Bozeman, MT: Dry Creek Road

Dry Creek Road

Distance: 31.45 mi	Points: 790	Calories: none
Total Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

#	Distance	Instruction	Distance to next
1	0.00 mi	Start - Head northeast up Davis St.	Then go 0.03 mi
2	0.03 mi	Turn Left - Central Ave.	Then go 0.07 mi
3	0.10 mi	Turn Right - Kennedy St.	Then go 0.44 mi
4	0.54 mi	Turn Left - Cameron Ave.	Then go 0.07 mi
5	0.61 mi	Turn Right - Broadway St./Dry Creek Rd.	Then go 15.09 mi
6	15.70 mi	Turn Right - Railroad Ave.	Then go 0.04 mi
7	15.74 mi	Turn Left - Ride through the Manhattan Post Office parking lot to 5th St.	Then go 0.06 mi
8	15.80 mi	Turn Right - 5th St./Dry Creek Rd.	Then go 15.04 mi
9	30.84 mi	Turn Left - Cameron Ave.	Then go 0.07 mi
10	30.91 mi	Turn Right - Kennedy St.	Then go 0.43 mi
11	31.34 mi	Turn Left - Central Ave.	Then go 0.07 mi
12	31.42 mi	Turn Right - Davis St.

Start/End: Lewis and Clark Park

Location: 45.775426, -111.174173
The rides starts and ends at Lewis and Clark Park in Belgrade, Gallatin County's second largest city (10 miles northwest of Bozeman). The town was named after the capital of Serbia in honor of Serbian investors who helped finance the Northern Pacific Railroad (now operated by Montana Rail Link), which sends numerous trains through the city everyday.

Gallatin Field

Location: 45.785534, -111.169887
Dry Creek Road makes a big sweeping bend around the Gallatin Field (the Bozeman-area's airport, which is adjacent to Belgrade's city limits). You might ride past a Frontier Airlines Q400 as it taxis to the end of the runway for take-off. ©Jason Karp

East Gallatin River

Location: 45.837770, -111.159840
A tributary of the Gallatin River, the East Gallatin winds its way north of Bozeman and Belgrade. Keep your mouth closed when crossing the many bridges on this ride--bugs are plentiful--and look for fly fishermen casting their lines in the rivers. ©Jason Karp

Optional Climb on Theisen Road

Location: 45.852074, -111.159947
Want to get in a little climbing? Bear right onto Duncan Road, then follow Theisen Road for a steady, 3-mile climb to Antelope Ridge subdivision. The views at the end of the pavement are your reward. ©Jason Karp

Turkey Red Line

Location: 45.858605, -111.168659
The raised area in the center of the photo is the former right-of-way for the Mikwaukee Railroad spur line known as the Turkey Red Line. The line turned north near Dry Creek Church and ended in the village of Menard, now nothing more than an old grain elevator and a house or two. Before there were roads in this area, a weekly train transported supplies and people to Bozeman. The need for the rail line diminished as roads were built, passenger cars perfected, and semis replaced box cars. The tracks were removed in the 1970's. ©Jason Karp

Dry Creek Bible Church

Location: 45.874832, -111.196919
The Church parking lot serves as the final rest stop for the <a href="http://gallatinvalleybicycleclub.org">Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club's</a> annual Three Rivers Century held in late August. Cyclists can choose from 3 different routes: 100 mile standard century, a 62 mile metric century, and a 32 mile ride (this exact route). On hot days, cool off at the water spigot next to the building. ©Jason Karp

Crossing the East Gallatin

Location: 45.873846, -111.232367
Fall colors emerging by a bridge on the East Gallatin River. ©Jason Karp

Northern Pacific Low Line

Location: 45.860339, -111.273437
Another abandoned rail line: The Northern Pacific <a href="http://home.netcom.com/~whstlpnk/lowline.html">"Low Line"</a> made a circuitous route from Logan to Bozeman in search of the most gentle grade possible. The route was used by eastbound freight trains that struggled with the steeper grade of the main line that still parallels I-90. With the advent of diesel locomotives, the Low Line was no longer needed and the tracks were removed in the 1950's. The old right-of-way is still visible in many places throughout the Gallatin Valley. ©Jason Karp

Manhattan to Gallatin River Trail

Location: 45.860159, -111.301718
This paved path runs about 2 miles from the edge of Manhattan to the fishing access by the Gallatin River. The path is lined with benches and interpretive signs. Most roadies leave the path to dog walkers, baby buggies, and little kids on bikes, but if you're not in a hurry it's fun to ride along and read the signs. ©Jason Karp

Interpretive Sign

Location: 45.860100, -111.308928
One of several informational signs along the Manhattan-Gallatin Trail. This one tells about the Bridger Mountains to the east. ©Jason Karp

Manhattan, Montana

Location: 45.856651, -111.330890
A nice quiet farming community located 20 miles west of Bozeman, the town was named for the Manhattan Malting Company which recruited Dutch immigrant farmers to the area to raise malting barley.

Manhattan Post Office

Location: 45.856281, -111.330235
Turn left and ride through the post office parking lot to return to 5th Street. (The Three Rivers Century's 32-mile route turns around at this post office, too.)

Downtown Manhattan

Location: 45.856423, -111.332960
If you're on your own, park your bike and check out downtown Manhattan. The L&F grocery store is a good place to stock up. The world famous Sir Scott's Oasis Steak House is just west of the 4-way stop on Main Street. ©Jason Karp

Madison River Brewery

Location: 45.770996, -111.167389
Micro-brewery aficionados will want to drop by the <a href="http://www.madisonriverbrewing.com/">Madison River Brewery Tap Room</a>. Check it out after taking a spin on Dry Creek Road.