Destination Showcase: Boise, Idaho [Updated for 2024]

Mar 15, 2024
by Tory Powers  

Boise, Idaho
One of the Rocky Mountains' Best Kept Secrets
Video & Words: Tory Powers
Photo: Anthony Smith
Riders: Braydon Bringhurst, April Zastrow, Kyle Warner
Presented by Visit Idaho


Being a Colorado native and being used to world-class cycling at every intersection, I was absolutely stunned as I hopped on the saddle in Boise. As it turns out, there is much more to Idaho than plains and potatoes. The accessibility to not just good but great riding is unparalleled.

There truly aren’t many places out there like Boise.

Boise s endless trial network is easilly accessed from the the city center.


This is a city that doesn’t just acknowledge a large cycling community but owns it. They’re proud of what they've cultivated between access to the outdoors, and the tourism that it brings to the growing city.

From technical, rocky trails and fast singletrack to public bike parks and the 25-mile Boise Greenbelt, the city is heavily invested in cycling, influencing everything from lifestyles to infrastructure.

Thankfully we were able to experience Boise with someone who knows the ins-and-outs of the city like few others, Braydon Bringhurst.

Jibbing along the Green Belt Bringhurst can find style anywhere.
Braydon with a fast plant along the Boise River Greenbelt.
Located just minutes from the Boise Bike Park along the Greenbelt the Boise State University campus offers up plenty of urban jib opportunities for those lucky enough to pass through on their commute to the trails.
Checking out some local spots around Boise State's campus.

For former BMX racer Braydon Bringhurst the Eagle Bike Park is the perfect training ground to hone the unique style he s brought to mountian biking.

Eagle Bike Park


Our first stop on our trip visiting Idaho with Braydon and local photographer Anthony Smith was right outside Braydon’s backdoor, Eagle Bike Park.

A short 20-minute drive from Boise (or five minute bike ride from Braydon’s place) lands you at the trail bike playground that is Eagle Bike Park. Its vast spiderweb of trails, jumps, skills park, and skatepark should be enough to blow you away.

Making the one way a two way with a big up in the drop zone at the Eagle Bike Park.
Braydon showing us that directional signs, while important, can be pretty fun to ignore.
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You can get 13 miles of riding in without having to repeat a trail. It’s e-bike friendly and has features that will keep you progressing no matter your skill level. Eagle Bike Park is maintained by the City of Eagle and Ada County along with a strong contingent of volunteers who continue to keep it great.

Eagle Bike Park had some of the flowiest public trails I have ever laid eyes on; I swear it wasn’t just Braydon’s riding making them look good.

The endless rollers and berms at the Eagle Bike Park make this spot a hub for the local mountian bike community in Boise and surrounding areas.
Braydon with some style on Weekend at Bermy’s


Something I noticed about how they create trails here that’s unlike anywhere I’ve personally been: there's as much consideration about being on the ground as there is to being in the air. It might seem like an odd thing to note, but there is much more to a trail than building some rad jumps.

Braydon Bringhurst bossting on Sage Fright at the Eagle Bike Park

Big berms and rollers, and maintaining flow was clearly priority number one during the park design process, with jumps filling in the proverbial gaps after that. Sure, there are big lines such as Sage Fright, but a lot of the trails focus on keeping the tires on the dirt, like Weekend at Bermy’s. From the top of the park, which is an easy pedal up a dirt road (or trail; your choice), you can hit miles of singletrack filled with features like rock gardens and wooden drops. This is must-see when you’re in the Boise area.

Eagle Bike Park mountain biking trails


Just minutes from downtown Boise Table Rock offers up short technical laps that are perfect for afterwork sunset sessions.


Table Rock Trail Area


Following Eagle Bike Park, we checked out the Table Rock trail area in the evening.

Table Rock doesn't have just one feature that's worth talking about; the entire area is full of goodies. It’s (mostly) shuttle-able and also pedal-able (there’s one killer climb Braydon claims to this day is impossible on the Quarry trail, which means a lot coming from a climber of his renown).

Braydon Bringhurst fully committed through one of Table Rock s most technical sections of trail.
Braydon descending said infamous climb.

It's mere minutes from downtown Boise and features stunning views of the city. Towering 900 feet over Boise, the area offers amazing views and technical descents through old quarries and fast, wide-open singletrack. I’d love to have this minutes from my place.

Boise s Table Rock trail system offers a unique landscape among the typically smooth rolling trails the weave through the foothills.


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One of the things that made this such a unique experience was the way in which the character of the trail changed throughout the descent. It went from extremely technical, to extremely fast, and extremely playful all in one run.

Braydon Bringhurst with a footplant in the foothills.
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One of the reasons Braydon loves Table Rock is how accessible it is. The trailhead for the base of Table Rock links up directly with the Boise River Greenbelt, a 25-mile bike path that runs the length of the city and then some, so you won’t even have to turn on your car or touch a road to get to amazing mountain biking.

Table Rock mountain biking trails


April Zastrow and Kyle Warner getting ready to drop in for thier first lap at the ever expanding Bogus Basin Bike Park. This lift serve trail netwrok is located less than 20 miles from downtown Boise.
April + Kyle sitting atop Boise about to check out some sunrise laps.


Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area + Stack Rock


The following morning, we got an insider look at what the nonprofit local ski/bike resort was up to at Bogus Basin. I can tell you it’s anything but what the name insinuates. Just 40 minutes from downtown Boise lands you at a phenomenal little resort with a genuine and welcoming vibe. We were able to connect with enduro racer Kyle Warner and motocross athlete April Zastrow from the YouTube channel and podcast “Ride MTB,” who helped show us around a bit.


The non profit Bogus Basin has put a massive effort into trail this year. A refelection of how quickly the mountian bike scene in Boise is growing.
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Bogus has 12 downhill-only trails including a large jump trail as well as some hand-built singletrack.

Kyle Warner leads April Zastrow and Braydon Bringhurst down Berm Baby Berm at Bogus Basin.
The crew finding lines down Berm Baby Berm.


You can get ample amounts of trail riding here too, with 60+ miles of loops and nearly 3,000 feet of descending available, it's easy to forget that Boise is right next to you. On top of all of this, they have reasonably priced day passes for lift access and things like the alpine coaster to keep your entire family entertained if they’re not out grabbing laps with you. The crew up there is amazing too, with passionate mountain bikers being behind everything they’re up to for building. There’s a lot of good coming out of this area over the next couple of years.

On the way back down from Bogus, there’s an area called Stack Rock that we checked out next.

Braydon Bringhurts playing around on the rock rollers on the iconic StackRock Trail
Braydon showing us one of his favorite lines at Stack Rock.


This area is fully shuttleable with multiple contact points to North Bogus Basin Road, but it’s also super fun as an out and back, which is what we did.

Just below Bogus Basin is web of singeltrack that offers up miles of tail at the upper elevations with many leading all the way back down to the city center.
The crew checking out a small branch-built hut at a popular rest stop and trailhead.


Most of the trails at Stack Rock are blue trails, but there are certain zones and features that I’d rate a good bit higher. Stack Rock definitely brought the tech.

Braydon Bringhurst getting sideways on the side hits.
Braydon is no stranger to this area, showing us some of his favorite mid-trail side hits.


