[admiral]

An afterwork ride 3 of us TW riders took up 8th Street in the Boise Foothills (ronhbr-Ron, Mekdad-Ken and me). First part was single track trail. Second part was on the Boise Ridge complete with obstacles. Final part was our hasty retreat back with T-storm, gates, cars and ruts thrown in for good measure. After my initial fear of single track (think white knuckled death grip), I overcame it and had a blast. One of my best days of riding . . . this year . . . so far . . .





Ken and Ron during a break on the trail

Ken and me at the same spot

After leaving the trail portion, we rode a bit farther on the ridge road when we came upon some ATV riders at a forest road block

After some winching and tugging, the road was clear enough for passage. . . for a while. Eventually we ran into too much snow and turned around

We had many obstacles which made the ride very interesting

We saw a thunderstorm approaching and decided to head home. Of course there aren't many options to avoid the storms.

But Ron found a spot to sit out the storm. I renamed the porta-pottie too porta-shelter. Storm eventually passed, so we continued home.

Here's the single track trail video, video 1 of 3. First video is longer than I would normally post, but it was so much fun. After my death grip loosened that is!

 

[admiral]

Riding the ridge road. 2 of 3

And our hasty retreat. 3 of 3

Hope you enjoy!

 

[Roninboise]

This was an excellent adventure and no matter how the Admiral describes his single track riding skills, I think he has been sand bagging because part of the trail was as challenging as anything I would attempt and he was the Master of it. This is the kind of riding we have here in the Boise area. Ken and I left from my back door and rode 5 miles through town to the start of this adventure. Thanks for the great report.



Happy Trails All



Ron in Boise

 

[B-dub]

Now I can breathe a big sigh of relief. I was starting to get worried. I love your ride reports, but last I heard your camera had been "tuned up" to no avail. This was definitely worth the wait. Looks like an awesome ride. I also especially enjoyed the single track, and looks like you had some good company, too. The videos were great; I like how you include your commentary in them. Thanks so much for sharing this!

 

[Rainman]

Looks like you guys had a nice ride. Your single track ride sure looks like something I'd enjoy. The width of the trail looks wider than most single track I've ridden, which is very cool. One wrong move on that side hill and you're in for a wild ride!



Ahhh, spring time adventure riding. I love to see the remnants of the past winter's destruction. I encounter quite a few downed trees on my early spring rides as well. I can usually get around them, and a few weeks later they are usually cut up and removed by good samaritans who have room to carry a chainsaw.

 

[JohnV]

Admiral, you sure know how to make a (luckily not for long anymore) bikeless man jealous.



John

 

[mekdad]

Admiral and Ron thank you for fun ride. I had a blast. Thank you for putting the ride report together Admiral. I would like to go again sometime just to see Ron run off and leave me behind. That was a great trail to get back in to the swing of things again. I had not riden single track in about 4 years,and it felt great! Thanks again guys.



We will have to get another group together for a ride.

Ken

 

[Gerry]

We don't often see you in the woods Kris, how far do you have to drive? Some more nice videos and single trac no less. Nice to ride with folks you can trust. To me, single trac can hold lots of unknowns, going with experienced like minded folk can offer more than a modicum of comfort. More than once have I allowed myself to follow someone that claimed to "know" the trail. Turned out my 'guide'only knew someone that knew someone that rode the trail and it turned out lots different than it was presented. Boy was I pissed. Likely one reason I ride alone. Take care and stay safe. Gerry

 

[Rohnsman]

Thanks for the video... makes me happy I wasn't invited on this one. (Yikes!) My skills aren't quite up to what I see here. It's also awkward when you're the slowest guy in the group. Either you ride up at the front so as not to get forced to ride faster than your comfort level (while the other more skilled riders who are behind you think they're gone riding with "granny"), or you bring up the rear and either feel stressed trying to keep up with a pace that's over your comfort level or you ride at your own speed and get left so far behind that you wonder if you went down the coyotes would pick your bones before the rest of the group realized you weren't back there somewhere.

I gotta give it to Admiral though... when we've gone riding, he tolerates my slower pace quite nicely.



Glad you guys had a fun ride and all came home with bones and bikes intact.

 

[lower al]

Thank for the videos an pictures.Makes me want to get off the tractor an ride the tw on the weekends

 

[admiral]

Admiral describes his single track riding skills, I think he has been sand bagging Thanks for the great report.



Happy Trails All



Ron in Boise

Guess I can't complain about single tracks much anymore. Great rides make great ride reports, thanks a ton for the adventure(s)!

but last I heard your camera had been "tuned up" to no avail.

Thanks to a co-worker, he loaned me his Contour. I've used it several times and really like it. I even made a permanent camera mount on both of my helmets to accommodate the contour so I don't have to mess with the goggle mount. Pain if you take off your helmet a lot like I do! I think my next "action camera" will be a contour. Glad you enjoyed!

The width of the trail looks wider than most single track I've ridden, which is very cool. One wrong move on that side hill and you're in for a wild ride!

I was surprised at how wide the trail was myself. Almost ATV width, but not quite. With how wide it was, it did make "trail negotiation" a bit better. Pre-ride, I was worried about the side hill stuff, hence my hesitation for the whole single track riding thing. In the end, I was way to focused to even pay attention! But one still has to be careful, I saw a video from someone else on the same trail, upper portion, and they met motorcycles coming from the other direction. The first oncoming rider took a plunge off the trail. Nobody got hurt and good thing it wasn't in a steep portion! I think you would enjoy this trail a lot!

Admiral, you sure know how to make a (luckily not for long anymore) bikeless man jealous.



John

I hope you get one soon too so you can start sharing your ride adventures. I need to live my "European Vacation" through others like yourself!

I had a blast.

Ken

That about says it all. I'm still smiling from the ride. I'll look forward to some "South Hills" rides together in the future!

We don't often see you in the woods Kris, how far do you have to drive? Nice to ride with folks you can trust.

Because of old man winter, I'm relegated to treeless rides down here in the valley until the snow melts. It was kind of nice getting into some "timber" on this ride.

Generally, I have to go about 1-2 hours to get into the woods. Can't wait for summer!



Ron no doubt has a ton more experience than me on trails. He does a good job in briefing the riders of not only where we are going, but also what the trail is like. I know he can go faster than me, but I don't think it bothers him too much going a bit slower for the less experienced, like me. Before every ride I've taken with him he mentions "everyone has a throttle, use it". Meaning go your own pace.

Thanks for the video... makes me happy I wasn't invited on this one. (Yikes!) My skills aren't quite up to what I see here.



I gotta give it to Admiral though... when we've gone riding, he tolerates my slower pace quite nicely.

If you ever want to get some trail practice to better your skills, give me a call. Danskin OHV is a good place. It's not a beginner system, but much of it is way easier than this foothill trail. However, I'm quite satisfied riding the logging roads with you anytime!

Thank for the videos an pictures.Makes me want to get off the tractor an ride the tw on the weekends

'Bama, I'll do my part in encouraging you to trade your big tractor for the two wheel tractor . . . for the weekends! I would never encourage someone to play hookie from work or school just to go for a TW ride. Or would I? Giggle.