Pass and are rewarded with a spectacular view of Henry’s Lake with the majestic Teton mountain range serving as a backdrop.
Participants then return to Montana over the gentle climb to Targhee Pass and descend to West Yellowstone.
Sag wagons will be provided at various points during the ride for those who want shorter distances. Riders are reminded to bring all-weather gear.
Participants can enjoy a spaghetti feed, door prizes and live entertainment Saturday evening at the West Yellowstone Conference Hotel.
Sunday will be a great opportunity to ride to Old Faithful. The park will be open to motor vehicles by that time and riders will have to pay the entrance fee. But the ride to Old Faithful is surely worth the price of admission.
For registration forms and lodging information, call The West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce (406) 646-7701 or e-mail at [email protected].
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