I was blown away by the natural elements here–beautiful large rocks and tall bushes that made riding in the fall time like something out of a movie. The trails here all felt very fast and flowy with just enough difficulty to keep you on your toes.

April Zastrow weaving through the fall foliac on Stackrock Trail
The boys chase April through the fall foliage.


This vast network of trails stretches all over the Boise area. Seriously, check out the map on Trailforks. You could ride all the way to Bogus Basin and then back to multiple other trailheads and areas all from one location. I can’t even fathom how many miles of unique trails you could ride in this area. No matter what you’re in for, whether it’s an epic distance ride, an evening stroll, or some shuttling, Stack Rock and the trails alongside North Bogus Basin Road will have you covered.

Bogus Basin mountain biking trails


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The morning light at the park was unbelievable.
The Boise Bike Park has transformed this space and made it a bussling hub with riders of all ages and skill levels.

Boise Bike Park


Back on the topic of public bike parks comes Boise Bike Park, a city-maintained park that is the ultimate place to progress your skills on two wheels.

The park has two paved pump tracks (one larger and one for the tots) and four jump lines with multiple features in each. We’re talking everything from small table tops to slopestyle-esque wall rides and whale-tails. It makes me really happy to see public parks like this popping up all across the country, but it made me sad that I left my dirt jump bike back in Colorado. This is the perfect gathering spot for friends and family.

The park maintenance is run by Dustin Zeis, who used to be the head digger at Valmont Bike Park in Boulder, CO (aka, the Valmont Wizard), so you know this park is going to look as good as it rides. I always envy the kids I see riding at these parks at such a young age because of how catered these areas are to quick progression.

If I could travel back in time, I would go back and build more public parks sooner.

Kyle Warner flowing off one of the many wooden features at the Boise Bike Park.
Kyle styling off of one of many curved wall rides at the park.
The Boise Bike park has quickly become a hub for riders in Boise.
Kyle chases Braydon through one of the smaller, faster lines at the park.

The paved pump tracks here are a seriously cool feature for a public park to have installed right next to jump lines.

Kyle Warner boosting the hip on one of the two asphalt pump tracks at the Boise Bike Park
Kyle euros over top of Braydon.

When there’s no snow (which isn’t uncommon for downtown Boise), it means these lines are more or less rideable year-round. The bike park is maintained throughout the year as well, so bike park laps are available no matter the time of year. It’s also located right on the edge of Boise, so it’s no more than a few minutes from you at all times and directly next to the start of yet another network of trails in the Boise Foothills, the Ridge to Rivers trail system.

You thought that surely this article had to be wrapping up soon, right? Wrong. I can’t even address all of the amazing riding because we didn’t have enough time to ride it all. But there are a couple more I want to mention.

The Boise River Greenbelt is an amazing feature built into the heart of Boise–a 25-mile bike path right alongside the Boise River that has access to everything. I’m talking downtown Boise, multiple trailheads, a whitewater kayak and surf park, and so much more. The Greenbelt is perfect to take a tour of what Boise has to offer or to utilize as a route to work, shopping, as well as mountain biking all over town.

The Bringhurst familly - Braydon Nicole and their two daughters - take a quick break to watch the river wave surfers on 25 mile Boise River Green Belt.
Braydon + Nicole Bringhurst watch whitewater surfers with their two girls on the Boise Greenbelt.

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Boise Foothills


Last but not least is the mecca that is the Boise Foothills. The Boise Foothills may be the easiest and most accessible set of trails in Boise, stemming from the bike park with multiple other trailheads depending on what you want to ride. This area is Anthony Smith’s “45-minute ride of choice,” as he quoted it. There are 60+ miles of trail here with more than 3,000 feet of vertical relief, which is a lot coming from Boise, which has an elevation of 2,730 feet. Can you ride from here to Bogus Basin, you ask? Yes, you can. It truly is amazing how far you can go from just one common location.

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Braydon blasting a natural double on 8th Street.
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There are countless trailheads to this area, but we chose one a bit higher up into the hills so we could get up to a local favorite–8th Street MX. 8th Street was super fun, being one of the few black-rated trails in the area. It’s loose, steep, rocky, and full of water bars. What else could you ask for, truly? The other trails that we rode in this area were also a blast, but it is one of the more popular areas to ride close to the city, so it can get busy from time to time. Getting up higher in the hills maximizes your potential to be riding alone (we didn’t see a soul), so in my opinion, it was very worth the trek.


Boise Foothills mountain biking trails


I genuinely cannot express how satisfied I was with the amazing riding, community, and culture that is Boise. It completely shattered my (very) naive outsider’s opinion on the city, let alone the state. It’s amazing how far they’ve come in the riding scene in even just the last few years, and everybody here can attest to the fact that in a few more years, it’s only going to be exponentially better. Boise is a place that cares about recreation, cares about its community, and is putting riding at the forefront of its culture. Thankfully for this trip, Boise wasn’t our only stopping point. Check back in again soon to take a look at our first impressions of “Boise’s backyard," McCall, Idaho.


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Local Knowledge

Getting here: Seven airlines service the Boise Airport (BOI) with nonstop flights from 25 U.S. destinations as well as a number of options for one-stop flights. Many cities offering nonstop flights are located in the western region of the United States, but you can also catch a direct flight out of Dallas, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Atlanta. The Boise Airport is conveniently located just four miles from Boise’s vibrant downtown scene.

For those looking to explore the wide-open road, Idaho is home to 31 designated scenic byways that will lead adventurers through an array of scenery throughout the state.

The Climate & Wildlife: Idaho is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, and Boise’s warm summers and mild winters give visitors the opportunity to experience adventure year-round. Found in the southwest corner of the state, the capital city experiences all four seasons and showcases a variety of rider-friendly terrain from rugged desert plains to lush, forested trails.

This four-season climate also provides suitable habitat for a variety of wildlife. Riders and visitors alike should be aware of coyotes, deer, birds of prey, and snakes that may also call the valley home. Venturing beyond Boise, visitors might find elk, moose, black bears, river otters, or even mountain lions in the wilderness areas around the state.

Bike shops and repairs: George's Cycles and Idaho Mountain Touring both carry a variety of bikes and biking accessories and offer maintenance, repairs, and rentals. Eagle Bike Shop, Bob's Bicycles, McU Sports, and World Cycle are also great local shops to check out for all your biking needs.

Local Mountain Biking Clubs: Local mountain biking club Southwest Idaho Mountain Bike Association (SWIMBA) not only facilitates group rides but focuses on advocacy and volunteering to maintain and build new trails and protect access.

Food and Drink: After an early morning ride, recharge at Certified Kitchen + Bakery where made-from-scratch English muffins created from a 52-year-old sourdough starter are served up as hearty breakfast sandwiches. If you enjoy a creative take on a breakfast favorite and need a protein fix before or after your ride, stop in at BACON where breakfast and brunch are served all day. If you have 48 hours to really take a bite out of Boise, check out this food guide.

For an afternoon fill up, Boise Fry Company fries fresh potatoes with all natural, local, and whenever feasible, organic products. The spuds are sourced from the nearby M&M Heath Farms in Buhl to create a fry that is uniquely Idaho. BFC produces little to no waste and even recycles its sunflower seed oil to be used in cars. On any given day, you can choose from red, russet, purple, or sweet potatoes and then pick your fry cut: shoestring, regular, curly, homestyle, or PoʼBall. BFC also offers bison, beef, and vegan burgers sandwiched between organic whole-wheat potato buns, baked fresh every day. If you want to continue to satisfy your inner foodie, check out these five new Idaho restaurants.

