I’m now in Bellevue, ID, at the valley opening by the Big Wood River enjoying comfort of level driveway at friend Steve’s place. Two nights ago at his place rain started falling as I heard it on the van roof. After a while there was no sound. When I opened my eyes Sat morn about 6 and looked out the windshield I saw snow held up by the windshield wipers. Snow at 5080′ May 22. Peaks got dusted.

A volunteer work project was scheduled for Sat to cut back sage brush on city trail Toe of the Hill. Steve and I arrived at TH joining maybe 15 other volunteers. Today’s work was to cut back encroaching sage brush. Provided tools were short handled loppers and folding hand saws. We all walked out the trail then picked a spot to work from.

The sage was weighted down by the new snow. Cutting instructions were to cut back at base of plant and leave no stobs, distance was to be far enough back to not grab bike bars. We were on our knees forcing our way into the base of limbs then cut off which would reveal the big trunk that was cut out with the hand saw. In short while I was wet, my gloves were saturated and my hands were cold. The work project time line was a rolling start and finish: you showed up during that window and left when you had enough. Steve and I worked for almost 2 hours, our plan was to work till either of us had had enough. Whew, don’t envy Steve for his back issues but I accepted his having had enough. Cutting that sage was labor intensive. For me, my body had not been subjected to that amount and kind of work. To me it was funny that when I had money I would have paid someone to do this work that I was now doing as a volunteer. The snow melted off during our effort.

I have heard about health benefits of CBD for among others, muscle aches. Because what I did was above and beyond accustomed activity I was concerned that my body would be sore the next day so I decided to give CBD a go. I shopped at local pharmacy as I felt that they would have better CBD than grocery store. I used it 2X yesterday resulting in a normal feeling body this morning. That means 2 possible things: 1) I did not hurt my body sufficiently from overuse and / or 2) the CBD worked. I do have satisfaction that I did add my labor to a local project, the first opportunity since last summer.

I called Atkinson’s. the local grocery store chain, to ask about Copper River salmon. Score, it’s in. I treated Steve and me to a 3/4 #, at $59/lb, piece that Steve grilled to perfection for our dinner last night. So very good.

This morning I returned food sharing with Steve for my scratch pancakes. I gave him a van life breakfast in his driveway.

Going back in time to catch up.

Steve met me at Indian Springs S of Kimberly on Thurs. for a ride.  Some of the trails are official but not well marked and are on Trailforks. However, open grazing cows walked in their own path that confused with bike trail. We rode thru several gatherings of cows. One place there were 2 bulls. Steve told me the range bulls could be nasty. I listened to  Steve from the bike shop tell of his violent encounter with a bull on one of these trails. He said the bull charged him, stomped on his bike damaging it, and chased him. Tgis Steve told me to just ride by the bulls and get away.

We put a hump on our ride of over 2 hours with breaks only being to study Trailforks on my phone. The trails are hand built social trails that show little wear. I like these kinds of trails. Drawback: cow shit on my bike.

I found a laundromat in Twin Falls for clean clothes then drove to Steve’s south of Bellevue.

I have used Steve’s address to receive my new bike parts which he is storing in his barn. I got to touch a new dropper, cranks, bottom bracket, chain ring, and the boosted I 9 rear wheel. Score for the parts, next will be the build to ascertain the correct parts. I haven’t decided what to do with the RFX frame and parts. I could buy parts to rebuild the RFX as I have the frame and another set of I 9 wheels instead of trying to sell piecemeal.

Friday I rode by myself out on Croy trails outside Hailey. Weather forecast called for precip so I packed a rain jacket. Most of my previous rides here have been following Steve’s navigation. Today I had an idea of what I wanted to ride but was confounded by choices once I started. I wanted to see what vegetation returned after the burn. Great to see lupine regrowth:

The bloom is location sensitive as plants higher up are behind those lower.

No rain fell.

Which brings us to Sunday morning with a watchful eye to the skies and weather radar to see if it’s possible to get in a ride before next precip event.

Yesterday during the work event a mother and her son passed us on their way back. I asked if I could have a grandfather moment with her son to commend him for volunteering. He smiled and she thanked me for speaking to him.

I have never ridden this Revel Rail bike I will be soon riding. Steve suggested comparing the bike’s geometry which will give some indication of differences. Data revealed almost identical numbers. The real difference is in the suspension solution. Frame is to be delivered to Soul Cycle in Prescott on the 28th and will be shipped to a shop in Bend for build and my first ride.

Gotta go ride in open weather window.

Change: how much effort and time working on your local trails? You should have a good idea how your trails ride, they are what they are and as well as you take care of them. A touron rides you local trails then posts a review which is their prerogative. I read a review of a local trail here in Wood River Valley who shit all over a trail. Visitors need to understand local effort on that trail. One local’s trail prolly has similar issues to someone else’s local trail. What’s worrisome is riders who piss about conditions but don’t invest equity to make them better. Volunteer helping your local trails and enjoy effort from local community on trails you ride as a visitor.

