Join us in a ride to Lolo and back with the added activity of highway & trail clean-up.

The Bitterroot Trail Preservation Alliance is hosting an Adopt-A-Highway clean-up of Highway 93 from Lolo Creek south for 2 miles. This clean-up includes a section of the Bitterroot  multi-use Trail. As a public service MBC encourages you to participate in this clean-up process of the Bitterroot Trail. In order to provide more encouragement, MBC is sponsoring a bike ride to this clean-up event for any MBC members who would like to participate.

We will gather in the Southgate Mall parking lot at the intersection of Mary Street and the Bitterroot Trail for an 8:30 AM ride to the Park & Ride lot just north of Trader Brothers south of Lolo. As we and other volunteers gather in the Park & Ride lot, BTPA leaders will provide appropriate instructions and safety procedures as well as trash bags, safety vests and signs to alert the highway traffic of the clean-up in progress. You will also be required to sign an additional release form provided by MDT to participate in the clean-up activity.

If you would prefer to not join the ride but would drive to the Park & Ride to participate in the clean-up activity, please RSVP on the BTPA website "Spring 2024 Clean-up". Please arrive prior to 10 AM.

Any cancellation/postponement of this ride will be posted here and a cancellation email will be sent out not later than 5:00 PM on Friday 4/19, to all who have RSVP'd. Always dress appropriately for your comfort including work gloves, hat, and alternative footwear for the clean-up activity. If you RSVP early and decide not to participate you may cancel your reservation anytime before the ride.

This ride is open to all MBC members. Our ride leader will lead us down the trail at a moderate pace and our sweep rider will ensure that no-one is left behind him. Please RSVP if you’re considering joining the ride so that you will be provided the leader's contact information and can be informed of any late-breaking changes (e.g., weather or smoke related cancellation). Your RSVP will also help in determining how many safety vests will be needed.

• Ride name: MBC Ride & Trail Clean-up 4/20/2024
• Date: April 20, 2024
• Start time: 8:30 AM
• Gathering place: Southgate Mall west parking lot at Mary St.
• Distance in miles: ~28 miles
• Pace:  Moderate 10 - 12 MPH on the flats
• Planned stops: Park & Ride north of Trader Brothers
• Leader: name - leader contact information will be provided in the autoresponse email you will receive after you RSVP below.

We invite anyone to join us and discover the joy of riding with a companionable group of like minded bicyclists. Our insurance requires that all participants sign a waiver, assumption of risk. MBC members may participate in MBC rides as often as they like after signing a waiver that covers the entire year. First-time non-member participants may try out MBC as a guest on a ride with us and will be warmly welcomed, then must join to participate on any future rides. If you would like to continue riding with us during the 2024 biking season please become a member.

Rider requirements and responsibilities:

• A bicycle helmet is required for all participants.
• All participants will be asked to sign an acknowledgement of risk (once per calendar year).
• Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or person with an authorized parental waiver dated for the specific ride.
• All participants must check-in with the ride leader.
• While we are riding as a group, each individual rider is responsible for complying with all traffic regulations as an independent vehicle operator.
• Show courtesy and respect the Rights of Others by:
  • projecting a good public image and encourage responsible riding;
  • exhibiting considerate behavior towards other riders, pedestrians, motorists and the public showing respect, courtesy, responsibility and due regard for the rights of others.
  • avoiding confrontations and report incidents to your leader and the police as appropriate.
  • avoiding language that is obscene, insulting or threatening, even when provoked.
• For safety, the use of earbuds or headphones while on a group ride is discouraged.
• For safety, the use of "Aero bars" while on a group ride is discouraged.
• E-bikes: Montana state law defines an E-bike as a bicycle with an electrical assist that cuts out at the speed of 20 miles per hour. If your e-bike continues to provide power above 20 MPH, please do not bring it to a MBC sponsored ride.
• Due to continuing COVID-19 considerations please bring a face mask for times when we may not be able to maintain safe distances. We will also be maintaining appropriate distances between riders during the ride.

When submitting your RSVP, please note that the number box below "How many other people, other than yourself, are you bringing?" is asking for additional people other than your self. A zero already includes yourself as 1.

Welcome to the 4th 2024 MBC-UMRA Ride

Given the current long range (as of 4/16) weather forecast for, Tuesday, 4/23, with a high of 71 and 9% likelihood of precipitation with partly sunny skies, this should be a good day to continue our 2024 riding season for the Tuesday MBC-UMRA riding group. This will be an afternoon ride beginning at 1:30 PM in Silver Park. A preliminary plan for our route for this ride is still being considered and will be posted as an update.

If you have any suggestions for future rides for this primarily Tuesday biking group, please let me know by entering it on the "Propose a Ride" page and indicate that you would like someone else to lead. Also, if you would be interested in leading or co-leading any of the future MBC-UMRA Tuesday rides, you can submit your interest on our "Propose a Ride" page.

Any cancellation/postponement of this ride will be posted here and a cancellation email will be sent out [not later than 11:00 AM on Tuesday 4/9], to all who have RSVP'd. Always dress appropriately for your comfort.

While this ride is targeted towards UM Retirees, it is open to all MBC members. Please remember that this will be a slow to moderate pace with the potential of only one moderate hill, the Reserve St overpass. Please RSVP if you’re considering joining the ride so that you will be provided the leader's contact information and can be informed of any late-breaking changes (e.g., weather or smoke related cancellation).

• Ride name:  MBC-UM Retirees Ride 4/23/2024
• Date: April 23, 2024
• Start time: 1:30 PM
• Gathering place: Silver Park
• Distance in miles: 11 - 20
• Pace:  Slow to Moderate 9 - 12 MPH on the flats
• Planned stops: [Rest stop at the Fort].
• Leader: name - leader contact information will be provided in the autoresponse email you will receive after you RSVP below.

We invite anyone to join us and discover the joy of riding with a companionable group of like minded bicyclists. Our insurance requires that all participants sign a waiver. MBC members may participate in MBC rides as often as they like after signing a waiver that covers the entire year. First-time non-member participants may try out MBC as a guest on a ride with us and will be warmly welcomed, then must join to participate on any future rides. If you would like to continue riding with us during the 2023 biking season please become a member.

Rider requirements and responsibilities:

• A bicycle helmet is required for all participants.
• All participants will be asked to sign an acknowledgement of risk (once per calendar year).
• Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or person with an authorized parental waiver dated for the specific ride.
• All participants must check-in with the ride leader.
• While we are riding as a group, each individual rider is responsible for complying with all traffic regulations as an independent vehicle operator.
• Show courtesy and respect the Rights of Others by:
  • projecting a good public image and encourage responsible riding;
  • exhibiting considerate behavior towards other riders, pedestrians, motorists and the public showing respect, courtesy, responsibility and due regard for the rights of others.
  • avoiding confrontations and report incidents to your leader and the police as appropriate.
  • avoiding language that is obscene, insulting or threatening, even when provoked.
• For safety, the use of earbuds or headphones while on a group ride is discouraged.
• For safety, the use of "Aero bars" while on a group ride is discouraged.
• E-bikes: Montana state law defines an E-bike as a bicycle with an electrical assist that cuts out at the speed of 20 miles per hour. If your e-bike continues to provide power above 20 MPH, please do not bring it to a MBC sponsored ride.
• Due to continuing COVID-19 considerations please bring a face mask for times when we may not be able to maintain safe distances. We will also be maintaining appropriate distances between riders during the ride.

When submitting your RSVP, please note that the number box below "How many other people, other than yourself, are you bringing?" is asking for additional people other than your self. A zero already includes yourself as 1.