Powderhaus Brewing is the perfect spot to crush a cold one. Enjoy “alpine-inspired” beers made with local hops and traces of floral and pine in a cozy cabin-like taproom. Powderhaus boasts that its beers pair perfectly with Idaho's thriving outdoor lifestyle. And a bonus: it’s dog-friendly.

Boise’s first nanopub, Cloud 9 Brewery, is regularly rotating its selection of brews. As soon as the last drop from the previous batch has been poured, another craft beer is put on tap. Nosh on everything from mac 'n cheese and burgers, to vibrant salads and pub-style sandwiches. But save room for the beer-amisu dessert.

Must Dos:
With one of the largest Basque populations outside of Spain, the culture and history of this community are on full display at the Basque Museum and Cultural Center found on the Basque Block. Try some paella from the Basque Market to get a true taste of Basque country.

Boise's Ridge to River trail system connects the Boise community to public lands and the natural environment surrounding the city. Hike, bike, or even horseback ride the 190 miles of trail in the Boise foothills.

In 1872, the Old Idaho Penitentiary began housing some of the West’s most dangerous criminals. Visitors can now explore the penitentiary grounds—closed to inmates since 1973—and the Idaho Idaho Botanical Garden next door next door.

Take a stroll through Freak Alley Gallery. This alley turned public art display is covered from top to bottom in murals and is considered the largest outdoor gallery in the Northwest.

For help planning your Idaho mountain biking vacation, ride on over to VisitIdaho.org and download the Official Travel Guide today.


Boise mountain biking trails


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Presented by Visit Idaho.


Regions in Article
Boise

Author Info:
torypowers avatar

Member since Aug 5, 2011
15 articles

223 Comments
  • 157 15
 Come for the riding, stay for the militia Welcome to ID
  • 12 33
flag nvranka (Mar 2, 2021 at 9:17) (Below Threshold)
 So edgy
  • 31 15
 Militias*. There's a bunch! Big Grin All great people though. Just like the riding community here, 95% will be your next best friend.

I mean, Idaho sucks. Go to Utah instead.
  • 6 3
 @crazyXCsquirrel: Always thought a militia would be fun lol
  • 20 14
 @emptybe-er: he is squirrel and crazy. Guns are fun as fu¢k but militias are just cult members with firearms
  • 5 2
 @crazyXCsquirrel:
Sign me up.
  • 78 15
 I built some cool trails there. People got upset. Someone asked had I not gotten the official welcome, “Welcome to Idaho, set your clock back 15 years.” Definitely some good stuff in ID but it isn’t in Boise.
  • 25 0
 That was Big Wood right? The thing is, it does seem like 15 years ago is when bigger more dangerous trails began to be built elsewhere...or torn down here....but now they are actually building them. Bogus is blowing up. Legit jump park downtown. There are some proper illegal downhill trails for those who know...it has been changing. I understand your salty view...I could rant all day long also. F R2R. But seeing how I still live here, I can reflect on the struggle and BS you and the rest of us endured, and see that things are actually changing...slowly...and we are right at the flash point for a place about to be cool...
  • 9 0
 You are greatly missed here bradwalton...still have many pics and great memories from those times.
  • 6 0
 This is the truth. R2R still running the show...
  • 29 0
 So glad you said that Brad. The entire Boise trail system is ran by anti mountain bikers and Ridge to Ruins. No directional trails and mega water bars everywhere. Eagle bike park does have some fun trails but the park is small and most trails are 1-2 minutes long. Bogus is building some great trails but it is all lift access on the mountain and 16 miles out of Boise. The true Boise trail system is full of sage brush, sand and angry trail users that hate mountain bikers. Boise's trail system is a great way to get some early season fitness before the mountains open but that's about it... They also sanitize trails like crazy here. Remove rocks and build fences right next to the trail to slow MTB's down. I have been riding these trails for the past 20 years and besides EBP and Bogus not a single trail has been built or improved in the lower foothills to benefit the MTB community. I will admit the Boise trails are a blast on the eMTB Wink
  • 12 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: Precursor to Big Wood was The Big Black Booger to Lanly Ridge and it was amazing. Then the Table Rock trails, The Trail We Do Not Speak Of to Stone Mason’s Holler to Rockmonster. Met some good friends when they found that. Also enough enemies to make me leave town.
  • 26 0
 They blew up The Big Black Booger trail with dynamite. Literally, blew it up with dynamite. So progressive.
  • 5 0
 @bradwalton: Those were good times Brad! Making dreams come true for some of us who can't travel to the shore every weekend.

@reed1: "Ridge to Ruins" with all machine built super highways for jog strollers!
  • 3 0
 @bradwalton: I had the pleasure of riding most of the trails you mentioned. The creativity and progression was amazing and the rush of riding Rockmonster for the first time is something I will never forget. While it sucks the trails no longer exist, the memories are still there. Thanks for the work you did. It changed my riding style and how I look at every feature on the trail.
  • 1 0
 Some of the best pics from Thrive Magazine's annual bike issue are all you! I remember readers turning the cover sideways and upside down trying to figure out how you were clearing the gap.
  • 2 1
 So my perspective starts when you used to be able to ride on about any old goat path out in the foothills- then in the late 80s and early 90s trails started closing. Then r2r and swimba and other groups started gaining ground but it was very tense with landowners for a while- and I seem to recall that the recreational use statute got firmed up to protect landowners and then it started to not be so tense. So I'm grateful for all the opportunities to ride here- and it's not all up to R2R. But you always have to remember- R2R is not a MTB organization, they are a trail access group. Treating them as the enemy won't get you anywhere.
  • 5 0
 @bradwalton: That sort of thing gives dynamite a bad name.
  • 1 0
 @bradwalton: were those the ones from that middle lot at bogus, back when it was just a fire road practically. Had some wooden hits and long skinnies?
  • 2 0
 @reed1: you think that’s bad, check out NEMBA in New England.
  • 5 2
 @reed1: if you look at the latest R2R survey they’re asking trail users if they’d like one way trails of specific users on certain days. One ways and specific user trails will be happening, it’s just a matter of time and I think it’s sooner than later. The growth of this valley requires it.
Still, every time I pedal the trails in the foothills I feel fortunate.

R2R doesn’t have an easy job. We have 190 miles of trails with multiple landowners and now more trail users than ever and it will only get busier. R2R is managing as best they can, their hands are tied.
  • 4 0
 @onespeed1: Yeah they asked what we want but do you honestly believe we will get it? Probably not. Too many crunchy north enders and the old school xc MTB crowd want to be able to ride and hike up every trail when ever they want. And if they do make any changes it is about 15 years late. Doovid Gorbin isn't going to do more work than he has to and everyone at the city is happy with what he is doing so we probably won't see change. R2R job is basically a hobby. Trail work is easy and fun. It's just a shame they don't have any Professional trail builders on their team. Not to mention all the stack rock riding in this article is illegal and will most likely get shut down once the forest service and R2R see it.
  • 2 0
 @reed1: @reed1: is this the same rider from HOMETOWN? You were making Idaho videos before Idaho was cool, from what im told.
  • 1 0
 @bcar08: No that is a different guy. I think his name is Blake Carley. He lives in Ketchum... Pretty nice guy from what I hear.
  • 1 0
 Brad!
I stumbled on this article and good to "see" you on here! I don't know if you remember, but me and Chris Cook helped you and Ian some to build - I think was Big Wood? Then you took me and him down it - we couldn't ride most of it, but it was cool watching you and Ian! I tried to put "spudhucksters.com" into my brower address bar the other day - just to see if was still there!

