Well for our first ride in Ketchum we went with Adams Gulch. Probably not the
best choice for the first ride in a new area, but hey it can only get easier
from here on out......er...Maybe???



The ride description in the Guide Book stated that you had to have a positive
attitude before starting this ride or don't even go. It mentioned something
about Abusive too, but hey I am always positive so let's roll. The elevation
gain was only 2400ft roughly and 14 miles per the trail guide.



We find throughout the week that the elevation gain listed in the guide book is
not always accurate. Neither are Bike Computers that show elevation gain and
maybe GPS's though I do lean more to accepting the numbers from the GPS after it
has been downloaded to TOPO later that night.



We ended up with 18 riders this trip and of the group only Chris and maybe Steve
rode this trail before.



When we pulled into the parking lot it was packed with cars. Some bike riders,
but mainly hikers and trail runners, everyone was really cool.



The trail starts out with a creek crossing right out of the parking lot, then
several smooth rolling hills through the trees for a few miles before we come
out to a road where we would all regroup. I ran sweep with my Dad and Chris
Alef took the lead, Thanks Chris.



My Dad came down from Grand Forks, North Dakota to ride the trails with us. It
was a great excuse for him to come back to Idaho and see his parents as well.



The starting Elevation is around 6000ft and would eventually climb to 8000ft.
This starting elevation was hard on everyone, climbs you could easily sprint
over back home are now a chore to climb or you end up walking it. I heard that
comment many times for some strong climbers.



http://hawkens.members.winisp.net/mtb/Sun-Valley/ag/P6250001.JPG



It was slow going and having Ghost Shifting issues along with the swarms of
mosquito's was not helping my positive attitude. I really did have my bike
serviced prior to this trip, so I'd have a trouble free ride.



After many stops to address my shifting issues we finally arrived at the road to
regroup. It looked like pushing on to the top would not be in the cards for my
Dad, so I asked Chris if he wouldn't mind leading the group that still wanted to
do the full loop. I would take the shorter loop with my Dad along anyone else
that wasn't up for the longer route.



John was running Sweep now for the larger group, so I handed off my radio to
him, since we had another one with us. Thanks John.



There were a few that would decide at the next intersection if they would push
on or take the short loop.



From here we had a short jeep road section to ride then back on single trail.
When we arrived at the next intersection no one was waiting. I guess it will
just be the two of us riding the short loop.



Maybe those that pushed on to the top can fill in the void in my ride report of
how much fun the full loop was or not. It doesn't sound like the locals ride
the full loop at all, we found this out later in the week, when talking to a few
of them in town or at bikes shops.



A bit more climbing and we finally came out of the tree's to great views, Sun
and smooth fun trails, then more climbing. It was around 80 now, but the slight
breeze made it very comfortable to be out in the Sun.



http://hawkens.members.winisp.net/mtb/Sun-Valley/ag/P6250003.JPG



http://hawkens.members.winisp.net/mtb/Sun-Valley/ag/P6250005.JPG



http://hawkens.members.winisp.net/mtb/Sun-Valley/ag/P6250007.JPG



We came across many riders and trail runners, we even ran across Lisa P., who
had arrived later that morning and Walt on his SS, was suppose to be out on the
trails some where as well, but we never saw him.



We finally arrived at what was probably the highest point on the short loop
where we found a Picnic Table with a great view of the parking lot located way
below us.



http://hawkens.members.winisp.net/mtb/Sun-Valley/ag/P6250026.JPG



We could hear some radio chatter from the other group, but they couldn't hear my
responses it appeared.



The trail from here on out was in the down hill direction. Smooth narrow trails
and I only recall one area being technical and that was near the Water
crossings. Technical meaning there were a couple roots, nothing big at all.



http://hawkens.members.winisp.net/mtb/Sun-Valley/ag/P6250024.JPG



http://hawkens.members.winisp.net/mtb/Sun-Valley/ag/P6250011.JPG



http://hawkens.members.winisp.net/mtb/Sun-Valley/ag/P6250021.JPG



http://hawkens.members.winisp.net/mtb/Sun-Valley/ag/P6250023.JPG



For the most part the bridges are nice and wide, but they had a few that were
fairly narrow.



The ride down was really fun and comes out on the opposite side of the parking
lot that we started in.



http://hawkens.members.winisp.net/mtb/Sun-Valley/ag/P6250034.JPG



We loaded up our bikes and about that time we came across Peggy who reported
that the other group was still hiking to the top. So, it looks like it will be
awhile.



Since we are right next to Ketchum I took my bike over to Elephants Perch. I
was expecting to just drop it off and come back for it later, but 25 minutes
later I was on my way free of charge. They still got their money out of me as I
purchased many things from them afterwards.



Drove back to the trail head and rode up the trail called Sunny Side (now with
no ghost shifting) to see if I could meet up with the group on the way down. I
heard on the radio someone say I'll meet ya at the campground and I took that to
mean they were on their way down.



Walt pulled into the parking lot to see if we were still around and got on the
radio teasing the group that he had cold beer waiting for them. Or maybe that
he had a single cold one left, but ended up finishing it before they got down.
Anyways there were some disappointed folks when they finally arrived in the
parking lot and Walt had no beer waiting for them.



From the time I heard the comment on the radio "meet ya in the campground", It
was almost two hours before we saw the first riders emerge from the trail Sunny
Side. I found out later that there was a group still hiking to the top and some
were thinking of turning around, but my radio only picked up one side of the
conversation.



I am sure those that rode the full loop will fill in the gaps, but it sounds
like it was a very difficult ride / hike a bike. Even heard a comment that it
was one of the hardest rides they had done.



The short route is good for a quick ride since it is just over 6 miles, probably
could extend the ride time, by riding up Sunny Side and come down Shady, since
all the climbing is on the Sunny Side trail.



No major mechanicals, but a few did take some diggers and got skinned up pretty
good.



I would more then make up for my short ride the following day....




Erik


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