Bikes, mountains and hot springs. Seems like the perfect way to celebrate a 65th birthday and the fact that both of us as of August 1st will be covered under Medicare.
In early August we’re headed back out west for a 500+ mile self supported “Spokes and Soaks” spin on Adventure Cycling’s Idaho Hot Springs route. The highest point on the route is 8,750 feet and it includes 42,520 feet of climb. Also hoping we don’t have to reroute our ride due to Idaho wildfire activity (something we are closely monitoring). In that case we wait for the fires to get under control and I guess it turns into a “Suds and Spuds” tour with bevvies and taters until we are underway.
Although Nevada boasts the most hot springs in North America, many are not “soakable” as the water is too hot. So Idaho it is, for the state with the highest number of hot springs in which you can rest a tired, old cyclist body. Apparently there are 40 backcountry underdeveloped hot springs on the route. Perfect for this grandpa and grandma.
The plan is to fly our bikes as checked baggage to Boise. Adventure Cycling’s even made it easy with the Boise spur which leads right to the route.
We’ll ride it counter clockwise and plan on relaxed, low mileage days so we can explore hot springs and Idaho towns of Ketchum, Stanley, McCall, Cascade and Idaho City. In addition to hot springs, we expect to see abundant wild life, spectacular mountain and river views and apparently the route is speckled with ghost towns, abandoned mines and our nation’s very first ski lift.
The last time we were in Idaho together was Red Rock Pass on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Seems like ages ago but it’s been just three years since we completed that ride.
And we use the same pack list most every time we go on tour however this time the we’ll throw our SPOT, bear spray and water filter in the bag.
Cheers to The Gem State and Happy Birthday to me! *wink
If you’d like to see what the tour looked like day-to-day on the IHS route, click here. Future cyclists note: if you’re going in August, reconsider.
Keep Calm and Pedal On 