I hope you're doing well man. I'm still here, but despite the awesome photography and good vibe and write-up of this article - this place if ruined man. The "growth" the author speaks of, is half of California that has moved here and well, basically ruined the place. It is NOTHING like what it was when I met you man. Well if you've been back at all you know. So crowded not, expensive. Me and my girlfriend are looking to leave - if not this year then soon. I don't want to mention the places on here, but they seem to check out.

You were the first LEGIT freerider here, and I saw firsthand what that looked like!

Anyway man, hope you're well and alls well!!!

DK
  • 1 0
 @bradwalton: come help us out back home!!!
  • 60 5
 Cue a bunch of "Go back to California!" comments from newly-minted Idahoans who moved here in the last couple years and think no-one else should be allowed.
  • 10 3
 For sure. I lived in Boulder CO for a year and all they liked to do is blame California people (even though half of them were from CA) for their own housing policy failures. The city owns a bunch of flat land that has nothing but black plague infested rodents in it and then people claim there is no where to expand while simultaneously people working 15 hours a week complain they can't afford property.
  • 8 7
 Pretty true. As a Californistan refugee. You nailed it. But a lot. of the cancer is happening at the college.
  • 56 6
 Wow! As a Southern Californian I should move here!!!
  • 3 13
flag mariomtblt (Mar 2, 2021 at 11:40) (Below Threshold)
 bro wtf do you even know our state?
  • 1 0
 ????????????????????????
  • 1 0
 XD XD XD
  • 2 1
 Your already late to the party!
  • 7 0
 So-Cal may have its disadvantages in some areas.. property tax... income tax... but mountain biking isn't one of them. Some of the best and most diverse trail systems in the world right of my backyard. And I can ride 360 days out of the year... never leaving this crazy but beautiful place.
  • 5 0
 @mbosko7: yes exactly, and we have super good amateur racing to participate in, southridge, socal enduro series and also the general CA enduro series, Sea Otter ..... .
  • 2 0
 If you're from Orange County it looks like you'd fit right in given the thread up there ^^ Otherwise...meh.
  • 21 26
flag Deville64 (Mar 2, 2021 at 16:36) (Below Threshold)
 Please stay in California if you hate guns and freedom.
  • 25 7
 @Deville64: I live in CA and have plenty of guns, try watching something other than FOX news.
  • 13 14
 @mariomtblt: Ya no Fox News here but thanks for your concern. I left that shit hole along time ago. Horrible liberal laws turned that great state into a shit pile.
  • 3 6
 @Deville64: Please don't tell me what I can and cannot believe in the state I have lived in since I was 11.
  • 8 1
 @Deville64: real Californians never want to leave California. But, when Americans and gold-diggers from all over the world continue to flood our job and housing markets, people born here whio love their families and the natural year-round beauty, get priced out. They leave their friends and family behind in hopes of finding a place that provides economic stability for them and their families. They "settle" for a different places that resemble their home (for 6-9 months out of the year) after making some pretty gut-wrenching decisions. It's pretty f*cked when all these mountain states post "go home Californians" signs and blame us for getting priced out, when that's exactly what's been happening to us for the past 30 years. Tech boom, biotech, tech 2.0, ai etc. Welcome to the club everyone, shit rolls down hill. Be nice, have empathy, the economic refugees from California moving to your state are moving because they have to, not because they want to. Be stoked when the folks moving in next door have a +1up rack, you might have scored a new friend.
  • 2 0
 Move to the other Boise, much better riding.
  • 2 4
 @bearstearns: @bearstearns: Don't forget y'all voted your way into a one party monopoly in Sacramento. That's the part people notice most and worry about when California ex pats flood their once affordable communities.
  • 33 0
 Most of the boise trails are about 1000x more fun on a rigid hard tail or an cx bike.... Smooth and sandy is pretty much it. There's a lot, but it's mostly just smooth sandy trails. What you see in these pics are an extreme minority compared to what Boise trails are actually like.
  • 5 0
 This is pretty true. Doesn't make for a great tourism piece on PinkBike to show a bunch of non-technical sandy trails though haha... That said, there is some great stuff in Boise as well. Bogus, dry creek, sweet connie, Mahalo, etc. You do need to be willing to pedal 3k feet up to where the loam begins though, or embrace the shuttle.
  • 3 0
 My gravel bike with 29x2.0 tires became my main rig last year. It was super fun though.
  • 1 0
 I guess that depends. You have to search them out a bit, but there are rougher trails. Thinking upper three bears, lower hulls, mahalo, bobs, etc. Also, some trails you can run so fast that you want the bit of extra travel anyways.
  • 4 1
 @HB208: I mean, all of those trails are mellow on rigid mountain bikes still. Like the bobs rock is the biggest "feature" on any of those trails and you could pretty much do it on rollerblades.
  • 2 0
 @Doogster: This is the way.
  • 2 0
 I wrote an opinion paper titled Sandy Sidewalks...I agree. The thing is, nobody except the anti bikers and equestrians frequently sacrifice their time and involvement in the decision making. We all need to participate and lobby at R2R meetings...
  • 5 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: Bikers showed up in large numbers for the bike park when the nimbys came out to protect a field of cheat grass. There is hope, but with the booming population and more people being on the trails, bikers need to keep showing up.

Last year was so busy I pretty much exclusively rode at night. Even weekend dawn patrol rides got busy. Nothing is worse than grinding up hill all morning and then having to stop every 20 yards on the way down.
  • 1 0
 @pandafoo: It doesn't mean they will be enjoyable though. You technically can ride any trail on a hardtail, but it doesn't mean you really want to.
  • 1 0
 OG karate monkey with bb7s was the bike I put the foothills miles on.
  • 65 39
 How about we don't advertise Idaho on pinkbike? Ive see a lot of Idaho content recently. Idahoans don't need more Californians moving here and ruining the state and jacking up property values.
  • 53 0
 Contact Visit Idaho. They are the ones paying PB to create this content.
  • 30 0
 Noise and Idaho will continue to grow at a rate greater than that of the national average, Pinkbike is not factored into these projections, and Pinkbike will have as close to no impact as you can get when it comes to the development of the state. No turning back
  • 13 1
 You got an upvote from me; however, if anyone comes here because they see this Pinkbike advertisement they’re probably pretty cool. I wonder where else Visit Idaho is advertising?
  • 4 4
 We are having the same problem here as far as property value goes. California and other similar being the main culprits.
  • 27 23
 Wah wah wah the evil Californians are coming. All you guys do is whine about people who have real jobs invading your state. I tried to invade Boulder, lived there for a year, and moved back. The weather sucked, the bike riding was meh, the decent paying jobs were almost non-existent, and the place was full of self-praising hippies and fake pro athletes. I moved back to CA a year later, but at least I got an investment property out of the deal.
  • 6 0
 I’m pretty sure you all don’t need to worry about being invaded by Westerners, pretty much everyone knows the lay of the land in Idaho.

