Compliments of the National Park System.
The only traffic jam you’ll experience.
Every spring, groups of savvy cyclists descend upon Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton. For a few short weeks, select roads in these select parks are open to cyclists only as the Park Service prepares to re-open to the onslaught of RVs and vacationers. Roads are plowed out, no services are available, animals are awakening and the natural features are all yours.
Solitude and Post Ride Facial at Mammoth Terraces
For some, this is an annual must-ride. For others, it’s on the cycling bucket wish list. For the Missoula Montana crew, it’s a traveling party complete with costumes, mothers-in-law on tandems and kick-off bloodies at the Two-Bit Saloon in Gardiner.
7 year veterans, Kylie & Kirsa
Of course it’s not without its challenges as weather can be extreme, animals unpredictable, cell service nonexistent and you need to be totally self sufficient. I find it a true test of apparel and bike packing. This year was a particularly excellent testing opportunity for GORE’s new Infinium technology (coming Fall19) which combines GORE-TEX® and WINDSTOPPER® into a shockingly light but thermal package. Look for it in the Fall19 Terry catalog.
In addition to Yellowstone, the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park and Grand Teton opens for cyclists in late April, providing a car-free experience that will spoil you forever.
Plan your Park Adventure for Spring 2020…
Yellowstone can be found here >
Glacier National Park details here >
Grand Teton National Park details here >
photos courtesy of Ron Wu
id love to do the spring ride thru the parks. Didn’t know about it. what would the dates of next spring be and how do I sign up for it?
The dates move around a little from year to year depending upon the severity of the winter and how much plowing they get done. In Yellowstone, I have found it to be fairly consistently open to cyclists the first 2 weeks of April with opening day for car travel starting the 3nd Saturday (usually around April 20th). The weekend right before that (13/14th in 2019) is the biggie for the simple reason that it is likely to be the warmest. There’s no official tour or organizer for riding through but you will be in good company if you hit that weekend. Let me know if you have any other specific questions!