| Author | Message | ||
     Carparts009 |
Hi all, my family and I are going to Montana for vacation this summer, more specifically, Pray Montana. We're staying at the Chico Hot Springs there. I know this is way early(never to early to think about the riding season)but I was wondering if any of you knew any "fun" roads in that area. I know for sure that were going to go through Yellowstone. Thanks in advance. -carparts009 | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Be careful in Yellowstone if you are on the bike, the roads are horrible. We had to replace a tire on one of our bikes after we went through there last year. Gravel the size of baseballs. I almost was sent over a cliff because of pot holes. Just be careful, it is very very dangerous and crazy plus all the rubber neckers in the cars looking for wild life. If you are going to Montana go a littler further and goto Glacier National Park, one of the best national parks you could visit. Great roads and tons of stuff to do. The going to the sun road is awesome you can coast down it for about 20 miles with you engine off and the bike in neutral just watch out for black bears, we had one run out in front of us while we where doing this, it must not have heard us. Have a great time, most of the roads in the eastern part of the state are very straight. I grew up there so if you need any info goto the KCLW and post up any questions, a few of us rode out there last year.  | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
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| Xlcr |
Well, that's my stomping grounds, I live in Miles City. As already mentioned, The Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier is great, but not really in Eastern Montana. Another great scenic route is Beartooth Pass out of Red Lodge, which is a lot closer. Also highly scenic and interesting are the roads around Lewistown, which is in almost the center of the state. There is a high point in town from which four mountain ranges can be seen. And then there is Harlowtown, an old railroad transfer point that's almost a ghost town now The last time I rode through it, it had the world's last Matchless dealer. Most of the roads in the East are not straight, the area is not all that flat, it's mostly hills and badlands. The roads tend to follow the valley bottoms and consist of long fast sweepers. They are not in the best condition for the most part, and care should be taken to avoid potholes and grooves caused by truck traffic. Worse are the wildlife and livestock. I don't recommend riding after dark if it can be avoided. The local fauna tend to congregate on the highway as soon as the sun goes down. It must be a social thing. Having said that, however, the best part is the almost total lack of traffic once off the Interstate. Towns in the East are usually between 40 and 100 miles apart, and the space in between is inhabited with little more than the occasional ranch house. You might see two or three vehicles in an hour. If you want to ride hundreds of miles of virgin country almost untouched by the hand of man, this is one of the few places left in which to do so. | ||
| Gbr |
Pray is just over the pass from me. I live in the Bozeman area, which is about 40 miles from Pray. There are some fun roads between Bozeman and Butte, with a number of different ways around. Many of the roads have recently been resurfaced, so they aren't too bad, but as Xlcr said, try not to ride at night. Buell vs. moose, deer, or elk is not pretty. (nor is racoon or skunk for that matter). Look at riding some of the state highways along the Jefferson and Madison rivers. Also, check out the Lewis and Clark caverns and Quake Lake. All of these places would be doable as day rides (although long ones). One road I would not recommend is HW 191 from Bozeman/Belgrade to West Yellowstone. It would be alot of fun, except for all the crazy drivers, semi trucks, and motorhomes. If you want to head to West, go through Ennis. Its about 10 miles longer, but its much less traveled. gbr |