 

 

 

Was a legendary employee of the USFS back long ago. A namesake trail runs from Gibson Jack over to Cussik creek and City trails. A black rating. I gave it a go yesterday morning. Forecast wanted strong wind. Trail info was limited to looking at its line on Trailforks. Started from Gibson Jack TH, weekday not crowded.

OK ,start in sage, has to climb but sight unseen to where. Trail was built by mtn bikers for same, heart propelled users only. So  nice because primarily the tread is not beat up. Trailforks showed climbs at both ends with mostly flat once up. No idea of what I was going to ride on, thru, and over. High mountain, but  still sage, hung on the steep mountain sides. Along the way it dipped into gullies that provided enough moisture to change the plants to water loving, deep shade from leaved deciduous trees. Like opening the frigerator door and standing in front of it on a hot day. Welcome relief not needed today. The trail worked in and out of ridges and gullies until it went fully exposed.

The trail continued exposed like above. I went around a snout into strong wind, forecast happening. I got off my bike to stay on the trail. I waited for several minutes waiting out what I hoped to be just a gust. It was short lived. I pedaled on soon to be hit by another blast. Again I waited, this time the ahead trail revealed more of the same exposed steep mtn side. I gave long thought to benefit cost factors. I turned around because the wind might blow me off the trail outslope.

Trail angle was shallow enough angle for me to pedal all of it. On the return I seemed to have coasted a lot telling me that going out was lots of climbing. I would like to go back and ride it in its entirety. To me this trail is what mountain biking is. Bikes actually riding on their namesake.

The 2 previous Pocatello rides had screamer downhills on which I modulated my brakes to maintain sanity. The rear brake was becoming spongey indicating a necessary brake bleed. I new what needed to be done but I kept putting it off. The brake never went limp. I decided during the ride that I would support a local bike shop that had a web site claiming it is what a bike shop should be, something like that. I called them from the lookout on Sterling. ” we’re doing major tunes now and are out 3 weeks”. Brake bleed: a week. City shop not a destination shop. My next planned location is Twin Falls. I googled bike shops selecting Epic which is the closest to Indian Springs S of Kimberly. Spoke with Dan in service. Sure bring it by, we close at 6, just don’t bring it in at 4 and expect turn around. Cool, I could be there today early driving from Poc.

The wound on my leg is of concern and so is the edema. I wanted trained medical advice on treating the wound. PA-C concurred with what I had been doing. Also concern is vascular. The wound site hurts.

Early enough to beat sunset I drove west to Kimberly and the Indian Springs main trailhead. I use google maps for navigation, it’s route used the county roads laid out on rectangles taking me thru rich agriculture land, both in tilled crops and scourge of feed lots. First hay cutting was beyond vibrant green. Irrigating canals made up for shortage from air. Moisture. Nasty head and quartering wind on the way. I filled diesel and did the mileage, 26.8mpg. Running gear seems able. Anchored at a open spot off the road. In hte past the parking areas seemed to segregated by users. The first being horses with their leftovers, the next was dirt bikes, and the mail was the heart propelled users. Dirt bike spot was empty so I picked it. Later 2 rigs arrived with dirt bikes but they were well behaved. Chilly night, ran furnace at wake up.

Today I headed into Twin on US rt 30 to arrive before  bike shop opening at 10 AM opening. Made it. Walked the bike in Dan took it and put in a stand then got after bleeding. He needed to work at it to purge trapped air. $15. I invited myself into their work space, Dan and Steve. I used my dormant verbal skills to regale them with tales. Steve gets around so we shared several ride spots. I was allowed in for many hours, they were captive and I felt welcomed. Wonderful to have human interaction. Wonderful visit, we parted with warm strong handshakes. And my brake was bled.

Shop guys concur with what Troy said about maybe next year there will be a big dump of used mountain bikes for sale as some people who bought them during the covid experience then learned that mountain biking was not for them and decided to clean their garage putting that bike up for sale. Steve said that the new bike sales will be slack because of all the almost new bikes on the web. One day you’re up, the next you’re down as the cycle repeats itself just with different music. He also said that trail courtesy has deteriorated, it’s newbies regardless of age.

Dirt biker rig just pulled in beside me.

Change. Change from a previous solution. Today I needed propane and water. I drove into Kimberly to fill up from an outside spigot at a gas station. Shit, it is going thru reconstructive construction eliminating that spigot. Next was gas station where I bought propane previously. parked next to tank then walked in and asked for fill. We no longer fill, see station at the corner. I drove to the corner and was filled. Add this location for future. I scored water at the bike shop. I finally found Happy Camper bread in Hailie and Ketchum. Change for the good. Rear brake will have more bite.

 

Returned to Indian Springs

Where it is pretty much either or. Up or down. Mountain range right outside of town. Ride up a drainage, cross ove down cross over back maybe. Or start at the bottom and make a big loop to finish on screamer downhill. I rode here several years ago as current images called from memory same thing. On Sat I drove from Vernal to said city arriving late afternoon. Caribou NF manages those mtns. I researched camp spots in the forest. Scant. I drove up Mink Creek into the forest. Paved road is right in the creek bottom, no camping. Several trailheads right on the rd but did not display no camping signs. I drove further up turning abruptly on rd 006 that was decent condition gravel. Climbed up out of bottom. Memory recall to the fore that I stayed here on that visit. Found same spot as first 1. No internet. Arrobalsamroot flowers are going off.

