Double Divide Ride
Cross the Continental Divide -Twice - June 12-13, 2010
The annual Helena Bicycle Club Double Divide Ride (DDR) will return as a June event again this year. Get an early start on the biking season with the Helena Bicycle Club Double Divide Ride, June 12-13, 2010. We will follow the same great route crossing the Continental Divide twice.
The Double Divide Ride (DDR) gets its name because riders cross the Continental Divide twice.The DDR has been one of the signature events of the Helena Bicycle Club for many years. Riders begin the ride on the west edge of Helena, Montana’s Capital City, cross McDonald Pass on Saturday and return Sunday with a crossing of Flesher pass. While it is a challenging ride because of the climbs over the Continental Divide, it can be accomplished by the average rider who takes time to properly train for a two day ride of 139 miles (88 on day one and 51 on day two). The ride is fully supported with rest stops, sag and roving mechanical assistance from start to finish.
Day one (Saturday, June 12, 2010)
DDR riders check in and begin the ride from the Broadwater Athletic Club on the west edge of Helena. Parking is provided for vehicles left over the two days. The first climb begins fairly quickly as you approach the base of McDonald Pass on Montana Highway 12. After a five mile warm up with a gradual uphill grade you begin a six mile, 3000 foot climb that takes you to the Continental Divide where a rest stop awaits your arrival. After good food and friendship at the McDonald Pass Summit a quick ride down the west side of the pass brings the riders to a nice level ride along the Little Blackfoot River.
Upon reaching the community of Avon you turn north on Montana Hwy 141. This brings riders to one of the more enjoyable sections of the ride. A series of rolling hills and a modest elevation gain over 23 miles brings the riders to the Nevada Lake overlook. Traffic on this segment is generally light, providing time for riders to enjoy the beautiful scenery. June is a great time to pass through this area as the rugged snow capped peaks provide a backdrop for lush green rolling hills where one can view this year’s crop of young calves as well as a variety of wildlife.
In addition to providing beautiful scenery Nevada Lake overlook means lunch. A broad fare of fruit, sandwich material, salads and snacks offered by the local 4-H Club can be enjoyed in a solitary mode on the grass covered hills overlooking the lake or in a variety of camp chairs provided where the stories of the day’s events are shared among riders. After a welcome break the riders continue north to Montana Highway 200. Turning east on 200 riders follow the Blackfoot River along a winding roadway with modest ups and downs. This section covers 22 miles of beautiful, timbered Montana landscape.
Biking across a stretch of highway bordered by a long meadow you reach the Town of Lincoln. This quiet mountain community is the stopping point for the day. As you pass through Town you approach Lincoln High School. The School serves as the overnight location for riders. Snacks and a hot shower await riders who, after staking out the nights sleeping place either on the football field and surrounding grounds on in a nook of the school building relax and share the tales of the days ride. For those less inclined to sleep on the ground or school hallway, Lincoln has a variety of motels and lodges. Riders wanting more creature comforts are encouraged to make reservations early, as Lincoln is a summer tourist destination and lodging tends to fill most evenings. A van transports riders’ packs and baggage to either the school or the designated motel or lodge. Riders wanting a little more activity have been known to jump on their bike, take a short ride to the bridge over the Blackfoot river and enjoy a swim in a beautiful mountain stream with deep blue swimming holes.
Saturday evening’s meal is provided by the Lincoln School Boosters, but this is no camp out. Their idea of a meal includes items such as salad, lasagna, rolls desert and a variety of drinks. After dinner activities include a group discussion of the day’s events and a gift drawing for a variety of gift certificates and merchandise. For those wanting a little night life Lincoln offers a variety of establishments serving adult beverages. For those just wanting to stretch their legs a walk around the forested community provides a quiet evening where one is sure to see an abundance of mule deer throughout the Town.
Sunday morning brings another great meal provided by the School Boosters. After an “all-you-can- eat” breakfast riders generally get an early start on the ride back to Helena. Heading east out of Lincoln a ten mile rolling ride brings you to the junction of highways 200 and 279. A right turn and you see Flesher Pass in the distance. A modest uphill ride of eight miles brings you to the base of the Pass. The next two miles challenge riders as you once again climb to the Continental Divide atop Flesher pass. At the top riders again find all the comforts of food, drink and a porta-potty on wheels. While this climb to the Divide is more challenging than Saturday’s ride up McDonald Pass it is much shorter and, if you think positive, it’s over before it begins.
From the top of Flesher Pass riders begin the dream portion of the DDR. After a quick ride down the switchbacks of the pass riders enjoy over ten miles of gradual, rolling downhill where it takes little effort to seem like you are flying. Reaching the broad expanse of the Canyon Creek valley riders again find a series of gradual rolling hills bordered by magnificent green pastures. After another rest break at the Settle Ranch, again with all the amenities, riders continue on Highway 279, making a right turn on Birdseye Road. After a few rollers and a modest climb over five miles you once again have nothing but down-hill into the Helena valley. As you ride Birdseye Road Helena comes into view and you sense the exhilaration of riding to the end of the DDR. Skirting the east edge of Helena past historic Fort Harrison and the Veterans Hospital riders again come to Highway 200. A right turn and a short two mile ride brings you back to the Broadwater Athletic Club where hot showers again greet you.
After a shower and a change of clothes riders are welcomed to the DDR barbecue on the ground of the Broadwater Athletic Club. The pool and water slide are open for riders and guests and there are burgers, salads and food that will satisfy any appetite. Once again the van delivers all of your belongings, and with tired legs and a full belly, you look back on the wonderful experience of riding over 139 miles of beautiful Montana roads. Then the talk turns to plans for next year’s DDR.