Fifty Plus (50+) - Join us in Yellowstone, Park closed to cars

Hi all,

Yellowstone National Park will be closed to motorized vehicles from April 1-21, leaving it open only to pedestrians, roller bladers and cyclists. There will be no charge to use the park. My wife and I thought we'd get together with as many cyclists as possible for an Easter weekend ride throughout parts of the park.

We plan to base ourselves out of West Yellowstone (MT) and ride 50-70 miles each day, on Saturday and Sunday, but everything is open to individual choice. Since this is the off-season, I understand hotel rates are greatly reduced. If someone breaks down, there won't be any (motorized) help and it could be a long walk, so make sure your bike is in good repair and bring spare tubes, etc. We'll be on our tandem and will carry a pretty good assortment of tools and supplies (and a tow rope) in our trunk bag. If you're interested, PM me or just leave a reply here. I hope we'll be able to round up a bunch of you and have a wonderful Easter weekend. It would be great to meet some of you, too. OHB

Wow, this is neat.

Could you provide a link to an official park schedule?

Thanks.

Here you go: http://www.nps.gov/yell/home.htm

As I said, if you're interested, PM me. Who knows, if we get enough, perhaps we can get a group hotel rate.

Hi all,

Yellowstone National Park will be closed to motorized vehicles from April 1-21, leaving it open only to pedestrians, roller bladers and cyclists. There will be no charge to use the park. My wife and I thought we'd get together with as many cyclists as possible for an Easter weekend ride throughout parts of the park.

We plan to base ourselves out of West Yellowstone (MT) and ride 50-70 miles each day, on Saturday and Sunday, but everything is open to individual choice. Since this is the off-season, I understand hotel rates are greatly reduced. If someone breaks down, there won't be any (motorized) help and it could be a long walk, so make sure your bike is in good repair and bring spare tubes, etc. We'll be on our tandem and will carry a pretty good assortment of tools and supplies (and a tow rope) in our trunk bag. If you're interested, PM me or just leave a reply here. I hope we'll be able to round up a bunch of you and have a wonderful Easter weekend. It would be great to meet some of you, too. OHB

Advice from a Wyoming native and frequent Yellowstone visitor. T A K E W A R M C L O T H E S. Average April MAX temp 46 F, average min temp 18 F. All readings from Old Faithful. About 1 degree F warmer at W Yellowstone and drier. Climate data here. (http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?wyoldf) Also be advised that April snowstorms are common and can result in the road opening dates being pushed back. Currently 49 inches of snow on the ground at W Yellowstone. Average snow depth at W Yellowstone in April = 20 inches. At least the bears shouldn't be out of hibernation, but if they are they will be HUNGRY! :eek:

Or ...... you could go a wee bit farther north and join the Wascana Freewheelers Bicycle Touring Club for their 21st Annual "Teddy Tour" to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We camp (sometimes in the snow!) and do just short (30-40 km) day rides - we love it there. Interested? I have an information package which I could email to you if you ask.

Weather can be cold. These were taken on June 15, 2004 just northwest of Yellowstone on US 212.

Hauser Lake... still frozen
http://www.pbase.com/billd9/image/35304288.jpg

about 9000', note the heavy traffic.
http://www.pbase.com/billd9/image/35304289.jpg

Dogbait

Hey Toolboy! My wife and I are sure interested in any activities you Canucks do as we are in Bismarck, and have biked in TRNP many times. We have camped and ridden in both units. Our e-mail is bobkat@btinet.net. We plan to do the "bike the border" and the CANDISC this year. Info on any rides up there would be appreciated! Thanks
We just got back from a ride in Death Valley NP and the south rim of Grand Canyon NP.

Our club, the Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club, has a sring ride from West Yellowstone into the park every year during the early spring when the roads are closed to auto traffic. I am not sure of this years date, but we'll be down there. Yellowstone is a great ride, but a bit on the chilly side at times.

OHB-if you could just slide Yellowstone over around the Tennessee/NC border you can count me in. I'll certainly have to put that on my list of "to do's" when all my other responsibilities calm down a little. Hopefully they will still be doing it in 3 years or so....

Our club, the Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club, has a sring ride from West Yellowstone into the park every year during the early spring when the roads are closed to auto traffic. I am not sure of this years date, but we'll be down there. Yellowstone is a great ride, but a bit on the chilly side at times.

Please let me know as soon as you do. It would be great to rendezvous with fellow forum folks. We're used to chilly, it's cold that worries me!