I did receive Trailforks to plan my rides. I am here as a solo touron, Sunday no bike shops open. Rides always seem doable on the screen. And then actually riding the selected trail. Give me a smart phone with reception and should I put on my readers I can remain found.

So, Sunday drove down across the bottom then back up Gipson Jack drainage. Plan was to ride up Slate Mtn then ride connecting trails to go down Gipson Jack. I rode maybe this same route last trip, at least that’s how I started. Trail reviews remarked about pedal strikes because of narrow below grade tread. At first the trail was wide for a side by side, old comment? I came to a trail sign for Slate Mtn, the trail I was to take. I was following mountain bike track, he lead me. I stayed on what turned out to be a motorized trail, not built for mountain bikers. loose rock rubble. Steep. I pushed quite a lot as my engine lacks the power to propel me sufficiently. Along the way I did stop and put on my glasses and learned what I did which made my ride shorter, quicker to the return downhill. Dirt bikers descending, me pushing up. Encountered first patch of snow, sure enough still a mountain bike track. All clear. I stopped at a high spot and climbed up onto the ridge line. I am at the top of the climb finally. One last snow patch to kick steps in and drag my bike up.

Short steep climbing turns downhill ended at jeep road. Map check: turn right pedal in meadow short distance

to start of Gipson Jack downhill. Then breathing became less frequent as gravity became my engine. Trail is below grade, is heart propelled only. Riding on woods dirt under tree canopy beside a clear flowing stream. 3.59 miles down dropping 1129′, needed 17 mins to end. Seat dropped, attack position, bell jingling with bumps, and looking. Just 2 hikers entire ride down.

garmin needs some minimum movement value to record. I pushed a lot and stopped for gaspers which garmin won’t acknowledge. I also mapped using backcountry navigator which doesn’t care if I take a nap. garmin said 7.73 miles in 1 hr 3 mins climbing 623′. BCN said 9 miles climbing 1803′ moving time of 1 hr 32 mins. Average heart rate was only 112. I was worked, elevation topped out at 6951′.

Road 006  is seasonally gated, I arrived the day to be open. Woods are getting along with covering up the previous snowpack. Green leaves. I am temporarily out of the desert after 6 months.

Yesterday an intense short lived thunderstorm battered the van up at anchor spot.

Last night again studying Trailforks I came up with a ride starting down the canyon Then climb up, down, up, across, down ride.

Drove down to the other end of Slate mtn trail, my only choice and it was up right after crossing Mink Creek. Not badly beat up by dirtbikes. Loose sharp edged rocks maybe softball size and below. I pedaled from gasp to gasp mixing in hik a biking of steeper sections. My engine is affected by age and wear. Dirt bike coming my way was company. He was packing a small chainsaw. Trail is below grade, pedal strikes, and scraped by encroaching sage brush. Trail is not brushed back. Turned left on Slate downhill that dropped down a small drainage. Smooth dirt tread with squiggles, trail open to heart propelled which made for enjoyable trail condition. Intersected with Birthday creek trail that was also opened to us. Nice single track but surprisingly worn to below grade. Deep forest cover. Over time the brush had been cut back, we hearts can do it, the engine powered people just wear armor I guess. More hiking just because I blow up. Trail ended onto 4X4 road pedaling over to start of Corral creek descent. A dirt biker preceded me putting up engine exhaust and dust until he went faster than me. Screamer downhill, most bends had a berm of sorts. Fast. Pop out of forest then coast down the road to 2nd TH for Valve House short piece then dirt parallel to hard road trail to van.

Garmin said 9.78 miles pedaling for 1 hr 26 mins climbing 879′ and descending 1913, BPM was 116. BCN said 10.7 in 1 hr 39 mins climbing 2027. Again pushing. Definitely rode hard. Elevation is more than 1,000 higher so far this spring.

Today I needed drinking water for rest of the day and start tomorrow, I drink filtered water from water machines which at least lessen the chlorine taste. And internet for this. Long drive to Albertson’s store with an outdoor Glacier vending machine and internet access.

Tomorrow will be another either or ride, spend the night, then on Wed drive to Indian Springs S of Kimberley. Steve said he will drive down to ride with me.

Did ride Friday at McCoy trying to repeat previous ride. festicle is my kind of trail: purpose built by hand using topography for sustainability and enjoyment. Weather moved in with a violent front so strong I was forced to shelter behind a juniper; too strong to remain upright.  Spent the night same spot.

Sat I drove up to Red Fleet trails outside the state park. As I drove up canyon I  spied to my right numerous downhill lines worn into hard red dirt. There is a loop around that I had ridden two previous visits. Today, blew it off as scene was bike parkish. Spectacular mountain scenery and highways. Flaming Gorge.