I decided last minute that maybe it wouldn't be such a crazy thing to go
hang out with the boyz in Idaho. Five hours of driving later, as I'm
cruising the trailer park next to the lake (not what it sounds likes, very
nice actually) I spot a pile of bikes next to a deck with three guys... this
must be the place!!  The freak is easy to pick out, he's the tallest, BB has
a beautiful Portland tan, and Paladin is placed by default.

The next morning, they had the pleasure of me arriving on the nose at the
pre-appointed time (planned out the night before)  pounding on the door, and
waking all up.   But at least I made the coffee . <g>  I'd been staying on
the other side of town at my friend's house.  We had a few more arrivals,
and were on our way soon up into the wilds of Idaho.  The trails have only
been open a few weeks (elv. 6500+) and part of the original route was still
too wet to ride, so we revised the plan.

We started with a soft climb up into the forest... and we're on our way.
Wonderful soft buff single track through the forest.... scattered boyscout
hikers encountered periodically, with a look of "hey, I wish that was me!!"
on their faces as we cruise by.  The SS freak is getting very high on life
on this ride, and it's only just begun.  rolling terrain, even tho we are in
the mountains.  There are bridges, creek crossing, the occasional yee-haw
technical section, boulder gardens, roots, sidehills,  more buff
singletrack... views of the mountains peeking thought every now and then...

I provide great entertainment for all by attempting to pop my front end onto
one of the many wooden bridges over a gully, and I nail it, only to not look
where I am going  and launch headfirst off my bike, into the willows, bike
on top of me.  I am really hoping Blaine did not video this part.

We cross a lovely grassy meadow, and take a lunch break at a lake with a
view.  There's some big boulders there, and the freak gives some amazing
demos at what he can do when he puts on his Hans Rey hat.  Then it's more
buff single track, and a hairy descent into a river canyon with a decomposed
granite , outsloped side hill trail with gnarly switchbacks.  One of our
guys (paladin's friend) biffs it pretty good, I go on ahead to let the wild
boys know there will be a delay as things get patched up ( cracked ribs
maybe, bent stem, flat tire).  Then the progress throughout the river canyon
is amazing - more single track mixed in with  climbs and technical goodies
that have everyone grinning. I take an amazing biff off the trail into a
large granite boulder  "thunk" as my helmet hits the rock... and aside from
granite dust embedded in my helmet, and a little scrape, I am in one piece.
Even tho we are heading upstream, the trail undulates with out a ton of
climbing.  We finish up up on an amazing high speed  single track runout
through the greem flower filled forest next to a river that looks like a
trout fisherman's dream...I feel the cobwebs, stress and all my cares just
blow away, and I realize what a truly awesome day it's been. I get bonus
points because I got a cooler, ice and beer packed for post-ride re
hydration.
Wow, we are all smiles and grins.

I had a blast, guys, thanks for the fun.  Even tho riding abilities were
mixed,  it never felt like a hurry up and wait. I think y'all appreciated
the opportunities to try the tricky stuff multiple times!!

On the way back into town, we miss the turn for the hot springs.   dang!! No
matter.
The next morning, the freak and I went for a little  ride in the State park
just down the road from the trailer where all the guys were staying.   Just
enough to loosen up. We got caught in a hailstorm,. and then afterwards, we
all  head back up to the hot springs, what an epic way to end a fantastic
weekend.

www.cet.com/~pennys/images/biking/idahohs.jpg
Paladin, thanks for being such a great host!!!!

penny s