Bozeman, MT: Martinsdale Mail Run Permanent

Martinsdale Mail Run Permanent

Distance: 186.71 mi	Points: 1325	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 -	Then go 0.81 mi
2	0.81 mi	Continue onto W Peach St	Then go 0.70 mi
3	1.51 mi	Turn left at N Rouse Ave	Then go 0.97 mi
4	2.48 mi	Continue onto Bridger Canyon Dr/Bridger Dr/MT-86 N	Then go 17.36 mi
5	19.84 mi	Slight left to stay on Bridger Canyon Rd/Bridger Canyon Dr/MT-86 N	Then go 10.05 mi
6	29.89 mi	Turn right to stay on Bridger Canyon Rd/MT-86 N	Then go 8.66 mi
7	38.55 mi	Turn right at US-89 S	Then go 1.38 mi
8	39.93 mi	U-Turn -	Then go 26.10 mi
9	66.03 mi	Turn right at MT-294 E	Then go 27.00 mi
10	93.03 mi	Continue onto Grant Ave	Then go 0.22 mi
11	93.25 mi	Take the 1st right onto Main St	Then go 0.10 mi
12	93.35 mi	U-Turn -	Then go 0.10 mi
13	93.45 mi	Take the 2nd left onto Grant Ave	Then go 0.22 mi
14	93.68 mi	Continue straight onto MT-294 W	Then go 27.00 mi
15	120.68 mi	Turn left at US-89 S	Then go 26.10 mi
16	146.78 mi	U-Turn -	Then go 1.38 mi
17	148.16 mi	Take the 2nd left onto Flathead Creek Rd/MT-86 S	Then go 8.66 mi
18	156.82 mi	Turn left to stay on Bridger Canyon Rd/MT-86 S	Then go 28.39 mi
19	185.20 mi	Turn right at E Peach St	Then go 0.70 mi
20	185.90 mi	Continue onto W Durston Rd	Then go 0.80 mi
21	186.71 mi	Stop -

Start/End: Bozeman, MT

Location: 45.685898, -111.062835
The Holiday convenience store at 1951 Durston Road in Bozeman is the start and end point for this ride. Make sure you're well stocked as services on this route are very sparse. Randonneurs: Those riding this route as a permanent will need to obtain "proof of passage" (usually a store stamp on your brevet card with time noted, signature from an employee, or a receipt showing date, time, and location) from various checkpoints including the start/finish. Other checkpoints on this route are located in Wilsall (both out and back) and Martinsdale.

Sacajawea Peak

Location: 45.866465, -110.889301
Sacajawea Peak (9,665 feet) in the Bridger Range is lit up by the morning sun on the climb to Battle Ridge Pass.

Battle Ridge Pass

Location: 45.882473, -110.881823
It's a steep 2-mile climb to the top of Battle Ridge Pass. Bring layers: It may be cold and frosty. It's a steep 2-mile climb up either side. There's water and restrooms available in the campground (follow the short gravel road to the facilities). © Jason Karp

Wilsall, MT

Location: 46.012999, -110.664833
Turn right onto US 89 and ride into the hamlet of Wilsall. (You'll stop in Wilsall on the return trip, too.)

Wilsall Bar and Cafe

Location: 45.994185, -110.660477
A nice friendly place with excellent food and ice cream! This is a good place for randonneurs to get their proof of passage on their return trip back to Bozeman.

Nordies Grocery in Wilsall

Location: 45.993757, -110.660273
The Crazy Mountains form the backdrop to Wilsall. Nordies Grocery is a good place to stock up on supplies, but they are closed on Sundays and nothing else is open until the 11:00 a.m. Sunday brunch at the Wilsall Bar and Cafe across the street. Tip: Look for a hose bib on one of the commercial buildings along Highway 89 to refill your bottles if everything is closed. Wilsall will be an information control for early birds and Sunday randonneurs.

Scenic views along US 89

Location: 46.130125, -110.729656
The two-lane road between Wilsall and Ringling cuts across vast plains and offers views of distant mountain peaks. The wind usually comes out of the northwest so the outbound (uphill) portion of the route will be slow, but the return will be fast(er).

Ringling Church

Location: 46.272046, -110.803299
Perched on a windswept hill, Ringling Church (est. 1914) overlooks the town of Ringling. Named for John Ringling of the Ringling Brothers Circus, who owned thousands of acres here in the 1920's, the town consists of a few scattered residences, school house, post office, a bar that appears to be undergoing renovation, and an abandoned railroad depot.

MT 294

Location: 46.338188, -110.804393
Turn right onto MT 294 for the final stretch to Martinsdale.

Milwaukee Road

Location: 46.365054, -110.713434
The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, commonly referred to as the Milwaukee Road, was a transcontinental railroad that passed through Martinsdale and Ringling. The crest of the climb at Loweth marks the first of five mountain crossings of this rugged railroad. An empty brick building used as an electrical substation for the once electrified railroad still stands along MT 294. The Milwaukee Road ceased operations in 1980 and the tracks were soon dismantled. The road bed, signal posts, and old substation are the forlorn remains of a former lifeline to this part of the state.

Crazy Mountain Inn

Location: 46.457670, -110.314721
This little bed and breakfast/cafe serves up sweet and savory food (try the pie). Cyclists not participating in the permanent should consider spending the night here and returning to Bozeman the next day. In the summer, they're open Thursday-Sunday; during hunting season, they're open Wednesday-Sunday.

Martinsdale Post Office

Location: 46.457011, -110.314831
Mail your postcard at the Martinsdale Post Office. © Brenda Karp