2012 TOSRV WEST RIDER INSTRUCTIONS

CHECK-IN  All riders are required to check in.  Check-in will be Friday, May 18, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Miller Hall on The U of M Campus. Check-in will continue at Miller Hall on Saturday, May 19, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Miller Hall is located on the east side of Arthur Avenue, one block south of University Avenue. You will receive in a packet a wrist ID band, a luggage tag, a route map and food stop schedule, and a TOSRV West premium.

TOSRV WEST 2012 Route:

Saturday, May 19 (126 Miles)  Begin with a mass start in Missoula from Miller Hall at 7 a.m. Ride out of Missoula on E. Broadway and continue onto Highway 200 at East Missoula.  Stay on 200 through Milltown and Bonner to breakfast at Potomac. At Clearwater Junction (with the big plastic Hereford) turn north on Highway 83 and ride to lunch at Seeley Lake. Continue on 83, with snack stops at Condon and Swan Lake, which will take you to dinner and your overnight destination at Bigfork.  

Sunday, May 20 (100 miles)  After breakfast ride south on Highway 35 to Polson.  Pick up the bike path in Polson heading south along Highway 93.  Stop for lunch at the Ronan Community Center.  Continue south on 93 through St. Ignatius and Ravalli and stop for lemon bars and snacks in Arlee.  Climb Evaro Pass, cruise down toward Missoula, cross I 90 and head east on Highway 10 into Missoula.  Return to U of M Miller Hall  to check in and pick up baggage.

 
RIDERS MUST DISPLAY WRIST BAND  Your wrist ID band is provided in the registration packet and must be worn and visible. It is used to identify you in an emergency and will be required for entry at all the food stops.

BAGGAGE SHUTTLE  Baggage transport from Miller Hall to Bigfork, and return, is provided. Bags can be dropped off at Miller Hall Friday evening or Saturday morning.  Baggage will be available at Bigfork Elementary School after 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Baggage must be dropped off at the school by 8:00 a.m. on Sunday for the return shuttle. Color coded luggage tags will be provided at check-in and must be attached to your bag. Make sure baggage is clearly labeled with your name.  Please observe the limit of one bag per rider.  Tents and sleeping bags should be inside or firmly attached to baggage.  TOSRV West is not responsible for lost or stolen personal property.

PARKING   Parking at the University will be conveniently located near Miller Hall.

ACCOMMODATIONS  Camping will be allowed on the grounds at Bigfork Elementary School or you can roll out your sleeping bag in the gym.  Showers will be available.  If you prefer motel accommodations in Bigfork, inquire at www.bigfork.org or call the Chamber of Commerce, (406) 837-5888.  

In Missoula check www.missoulachamber.com or call (406) 543-6623 for motel listings.  Hutchins Hostel, www.hutchinshostel.com  (406) 830-3266, is across the river from U of M.  Very reasonable dorm lodging will be available on the U of M campus at Miller Hall for Friday and Sunday nights but due to maintenance the hot water may be shut off.  Details for reservations and payment will be posted here by April, 2012.

HELMETS REQUIRED  TOSRV West requires that all riders wear an ANSI, SNELL or ASTM/SEI-approved helmet. Cyclists in Montana are considered vehicles and have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles.  Pass carefully, check behind you, and alert the riders you are overtaking with a courteous “On your left!”  For your safety, we ask the county to provide extra patrols along our route during our tour weekend.

PREPARE YOURSELF  All cyclists should be certain to be in shape and capable of riding the full distance. You should cycle 500 to 700 miles with at least one 75-mile and one 100-mile ride in the two months prior to TOSRV West.  MOBI organizes a number of preparation rides.  Check the website at www.tosrvwest.org.  Come prepared for unpredictable weather conditions with adequate protective clothing.

PREPARE YOUR BIKE  Make sure your bicycle is in ideal mechanical condition.  Assemble a tool kit (spokes, tire pump, patch kit and spare tubes) and know how to use it. Limited mechanical support will be provided by area bike shop mechanics.

PERSONAL SAGS  Personal support vehicles or sag wagons are strongly discouraged. Personal vehicles expose all riders to the dangers of increased traffic volume.  TOSRV West is intended for the experienced cyclist.

AFTER RIDE CHECK-IN AND BAGGAGE PICK-UP  TOSRV West riders must check in Sunday afternoon at Miller Hall and present a TOSRV West number when claiming baggage.  Baggage claim will close at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Miller Hall.

QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS  If you have questions or problems please refer them to TOSRV West Director Tim Marchant, (406) 250 7228, e-mail at bike@tosrvwest.org or in writing to TOSRV West c/o MOBI, P.O. Box 8903, Missoula, MT 59807-8903.

FOOD STOP SCHEDULE

Your registration fee includes meals and snacks on both days.
Saturday:            Breakfast (Potomac)           7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
                            Lunch (Seeley Lake)          10:00 a.m.  - 1:00 p.m.
                            Snack (Condon)                 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
                            Dinner (Bigfork)                  4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Sunday:            Breakfast (Bigfork)             6:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
                            Lunch (Ronan)                 10:00 a.m.  - 1:00 p.m.
                            Snack (Arlee)                   12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.