Adventure Cycling Association

We’ll meet up with the tour leaders and fellow group members for our first map meeting, our first dinner together, and our first night of camping under the big sky of Montana. If time permits before the tour begins — or after it’s over, when you’ll be in even better shape — you may want to tackle the glorious Going-to-the-Sun Road in nearby Glacier National Park, an iconic American ride. Also nearby is Whitefish Mountain Resort, a popular winter ski destination and home to some super-fun mountain bike trails.

Today we’ll ease into things along a route that winds through the most civilized countryside we’ll visit during our week-long ride. The network of rural valley byways links the resort town of Whitefish with the small artistic community of Bigfork, nestled at the mouth of the Swan River on the northeastern shores of massive Flathead Lake. Most of the ride is paved and relatively flat, but there are a few gravel sections.

Today we leave the agrarian countryside behind and ascend what the Great Divide is known for: mountains! Riding from Bigfork to Condon, most of the day will be spent on Forest Service dirt roads, with plenty of climbing and descending. The first climb, at six miles, is the longest, but it is followed by an unforgettable downhill. Our path follows a series of rolling, primitive dirt roads squeezed between the base of the stunning Mission Mountains and State Highway 83. We’ll enjoy some fantastic views of the Swan Range to the east before reaching our overnight camping destination.

Today’s adventure starts out with seven miles of pavement; after that it’s all dirt roads with a short section of singletrack thrown in for good measure. About halfway into the ride, there’s the option of stashing your bike in the woods and hiking a half mile to hidden Clearwater Lake, a sparkling gem that’s perfect for a bracing dip. From the day’s high point, get ready for a memorable downhill along Morrell Creek, followed by some rolling terrain into lively Seeley Lake.

This small Montana town tucked into the banks of sparkling Seeley Lake is a perfect place for golfing, canoeing on the Clearwater River or Seeley Lake, hanging out on the beach, walking around town, riding the snow-free paths of the Seeley Creek Nordic Trails, or hiking the Morrell Falls National Historic Trail. Did we mention the outstanding ice cream scooped up at the ever-popular Stage Station?

Today’s ride takes us along rolling Forest Service roads and includes a lunch stop along the Blackfoot River near the tiny hamlet of Ovando. You’ll skirt Monture Creek, originally named Seaman Creek by William Clark of the Lewis & Clark expedition, after his Newfoundland dog, Seaman. After cresting scenic Huckleberry Pass, we’ll enjoy a great downhill and a nice cruise into the town of Lincoln, named for the President by gold seekers who rushed into the area during the 1860s

Today’s ride will take us up to the Continental Divide via Poorman Creek at 6,376-foot Stemple Pass. After enjoying the incredible views and the accomplishment of the climb, we’ll complete a clockwise loop and descend back to Lincoln along the South Fork of Poorman Creek before rejoining the main Poorman Creek Road. Our Whitefish-bound shuttle will depart at 2:00 PM from Lincoln, arriving at our point of origin at approximately 6:00 PM. Take our word for it: this 256-mile sampler of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route will leave you craving more. And since you’ve bagged only 10 percent of it, there’s much more to be ridden!