Next Exit // Episode 1: Sun Valley, IdahoEpisode 1: Sun Valley, Idaho might be best known for the first chairlift, but the small town on the edge of the Sawtooth National Forest has slowly become a biking mecca. In 1988, the area hosted the NORBA National Finals, but the fame was short lived. A steady evolution of mountain bike enthusiasts and committed community members has since led to 400-plus miles of singletrack right out of town, lift accessed trails on Bald Mountain and the Ride Sun Valley Bike Festival, a weekend of epic racing and unparalleled good times.
Sun Valley: Bald Mountain biking trailsSeries Description: Next Exit is a series dedicated to exploring communities around North America that have embraced the mountain bike lifestyle. Small towns are dreaming big when it comes to the issues that surround our sport, from tourism to advocacy to land management. Their efforts are redefining what a mountain town can be, keeping our culture—and trails—alive and well.
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Next Exit is co-produced by Freehub Magazine and Teton Gravity Research in association with SCOTT Bikes, Visit Sun Valley, 10 Barrel Brewing and evo.
Photos: Paris Gore
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Take a stop at Hood River and ride Post Canyon if you go that way. Pretty epic rides there too!
Take Galbraith or Post over SV any day.
Here in Moscow, we have tons of great singletrack on Moscow Mountain. Some XC, some flow, a good bit of Enduro/All Mountain, and even a (small) bit of DH. October's generally great, with a bit of moisture to keep the dust down, and cooler temperatures. Bring a jacket, but I generally ride through at least mid-November without issue.
And you should absolutely go to McCall, and ride Jug Mountain. Brundage will probably have their lift access closed by then, but that's no great loss. It's a great ski hill, that hasn't really invested in MTB trail building.
Jug Mountain has some of the most fun trails I've ever ridden. Great flow on trails like Berm & Ernie, plus really well though-out DH. Each run is only a couple miles, but if you sign up for the shuttle, you can get about 10 laps in a morning and early afternoon. October is McCall's shoulder/off season, so you can probably stay someplace very nice for not too much $$.
Nothing new there