RR taste of Idaho (long)

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

WR... this is more of a long weekend report.

This was a combo trip: the guy were going boating, and I was
"shuttle bunny" and biking grrl. First to settle any anxiety
among the amb-iders, I did NOT preride the selected trail,
for reasons to be discussed later.

We headed to McCall, spent the night with our friends there,
and then the first order of the day was to get the guys on
the river. This entailed a 36 mile drive out of McCall, way
back into the mountains to the put in for their three day
raft trip on the S Fork of the Salmon river. As the shuttle
bunny, I got to hang out while they did fun things like get
the raft into the water:
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1627.jpg

Then, I was free. The bike, which has previously been tied
down on top of the raft and all the gear, now was mounted
onto the flat bed like this, not my idea:
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1631.jpg It
seemed like a good idea, but with 36 miles of slightly
improved logging roads, I ended up having to stop several
times to make "adjustments". Finally I achieved stability
with cross ties to the rear hub, and tying the front wheel
to the frame. Let's hear it for boating straps.

I had been thinking I'd stop at the Lick Creek summit and
ride the two miles of the trail to the lake, the beginning
section of our ride at the end of the month, but I blew it
off for a number of reasons- I was sick of driving and just
wanted to get back and the summit is still miles from town;
I had the flat bed which I suck at backing, and the parking
lot wasn't big enough to do a pull around, and I had our
beloved doof of a Golden with us, and I felt terrible about
tying him to the trailer while I went riding. Plus, the
thought of having to undo all the straps put me over the
ede... So, I went back to town, and then took a nice little
town spin, sat by the lake and enjoyed the scenery. I did
stop by one of the lbs to pick up a odometer battery, and
the helpful gent there gave me some ideas for some rides
other than what I've done before. I did ask if 20 mile trail
was open, and it had not been cleared yet so it's a good
thing I didn't attempt it. Note to CDB- we'll need to check
that out!! Note to visitors... 6500' but only for two miles
before you go downhill.

Mr. Set the Pace did his best to scare up a riding partner
for me, but to no avail, I guess some people have to
work on Fridays. I decided to try the out and back
suggested by LBS person, solo it is. One the way out I
stopped at the other LBS where they were very nice,
and pronounced my odometer DOA. Sniff... I'm really
hung up on knowing my mileage, time to sale shop on
line for a new one.

Anyone, onto the ride. First thing, at the trail head I am
greeted by this:
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1635.jpg
Cool, eh? This trail somewhat follows above a smallish
river, you were never without the sound of it but rarely saw
it. I was alone on the trail, either in hot glaring sun or
deep shade. The trail rolled through the forest, and then
there were some hike-a-bike switch backs, just two or three,
that brought you up out of the creek valley and out on to
the ridge a bit. The forest is dark and cool, the trail is
soft dirt punctuated by occasional roots and rocks with the
sound of rushing water never far away.

http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1642.jpg

After a few miles I warm up and find my groove. I find I'm
getting pretty competent at lifting the front wheel over
roots on the ascent, but I haven't gotten the technique down
for a "series" yet. It's fun climbing the lines through the
rock gardens as the grade is very mellow, only the
occasional dismount/carry move for me. In the back of my
mind, I always wonder if there are others out here: I see
tire tracks but I am all alone. I hear the trail has views
but where are they? Suddenly the forest opens out into a
meadow:
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1637.jpg and
the whole nature of the ride changes from dark forest to forest-meadow-forest-
meadow, in and out of sun and shade. The meadows are
amazing. The track is narrow, and the grass and flowers are
waist deep. Every meadow has a view, too:
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1638.jpg
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1639.jpg
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1641.jpg