What’s kinda wierd is how Boise gets play, but a place like Spokane is ignored. Wanna talk about a place that has tons of trails, as well as a plethora of other outdoor activities, Spokane has it in spades.

Hate to say it, but I’d sooner live in Western Utah, and I really dislike Salt Lake.
  • 5 1
 I mean Californians did right by Colorado, amiright?
  • 4 0
 @nurseben: Spokane is also having a ton of people move there. It is way more run down than Boise though. They have a huge homeless issue.
  • 6 0
 @kungfupanda: seriously- if someone does move to the Boise area because of this article, I'd like to meet you.

The best thing about the area is how close it is to even more riding, from Boise it's 45mins to some desert riding, 2 hours from McCall (and CIMBA is killing it with their newer trails and plans) which includes 2 ski areas and Jug Mountain, 3 hours from Sun Valley, 5 hours from Bend and Park City.
  • 4 0
 @HB208: I think you could say that about nearly any city these days. Everywhere is growing fast and experiencing homeless problems.
  • 1 0
 @NWBasser: Boise's homeless problem is really not that bad compared to any other medium sized city in the NW. They keep to themselves for the most part and the community itself isn't that large. They mostly just hangout by the freeway off ramp and Rhodes skatepark.
  • 1 0
 @HB208: I was referring to your comment about Spokane.
  • 2 0
 @NWBasser: I know you were. My point is that you can't really say that Boise has the same problem even though it is growing fast. Spokane is way worse in my experience. Not the same level as Portland or Seattle (and I have spent time in both places recently and am not some angry conservative), but Boise is nowhere near the levels of those places.
  • 5 1
 For the record, California is filled with tons of people who didn't grow up here and have raised property costs in their own ways -- we've all just sort of learned it's part of the deal of living anywhere people want to be.
  • 1 0
 @OaktownRush: That is certainly the truth. Still sucks when it bleeds into your state. Bought my house in Boise for $300k two years ago (it's not that big, but in a good area) and it is now worth like $430k last I checked.
  • 1 0
 I think it's done man.
  • 1 0
 @HB208: We used to call Spokane, Spocompton LOL
  • 5 2
 @alxrmrs: Pipe down there San Fran. Boise doesn't have an app aimed at preventing pedestrians from stepping in human feces.
I imagine they'd like to keep it that way.
  • 3 0
 I feel like "advertising" typically implies bringing attention to something new that people aren't already aware of. Sorry to break it to you, but Idaho has been on the radar for decades now.. so maybe this "advertisement" was actually meant for you?

It's also rather low brow to point the finger at folks from California.. there are plenty of rich people from TX, WA, and everywhere else around the country who are happy to buy property in your beloved state and "ruin" it. This is not something unique to where you live.

Stay well friend!
  • 2 0
 Californians only move to Idaho because they have been priced out of CA. Get used to it.
  • 2 0
 @SacAssassin: Shit... Ask me how my last trip to London went. On second thought, don't.
  • 4 0
 Lol. Every state complains that ‘Californians are moving here and ruining everything’. It’s not Idaho man, it’s just people moving. California is HUGE so obviously people will notice whenever a normal amount of people move because… ya’know, people move.
  • 20 1
 Boise riders are like: "whew! thanks pb commenters for trashing our system! we were worried it was going to be overrun like everywhere else with new covid riders, but you saved us!"
  • 25 7
 Idaho, be careful what you wish for. I live in western Colorado and in the last 5-10 years the number of goobs on the trails has exploded. More tourists is great for the economy but not so much for the local riding scene.
  • 11 1
 Lol that’s because mtb has blown up in popularity everywhere.
  • 5 7
 @nvranka: MTB has always been popular in this area. It's all the people that are from out of town (Californians) that discovered how good it is to ride here that are compromising the quality of the riding experience for all. Lol
  • 9 1
 @pivotpoint: ha, love to see the CA hate actually because the guys you don't like we don't like here either. you guys get all our kooks riding our blue and green trails.
  • 12 1
 You think we wished for this piece to be written....boy are you wrong...the travel Idaho campaign is a home sales strategy. Not that I am against a growing community, but I am against getting priced out of the community I grew up in...
  • 3 1
 @takeiteasyridehard: 100% agree! It's made it hard on true locals.
  • 7 6
 Yea seriously! Any new riders are all goobers and only the real local Colorado “natives” REALLY know how to ride, and the local riding scene just SUCKS when there’s so many new people enjoying it. Lol Coloradans are so far up their own ass. Keep buying those native stickers! You don’t own the city/state/region and you don’t own the fun or the nature surrounding it, sorry bud! People like you ruin the local riding scene.
  • 1 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: Unfortunately the secret is out and the genie won't go back into the bottle. I bought a house in 2019 and it has gone up 30-40% since then. Its nuts. I bought at 26 before I thought I was "ready", but I am certainly glad I did in hindsight.
  • 3 2
 @jahoang3: Wow you are just slightly triggered. Did I strike a nerve?
  • 1 0
 Grand Junction is one on our shortlist to get out of Boise. I know a couple who left here for there years ago, and tell me how much better it is in every way then Boise. I rode there once, (Fruita) but it was as short ride on our way back here from a Moab trip. Frankly, the topography there would be better for my mental health and nice scenic change!
  • 18 0
 Forgot to mention that deity components is based in nampa Idaho witch is only 20 minutes from downtown Boise
  • 2 0
 Do they invest much into the local scene?
  • 3 2
 @freeridejerk888: That is one reason my rides are deity free.
  • 3 2
 @Doogster: Not to my knowledge. I have never seen them sponsor an event, trail, etc.
  • 2 0
 @Doogster: They seem to sponsor a bunch of stuff at Wilson's (which technically is their local scene).
  • 1 0
 @ICKYBOD: The wilson creek trails are as far from Nampa as the Boise trails are.
  • 1 0
 @HB208: I know that's technically true, but the Nampa'ites like Deity and Rolling H seem to have declared Wilson's as their local trails. I have no idea how much they invest out there, but I know they do have events out there. I was signed up for one in April that got canceled due to COVID. Just saying I believe they do participate.
  • 1 0
 @ICKYBOD: That's good to know. Rolling H competes with Joyride a bit for the Santa Cruz bike market, so I get why they might focus on that area of the valley.
  • 2 0
 And you'll get a free set of lemon yellow grips with your purchase! No seriously, I dig DEITY. I got some kit on my Primer.
  • 1 0
 @ICKYBOD: sadly little to none, I rode down there a bit ago and I was trying to find this one black run. I get to the top (according to trailforks) and I drop in on the run, and after about 200 feet of downhill I loose the trail. They completely abandoned it by the looks of it. Maybe it’s just my fault I couldn’t find it tho, I did hike around a bit trying to find it. Definitely a cool zone with tons of potential growth if our community can take care of it.
  • 2 2
 @BikesNRussets: Deity doesn't do that much for the local trails if I am being honest. They ride them, but that's just about the extent of it...
  • 14 0
 @ICKYBOD: @HB208 @bigmeatpete420 @Doogster Deity Employee here, we have been the title sponsor of the Community Race series at Bogus for the last two years in an effort to support the kids and scene up there, we also support all of our local shops here in any way we can when they have events or races, we support NICA teams whenever they reach out to us, among some other efforts. Can't please everyone but we do what we can.
  • 116 109
 We are spoiled in Boise and I hope it only keeps improving.

