If you’ve always wanted to take a great bike ride in Yellowstone but were intimidated by the traffic, now is your chance to join a large group of cyclists riding from West to Old Faithful and back. There is no restrictions on what kind of bike you can use (except it can’t have a motor,) and you don’t have to be a certain age.
That said, the length of the ride is 57 miles over rolling terrain and the average elevation is over 6,000 feet, so it’s probably for people who are pretty fit. Food stations will be available at Madison Junction and at Old Faithful and a “sag wagon” will be available to pick up those whose “eyes are bigger than their stomachs.”
Pre-registration is required, so you have to get squared away before you come. For more info on cost and registration, etc. call 406-599-4465. They will take care of everything for you. Don’t wait. The ride is this Saturday and remember, pre-registration is required. See you in West.
If you love Island Park, and I know you do or you wouldn’t be reading this, consider volunteering for one of the many cleanup opportunities in the area. The Henry’s Fork Foundation just sponsored a cleanup of the stretch of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake that runs through Island Park and they did a tremendous work. Cleaning up both in and around the river made a better situation for everyone.
The debate over cabin rentals continues to rage. The meeting that was scheduled for July was Moved to the third week in August due to a clerical error in the posting of the meeting. Proponents of the ordinance have named it the “party house” ordinance contend that the rental properties are being used for purposes other than recreation and are driving down property values in the area where they exist.
If you are a runner who frequents the Island Park area, chances are you already know about the “fun run” on Sawtelle Peak. The event is organized to have something for everyone. There is a half marathon (13.2 miles) a 10K, a 5K and 1K for kids (I hope it’s kids of all ages, because 1K might be all I could manage.)
I guess it was bound to happen. The ponzi schemes that have plagued investors in the cities (and even smaller towns) have struck Island Park. I won’t go into all the sordid details. If you like to get down in the mud and root around, you can get all the juicy detail from the finger pointers in the local media. 
The West Yellowstone Snowmobile expo will be happening March 13 – 15th in West Yellowstone. This is a spectacular long weekend filled with racing, unveiling of all the new (2010) sleds, and a chance to meet with countless after-market manufacturers. If you are into snowmobiles – and especially if you are into mountain riding – this is the most important show of the year.  Don’t miss it.
Tragedy was averted last night when two snowmobilers from New Hampshire walked out of the wilderness. The two, a father and son, were snowmobiling with four other friends on the Black Canyon Loop trail when one by one their sleds quit and they were left stranded. The father and son’s sleds went the farthest and from there they started walking.
A Minnesota man was killed in a tragic snowmobile vs. van accident earlier this week south of Pond’s lodge. According to witnesses, he failed to stop at the intersection where the trail he was riding crossed highway 20. The collision occurred when the driver of the van was unable to stop and the snowmobile was struck broadside, killing the driver of the snowmobile instantly.
