All things cycling-related in the Boise, Idaho area.
Road info between Ontario and Ketchum
This summer I'm riding from Hood River, OR to Hailey, ID. I'm curious about the routes below and what the roads are like for cyclists. I'll be hauling a trailer but should be able to cover the worst (skinniest roads) part of the trip in a day. I could hopefully time things so I pass through one of these areas on a weekday in order to lessen traffic. I'll be in the area around June 25-30.
Option one would be to cross I-84 around Ontario and head through Emmett, up through Horseshoe Bend and onto Banks then up through the South Fork Payette Canyon (which I know is tight at times) and onto Lowman then Stanley, etc.
Option two would be to stay north of I-84 after Ontario and head north of Boise toward Idaho City then to Lowman then onto Stanley and Hailey.
I have driven the Payette area roads and know that around Horshoe Bend and the S. Fork Payette the road gets windy, but I don't remember much about the shoulders. I don't know anything about the road through Idaho City and would love to know if that's a better road, although it would add miles to my trip which is already 620 (do I don't really need more miles.)
Thanks for the info. Oh ya, has anyone ridden the highway in Oregon around Fossil and John Day? That's my planned route as I drop down from the Columbia River Gorge.
take care
Option one would be to cross I-84 around Ontario and head through Emmett, up through Horseshoe Bend and onto Banks then up through the South Fork Payette Canyon (which I know is tight at times) and onto Lowman then Stanley, etc.
Option two would be to stay north of I-84 after Ontario and head north of Boise toward Idaho City then to Lowman then onto Stanley and Hailey.
I have driven the Payette area roads and know that around Horshoe Bend and the S. Fork Payette the road gets windy, but I don't remember much about the shoulders. I don't know anything about the road through Idaho City and would love to know if that's a better road, although it would add miles to my trip which is already 620 (do I don't really need more miles.)
Thanks for the info. Oh ya, has anyone ridden the highway in Oregon around Fossil and John Day? That's my planned route as I drop down from the Columbia River Gorge.
take care
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Uhl on -
Sounds like you already know that the stretch of Hwy 55 between Horseshoe Bend and Banks is hairy. It's twisty with lots of commuter traffic and not much of a shoulder. On the other hand, it's a relatively short section and once you get to Banks and turn off towards Lowman, it gets better.
Hwy 21 through Idaho City is a little bit better, because there are less blind curves and perhaps a little less traffic. But it's probably not worth it if it adds significant amount of miles. I'd say go with Hwy 55 and time it so you're riding that stretch between 10am and 3pm (to avoid the commuters)...and wear something bright!
As for the roads around Fossil, they're awesome. While I didn't ride from Fossil to John Day, I did race in the the Columbia Plateau stage race a few years back which had a number of routes in that area. All of the roads had very little traffic, were smooth and had incredible scenery. You'll surely enjoy that area!
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Permalink Reply by jarredjackman on -
Thanks a lot for the info. I think I'll go with the Horseshoe Bend route and hit it at the right time as you noted. I'm going to round up a BRIGHT YELLOW jersey to wear on the road. I hear about too many cyclists being hit!
take care
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