Sun Valley 2012

Almost all the boys made the pilgrimage to Sun Valley a few weeks ago. While Adam was in Los Angeles and Patrick was in Norway, Andrew and I made the haul from Portland, Lange and JoJo made the longer trek from Bellingham and Sean and John made a mere jaunt from SLC.

Without our resident photographer this year, the picture quality was sub par and sparse. This year we actually hit a cold front with day time temps in the low 50s and nights in the teens. Many more layers were worn and promptly shed with two good and lengthy rides in the mountains outside Ketcham, ID.

On this trip we did the Greenhorn/Imperial Gulch loop and a lollipop loop via Red Warrior Creek. Many beers were drank and succulent food consumed. Laughs were had at everyone's expenses. Fitness was attained.

We ended up taking a more leisurely approach to the weekend since four of the party basically pulled all nighters. The last day was spent eating a large breakfast and tickling some trout, aka fishing. Get your head out of the gutter.

Here are the photos that were taken:

UNT

Bryan

The most impressing stunt of the weekend. Joelman pulls a one-handed wheelie while drinking a beer.

Cute couple. Even Andrew cant bear to watch.

Probably the best trailhead in the area. Greenhorn Gulch 

The man, the myth, the legend.

Promptly before crossing Warm Spring River/Creek and having icy toes for hours.

Navigating

Sean always looks angry

Mars Ridge

R-L: Lange, Andrew and Joelman

Andrews full suspension 29er at 8,000ft+

Promptly after suiting up at the trailhead, we were all faced with a frigid knee deep river ford in 40 degree temps. On the way, back we each took an attempt at riding it. Here is Joelman's spectacular fail.

Always gotta end with the food pics!

Thanks Lange!

Food Coma!

Deschutes River Trail - The Gorge Section

I've wanted to do this ride for a few years now, but the distance from Portland always turned me off. That combined with not know which bike to bring. Cross or mountain. What pushed me over the edge though was the recent birthday present of a fly rod and waders. Now I had two excuses to head out to the Deschutes River.

I finally settled on the cross bike with 32x700 tires. In the end, this was more than enough. Definitely should have brought a little lube since the trail was so dusty. The only thing I was worried about once I got on my way were goatheads. The tire poppers from Hell! Luckly, I didnt get a flat till I pulled my bike outta the car that evening. Those are the best kinds of flats.

My goal was to ride out to the Harris Homestead then turn around and do a little fly fishing when I got back. The trail/road was in very good condition. Mostly doubled track, but only one track was used significantly so it was pretty much singletrack :)

Lots of rafters, drift boaters, power boaters and fly fisherpeople out on the river. I would love to come back in the spring and do a bike packing trip and fly fish.

Another thing to note is that since this section of the river is very popular for raft-in/boat-in camping. There are a hand full of pit toilets along the ride. One came in very handy!

Here are my photos.

Lots of groups camping along the way

One of two abandoned rail cars and the stead

Got a little bumpy, but most people appeared to ride in the center, which actually worked out pretty well.

Harris Family Homestead with Orchard. Early 1900s

Same view years and years later. 

End of the road for me. Water tower for the trains. Fed by a natural spring up on the ridge