About this mountain riding

So far I have ridden 3 of the 3 days I have been here in the Woods River Valley: Bellevue, Hailey, & Ketchum. The rides go the same way: climb, climb, climb, then go downhill real fast.  It’s either grunting or coasting. I’m just sharing my awareness to those that don’t know. It’s all good. The scenery is breath taking spacious. None of this riding in deep deciduous tree cover over relatively flat ground.

Day 1 was Greenhorn Gulch climb then down Imperial which is in last summer’s massive burn. Local volunteers restored the trail and rerouted several places. Smelled my first lupine  of the season.

10.35 miles climbed 1834 in pedal time of 1 hr 28 mins.

I dilly dallied in Hailey then drove down to Steve’s driveway.

Sat we tackled Oregon Gulch which is N of Ketchum. Ride up Baker Creek logging road then drop down on single track. Steve and I ride well together as he is a stronger climber so he leads and when the trail points down I lead. I discovered that my Pike fork was not all the way open, I clicked over the dial and the fork came to life. Drop the seat, drop into the athletic attack position and look where I wanted to go. This trail was steeper downhill. Topped out @ 8500′. Way out of my comfort zone.

We did this as a shuttle: Steve’s van at the bottom and mine up @ Baker Creek. 15.20 miles climbing 2150′ in 2 hrs 7 mins.

I spent the night on Baker Creek road @ the first FS primitive camp spot. Great view up to the Boulders. The temp dropped, I was cold under my summer blanket. I pulled down the down blanket for added warmth, little was gained because I did fluff it up for loft. I crawled out from under the covers after 8 hoping for heat. I checked the outside temp:35. I forgot the heater starting instructions so the heater didn’t ignite. Recalling the correct sequence the heater started and warmth was felt. Still wearing shorts.

Today Steve and I are meeting @ Adams Gulch for another climb slowly go down fast ride. Crowded trail head but a short distance out we had the trails to ourselves. The local bike club rerouted a fall line section which Steve is not riding on:

Just massive open sky. Ski trails visible in back ground. 7.75 miles climbing 1597′ in 1 hr 8 mins. I didn’t need more.

Labor day weekend activities in the valley. Yesterday it was a parade in Ketchum and 2 days of rodeo in Hailey. Today a festival is in Bellevue.

Today I drove back into downtown Ketchum and parked behind The Elephants Perch shop. Greeted familiar faces. They were able to service my fork tomorrow. Just normal maintenance.

I am parked on the main street in Hailey. I just looked up the street and saw a water plume perhaps from a fure hydrant. Roll your windows up.

Making tomorrow a rest day then driving over Galena Summit towards Stanley for a Fisher Creek ride on Tuesday w/ Steve. From there I will continue up the Salmon finally over to Butte. I am tracking to Sept 11 dentist appointment.

Presently I am @ 5358′. Riding @ 6,000 to 8,000′. I have no altitude acclimation. My heart rate stays low because my lack of breath limits my output. Brutal.