First Impressions: Sun Valley Trail Riding with Kyle Warner & Jason Lucas

Jul 25, 2019 at 13:06

by Pinkbike Originals

First Impressions: Sun Valley

Words & Video: Jason Lucas // Photography: Ray Gadd

To be honest, I knew nothing about Sun Valley, Idaho a month ago. However, as I flew in from Vancouver, eyes glued to the plane window, I could tell I was in for one hell of a treat. The massive mountain tops coupled with rolling hills had me immediately excited to build my bike and get pedalling.

I was lucky enough to be joined by Idaho resident Kyle Warner who has spent a fair amount of time up in the hills of Sun Valley. Together, we embarked on a massive day of riding and I was lucky enough to experience some of the best, high-speed singletrack that I have ever ridden. From backcountry epics to massive bike park laps we hit an incredible variety of trails. I know we only scratched the surface and that thought has me itching to go back already. If Sun Valley isn't on your bucket list, go ahead and put it on there. You won't be disappointed.

The pedal up Greenhorn to Imperial Gulch is filled with incredible views at every turn.

Sometimes you just need to stop and soak it all in... before dropping in.

It's easy to feel small out here.

Kyle was all smiles while leading me down.

Just a couple of vloggers.

The area around Alden Gulch fell victim to a massive forest fire years ago. The forest is still recovering but the contrast of the burnt trees and young growth is stunning.

The fresh re-route on the Alden Gulch trail is incredible. Shout out to the builders that made it happen.

There are a few trailside hits there if you want them.

How I felt after pedalling for many, many hours. Luckily, Bald Mountain is right in town and offers up a ton of vert for very little effort.

GoPro, on.

You want air? Mindbender has you covered.

Lefts and rights all day, baby.

Yeah, this place is rad.

Win a Mountain Bike Trip for 2 to Sun Valley:
Itching to visit Sun Valley? They're giving away a stacked trip for 2 to check the place out. Click here to enter.

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Sun Valley mountain biking trails

Presented by Visit Sun Valley.

This video was shot entirely on the GoPro Hero 7 Black.

Author Info:

pinkbikeoriginals

Member since Feb 15, 2012
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47 Comments

26 0

ace9 (Jul 29, 2019 at 12:05)

Rossignol?

shapethings (Jul 29, 2019 at 12:50)

looks good though! www.instagram.com/p/BzBggTthRQD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

12 3

DangOLDangus (Jul 29, 2019 at 12:50)

Rossignol purchased Felt Bikes and is now re-branding them with the Rossi name.

frenchlinesandfrenchfries (Jul 29, 2019 at 13:14)

Sure does! Rides even better: www.instagram.com/p/Bz--e58JMp_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

daugherd FL (Jul 29, 2019 at 13:15)

@DangOLDangus: Sweet. Thought the frames look familiar. Trails out there look rad.

10 0

kylechs5 (Jul 29, 2019 at 13:21)

@DangOLDangus: Yeah you are totally right about Felt being bought out about two years ago by Rossignol. This 140mm 29er bike I am on now is still in the prototype phase and is actually Rossignols first fully new bike. (never has been a felt) I am really excited to be working with them and they have been really cool and receptive to feedback. I think you will see some more new bikes trickling out over the next year or two. Their primary focus will be on making really fun to ride and durable ski resort rentals and fleet bikes.

ace9 (Jul 29, 2019 at 13:55)

@kylechs5: brilliant niche -- climate, increased media & exposure to summer resort biking along with fantastic new bikes and trails will have resorts all over pulling summer guests to ride. smart entry

withdignityifnotalacrity (Jul 29, 2019 at 13:56)

@kylechs5: that's an interesting niche. Bike looks sweet though, especially with that paint scheme..

CaMKii (Jul 29, 2019 at 17:25)

The MTB riders debating 65 vs 65.5 degree HT angles should fit right in with skiers debating 105 vs 108mm waists.

Jaybirdy (Aug 4, 2019 at 11:22)

Since when did BKXC sign with Rossignol & PitViper?!?!? ;p

10 0

cassiusclaim (Jul 29, 2019 at 14:22)

Where are the steeps and roots and rocks?

kylechs5 (Jul 29, 2019 at 14:29)

Not very many roots or rocks in the high desert of southern idaho. Northern Idaho has really good stuff with more gnarly terrain.

leelau (Jul 29, 2019 at 14:50)

It's buff, smooth, and literally if you see a root you're surprised. There's exceptions of course but you got to hunt for it. If you want tech you head further north to the Sawtooth Range.

meat (Jul 29, 2019 at 15:16)

MIA around those parts...lots of elevation though. Don't bring a big enduro rig, don't need it. SB130/140 type bike is almost over whipp'd

beartooth (Jul 29, 2019 at 18:00)

Really nothing at all hard around those parts. They definitely made the trails for the cranky 60 year old retirees. Some turd was chipping rocks away on one of the trails not long ago....

chillaxin (Jul 29, 2019 at 20:11)

@kylechs5: Bro, I gotta come visit you in Sun Valley... So much awesome trails there and I only got to ride what was part of the Enduro race some years ago. I can only imagine the other trails that you just showed.

clink83 (Jul 29, 2019 at 20:20)

@kylechs5: idaho sucks, don't come here.

clink83 (Jul 29, 2019 at 20:25)

Idaho's geology means a lot of the soils in the mountains are based off of decomposing granite...not a lot of rocks and the soil is highly erodeable.

chillaxin (Jul 30, 2019 at 2:33)

@clink83: Yeah, I feel like saying that to all the people that want to come to where I live but that's just the way it is... If it is good, people want it or try it...

clink83 (Jul 30, 2019 at 6:20)

@chillaxin: it's kind of a meme here due to the crazy population growth..i wasn't being serious.

