By Michael Howell
The owners of the Stevensville Hotel, Gene Mim Mack and Robbie Springs, are putting in a bicycle camping facility on the hotel grounds, behind their historic building at 107 E. 3rd. It’s been a long time coming but it may be just in time for the expected surge in bicyclists associated with the grand opening of the Bitterroot Bike Trail set for this Saturday, July 16.
Efforts aimed at establishing a bike camp began in Stevensville about two years ago when several citizens, responding to the statewide call for bicycle tourism facilities, formed the Stevensville Bicycle Camp Committee and, working with the Stevensville Main Street Association, spent the better part of a year considering the best placement site for a camp.
The state was promoting the development of such facilities and touting the economic benefits of long distance cycling to local communities. Stevensville is ripe for such development with the extension of the bike path from Missoula into the valley along Highway 93.
The Stevensville Bicycle Camp Committee finally settled on a site at Lewis and Clark Park and the Town Council approved the plan. But there was some dissension during discussion of the proposal and concerns expressed about locating it next to the new children’s playground and the new skate park. There was also concern expressed about a conflict with the longstanding youth soccer program that operates in the park. In order to resolve the tension over the site decision, then-mayor Gene Mim Mack decided that it might be something that the Stevensville Hotel could develop.
As part of the development a large area of new turf has been laid down and a privacy fence was installed. A barbeque area is planned and a covered gazebo and outdoor deck where campers can clean and repair their bicycles. A bathroom and showers are available as well as an internet connection. Mim Mack hopes to have the whole operation up and running by July 16 for the Bike Trail celebration.
According to Mim Mack, the hotel is already getting bicyclists one or two at a time. Some take a room for the night, others camp on the lawn. When the whole facility is completed it could hold up to 20 cyclists in 10 to 12 tents.
“We are already getting reservations, although they are not required,” said Mim Mack.
The hotel is one of the scheduled stops for a group of dignitaries who will be in the valley on Saturday for festivities which culminate with a ribbon cutting at Travelers’ Rest State Park in Lolo at 12 noon for the official opening of the new Missoula to Lolo segment of the Bitterroot Trail which reaches all the way to Hamilton. Communities along the trail have planned a variety of activities throughout the day. The Stevensville Main Street Association is hosting a Bike & Brew festival downtown, with children’s activities, live music, beer and food, at 2nd and Main from 2 to 8 p.m.
For information on the bike camp, contact the Stevensville Hotel at 406-777-3087 or visit the website at www.stevensvillehotel.com.