The one thing I'd change in this article is to nix Big City Coffee from the recommendations. I would guess either the cafe or Visit Idaho paid to have them included, but they've been an embarrassment to the community lately and it's not a good look for Pinkbike to be promoting them imho. They have openly ignored local and state COVID precautions and been very vocal about their "Blue Lives Matters" stance, clashing with the BLM community in Boise.

I'm sure Pinkbike was probably unaware of all this, but for a site that claims to support standing up for diversity and inclusion in cycling Big City is not an establishment to support.
  • 28 15
 Full on agree with the Big City sentiment. I do not agree we are spoiled with a certain trail organization running the show...
  • 91 36
 Because anyone who disagrees with you on matters totally unrelated to their business should be assumed not to exist.
  • 40 19
 @twopoint6khz: User profile has no content and is just there to negatively comment too. Tells you all you need to know.
  • 48 5
 @twopoint6khz: There's a difference between someone's personal and public opinion. Sounds like the company is being vocal about who they support. So every customer has a right to agree or disagree with their consumer spending.
  • 66 43
 At @mchepworth god forbid they support the police / staying open so they can pay their employees.. @kbecker
  • 60 3
 @Powderface: I also live in Boise and to give some context, the owner's fiancée is a cop that was paralyzed from being shot on duty and he almost died. I think the owner is supporting the Blue Lives Matter stuff because of her fiancée's sacrifice. I do not support the Blue Lives Matter stuff, but I get why she does. The food at Big City is good for what it is worth. There are a ton of other great places to support as well.
  • 65 106
flag mtnbikermaniac (Mar 2, 2021 at 7:32) (Below Threshold)
 Brilliant. Let's go full blown cancel culture on a coffee shop that doesn't support tyrannical lockdowns, marxism, law and order, and freedom.

Enjoy your 6 face masks, face shield, quarantine, and an*l swab.

I'll enjoy some freedom, a bike ride, and good coffee.
  • 16 42
flag gilby82 (Mar 2, 2021 at 7:33) (Below Threshold)
 @twopoint6khz: no, but one should feel free to support businesses that are also beneficial to the community, which it sounds like this one is not.
  • 31 1
 This is Idaho. Pandemic won’t be here for 14 years.
  • 27 14
 @mtnbikermaniac: LOL. 'marxism'.......Lol again
  • 8 4
 @mtnbikermaniac: Wait, they don't support "law and order, and freedom"? Thats a bold take.
  • 27 13
 @mchepworth It doesn't sound like your all for diversity and inclusion when it comes to opposing opinions of your own.
  • 48 10
 @Dnik: Supporting the Police and BLM need not be mutually exclusive. There are reasonable people who ride mountain bikes and support the good work that community policing can do to reduce crime, and the statistics have shown that individuals who have darker complexion tend to be targeted as a suspicious person at a higher rate than a person of lighter complexion. Statistics do show that for the same crime committed a person of darker complexion receives a longer sentence than a person of lighter complexion. I support both the need for active community policing but also support the Black Lives Matter movement.
  • 51 15
 I find it an oxymoron that you are stating that it is an establishment not worth supporting, embarrassment to the community, etc. while you are supposedly standing up for inclusion and diversity. Inclusion and diversity means folks from both sides of issues - they shouldn't have to agree with you in order for you to count them as "inclusive."
  • 10 9
 @Tearsforgears: couldn't have said it better
  • 29 31
 The fact you posted this about big city is an embarrassment to IDAHOANS. Your close minded leftist thinking is what ruins Idaho. You're a disgrace to Boise.
  • 32 32
 @Tearsforgears: Inclusion and diversity means supporting businesses that support inclusion and diversity. Businesses that don't support inclusion and diversity are not supporting inclusion and diversity and are therefore not worthy of being supported. Yes, police lives matter. There is not, however, an epidemic of police deaths at the hands of black people in this country. Policing in this country has serious issues that need to be addressed, hence the reminder that black lives matter. BLM isn't about cops vs. black people, it is about black people. Improve their lot, and I guarantee you policing will be safer as well.
  • 2 2
 @Hickerson731: we all know its militias, thats why we all stay away.
  • 9 6
 @voltagelmtd: "Businesses that don't support inclusion and diversity are not supporting inclusion and diversity..." Huh? You sure about that? Contrary to popular belief, supporting BLM and inclusion/diversity can be mutually exclusive.
  • 13 7
 @Tearsforgears: Let me point you to the paradox of tolerance. If you are tolerant of the intolerant, you get intolerance over time. www.libertarianism.org/columns/paradox-tolerance
  • 27 6
 Sad to see politics make it into the comments about great riding in my hometown. Great people and establishments can have opposing political views, and you can still support/enjoy them without compromising your own. I'd like to think diversity and inclusion (on either side of the "aisle") don't mean you "cancel" a place because they don't support your views. This is Boise, we can rise above this mentality as a MTB community, lets leave that to CA. We all ride. The real issue here is getting better MTB trail support...
  • 7 4
 @baxterbike: It also doesn't mean you need to patronize a place though. No one was asking them to be put out of business.
  • 18 3
 @HB208: True that, free country, but posting about it on a nationally prominent site and advocating for them to remove their listing (which would definitely hurt the business) because they don't align with personal views is without a doubt a step too far.
  • 1 2
 @baxterbike: better said then my comment. ???? ????????
  • 32 21
 Uh-oh, kicked the hornet's nest. I think bikes are for everyone. Pinkbike loudly said they think so too. Then Pinkbike posted an ad for a coffee shop that hosted a Blue Lives Matter rally in Boise, so I said "Hey Pinkbike, this is a little inconsistent."

I fully support people and businesses responsibly making decisions they think are best for them. I have 0 problems with people having different opinions to me and am all for earnest conversation and common ground.

Unfortunately the Blue Lives Matter rallies in Boise were not good affairs. (www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/nazi-imagery-racist-chants-boise-rally#stream/0) I firsthand witnessed middle aged men wearing swatstikas sucker punch young women from behind at a previously peaceful protest. I know better than to think that they speak for all Blue Lives folks, but when you host a rally with the swastika crowd at your coffee shop it's no longer an "inclusive" space in my book.

Let's make Boise radder. Let's make biking radder. Everyone welcome to their own opinion, but if we actually want the sport to grow to people that aren't the existing crowd let's start by grabbing pre-ride donuts at a shop where folks feel welcome.