It's awesome. I've been on mountain trails like this before,
but usually the track is worn deep, but this is not so you
can really fly. There are lots of little creek crossings,
and then the trail abruptly gets to the main turnaround
point:
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1643.jpg
about 5 miles in. It's really rugged past here, so this is
where I turn around. River grade return! Woo-hoo. I have a
lot of fun on the descent. It's really fun to pick lines
through the rock gardens and roots, practicing jumping the
whole bike over some roots, and picking lines through the
bigger rocks and roots. It's funny being solo out there. I
definitely chose not to do some things that had I not been
solo, I might have tried. There was one rock/root staircase
like thing that I am still kicking myself for walking, but
better safe than sorry. (?) Further down the trail there are
some nice big rounded rocks. First I dismount and I'm going
to walk it, and then I take a good look. Why, there's
perfect line right down the middle... it's 2 12" or so
boulders like stairs, and after opting out on the previous
move, I have to try it... chickened out at first, and the
second attempt is a perfect line ride right where I want to
go... my **YES** echoes through the forest as I clean it
sweetly, and part of me wants to ride back up to that other
thing and give it a shot.

As in all river grade rides, it's over too soon.
</ride content>

Back to the house, a shower and then Jim shows up and wants
to take me sailing as the wind on the lake is coming up. Can
you believe I've never been sailing? We were on a little
boat, and I clipped into the trapeze as going up on the edge
was totally freaky for me!!

Next morning, it's off to Riggins and up the Main Salmon
river canyon, another 30 miles of dirt/gravel to the take
out to get the guys. A true Idaho moment closes the road for
20 minutes:
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1645.jpg

But the canyon is beautiful, so who minds hanging out for a
bit:
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1644.jpg

Jim brought his kayak to play in the waves while I hung out
on the beach
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1649.jpg

Then my bunch shows up at the ramp with tales of adventure -
high sides, going over a waterfall, otter, beaver and great
big smiles. They load up the raft, the bike gets strapped
back on the top, and then it's time to go home.

the end.

Penny

> The meadows are amazing. The track is narrow,
> and the grass and flowers are waist deep. Every meadow has a view, too:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1638.jpg
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1639.jpg
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1641.jpg

Absolutely lovely.