Visicypher (Jul 30, 2019 at 17:13)

@kylechs5: that we do!!!!

redbarn (Jul 30, 2019 at 17:17)

Big bike terrain is in the backcountry outer loops, and we keep those locations to ourselves

. If you're cool & bring beer, it can be found...

12 5

Samuel-L-Jackson (Jul 29, 2019 at 13:20)

Idaho once. Went by the name Trixy. Spent all my money on her.

racecascadia (Jul 29, 2019 at 14:31)

Visit Sun Valley, nice feature! Makes us all the more excited to visit in September, and we're bringing a few friends

www.racecascadia.com/sunvalley

DangOLDangus (Jul 30, 2019 at 8:25)

@racecascadia So pumped you guys are coming to SV!

Bfreeskier (Jul 29, 2019 at 13:55)

Kyle, It sure looks way smoother and more flowy than Upper Bidwell back in Chico.

kylechs5 (Jul 29, 2019 at 14:28)

haha yeah, i miss the rocks sometimes though! Disk golf trail still gives me nightmares haha

mtnjamd (Jul 30, 2019 at 10:55)

Kyle rips and is super humble about it. Really nice to meet you Kyle. It was really fun riding with him and his crew in Sun Valley last month at Outerbike.
Super fun riding Greenhorn/Imperial on the Pivot Shuttle I demoed when we did the shuttle out there.
Hit me up anytime you're at Eagle Bike Park or elsewhere in Boise and we'll go out for a rip.

NickAgustin (Jul 30, 2019 at 3:48)

Did a ski season here on the lifts back in 2014/15. Such a cool town, good bars and great friendly locals. Did some mountain biking there after the ski season finished and then moved on to Big Sky Montana where I rode all summer.

srjacobs (Jul 30, 2019 at 9:35)

I can't believe in that entire video and article there was no mention of the Sun Valley segment from Roam with Shandro and Peaty. It's honestly one of the best segments in one of the best MTB films of all time... And all they do is rip down a bunch of super buff narrow single-track at mach chicken.

ReddyKilowatt (Jul 29, 2019 at 19:40)

The Grinder at Galena is the only thing that got remotely technical, and that's a stretch. The climb is brutal, but it was a good day. Croy Creek was a pleasant surprise. Still not technical, but nicely built trails. Kudos to those guys. Greenhorn is all about the distance, the vert, and the views.

sriracha (Jul 29, 2019 at 16:12)

Fact: there are no rocks in Sun Valley.

savagelake (Jul 29, 2019 at 18:04)

if anyone here goes to sun valley, spend a day at galena lodge area.u can also do a shuttle: up to titus lake, then down to galena lodge. there is a cafe and bike shop there.

ChrisNJ (Jul 29, 2019 at 18:12)

I'll be there for RPI next month and staying at Galena! Trying to find some good trails to ride the day before the event. You think the trails in this thread or in the galena area are better? Just something fun, flow, mellow. Not looking to kill myself before the race starts

And I'll have my hardtail.

savagelake (Jul 29, 2019 at 18:47)

@ChrisNJ: depends. galena is a trail system that u can just do laps and hit diff trails, requires shortish climbs. the resort has mellow trails, and some of the trails require a flat pedal back to the resort. if it was me, i'd do galena. have fun, and good luck!

ccmski (Aug 6, 2019 at 8:58)

Make sure to check out a mountain bike trip out of Coyote Yurt- amazing location and pedaling out the door to Osberg, Adams Rib, Esge of the World (upper Oregon)

tbmaddux (Jul 29, 2019 at 14:19)

How does Kyle see where he's going? His bike is always in the way.

kylechs5 (Jul 29, 2019 at 14:29)

Pitvipers reflect the trail into my eyeballs haha

optimumnotmaximum (Jul 30, 2019 at 0:11)

anyone old enough to remember peatys segment of roam ?

TobyCitret (Jul 31, 2019 at 17:42)

"The guys who built these trails are really good riders in their own right". Seriously? The lead builder is a ripper, and I'm pretty sure Randy Spangler helped on the the build

zazu218 FL (Jan 22, 2023 at 20:21)

Some of my personal favorite trails in that area are at a place called Galena's Lodge. Anyone who is up there should for sure check it out.

Archimonde (Jul 29, 2019 at 15:42)

GoPro mounted *through* a jersey. Wow, that's commitment =D

showmethemountains (Jul 29, 2019 at 16:22)

Bolted directly to the sternum. Kyle doesn't mess around

emack98 (Jul 30, 2019 at 13:42)

I was there in June on a guided trip and it was Incredible!

hospital (Jul 29, 2019 at 21:51)

Incredible stills. West is best!

kcj801 (Jul 29, 2019 at 15:34)

What did you guys pedal up to get to Alden's Gulch?

leguy (Jul 30, 2019 at 6:57)

the only way they got up there in an hour was to ride up Alden. Its 2:00 + to go up East Fork of Baker Creek over a portion of the Osberg and down Alden. Have more time? Ride up Lost Shirt, Osberg and down Alden. All great rides!