2013 TOSRV WEST RIDER INSTRUCTIONS

CHECK-IN  All riders are required to check in.  Check-in will be Friday, May 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Liberal Arts Building, Room 106, on The U of M Campus. Check-in will continue at the Liberal Arts Building on Saturday, May 18, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. The Liberal Arts Building is located just north of the life-size grizzly statue on the Oval, one block east of Arthur and University Ave. You will receive in a packet a wrist ID band, a luggage tag, a route map and food stop schedule, and cool new TOSRV West socks.

TOSRV WEST 2013 Route:

Saturday, May 18 (126 Miles)  Begin with a mass start in Missoula from the Liberal Arts Building at 7 a.m. Ride out of Missoula on E. Broadway and continue on to 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.   Turn west on Highway 209 for the last few miles to dinner and your overnight destination at Bigfork.  

Sunday, May 19 (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 homemade pies served to you by the local Girl Scout troup at the Aree Community Hall.  Climb Evaro hill, cruise down toward Missoula, cross I 90 and head east on Highway 10 into Missoula.  Return to U of M Liberal Arts Building 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 the Liberal Arts Building to Bigfork, and return, is provided. Bags can be dropped off at the University 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.

ACCOMMODATIONS 

Bigfork: 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.  

Missoula: check www.missoulachamber.com or call (406) 543-6623 for motel listings.

If you are planning on staying in a hotel here in Missoula either Friday or Sunday night, we suggest you get your hotel reservations early. It is also University graduation weekend. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Quality Inn Missoula on Reserve St. (406-542-0888) if you would like to stay here. They will be held until April 1 or until filled. You should reference MOBI to gain access.

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 the Liberal Arts Building, Room 106, and present a TOSRV West number when claiming baggage.  Baggage claim will close at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

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.
                            Snack (Swan Lake)               1:00 p.m. - 5:00 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.