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Bicyclers gear up for fall season

Senior Ben Smith bikes to school and soccer practice because, “I love the wind rushing through my hair and the bugs passing through my nostrils into my lungs.  I also love to fly over my handlebars and smash my head into the ground.  Yeah, I’ve done that a few times.”

Cross country skiers may have to wait their turn on the trails this year — die-hard  bicyclers are not easy people to reckon with. Cool, dry weather and the good grace of Mother Nature have allowed avid bikers to ride into autumn throughout the Flathead Valley.

Each summer, trails on Big Mountain attract tourists and competitors alike. July brings the “Gear Grinder Classic,” a prestigious race for beginners and experts alike sponsored by the National Off Road Biking Association. For recreational cyclists, other local trails include Blacktail (near Lakeside) and Strawberry (in Creston).

So whether you’re a kamikaze cyclist or a lover of leaves of a different color, get out there for one last bike ride.  And wear your helmet.