Per

"pas" <pennysinvalid@cetinvalid.com> wrote in message
news:10f2n59oia3p3ca@news.supernews.com...
> WR... this is more of a long weekend report.
>
> This was a combo trip: the guy were going boating, and I
> was "shuttle
bunny"
> and biking grrl. First to settle any anxiety among the amb-
> iders, I did NOT preride the selected trail, for reasons
> to be discussed later.
>
> We headed to McCall, spent the night with our friends
> there, and then the first order of the day was to get the
> guys on the river. This entailed a
36
> mile drive out of McCall, way back into the mountains to
> the put in for their three day raft trip on the S Fork of
> the Salmon river. As the
shuttle
> bunny, I got to hang out while they did fun things like
> get the raft into the water:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1627.jpg
>
> Then, I was free. The bike, which has previously been tied
> down on top of the raft and all the gear, now was mounted
> onto the flat bed like this,
not
> my idea:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1631.jpg
> It seemed like a good idea, but with 36 miles of slightly
> improved logging roads, I ended
up
> having to stop several times to make "adjustments".
> Finally I achieved stability with cross ties to the rear
> hub, and tying the front wheel to
the
> frame. Let's hear it for boating straps.
>
> I had been thinking I'd stop at the Lick Creek summit and
> ride the two miles of the trail to the lake, the beginning
> section of our ride at the
end
> of the month, but I blew it off for a number of reasons- I
> was sick of driving and just wanted to get back and the
> summit is still miles from
town;
> I had the flat bed which I suck at backing, and the
> parking lot wasn't big enough to do a pull around, and I
> had our beloved doof of a Golden with
us,
> and I felt terrible about tying him to the trailer while I
> went riding. Plus, the thought of having to undo all the
> straps put me over the ede... So, I went back to town, and
> then took a nice little town spin, sat by the
lake
> and enjoyed the scenery. I did stop by one of the lbs to
> pick up a odometer battery, and the
helpful
> gent there gave me some ideas for some rides other than
> what I've done before. I did ask if 20 mile trail was
> open, and it had not been cleared yet so it's a good
> thing I didn't attempt it. Note to CDB- we'll need to
> check that out!! Note to visitors... 6500' but only for
> two miles before
you
> go downhill.
>
> Mr. Set the Pace did his best to scare up a riding partner
> for me, but to
no
> avail, I guess some people have to work on Fridays. I
> decided to try the out and back suggested by LBS person,
> solo it is. One the way out I
stopped
> at the other LBS where they were very nice, and pronounced
> my odometer
DOA.
> Sniff... I'm really hung up on knowing my mileage, time to
> sale shop on
line
> for a new one.
>
> Anyone, onto the ride. First thing, at the trail head I am
> greeted by
this:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1635.jpg
> Cool, eh? This trail somewhat follows above a smallish
> river, you were never without the sound of it but rarely
> saw it. I was alone on the trail, either in hot glaring
> sun or deep shade. The trail rolled through the forest,
> and then there were some hike-a-bike switch backs, just
> two or three, that brought you up out of the creek valley
> and out on to the ridge a bit. The forest
is
> dark and cool, the trail is soft dirt punctuated by
> occasional roots and rocks with the sound of rushing water
> never far away.
>
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1642.jpg
>
> After a few miles I warm up and find my groove. I find I'm
> getting pretty competent at lifting the front wheel over
> roots on the ascent, but I haven't gotten the technique
> down for a "series" yet. It's fun climbing the lines
> through the rock gardens as the grade is very mellow, only
> the occasional dismount/carry move for me. In the back of
> my mind, I always wonder if there are others out here: I
> see tire tracks but
I
> am all alone. I hear the trail has views but where are
> they? Suddenly the forest opens out into a meadow: http-
> ://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1637.jpg and
> the whole nature of the ride changes from dark forest to
forest-meadow-forest-meadow,
> in and out of sun and shade. The meadows are amazing. The
> track is
narrow,
> and the grass and flowers are waist deep. Every meadow has
> a view, too:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1638.jpg
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1639.jpg
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1641.jpg
>
> It's awesome. I've been on mountain trails like this
> before, but usually the track is worn deep, but this is
> not so you can really fly. There are lots of little creek
> crossings, and then the trail abruptly gets to the
main
> turnaround point:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1643.jpg
> about 5 miles
in.
> It's really rugged past here, so this is where I turn
> around. River grade return! Woo-hoo. I have a lot of fun
> on the descent. It's really fun to pick lines through the
> rock gardens and roots, practicing jumping the
whole
> bike over some roots, and picking lines through the bigger
> rocks and
roots.
> It's funny being solo out there. I definitely chose not to
> do some things that had I not been solo, I might have
> tried. There was one rock/root staircase like thing that I
> am still kicking myself for walking, but
better
> safe than sorry. (?) Further down the trail there are some
> nice big
rounded
> rocks. First I dismount and I'm going to walk it, and
> then I take a good look. Why, there's perfect line right
> down the middle... it's 2 12" or so boulders like
> stairs, and after opting out on the previous move, I
> have to try it... chickened out at first, and the second
> attempt is a perfect
line
> ride right where I want to go... my **YES** echoes through
> the forest as I clean it sweetly, and part of me wants to
> ride back up to that other thing and give it a shot.
>
> As in all river grade rides, it's over too soon. </ride
> content>
>
> Back to the house, a shower and then Jim shows up and
> wants to take me sailing as the wind on the lake is coming
> up. Can you believe I've never been sailing? We were on a
> little boat, and I clipped into the trapeze as going up on
> the edge was totally freaky for me!!
>
> Next morning, it's off to Riggins and up the Main Salmon
> river canyon, another 30 miles of dirt/gravel to the take
> out to get the guys. A true Idaho moment closes the road
> for 20 minutes:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1645.jpg
>
> But the canyon is beautiful, so who minds hanging out for
> a bit:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1644.jpg
>
> Jim brought his kayak to play in the waves while I hung
> out on the beach
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1649.jpg
>
> Then my bunch shows up at the ramp with tales of adventure
> - high sides, going over a waterfall, otter, beaver and
> great big smiles. They load up the raft, the bike gets
> strapped back on the top, and then it's time to go home.
>
> the end.
>
> Penny
>
>
>
>
I guess Idaho isn't so bad afterall. Nice photos Penny.

TJ www.gvii.net/hundtoft

Nice RR! I was looking for pics of the technical bits,
though, both the ones you took and the ones you avoided. Not
that I'd bother to pull out the camera then, either.