Plus Neckar and Push and Pour have better coffee Wink
  • 2 1
 @HB208: You read that wrong or your statement is confusing.
  • 11 2
 @HB208: judging from your paradox of tolerance, you aren't being tolerant to this random coffee shops views which means people shouldn't tolerate you. That's the most circular logic I've ever seen lmao. It only works if you tell yourself you're just morally above everyone else. Everyone has different views and if it's suddenly intolerant to not agree explicitly with someone else, then we're all intolerant, which means no one should tolerate anyone who disagrees with them in the slightest. That's a shit view, but it is pretty accurate for what's currently going on lol. People need to chill the f*ck out and accept people will disagree with them. Every single pinkbike article I've seen today has included someone going off about politics. Used to come here to escape all that and just talk bikes. Politics truly infects everything.
  • 5 2
 @twopoint6khz: If a business is intentionally a vector for COVID by ignoring precautions, it's 100% related. I guess I'm open to hearing you make the case that it's unrelated, but I don't see how that could be the case.
  • 1 0
 @kungfupanda: so totally Idaho!
  • 2 0
 @DylanH93: That is fine, but people should also be aware. Look up above, I defended the owner and gave her reasoning. That, however, does not mean I support the thin blue line stuff. I am a bit over seeing a bunch of people descend onto Boise to rev engines, scream at people walking by, etc. all while waving that flag.
  • 2 0
 @HB208: we all come here because we love mtb, that should really be it. There's literally no where else to escape politics these days, it's bullshit. Republicans or democrats, they're all on the same side lol. The whole point is keeping people arguing and fighting each other so no one ever questions why the f*ck 50% of them are millionaires compared to 2% of the general population and they never ever seem to be able to fix anything or hold to their promises. But that would involve questioning them, so I suppose we should go back to arguing about thin blue line vs blm and which group is worse lol.
  • 5 4
 @DylanH93: I get it man. I wish that politics weren't so heavy right now, but again, the crowd that is pushing the thin blue line stuff has made Idaho a really toxic place to be during COVID. From harassing local officials at their homes to freaking out over mask mandates in Boise, it has been kinda bad.
  • 2 1
 @HB208: It's bad enough that police organizations have began trying to distance themselves from the Thin Blue Line movement as it's been taken over by right wing radicals in many instances. When you start seeing the thin blue line flag interspersed with Nazi flags in a crowd, it makes you wonder what their true motives are.
It's also too bad that public health issues became political. Imagine if leaders from both parties would've just followed the consensus from experts and made their recommendations based on that information, instead of whatever interests that guided their decision to turn it political. It would've been harder to fundraise if you agree with your opponent, I guess.
  • 3 2
 @gilby82: That did not happen in Idaho in general, unfortunately. The mayor of Boise (whom was elected last year and is a female) has been harassed over her COVID restrictions, even though no business has been shut down and they are way more lax than you would find in other states. I can literally dine in full restaurants right now, but apparently she is the worst thing to ever happen to the state.

It has gotten so bad that I would not be surprised if she had a police escort with her 24/7.
  • 3 1
 @mchepworth: "I firsthand witnessed middle aged men wearing swatstikas sucker punch young women from behind at a previously peaceful protest."

Yeah, that never happened. Lmao who do you think you're fooling?
  • 2 1
 @HB208: are you saying you currently have Covid restrictions?
  • 5 0
 The author says...“It’s amazing how far they’ve come in the riding scene in even just the last few years”.

Thing is the riding hasn’t changed much in the last few years. The riding has always been amazing here. In the last few years it feels like it’s become a scene.

BOISE was the “#1 place to live and ride in the USA” according to BIKE magazine in 2000. I sent that mag to a friend in NZ at the time, talking shit, never thinking at the time that Boise would grow so much.

We can’t stop the growth but we need to remember how lucky we are to have so much singletrack so close to home. So smile and be cool when you’re out there!
  • 1 0
 Funny, that BIKE magazine article factored into me moving here from S. California all those years ago. When I arrived, at first I was BUMMED, how lame the trails were - but soon starting find better trails like Eastside, etc. There IS a good quantity of singletrack here, that's for sure - just, all the growth - and all the interactions in the lower foothills, add in Covid, can stress a person out!
  • 4 0
 I think Boise is an amazing place to live and ride. Yes, there are a hundred miles of easy sanitized trails, but there's also all the rad stuff shown in the video. Between Bogus, Table Rock, the bike parks, Connie, Stack Rock and Dry Creek, there's a lot of good stuff to ride.
  • 10 3
 Fantastic location, fantastic riding, and fantastic people.
  • 2 0
 Thanks man. I didn't know you'd been here. My gf loves your wife's channel!
  • 2 0
 Guys thanks for such a great edit. I drove through "Boise" from "Vancouver" Canada on my way to "Moab" Utah in my 1989ford f250 7.5 gas (2.5 diesel engines are big in terms of engines for us Brits) which was a once in a life time trip for a brit like me and I am honestly so annoyed I did not stop to ride my bike in Boise. Oh well.... a flight from the UK and a lot of money later, I might be able to check out the trails and local community out one day in the future. I cannot wait for your next edit to show.
  • 5 0
 Having done the drive from Salt Lake to Vancouver a few times, just keep driving and stop to ride in Bellingham instead.
  • 1 0
 Boise is pretty cool but yeah, I would've stopped to ride in Bellingham, Hood River, and Salt Lake over Boise for sure! Pretty cool to do a once in a lifetime trip like that.
  • 2 0
 Had the privilege of riding a couple years ago. Enjoyed Idaho so much that I just had to write a piece for our local magazine. I doubt it resulted in a flood of Israeli riders jumping on the next plane to Boise, but nice to see I wasn't the only one to feel the great MTB vibe there.
weride.co.il/article.aspx?id=232
  • 3 0
 Glad to see this thing finally....great write-up. Especially love the pic of BikerBrayd floating The Kardashian....beautiful!
  • 3 0
 One of my favorite things there is the ability to tie several of those together and do a ride from Bogus to town. Huge decent!
  • 1 0
 Climbing all the way up to bogus and ripping back down is very satisfying. I visited from the East Coast though and having zero tree cover for the first 3.5k of climbing was a wild experience for me! Bring sunblock!
  • 2 0
 I think he just called out Wade! I won't be surprised when he demo's that climb first try. Although it will take 3 years for us to be able to cross the border as we have no vaccine.
  • 5 0
 Watching Braydon rides bike is a real treat!
  • 2 1
 It's art. I'll say the same about Kyle Warner.
  • 2 1
 Boise is a dope place to bike. To bad North West Trail Alliance doesn't build more stuff like out there. GateWay Greens is a joke compared to Boise bike park!!!!!! If you live in the PNW Boise is well worth the 8hr trip fun bar scene too!!!
  • 1 1
 Gateway Green was a collaboration with Portland Park & Rec. It's not NWTA's design. It's not NWTA's build. NWTA provided volunteers and fund raising so that it could happen at all.

