Bike tour to be held Saturday

The Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club will host a Ringling-Maudlow-Belgrade bike tour Saturday.

The route goes south from Ringling over the hills and then drops down into Sixteen Mile Creek Canyon. The group will cycle through the beautiful, aspen-filled canyon and stop in one of its meadows for lunch.

The route follows Sixteen Mile Creek west out of the canyon to Maudlow. The road from Ringling to Maudlow is 27 miles on mixed clay dirt and gravel.

After a food stop in Maudlow, the group will turn south on a gravel road and begin a steady but moderate five-mile climb. A long, steady descent follows all the way to the Dry Creek Road where we finally hit pavement.

The last seven miles into Belgrade are on this pavement. Maudlow to Belgrade is 27-plus miles for a total distance of about 55 miles. Plan on taking all day as it is slow going at times. Maps will be posted at www.gallatinvalleybicycleclub.org soon.

The organizers recommend a front-suspension mountain bike or a cross bike.

A touring road bike with stout wheels and tires would probably be satisfactory, but plan on getting bounced around some. Bring an extra tube, patch kit and pump.

Riders will meet at the fairgrounds parking lot on Tamarack Street at the end of North Bozeman at 8 a.m. We will carpool to Ringling through Bridger Canyon. The group plans to leave from Ringling about 9 a.m.

The route is very isolated. Riders must carry all of their own food and water. There will be a large trailer capable of transporting around 20 bicycles to Ringling.

Riders must arrange transport from Belgrade to Bozeman unless they want to cycle.

The ride is weather dependent, so it may have to be canceled. Check the Web site at www.gallatinvalleybicycleclub.org for updates. We will also send out updates on the email listserv.

Cost is gas money plus $2 for insurance. For more information, call Jerry Coffey, 587-8872 or coffey@english.montana.edu

Kidfitter to host party

Outdoor Kidfitter will have a party Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The event will include the store’s second annual fashion and gear show, and guest speakers featuring Little Kid, Big River, from 6 to 9 p.m.

FWP meeting moved

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission will meet today in Helena, not in Hamilton as originally scheduled.

The commission holds most of its meetings in Helena, but schedules several meetings each year in a regional locale. The location of the meeting was changed to conserve fuel and energy costs. Officials said they would attempt to set a future commission meeting in Hamilton.

For the full agenda for the Sept. 25 meeting visit fwp.mt.gov and click “FWP Commission.”

FWP ensures its meetings are fully accessible to those with a disability. Individuals with special needs may request arrangements by contacting FWP at 444-3186.

Resource stewardship talk scheduled

The Forest for Every Classroom program will have a community discussion on natural resource stewardship Oct. 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Capital High School.

The group looking for input from parents, community members, people who make their living from the forest, ranchers, and industry to help develop the criteria for educating teachers who can excite and inspire youth to become stewards of their communities and public lands.

The Forest for Every Classroom is a partner of the Helena National Forest, the Montana Discovery Foundation, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Elkhorn Working Group.

For more information, contact Debbie Anderson at 495-3711 or Liz Burke at 495-3713.

Helmville Turkey Shoot held Sunday

The Helmville Turkey Shoot will be held Sunday starting at 11 a.m. at the Helmville Community Center.

Events include a handgun competition, target rifle competition, hunting rifle competition, horseshoes and dice.

There will be free target practice for kids from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ammunition and rifle will be supplied for free.

Call Jim Gallo at (406) 793-5794 for more information.

Youth pheasant and waterfowl hunt set

Montana’s young hunters will have a special treat this Saturday and Sunday, the weekend of the special youth waterfowl and pheasant hunting seasons.

Legally licensed hunters age 12-15 may hunt ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and ring-necked pheasants statewide on these two days.

A nonhunting adult at least 18 years of age must accompany young hunters in the field during these special seasons.

The bag limit, shooting hours, hunter safety requirements and all other regulations of the regular pheasant and waterfowl seasons apply.

The Canyon Ferry WMA is an exception to the youth waterfowl season in that shooting hours will be a half-hour before sunrise to noon Saturday and Sunday.

Dog-mushing clinic set

Montana Mountain Mushers is holding a dog-mushing clinic on Oct. 4 at the Seeley Lake Trailhead.

The clinic will begin at 8 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. The group plans to discuss dogs, training, equipment, nutrition and venues for dog mushing.

There will be hands-on work and time for questions.

Whether you are interested in becoming a recreational musher, want to start skijoring or canicross, or would like to race, this clinic is a must to help you get started safely.

Participants are encouraged to bring their wheeled rigs —four-wheelers, dog scooters, bikes or carts — and dogs to the training.

The club will have a four-wheeler and scooter for participants to use if they don’t have their own rig.

All participants are welcome to join the dog mushing club for their fall meeting at the Seeley Lake Senior Center immediately following the clinic.

Registration by Sept. 30. Fee is $25 for individuals and $35 for families.

For information, contact call (406) 881-2909 or (406) 677-3141, visit montanamountainmushers.com or e-mail adanac@adanacsleds.com for a form.