Rboe_imp said:
I've spent very little time on a bike in Montana and all the fun roads, when I was a kid, were naturally as a spectator - on gravel roads. Mostly in Powder River County, where one hit the hills at 70+ for a tummy tickler (and right justified just in case in the off chance a vehicle was coming from the other direction. Fun when you only had three tracks in the road for two cars.).
That said, Highway 12 between Helena and Garrison would be a hoot on a bike.
But a light bike suited for gravel and dirt would suit the "funner" roads in MT.
(Red Lodge was a big sell - like Kalispell - when I was a kid and when we went through it a few years the taste did not live up to the sizzle. I had over sold Kalispell and when I showed my wife the town it was bumper to bumper cars from about five miles north of Kalispell all the way through town. They all had Montana plates too. She was not impressed and I was pretty deflated. Heavy sigh)
You got that right, the traffic problems. Here in the Missoula area, a combination of madcap growth, coupled to the TYPE of industry out here (universities, government agencies, New-Age home-based web businesses) lead to a LOT of traffic. Sales, inspection, and just a lotta time and money to go cruising.
The roads are great but the traffic is a big SAP to what pleasure there is.
You mention Garrison to Helena. I've made that trip by cycle now over a dozen times...it's worth it. But traffic can be a royal pain; and not JUST lookey-lous and motorhomes. There's a lot of eighteen-wheeler traffic through there, too. The situation can lead for sudden needs to change, and if you misstep, you launch off the side of the mountain.
Interestingly, the time I had the most fun out here with my CB11 was going east, US 12 through North and South Dakota. THERE I had the road all to myself, and got to test out the speed limiter and my windscreen (both passed!) I was doing triple digits so long that when I slowed DOWN to 85, it felt like I was dragging the beat.
Talking to natives here...it was not so long ago when all the roads were the same way. Had the whole stretch to yourself, except for holidays and special events.
The key to enjoying Montana's riding opportunities...is really a dual-sport. It's one more reason why I'm putting my CB, a bike I do truly like, up for sale. Can't afford three at this point.