I recommend you join NWTA and explore Rocky Point if you want to get a taste of what NWTA builds.

nw-trail.org/trails/rocky-point
  • 1 0
 @pmhobson: I was riding out there for years before NWTA. NWTA ruined the only good dh in portland. You should have left roller coaster alone that's not even the real name for that trail!!!! NWTA is a Joke!!! You guys build trails like like I sit on a toilet. Your trails never flow, have you ever been to Whistler or Bellingham or BC then know what quality trail Alliance builds look like. Also your excuse for why gate way isn't any where near as cool as Boise bike park or Valmont is unjustified. I stand clear on my view NWTA is a joke!
  • 2 0
 @Bikebikebike03: OK, buddy. I recommend you keep sitting on the toilet while other people create riding opportunities.
  • 2 0
 Wow, considering what a dry dusty smoky time of year they were shooting, I am blown away by the photography - stunning. Nice work Anthony. Always a pleasure to see Braydon slaying, too!
  • 2 0
 @nicktapias: anyone that downvoted this is either naive/ignorant AND/OR quite obviously racist. It’s a shame there is such a prevalent group amongst the cycling community, nay, they world. Muppets...
  • 3 0
 Damn, this is some low effort content even by pinkbikes recent standards. I like how you didn't even remove the Covid 19 blurb at the top.
  • 3 0
 I live about 10-15 minutes on bike from the military reserve and table rock and it is indeed awesome.
  • 1 0
 On a different note, and looking at the first pic, is this me or the Giro Chambers have the cleat channels really really inboard?
If so, that should create a really wide stance, sounds great
  • 3 1
 Visit Idaho is really making a push for more visitors. I wonder what their travel stats will look like after this country returns to some sort of normalcy.
  • 4 0
 It’s still not on my list as an MTB destination. Idaho is a great state with some great trails but the scenery around Boise just doesn’t compare to a place like Moab or Whistler.
  • 2 0
 It's been fairly busy here during the pandemic. There were A LOT of riders on the trails this last summer. Also, a ton of new hikers.
  • 1 0
 @HB208: oh I know, I was born and raised in the eastern part of the state and my folks are still out there. It was bizarre visiting them over the summer and seeing how much more crowded TV was, and how much housing prices have risen.
  • 6 0
 @gafoto: If you do Idaho go a little north to the McCall area. You have Jug Mountain, Tamarack, Brundage, and other non "resort" type trails all close enough to hit from one camping spot or airbnb. Way way way more bang for your buck than Boise could ever be.
  • 4 0
 @pandafoo: Good call. Part 2 is coming out next week where we hit up McCall and Jug Mountain.
  • 3 0
 @gafoto: yeah seeing a destination piece about Boise is pretty weird. Like if you live there it’s great to know a quick flipthrough of the best local trails but as a destination, Boise mtb is embarrassing. If you exclude the bike parks, there’s like 3 downhill quality trails on the mountain (legally, clearly I don’t know people), the rest is gravel-friendly sand sidewalk, 98% multi use, 2% pedestrian only, basically 1 moto trail (which is probably the most fun mtb trail), 100% 2-direction. Especially when you can go 2-3 hours in any direction and have McCall or sun valley, a few more hours and you get the Wyoming/Idaho Tetons, Montana/Idaho Rockies, or even just northern Idaho
  • 7 0
 Anecdotally, it was nuts this summer. I think the combination of lax-to-nonexistant COVID restrictions, coupled with outdoor recreation opportunities made our state a popular pandemic-recreation-destination. I was driving around Hayden Lake in July, and in the space of 5-minutes I saw 3 private jets fly overhead, and got passed by a Ferrari. Coeur d'Alene is always a bit ritzy, but this was a new level. My impression is that when the jet-set couldn't make it to San Moritz this summer, they decided our mountains and lakes were a good second. Hopefully they're back off to foreign parts this year. I know that Tourism is important to our state's economy, but last summer felt like too much of a good thing.
  • 2 0
 @atourgates: Yep, that was my experience as well going back home to visit my folks. It's a shame as the biggest draw to Idaho is (or was) that there's more wildlife than people. COVID has really upset that balance.
  • 3 0
 So timely, I've got a trip planned there in the spring. Anyone know of some great free camping spots we should consider?
  • 1 0
 Following. It would be great to find a place to save some money and camp out closer to the trails.
  • 3 1
 No love for Woodland Empire? Haven't been in a couple of years, but one of my favorite breweries on my last trip through town. That Ava County Stout was delicious...
  • 1 0
 Wow that seems like there would be a lot of snakes there! I’m so glad I live in Lewiston where there is.... wait. Still snakes. XD
Southern Idaho definitely has better riding! Wink
  • 3 1
 For the most part, the foothills are good for training and that's about it. Once summer is in full swing, it's Tamarack, Stanley, McCall and Jug Mountain FTW.
  • 1 0
 Just be sure to make it to tam before the cup for the best conditions!
  • 1 1
 The Mormon Church representing with one of their own. COME BE US!!!!
We have Pro mountain bike handlers see...
I wonder if BB tried to convert April and Kyle.

No in all truth, a lot of the Mormons who tried to convert me were/are really nice people, including my buddy I met senior year in college who is now pretty high up with Pivot.

But I know one right now who screwed someone over really bad - truly NOT honorable behavior, in a way that put someone in jeopardy during a very tight, near impossible housing/rental market here in Boise Seriously NOT COOL BEHAVIOR - a real weasel of a lady - not even joking.
  • 3 0
 Braydon Bringhurst is a fantastic ambassador to the sport and representative of Boise.
  • 3 2
 Damn we get it Pinkbike y'all got some money to advertise Idaho lol, maybe if I ever get that second stimulus I can take a trip. you know, when that next 2k hits.....
  • 3 0
 Next week: Theydon Bois, Essex.
  • 2 1
 Like socal with out the ocean..no thanks..I'll stay in the state that has it all from mountains to hills desert alpine forests great trails everywere.. california baby
  • 2 0
 We love it in Boise! So much better than my old trails around the bay area. Follow me on instagram.
  • 1 1
 Man, it must feel pretty bitchen to be able to ride a bike like that and be like in the top 1% of riders in the entire world. The rest of us can watch that art and be motivated to progress a little more - even at my "age!"
  • 2 0
 pretty sure every single rock you'll come across on a trail in Boise was captured in this post.
  • 1 0
 Looks rad Braydon!!! You need Levy or Wade Simmons to try out your impossible climb
  • 2 0
 The style in the first minute was real
  • 1 0
 I will miss living a 15 minute ride away from the bike park and rock island when the weather gets better up there.
  • 2 0
 As if Boise wasn't rad enough...I wish I lived in Boise.
  • 2 0
 But have they heard of the mountain bike capital of the world?
  • 2 0
 If Braydon says "Boy-See" I'll say it "Boy-See"
  • 2 2
 I say Boy-Zee and I have lived here for almost two decades (and since I was 10). The people who try to correct you are usually new arrivals that read an article and are trying to seem like they have been here forever.
  • 2 0
 @HB208: I second this I also say boi zee and never will say boy see. I only have lived here for 14 years though
  • 2 1
 @gusbus432: I've live here for (embarrasing ahem) like 18 years for the most part. I know how to pronounce it, but I'm going to start saying it with a "Z" like you! I want to leave, for places that are way cooler, including riding, and also yeah way more affordable. I "escaped" S. California for this place, and it was a legit escape, and now seems gotta escape S. California yet again!
  • 1 0
 i wanna shred!!!! .....oh.. i just sold ma bike....
  • 1 0
 Michael.... Miiiichael...
  • 1 0
 Can we get one in seattle WA
  • 1 0
 BRO, the unzipped jacket/ cape look tho!
  • 1 0
 I hear New Orleans is nicer...
  • 1 0
 Cue up the Sprinter Tech Gypsy Nomads.
  • 1 0
 NVM
  • 1 1
 Idaho, owning womens bodies since 1890.
  • 1 0
 i live for ATM.
  • 1 1
 Lost me at footplants.
  • 1 0
 Lost me at “Native”
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