Riding In Idaho

[PlanetU]

Hi Idaho-ans!

We'll be traveling in and around and through your beautiful state in mid June, with no particular route or itinerary... or, for that matter, any idea on where the best places for cycling may be.

Any and all suggestions would be welcome. We're open to anything and everything! On and off road riding!
:-)

Thanks in advance!
Deb

[twobikes]

I live in Caldwell northwest of Boise about 35 miles. I have posted some favorite routes at www.bikely.com (http://www.bikely.com). I used the same screenname there that I use here. Recently I extended my ride to Roswell as far as Adrian, Oregon (54 miles round trip). I also recently used my route north out of Caldwell to go all the way to Emmett and back (52 miles round trip).

There are something like 14 wineries in the greater Caldwell area, most of which have some visitor facilities. You can Google "Idaho wineries." The scenery is great, although we are getting more and more atmospheric haze on sunny days. Depending on how many miles you are up to doing, you could go out from Caldwell to Ste. Chapelle (my favorite winery), and then on to Marsing. Ride southeast along the Snake River south of the river to Givens Hot Springs and take a nice swim in naturally hot waters. Then go on to Walters' Ferry. There is a kitchy museum there and it has some historical significance.

Some of the routes I use are very flat. But, you can quickly get into hills of various severity. The road surfaces are asphalt, often of the slightly jarring chipseal variety. There will be a few farm dogs intent on chasing. Most of the countryside is farm country, but with more and more housing springing up in every location. Restroom facilities and places to buy refreshments are not frequently found in many places, so some planning is helpful.

You might want to know where to find an LBS. A-line just opened in Caldwell. It is small and specializes in BMX. Cafferty's in Nampa is a Specialized dealer. Beyond those, you would need to go to Meridian (Meridian Cycles, Westby's) or to Boise where there are several shops that can handle just about anything.

Others will have favorite riding areas and routes. If you choose to ride between the north and south ends of the state, you are pretty much stuck with riding by way of Hwy. 95. I have seen people touring by means of that road, but it is 2 lane with a 65 mph speed limit many places. There is some shoulder where you can ride, but you are still mixing it up with trucks and cars.

There is an old railbed converted to a MUP that runs from Weiser to Council, which would be about 50 miles.

I have found Idaho drivers to be very courteous to cyclists. I always move as far to the right as possible. The drivers reciprocate by going into the left lane to give me loads of room. I always wave at drivers and most wave back, if they did not wave at me first. When I got my new bike I had to stop several times and adjust the front derailleur. Three complete strangers stopped and asked me if I needed a ride back to town.

[twobikes]

Let me add a piece of essential information. Many of our mosquitos carry West Nile Virus. The season is just about to begin. Wear a good repellant in which Deet is a working ingredient.

[s2cycle]

How long does the mosquito season last? We're dong Ride Idaho in August. I suppose they'll still be out then? Here's a link to their route. It might give some ideas of rides too... http://www.rideidaho.org/route.asp

Sheila

[PlanetU]

Thanks for the great info!
How BAD are the mosquitos? Last year we were in Whistler, BC and felt like we were eaten alive!!! We did use DEET, but obviously it sweats off as do other repellants!

Deb

[twobikes]

Mosquitos are out and around from about now until the very end of the summer. It is very much possible to go out and ride several hours without seeing a single mosquito. Standing water where the mosquitos breed is the big problem. Those areas can come where you least expect them. There are a lot of public service announcements for people to drain any standing water from their property. There is mosquito abatement spraying in urban areas. Public health officials also urge people always to wear repellant when going outdoors, even for a few minutes. There are about 1,000 reported cases of West Nile Virus infections in Idaho each year. Estimates are that the actual number is higher. Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito never even suspect they have contracted it and show no problems. Some experience flu like symptoms for a few days and recover with no lasting effects. A few are more severely affected and may awaken the morning after to find themselves paralyzed. Recovery is long, slow, and expensive. Last year there were actually something like 18 human fatalities in Idaho due to West Nile Virus. Horses can also contract West Nile Virus. It has been moving westward across the nation for the last several years.

[twobikes]

How long does the mosquito season last? We're dong Ride Idaho in August. I suppose they'll still be out then? Here's a link to their route. It might give some ideas of rides too... http://www.rideidaho.org/route.asp

Sheila

About a month ago I drove to a conference in Lava Hot Springs. The scenery from Pocatello south and east to Lava Hot Springs is breathtaking. A month ago there was still some snow on the tops of the mountains. That will be gone by August. I am not so familiar with that part of the state.

There is a lot of mountain biking in the foothills above Boise, too.

[twobikes]

Here is some more official information on West Nile Virus in Idaho: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/manage_issues/wnv/

The previous post is things I remember from various news reports.

[twobikes]

Here is a web site on the trail from Weiser to Council. It is 84 miles in length. http://www.railtrails.org/newsandpubs/trailofthemonth/archives/0608.html

[unixpro]

Sounds like Caldwell's grown up a bit. I went to the Wonderful CofI in the late 70s and Caldwell was pretty much a Simplot company town. Meridian was not much more than a wide spot in the road you passed on your way to Boise.

If you end up in the Caldwell/Nampa area, be sure to check out Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. It's a lake on the Western Flyway for migratory birds, and it's very nice. Or, at least it was when I worked out there :)

[twobikes]

Sounds like Caldwell's grown up a bit. I went to the Wonderful CofI in the late 70s and Caldwell was pretty much a Simplot company town. Meridian was not much more than a wide spot in the road you passed on your way to Boise.

If you end up in the Caldwell/Nampa area, be sure to check out Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. It's a lake on the Western Flyway for migratory birds, and it's very nice. Or, at least it was when I worked out there :)

Simplot still casts a long shadow over Caldwell, although there has been some downsizing. Meridian and Eagle are now a megopolis that has fused together with Boise for all practical purposes. Very little open country is left between Meridian and Boise along I-84. I-84 is going to 3 lanes in both directions and will be that way all the way to Caldwell in the future.

I think Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is pretty much unchanged. A lot of folks cycle out near Lake Lowell.

I know there are other BF'ers from Idaho. I was hoping some others would post about routes and riding conditons in their areas.

One more note for cycling visitors to Idaho--we have goat's head thorns. Often they have blown onto the roadway, so, staying out of the brambles does not guarantee avoiding them. I have Armadillos on my road bike and keep Slime in the tubes.

[Rollfast]

Well, the earlier posters should be around here by now and I hope they are carefully enjoying themselves...it's quite the time for traffic mishaps.

I wonder if they made the memorial touring race for Bob Le Bow?

[EvoFX]

o man this is awesome! i am going to school in nampa and looking to bringing my bike up to write some trails.

also when does the boise bike exchange happen? i remember i went back to California for a week and it was around march or so

[PlanetU]

We're in Ketchum - and got some great advice re mountain biking? Any suggestions for an 70-90 mile road ride?
:-)