WWR Day 21 Smiling Creek RV Park to Hailey, ID

WWR Day 21 Smiling Creek RV Park to Hailey, ID

Fri Aug  16, 2019

Distance 55.7

Start elevation 7188

End elevation  5340

High point  8701

Low point 5330

Climbing 1900?

Ride time 5:32

Total time about 8:50

Days bike camping: 14

Contiguous days riding : 4

Gosh, another blue sky morning, but only a 1500 ' climb awaits. Seems like a vacation.

This my last big climb in Idaho, though I have been working on it for several days now. Galena summit (it's a pass) is the headwaters of the Salmon River that I have been following since Lost Trail Pass out of Darby 5 days ago. It will be the high point to date at 8700' since I started riding, maybe since leaving CO in June.

I just hop on the highway, no sense backtracking to route as it crosses the hwy in a couple of miles. At that point I make the pragmatic decision to ride aspalt with its smooth surface and steady grade rather than on old wagon road. As I climb I can see the wagon road receding far below, saving the elevation gain for the final push. Hah!

I am riding in mixed sage and forest glades, smooth green Aspens appear. I have seen few Aspen's so far, and the openings give me great views the Sawtooths stretching into the distance. White. Bark pine appear towards the to of the climb, bristle cone ish in appearance

I gain the pass and take a break and I get my first look at the peaks surrounding the Wood River / Sun Valley. A couple more miles on the road watching the old wagon road descend from above me. I join its descent as it cross the modern hwy. It is a rough trail that evens out a bit as we descend. It diverts off through some hike a bike willows and stream.

When I reach the old wagon road again, something is wrong with my rear brakes.

Stop and diagnosis -damn the disc  retaining washer has come completely loose and disc is not attached to the wheel.

Shit. Well I screw the retainer back on, and get out my trusty needle nose vise grip to tighten it up. Feels pretty tight; testing shows the brakes work but have a pulsing.

Looks like  stop at one of the local  sun valley area bike shops is on on the agenda now.

I make it back out to the hwy and find the start of the 18 mile Harriman trail to Ketchum .

It is a wonderful rolling 2 track that follows the Wood River. Wonderful match for my loaded bike. The mountains are dramatic in glimpses through some of the openings, as the miles enjoyably glide by .

After popping out for a few down valley highway miles I find the start of the paved bike path through Ketchum, (4 bike shops), to Hailey (2 bike shops) and ending at Bellevue (no bike shops but the only RV park in SunValley where I could camp).

I start on the shady bike path I hear an unusual soft tishing sort of sound. Cadence clearly indicates  on a wheel, not from peddling. I suspect it is the rear disc or grass in the spokes. Stop and examine. Don't see any foreign material or rotor issue. I do notice a little Stan's on the rear wheel, that little hole looksit should  hold, and then I notice a slight bulge in my tire nearby. Dang, I should get the tire replaced, bulges can lead to catastrophic, unfixable failure. I hope I can make it to Bellevue tonight and limp back to Hailey bike shops in the morn.

I peddle through historic Ketchum and then 10 miles of super sweet rail trail to Hailey. I want to check out the two bikeshops and maybe make arrangements.

While stopped on the bike path to navigate just outside of downtown, a rider speeds past and then turns around to chat. Kevin inquires about my trip and bike, as he had done some touring. I ask for bike shop recommendation - both good and have been around for decades. Then restaurants, and brewpubs (2!!!). Finally I ask if any inexpensive hotels. He says probably not, but hey, I can camp in his back yard, about a mile back! Nice, I get his address and off to bike shops.

First is a combo shop and hopping restaurant, but shop is closed at 5. 

Call the other shop, open til 6, so I stop by.

They have a couple tires that will work and I explain the brake incident. Non plussed, but too late tonight as he is going out for a ride. Agree to be there early on the morrow.

Now time for food and a brew at the Sun Valley Brewery. Both yummy

Off to kevins place, a very nice abode with beautiful gardens. We chat, we have slotbin common, age biking, and he know one of my former work colleagues.

He feeds me a beer, lets me shower, does a load of laundry. His wife Peggy comes home and we chat more.  I ask about sporting good store in Hailey as I need more fuel for stove, Kevin just gives me a mostly full canister- sweet. I end up sleeping in the deck on a super comfy car camping air mattress.

A long day, with both great riding and some travails -but a great ending and we will see what the bike mechanic can do for me in the morn.