Ovando, Montana lays out the welcome mat for bicycle tourists

In this tiny town of about 65 people in the postcard-picturesque Blackfoot Valley east of Missoula, the summer swarms of bicycle tourists can almost double the population on a busy night.

They come from Japan, France, Brazil and all corners of the world and sleep in a sheepherder’s wagon, a tepee and in the town’s historic jailhouse. At the last one, the bikers get a t-shirt that says "I spent the night in the hoosegow – Ovando, Montana."

"I’ve got a waiting list of cyclists all over the world who want their shirts shipped," said Kathy Schoendoerfer, the owner of the Blackfoot Angler fishing and bike supply shop.

DAVID ERICKSON [email protected]

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