--
monique

"pas" <pennysinvalid@cetinvalid.com> wrote in message
news:10f2n59oia3p3ca@news.supernews.com...
> WR... this is more of a long weekend report.
>
> This was a combo trip: the guy were going boating, and I
> was "shuttle
bunny"
> and biking grrl. First to settle any anxiety among the amb-
> iders, I did NOT preride the selected trail, for reasons
> to be discussed later.

I was kinda hopin you would, so you'd know what to warn the
troops about in advance. But it'll be a first-time feast
for all of us
>
> We headed to McCall, spent the night with our friends
> there, and then the first order of the day was to get the
> guys on the river. This entailed a
36
> mile drive out of McCall, way back into the mountains to
> the put in for their three day raft trip on the S Fork of
> the Salmon river. As the
shuttle
> bunny, I got to hang out while they did fun things like
> get the raft into the water:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1627.jpg
>
> Then, I was free. The bike, which has previously been tied
> down on top of the raft and all the gear, now was mounted
> onto the flat bed like this,
not
> my idea:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1631.jpg
> It seemed like a good idea, but with 36 miles of slightly
> improved logging roads, I ended
up
> having to stop several times to make "adjustments".
> Finally I achieved stability with cross ties to the rear
> hub, and tying the front wheel to
the
> frame. Let's hear it for boating straps.

I use straps all the time in the back of my pickup. They
usually hold just fine, but when they don't and the bikes
crash over, I just have to relax and say, "they're mountain
bikes, after all. A few scratches are OK.
>
> I had been thinking I'd stop at the Lick Creek summit and
> ride the two miles of the trail to the lake, the beginning
> section of our ride at the
end
> of the month,

That's the only piece I haven't ridden before. Looking
forward to it. Will try to scope out 20-Mile again this
weekend. I love that trail.

but I blew it off for a number of reasons- I was sick of
> driving and just wanted to get back and the summit is
> still miles from
town;
> I had the flat bed which I suck at backing, and the
> parking lot wasn't big enough to do a pull around, and I
> had our beloved doof of a Golden with
us,
> and I felt terrible about tying him to the trailer while I
> went riding. Plus, the thought of having to undo all the
> straps put me over the ede... So, I went back to town, and
> then took a nice little town spin, sat by the
lake
> and enjoyed the scenery.

That's pretty hard to take, isn't it? =D

> I did stop by one of the lbs to pick up a odometer
> battery, and the
helpful
> gent there gave me some ideas for some rides other than
> what I've done before. I did ask if 20 mile trail was
> open, and it had not been cleared yet so it's a good
> thing I didn't attempt it. Note to CDB- we'll need to
> check that out!! Note to visitors... 6500' but only for
> two miles before
you
> go downhill.

Wheezin a bit, but we'll all be fine.

>
> Mr. Set the Pace did his best to scare up a riding partner
> for me, but to
no
> avail, I guess some people have to work on Fridays. I
> decided to try the out and back suggested by LBS person,
> solo it is. One the way out I
stopped
> at the other LBS where they were very nice, and pronounced
> my odometer
DOA.
> Sniff... I'm really hung up on knowing my mileage, time to
> sale shop on
line
> for a new one.

We got back into town late Fri, and I could have
possibly met you Sat pm, but sounds like you were out of
service by then.

Nice pics down below. The out n back you did is fairly
popular, but I've got a hidden away jewel to try Friday
night if we all want to.

I'll do a group post with details, orientation, etc.
pretty soon. But for other attendees reading this, we have
beds still avail at the cabin in Lakeview Village

