Mountain riding

It starts at the bottom then comes back down, no in-between. Wood River Valley says it up front: valley as low point, hills rise from there.

Thurs morn early I arrived at repair shop for alternator work. The service manager had no record of my appointment. I gave him Performance’s shop notes. He said he would order the parts, work up price for next day install. Free to go. drove into Hailey to do wash in a cruddy laundromat, only 1 in town. Steve gave me a ride choice of Croy that we have been riding or, new to me, Quigly just outside of town. I chose the newer. System is purpose machine built, very new and raw. Long climb on rideable grade and descending on about same. I rode behind Steve who is slower to use him as my rabbit to check my speed hence effort.

machine cut, scar

The tread is fresh disturbed rocks. The descent let speed increase. Trail is machine cut wide into steep hillside. Loose rocks. Numerous bends with possible Thelma and Louise launches. 9.6 miles climbing 922′.

Hailey

Contacted repair shop late afternoon, he was still seeking an alternator, his parts supplier wasn’t calling back. I stuck with it for his 3rd call. Scored an alternator to arrive on Mon, tomorrow for install. Staying here for the weekend.

Friday Steve lead me on a Croy Canyon ride. The Glendale range fire that started on Tues is now contained which is a short distance up the canyon from our ride. Croy is an older system of purpose built trails, all pedalable, few tech problems beyond normal hillside exposure.

Croy area Steve leading

Up down around down. Many bermed corners and they are packed firm that can be counted on. 6.64 miles climbing 774′.

Me, days short of 75

Steve’s future time is committed for no more ride sharing. A ride Steve calls the Trade Route beckoned me. This spring I attempted it by myself but my body was not happy with the effort limiting my distance to the perch above Fox creek then returning. I drove thru Ketchum to Oregon Gulch / Saddle trailhead. I spent the night. Sat my departure was delayed as I listened to Wait Wait… that is an hour later than last week’s PDT. Today I attempted to implement the slower speed and effort. Today I made the previous turn around point and a decision to push myself to complete the loop or turn back down. I decided to further. From the high point the trail drops over patches of exposed loose rock below grade, attention focused. Dropped down Fox creek drainage letting gravity provide the energy. And knowing that what went down must go back up. And it did. I had some success with lessening my effort. I still needed short blows on climbs. Joy was rejoining Saddle for a great old school hiking trail descent. Deep tree cover. Trail suffers from lack of water. 8.49 miles climbing 1345′, that’s 160′ per mile of ride, most rides are less than 100’/ mile. Except Olallie and Oleary. I didn’t take any pics.

Drove back down valley. Quinoa w/chicken salad dinner at KBs in Hailey. Drove out to Democrat Gulch for the night and staging for today’s ride. The aroma of a freshly squirted skunk permeated the air. Smells like the out of doors. Today the scent is still strong. Was there a second squirt?

Forecast for today was 30% showers in morning. I fixed and ate Sunday scratch pancakes while checking the sky for wetness. Sky was filled with possible rain clouds. I added my rain jacket to my pack. I pedaled away up Lamb’s gulch. Sprinkles started falling as I started the traversing climb and continued, never enough to put on my jacket. I rode here this spring when all was green, today is dried out brown.

Lambs, this spring hillside was all salsify green
lupine and salsify blooming, June

Climb is rewarded by descent. This pic is from other side of gulch looking down and up that descent

unnamed gulch descent of Lambs loop, thru the aspen

Amazing! I rode my entire ride of 9.87 miles climbing 1138′ all alone.

Spending the night here again. Internet 5 bar strong. Side door and driver’s window open. Light is attracting insects, not enough yet to block the 65 degree cooling night air. Camped at 5505′. Will close up just after I quit this.

So I was able to ride the Trade Route because I set my mind to it. My body would have preferred sitting in a chair in the shade. The effort was taxing no doubt. Mountain riding.

I have been working on travel plan to arrive in Spearfish on the 20th. My route will take me thru Yellowstone. I scored a camp ground site for the 12th. There are rides and places to visit between here and there. I will be rationing my time to meet these 2 dates.

time to put out the cat so to speak.