Explore Sun Valley, Idaho, on Your Mountain Bike With These Tips
Sun Valley in Idaho is a mountain biker’s dream as it has a variety of biking trails and terrains. And the trails will lead you to magical places you never thought to exist in this world. The best part is the Sun Valley Resort is equipped with a lift that will take you to the top of the mountain, and the ride down will give you an adrenaline rush.
If you are visiting Idaho, here are the best ways to explore Sun Valley on your mountain bike.
Bike Shop
When visiting Sun Valley, you must be well-acquainted with the local bike shops. This will make it easy for you to access repair services, and in case you don’t have some riding gear, you can get them at an affordable price. And if you do not bring your bike along, you can rent a new electric mountain bike.
Lift Access
If you want to bike on the trails on Bald Mountain in Sun Valley, you can access the lift at Sun Valley Resort. This allows you to enjoy the panoramic views of Idaho’s highest peaks and bask in the cool temperatures of Bald Mountain.
The best part about taking the lift to the top is that it eliminates much leg work and makes it easy to bring your bike along. Besides, you will have rested enough for the descent to get your heart and arms pumping as you navigate the trails downhill.
However, the ride down is best suited for an experienced cycler as it involves tackling turns, rollers, and jumps. This is because you’ll have to perform some tricks as you ride. The ride down the mountain is arguably the longest trail in North America.
You must understand that lift access is limited to certain times of the year, with the best month being from July to September. And opens at 9 am and closes at 4 pm. You are sensitized to stay on marked trails to avoid endangering your life and that of others. And the best part is they have people on patrol to monitor the tracks and provide assistance.
Pump Tracks
If you have kids, you can experience the pump track. The most popular pump track in Sun Valley is located at Quigley Trails Park in Hailey. The track is made of dirt, clay rollers, and berms. It’s a great place for kids to showcase their riding skills and develop their off-road bike riding skills. The pump track is also suitable for adults as it gives them room to advance their riding skills.
Bike Park
You cannot leave Sun Valley without visiting the Alpine Bike park, which the Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department constructed. The parking lot is owned by the Blaine County School District. The park consists of a pump park, a rest area, trees, benches, and shrubs. All these amenities make riding fun, as you can go with friends and families. Check online for their upcoming events and pay in advance.
Guided Experience
Losing track in the mountains is easy as you get sucked into your riding experience and nature. And the next time you check your watch, it’s evening and in an unfamiliar place. Avoid getting lost by hiring the services of a guide. And the best part is they know all the unique and fun places to go biking. Besides, they will help you avoid choosing trails based on your cycling experience and lead you to less crowded trails for optimal riding experience.
Biking Trails
Many trails in Sun Valley are suitable for bikers of all levels. Do note that Electric mountain bikes are only allowed on designated trails as they are classified together with motor vehicles. Some of the tracks you can explore while on your vacation in Sun Valley, Idaho, include:
Bald Mountain Trails: Many biking trails within Bald Mountain consist of downhill and cross-country trails. The tracks are ideal for intermediate and advanced mountain bikers as the trails have rugged terrain. Hikers and runners also share the same trails, so ride carefully to avoid accidents. The routes include:
Lupine trail: It is about 2.1 miles long free-ride trail and is purely downhill.
Broadway Trail: It is about 2.2 miles long cross-country trail.
Mindbender Trail: This free-ride trail is 3.5 miles long. It is best suited for intermediate and advanced riders as it involves making jumps.
Warm Springs Trail is about 8.3 miles long, best suited for cross-country biking. The track is best suited for experienced riders.
Mountain Biking Trails Etiquette
When mountain biking in Sun Valley, you are advised to adhere to trail etiquette for the safety of everyone. These include:
Ride on open trails: When riding on the trails, especially on Bald Mountain, you are advised to stay on the open and marked trails. This also applies when riding on other trails. Ensure you are not trespassing into private or federal properties, as you could face criminal charges.
The trails are multipurpose: You must understand that some courses are shared with hikers, horses, and dirt bikers. So, when riding, you must always give way to avoid quarrels and accidents. The best practice is placing one foot on the ground when giving way to hikers. But when giving way to a horse, you must stand on the downhill side to prevent the horse from tripping and rolling downhill.
Collect your trash: It’s always good to keep our environment clean. So if you eat any snacks, collect all the wrapping, place them in your pockets or carry-on bags, and then dump them in the trash bin at the exit.
Control: Ensure your cycling skills are perfect, as you’ll stay in control and correctly maneuver the bike when you come across people.
Protective gear: While having fun, remember to wear your helmet, gloves, and knee & elbow pads.
The Best Time to Visit Sun Valley
Once the snow has melted and surfaces are dry, you can hop on your mountain bike and start exploring the various trails in Sun Valley. If you visit the tracks south of Sun Valley, Hailey, you can do it around April. The trails around Ketchum are open from June, and the elevated trails in the Mountains from early July. Check the website for when the trails open and close throughout the year.
Final Thoughts
Sun Valley is every Mountain Biker’s dream, as it’s littered with biking trails suitable for every cycling level. If you plan a trip with Sun Valley as your destination, you must take advantage of your mountain bike and the tips discussed in this article to explore Sun Valley, Idaho.
