Welcome to Park-2-Park Montana
Sept. 1-5, 2008
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do we start riding in the morning?
Breakfast most mornings is served at about 7:30 am. On the first day we also have a pre-ride event and try to get on the road by 9 a.m.
Riders are encouraged to be dressed and ready to ride when they show up for breakfast. You will need to bring your gear over to the SAG vehicle or gear trailer so it can be loaded. After breakfast we need to clean up, make sure you are checked out of your cabin or room if we are a hotel and turn in your key. We then ask for some help getting the gear loaded.
All riders MUST check in with the daily ride leader before departing. There will be three departure times. Slower rides will start first, followed about 15 minutes later by the bulk of the group. Fast riders will wait another 15 minutes before the ride leader sends them out and should not leave before first support vehicle. This ensures that riders don’t get too spread out along the route and that the support crew is able to get on the road at a reasonable time. We will place riders in groups during the Sunday night check in and adjust groups as needed during the ride.
We generally get on the road between 8 and 8:30 a.m., and usually by 7:30 a.m. on the Wednesday. Remember, we are riding in September and mornings are usually a little cooler so there is less reason to hit the road early.
What is available for meals?
Breakfast includes coffee, tea, orange juice, bagels, cream cheese, breakfast bars, oatmeal and a variety of fruit and yogurt. This will vary day to day and we try to adjust the items to meet requests of riders.
Lunch is usually served picnic style on the road and consists of sandwiches – lunchmeat, cheese, tomatoes, etc. as well as peanut butter and jelly. There are chips, fruit, cookies, and other treats available as well. The lunch stop will be announced at the rider meeting the night before each ride. Riders must stop at the lunch stop and check in with ride staff before going on.
Dinner is a hearty meal with a main dish, salad, etc. We may have spaghetti, pizza, chicken, etc. There is always a vegetarian selection available as well.
Snacks during the day include HEED Sport Drink, Poweraide, gels, energy bars and fruit. There may also be cookies, trail mix, salty snacks and other biker favorites. We always have a cooler of water and you can mix your drinks as you like. The front support vehicle stops every 15-20 miles for riders to stop and rest, use the facilities, refuel and regroup.
What about accommodations and roommates?
Riders are responsible for their own housing in St. Mary at the beginning of the ride. If you plan to share a cabin at KOA, make sure to let us know.
Please DO NOT make room reservations for Monday-Thursday nights!
On Monday night we stay at the Community Center in Dupuyer. You will need a sleeping bag and pad for this night. Showers will be available at the Dupuyer B&B. More details will be provided during the ride meeting Sunday.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights are in hotels. Most hotel accommodations are two beds, one person per bed. You can let us know if you have a roommate preference. We put couples who sign up together in the same room, men together and women together. You will pick up a key at the front desk of each motel and turn it in the next morning. You are responsible for any incidentals or calls from the room.
What will the weather be like?
Weather in Montana in early September is generally great for biking. However, it can also be said that Montana weather in unpredictable. In past years we have had cool mornings and warm days and very little rain. Riders often start with jackets and tights and then peel down to shorts and jerseys later in the morning. A wind vest or light jacket is very helpful for mountain descents. (Extra gear can be stowed in the support vehicles) . There is always the possibility of rain so bring rain gear along for the ride. You will also need sunscreen, sunglasses, gloves, etc.
Sunrise is between 6:46 am and 6:51 am during the week and Sunset ranges between 7:54 pm and 8:02 pm.
What should I bring?
Riders will want to bring several pairs of bike shorts, jerseys, tights, a jacket, gloves, bike shoes, etc. We recommend you bring three sets of bike clothes. This way you will have fresh bike shorts for each day. There are washing machines at the Great Falls Inn and you can wash up two sets to get through the week. You may team up with other riders to get a full load for the laundry. You can also wash clothes at other motels.
Basically, set yourself up with two or three sets of basic bike gear - shorts, jersey, socks, etc, then bring along gear for cool or rainy weather. You will want casual clothes for the evenings. Please limit your luggage to one bag of less than 30 pounds. You will have an opportunity to do laundry mid-ride. You will also want a sleeping bag, pad and pillow for Monday night. A more complete gear list will be provided prior to the ride.
What do I do if I get tired or hurt during the ride?
If you or another rider are injured during the ride and require critical medical help please call 911 to get assistance.
If any Park-2-Park Montana support staff are available they will provide assistance. We will have first aid kits in the vehicles and cell phones, however remember that cell coverage can be spotty in parts of Montana. Every rider will fill out a confidential medical form prior to the ride and we can provide that to emergency personnel or a hospital if needed.
If you get tired or can’t continue to ride, pull off the side of the road and flag down a Park-2-Park support vehicle. You might also have another rider go ahead to alert the staff. They will carry you into the next stop or provide assistance to help repair flats or minor mechanicals. Be sure to carry a pump, tire levers, spare tube, patch kit and any medicines you need with you on your bike. You should be able to repair a flat tire on your own. We will always have one support vehicle behind the slowest rider to make sure everyone gets into our next stop.
Can I bring a spouse or friend to the BBQ at the beginning or dinner at the end?
Yes to both. Please let us know numbers. You can bring a person or two for free at the Sunday BBQ. The End-of-Ride Celebration at the Lighthouse in Gardiner is $12 per extra person. Let Pam know your plans (pam-casa@qwest.net).
How about volunteers for support during the ride?
We can always use volunteers to help with the ride. Duties vary and can include:
- Driving a support vehicle (these will be limited and we ask riders not to have their spouse or family members tag along on the ride unless they are signed up as official volunteers.)
- Helping with loading and unloading the gear vehicle.
- Buying groceries for lunch and breakfast.
- Greeting riders at the end of the day
- Helping with a lunch stop along the route.
We are asking volunteers this year to please fill out a volunteer registration form. It is similar to the rider registration form and allows us to provide some basic insurance for volunteers and keep track of vital information.
