6/4 Ride - Military Reserve

This next Monday's ride will be through various trails at Military Reserve. Plan on meeting at the parking lot across from the dog park (Fort Boise Park) near the baseball field (nearest cross roads - Mountain Cove Rd and Reserve St) to be on the trail by 6:30. Bring your favorite snack and beverage to enjoy in the park after the ride.

For more information on the Military Reserve area - see http://ridgetorivers.cityofboise.org/Trails/SelectAreaDescriptions/page30448.aspx .

Hope to see everyone there!

Redtail Ridge Loop 5/21

5/21 Ride - Redtail Ridge Loop

It should be low 80's and sunny this Monday so everyone should come out for a great ride!

We will be riding a variation of the Redtail Ridge Loop. It is singletrack, not too technical, but definitely has some climbs to it (do-able for everyone). We will start on the trail by 6:30 and then will head to the Hidden Springs Mercantile afterwards for a refreshing beverage for anyone interested.

Directions: This ride is immediately north of Hidden Springs. Hidden Springs can be reached via Seaman's Gulch Road (the road to the Ada County landfill). Take Seaman's over the top of the foothills (about 4 miles or so), turn right on Dry Creek Road. Follow that a couple miles and you should see the Current Creek trailhead parking lot on the right.

Great Ride - Seaman's Gulch

5/14 Ride - Seaman's Gulch Loop

Next Monday (5/14) we will be riding the Seaman's Gulch Loop. As it's still early in the season, we thought we'd utilize this fun, but short and sweet ride. For riders wanting to go longer, we'll be splitting into two groups again, so there will be an option to mix things up a bit. Plan on arriving prior to 6:30 as we will start up the trail at that time.

Following the ride, we will head to the Pizzelchick patio for some yummy food/beverages (corner of state street and Glenwood) for those interested.

Directions: Follow Hill Road west of Boise past Gary Lane until you come to an intersection with Seaman’s Gulch Road and Hill Road Parkway. Bear right on the main paved road and follow signs to Hidden Springs. At .9 miles from this junction, turn right into a parking area and trailhead. The ride starts here.

Additionally, after two years of attending Trek's Dirt Series camps we've learned some very valuable skills, and would like to pass on the knowledge (and keep ourselves refreshed!). In an effort to avoid overwhelming beginners, we've decided to implement a "Weekly Skill Check" for each Monday's ride. This will be one pointer or tip every week on the technical aspects of mountain biking. Each week we'll learn a new skill and really focus on that particular skill during the ride. This week's Weekly Skill Check is the dynamics of BRAKING. Here are a few things to think about when braking:

• Remember to only use ONE finger when braking (the pointer finger). Keep this finger on the brake lever at all times (even when riding uphill).
• The front brake is the majority of your braking power, so the key is to use it properly. Ideally, both brakes should be utilized 50/50, although when learning, it's common to use 60% back brake (right hand) and 40% front brake to avoid the dreaded endo from grabbing too much front brake.
  
• Braking should be done in modulation in a gentle feathering or pulsing motion. Do NOT grab or squeeze your brakes. 
• If you are skidding your bike, you are braking wrong, most likely using too much rear brake. Practice rolling down a STEEP hill very slowly with no skids.
• When approaching a corner or berm, it's ideal to brake before entering the turn, not during. You'll have to plan ahead and judge the speed you'll need to carry you through the corner. Braking correctly for corners is very technical, and even pro riders have to work every day to perfect this. A good strategy is to use more front brake when approaching the corner for a quicker slowing motion, and if you have to brake while in the corner, utilize your back brake at that point.
  
• Your brakes can be adjusted to feel harder or squishier. Also, the amount of reach in your brake levers can also be adjusted for easier, more comfortable braking. If you have small or large hands, chances are you'll want to adjust the lever. Let us know if you have ANY questions on how to make these adjustments. All you'll need is a basic multi-tool (which everyone should carry anyway!).

Great Turn-Out!

Do-over - 5/7 Ride Eagle Bike Park

Let's try this again ladies. It looks like the weather will cooperate with us this Monday. It is currently forecasted to be 72 degrees and sunny!! :)

EAGLE BIKE PARK

For our first ride (weather permitting) we will hit up the Eagle Bike Park "Junkyard Trail". It is definitely one of the easier rides in Boise - short and sweet - and will be a nice way to ease our biking legs into the season. It also has plenty of other fun biking things to do for those who are feeling super energetic that day.

We will be splitting up into two groups, a beginner and an intermediate group. The intermediate riders will do a longer (but still pretty mellow) trail while the beginner group will stick with the short and sweet trail and will make some time during the ride to answer questions, stretch our legs if needed, and work on basic riding skills.

Plan on arriving prior to 6:30 as both groups will start up the trail at that time.

Directions: From State Street, head North on "N Horseshoe Bend Road". This is the road just east of Highway 55 (right by WINCO). Stay on this road for a few miles and you will see the park to your right. You can also type in "Idaho Velodrome and Cycling Park" into mapquest to get directions. The park website is at http://eaglebikepark.org/visiting/maps/ which also has directions.

We will provide brats, hotdogs, buns, and condiments as well as some champagne for after the ride. Feel free to bring some food/snacks/drinks to throw into the mix if you'd like. There is a nice covered picnic area we like to take over.

Let us know if you think you can make it. Hope to see everyone there!