Bicycling

Missoula [1] is a great place to travel by bike, and bicycle tourists should definitely stop by the Adventure Cycling Association headquarters (150 E. Pine, 406/721-1776, www.adventurecycling.org [2]). They distribute a small bicycle-touring map of Missoula as well as a host of other maps for routes stretching across the nation.

Two major bike routes cross in Missoula: the north-south Great Parks Route and the east-west Transamerica Route.

Adventure Cycling also operates bicycle tours and is a clearinghouse for information on cycle touring. There’s always the opportunity for casual or obsessive bike talk at their offices.

The Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, a corridor through the Rattlesnake Wilderness, is a mountain biker’s dream, but be sure to avoid cycling in the adjacent wilderness area; maps are available at local outdoor stores.

Mt. Sentinel’s summit can be reached by riding south on Pattee Canyon Drive to the unmarked, gated Crazy Canyon Road and climbing to the top of the 5,158-foot peak.

A less strenuous fat-tire ride is on the path along the Clark Fork, perhaps venturing east of downtown into the Kim Williams Nature Area, named for the late National Public Radio commentator whose voice represented all things Missoulian to many listeners across the country.

Rent a bike at the Open Road (517 S. Orange St., 406/549-2453) or Missoula Bicycle Works (708 S. Higgins Ave., 406/721-6525).