Today a group of university students began a course called, “Cycle the Rockies: Energy and Climate Change in Montana.” Nine students and their instructors, Nicky Phear and Dave Morris, will spend the next four weeks cycling 650 miles from Billings to Whitefish to study our regional energy choices and the impacts of climate change. The course is run by the Missoula-based Wild Rockies Field Institute for six credits through the University of Montana.
We welcome you to follow along as students write about their educational journey. Traveling by bicycle will give us a unique perspective and an appropriate pace for examining the past, present and future of energy and climate change in the West. We will explore first-hand the landscapes, communities and ecosystems that are already feeling the effects of our changing climate.
Our route begins in eastern Montana at a coal-fired power plant and an oil refinery in the industrial core of Billings. Then we will pedal north and west through grasslands and island mountain ranges of central Montana, visiting energy-efficient buildings and production sites for biofuels, wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power. After meetings with energy and climate policy experts at the state capitol in Helena, we will turn north along the impressive Rocky Mountain Front to Glacier National Park. We’ll cycle over the Continental Divide, spending time with climate scientists and park managers in Glacier before ending our journey in Whitefish with a public presentation.
For more information about the course and WRFI, visit our About page. For more information about our students and instructors, please visit our page about the Cyclists.
Thanks for your interest!
Dave Morris and Nicky Phear, Course Instructors
Tags: Cycle The Rockies, Energy, Montana, Wild Rockies Field Institute
I wanted to wish you all the best of luck on your journey!
-Ryan Newhouse, REI-Missoula
Dear Group, Best of luck on your journey. Ask Dave Morris about his pal David S., the bike trip adviser, and his wonder dog Leah. As one who has biked across the US, from California to Canada and from Paris to the south of France and who taught environmental science this year at high school, I am sooooo jealous of your trip.
Have a great educational time.
David S