There is no better way to enjoy the Sun Road than to bike (or hike) it without cars. Get there early - Avalanche (the farthest one can drive) filled before 9:00 AM this weekend and then I got to ride an extra 12 miles (mostly flat) from McDonald Lodge. It’s 32 miles round trip from Avalanche, 12 miles of which are a continuous 6% grade. It’s 44 if you ride from McDonald Lodge. It looked nice and sunny on your ride, but the weather can change in a heartbeat in the mountains so I always tell people to bring layers - the outermost a water/wind resistant shell. You can stay warm in 50 degree weather huffing and puffing your way up and then freeze on the 20-30 minute downhill. Lastly, for the back-stripe conscious: fenders are great to keep water off you. There’s constant snowmelt this time of year and you WILL encounter water on the road even if it’s sunny.
Hi Friend, can you steer me towards the best resource for riding on this road? A family wedding brings us to the area in mid-June. When is the times to ride with no cars?
My wife and I rode from West Glacier to St. Mary on our honeymoon 27 years ago. Got snowed on July. We had to start up at 5 am to avoid the cars. It was awesome!!!!
Great music as usual. I read about this road 30+ years ago in a motorcycle magazine when I was into that and put it on my bucket list. I quickly, by accident, got outa motorcycling and had never heard that this road was ever without motor traffic! Now I will put it on my bucket list again! Hopefully next year. Thanks :)
Came across a huge grizzly afternoon of June 13 walking down the middle of the road. Took awhile before we figured out a way around him. He was on the way up, we were descending from the top.
I biked this road during my cross US tour 3 years ago. We went westward and 3 of us slept in the our own large bathroom stalls at Logan Pass because we got there late in the evening. Descended in the morning.
If you ever get the chance to go out here, check out the east side of the pass, too! There is way less traffic but it's just as beautiful. The road doesn't climb/descend as much or as steeply. There's a campground on the east side (St. Mary), and it seems much drier than the west side. This area is also served by Amtrak, making for an easy, eco-friendly bike vacation!
Another wonderful video. I am so appreciative of the quality of your videos and the effort you must take in editing. Yours are some of the finest viewing experiences out there. This one really made me want to go on a mountain ride. Kinda tough living in Toronto but I’ll get there.
WOW!....made top 5 thumbs up....love Montana....I need to get back and do some Fly Fishing....SOON ! Other scary things !.....just remember Hansel and Great !...look what happened to them in the woods. Thanks for taking us along for the ride...stay safe out there
I went to Glacier last summer. Made it to the loop at Crystal Point, but then I chickened out and drove back down. Someday, when I return to Montana, I will have to try the Going to the Sun Road again, but starting from St. Mary. That way, I'll be driving up/down on the inside lane for most of the trip. That drop off is just way too scary!
Please head back to Whitefish on a nice day and do a ride/commentary on the Whitefish bike center and trails (you visited earlier) now in season. Thanks.
Drove through here for the first time last summer...Covid kept us away this year (we live in Canada). Next year I hope we can do this!!! Thanks for sharing this!
I rode that last year (in mid-May) on your recommendation (in your previous video about Going-to-the-Sun). One of the truly great rides to be had anyplace. After that I rode my bike home to eastern Washington, following back roads and country roads mostly north of the ACA Northern Tier route. Thanks for your videos and keep riding. I'm on my way to the San Juans on the Tour During Covid.
What a nice ride, nice riders and nice bikes. How is the feel with your G-Road Laura ? What kind of tyres do you use ? Do you know the weight of your bike ? Thanks for your enthusiasm.
Nice trip! What did you mean when you said you were at Bird Woman Falls? Bird Woman Falls isn't on Going-to-the-Sun Road, but coming off Mt. Oberlin - visible from Going-to-the-Sun, though.
How do you keep in the loop about the ride if you don't live in Montana? I wanted to do it this year but thought it was closed down due to Covid. Missed it again, I guess.
The path is stunning, that it provides similar view in Tibet or in The Andes. It's close to the snow line even in the summer times. Could you guy inform how high is the altitude here? And how much climbing to go?
Okay someone tell me - 28 seconds in whats that bike with the small wheels and fat tyres? Another awesome video Russ and I am so jealous - the views are amazing and it must have been glorious with so many bikes. More like this please ;.)
Stunning ride, thank you for sharing this with us! I am also impressed by Laura's extremely smooth pedaling technique. Is this the result of a bike fit at Breadwinner?
What are the typical dates of the road opening for cyclists, then for cars? I am interested in doing this and maybe Hiawatha next year (if that is open at the same time). It was 90s in east Texas today. Riding Montana seems so refreshing.
I’d love to make that ride! I live in Texas, but have family in the Missoula area - might have to try and plan for it during a visit. It seems you’d want to be able to acclimate to the altitude a little before doing that, wouldn’t you? Also, when does the window of time close before cars are let in?
Moonlight rides are magic! During CoVid it’s closed at night, but under normal circumstances it’s not. Even when the road is open to cars, there are almost none at night, so the road is essentially yours.
There unfortunately is no set date because it's weather dependent, but the road is fully closed to bicycle use June 15 through Labor Day. I rode it a few years back on June 9. One of the best rides of my life.
Glacier is nice, when it's not on fire. They should routinely close Going to the Sun Road for cyclists over the season. I know a lot of cyclists who would make the trip JUST to ride that road without cars or buses.