Paladin, aka Chris Brown
>
> Anyone, onto the ride. First thing, at the trail head I am
> greeted by
this:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1635.jpg
> Cool, eh? This trail somewhat follows above a smallish
> river, you were never without the sound of it but rarely
> saw it. I was alone on the trail, either in hot glaring
> sun or deep shade. The trail rolled through the forest,
> and then there were some hike-a-bike switch backs, just
> two or three, that brought you up out of the creek valley
> and out on to the ridge a bit. The forest
is
> dark and cool, the trail is soft dirt punctuated by
> occasional roots and rocks with the sound of rushing water
> never far away.
>
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1642.jpg
>
> After a few miles I warm up and find my groove. I find I'm
> getting pretty competent at lifting the front wheel over
> roots on the ascent, but I haven't gotten the technique
> down for a "series" yet. It's fun climbing the lines
> through the rock gardens as the grade is very mellow, only
> the occasional dismount/carry move for me. In the back of
> my mind, I always wonder if there are others out here: I
> see tire tracks but
I
> am all alone. I hear the trail has views but where are
> they? Suddenly the forest opens out into a meadow: http-
> ://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1637.jpg and
> the whole nature of the ride changes from dark forest to
forest-meadow-forest-meadow,
> in and out of sun and shade. The meadows are amazing. The
> track is
narrow,
> and the grass and flowers are waist deep. Every meadow has
> a view, too:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1638.jpg
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1639.jpg
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1641.jpg
>
> It's awesome. I've been on mountain trails like this
> before, but usually the track is worn deep, but this is
> not so you can really fly. There are lots of little creek
> crossings, and then the trail abruptly gets to the
main
> turnaround point:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1643.jpg
> about 5 miles
in.
> It's really rugged past here, so this is where I turn
> around. River grade return! Woo-hoo. I have a lot of fun
> on the descent. It's really fun to pick lines through the
> rock gardens and roots, practicing jumping the
whole
> bike over some roots, and picking lines through the bigger
> rocks and
roots.
> It's funny being solo out there. I definitely chose not to
> do some things that had I not been solo, I might have
> tried. There was one rock/root staircase like thing that I
> am still kicking myself for walking, but
better
> safe than sorry. (?) Further down the trail there are some
> nice big
rounded
> rocks. First I dismount and I'm going to walk it, and
> then I take a good look. Why, there's perfect line right
> down the middle... it's 2 12" or so boulders like
> stairs, and after opting out on the previous move, I
> have to try it... chickened out at first, and the second
> attempt is a perfect
line
> ride right where I want to go... my **YES** echoes through
> the forest as I clean it sweetly, and part of me wants to
> ride back up to that other thing and give it a shot.
>
> As in all river grade rides, it's over too soon. </ride
> content>
>
> Back to the house, a shower and then Jim shows up and
> wants to take me sailing as the wind on the lake is coming
> up. Can you believe I've never been sailing? We were on a
> little boat, and I clipped into the trapeze as going up on
> the edge was totally freaky for me!!
>
> Next morning, it's off to Riggins and up the Main Salmon
> river canyon, another 30 miles of dirt/gravel to the take
> out to get the guys. A true Idaho moment closes the road
> for 20 minutes:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1645.jpg
>
> But the canyon is beautiful, so who minds hanging out for
> a bit:
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1644.jpg
>
> Jim brought his kayak to play in the waves while I hung
> out on the beach
> http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/ID04/wIMG_1649.jpg
>
> Then my bunch shows up at the ramp with tales of adventure
> - high sides, going over a waterfall, otter, beaver and
> great big smiles. They load up the raft, the bike gets
> strapped back on the top, and then it's time to go home.
>
> the end.
>
> Penny
>

TJ wrote:
>>
> I guess Idaho isn't so bad afterall. Nice photos Penny.
>
> TJ www.gvii.net/hundtoft

Arco would be another story.

pas

Monique Y. Mudama wrote:
> Nice RR! I was looking for pics of the technical bits,
> though, both the ones you took and the ones you avoided.
> Not that I'd bother to pull out the camera then, either.

it helps if the battery doesnt die, too! ;-(

I've found that technical bits just don't photo well unless
you are JD or PF.

penny

On 2004-07-12, pas penned:
> Monique Y. Mudama wrote:
>> Nice RR! I was looking for pics of the technical bits,
>> though, both the ones you took and the ones you avoided.
>> Not that I'd bother to pull out the camera then, either.
>
> it helps if the battery doesnt die, too! ;-(

Well, if you're going to get hung up on details like that
... *grin*

> I've found that technical bits just don't photo well
> unless you are JD or PF.

Those bastards!

--
monique