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| Oregon Gulch |
We woke up the next morning and ate some eggs and bagels for breakfast. We/I wanted to do a big ride today and honestly anything in the SV area would normally be a big ride due to the length and elevation of most of the trails. After suiting up and loading the bikes, we headed into Ketchum to get some tubes and ask the local bike guys what ride we should do. The guy at Sturtos suggested Oregon Gulch, which was the ride we had been eyeing. Perfect. At the trailhead, we finished packing and fitting the bikes. I was riding my 09 stumpjumper comp, the boys were on my fleet of hardtail ironhorses (thanks adam and greg) and Joel was on his Rocky Mountain hardtail. (sorry joel i cant remember what it is. Slayer...?) We set off on rolling terrain for a few miles before beginning the 1st of 3 uphill slogs. Once Joel met us at the top, (he was riding a downhill bike) we proceeded to bomb down the hill. And I proceeded to clip a stump and go barreling into the bushes. At the bottom, we opened into a meadowy gulch (note that a gulch is something in between a ravine and a canyon or was it a gorge and a valley).
After a steady uphill climb for maybe 2 miles, we began the longest slog to the top of Oregon Gulch. Lets just say that we were all exhausted at the top and facing serious caloric deficit. I passed around some fruit leathers and a little powerbar. We each put on our shells and awaited Joel's arrival. Not long after Joel crested the final switchback and we all collapsed onto the ground to rest, eat and hydrate. Andrew, Lange and Patrick had only carried 20oz bottles and were quickly running out. Time to get back to the car we thought. We each picked our way down the rocky trail and regrouped every few miles to make sure we hadn’t lost anyone. At the bottom of Oregon Gulch, we all noticed a loud hissing coming from Patrick’s wheel. Yes, another flat tire for P-Moran. After fixing that, with a tube that was too small. My bad! We headed up Fox Creek trail for a “short” 200 ft climb, but it sure didn’t feel like it. Once we were all together at the top, we were all starving and thirsty. My hydration bladder was nearly empty and the rest of the boys had run out of water shortly before. We each high tailed it down the final section of single track with was the best of the whole day. Open Flowy Fast. At the car, we pillaged Andrew’s car for food, devouring a multitude of oranges and a bag jerky. The beers we had stashed in the car were left untouched as Andrew and Patrick attempted to raid the Sun Valley Ski Team’s training gym in search of water. In the end, they were foiled by some deceptive green hurdles that posed as a garden hose. Once loaded and partially refueled, one party headed to the store for chocolate milk, while Joel and I tried to navigate back to the condo.
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| Top of Oregon Gulch |
After finally being refueled, rehydrated and re-rested, we headed out to poach some tub. The condo’s hot tub was temporarily closed till the winter season so we thought it far to borrow the neighboring condo’s outdoor tub. Once all the leaves were removed, we submerged our bike-worn bodies into the liquid goodness. The rest of the night was followed with Wasatch Beer, steak and football. We slept like rocks. Well I cant speak for Lange and Patrick….
(side note: I am in constant pursuit to find the world’s greatest pumpkin ale and Wasatch Brewery in now in fierce contention with Coeur d’Alene’s brew. If you have a potential winner, please let me know).
UNT
Bryan
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