It is that time of year again.  Time to make your ride plans for the year.  Time to figure out if spin class is paying off.  Time to figure out how to manage 100+ mile in one day with the meager training that you have.  Oh yeah there is still plenty of time to get ready.

First up is STOKR a fantastic one or two day ride in the remote reaches of Northwest Montana. Day one is a 98 mile ride along the beautiful Kootenai river.  Scenery and quiet roads make this a very popular event. STOKR takes place May 8-9, 2010.  Getting in is sometimes tricky.  Entry is by lottery.  All the information can be found on their website.

40 years and going strong. TOSRV-west, a Missoula tradition.  Two days of riding in western Montana along the Blackfoot river and through the Seeley-Swan Valley.  If 110 miles of mind-blowing scenery is not enough for you then the terrific hospitality and food provided along the way will make up for it. The night spent in Bigfork can (for some folks) be an adventure all into itself. I don't know if I would call Bigfork a party town but when TOSRV arrives the place is transformed. I have heard but not seen the stories unfold.

Next up is the annual CHAFE150 in Sandpoint, Idaho.  150 miles of good MT/ID lovin'. If you don't believe me check out the video on their website.  This one of the newer rides on the calendar but has quickly taken its spot as one of the most popular rides in the area. I have not yet ridden the route but I hear that the road along the Lake Pend Oreille is magnificent and Highway 2 through Montana has all the beauty you would expect from Montana's wild Northwest. It is a flattish course which make for some great pacelines and quick times.

Finally before we all need to take a break and give our bums a rest we have Montana's crowning achievement in charity rides, RATPOD. This is one of the funnest and most scenic rides I have ever done.  The cameraderie is second to none, the high alpine scenery is breathtaking even if you are out of breath already from the ride up.  The roads have very little traffic and the before and after party (each of which usually go on longer than the ride itself) are worth the price of admission.  Like the other rides mentioned above entries are limited so you have to be on your toes and register the moment on-line registration opens. Also this is a charity ride so the organizers have upped the ante, asking that folks raise a minimum amount of donations for entry to the ride - which I think is a great idea. The monies raised go to benefit the kids at Camp Mak-A-Dream.

I hope to see you all at one or more of these rides this year. Best of luck on your preparations, I will be cheering you on!