30 Miles on the Wood River Trail

Last Saturday my husband and I rode bikes for 30 miles in about 2 and 1/2 hours on the Wood River Trail in the Sun Valley area of Idaho.  It was an invigorating way to spend our 28th wedding anniversary, as well as keep up training for  the upcoming mini triathlon. It is apparently a 20 mile trail from top to bottom, although we only traversed it from Hailey’s Wood River Inn to Mile Post 0 at Hullen Meadows.  Since it follows the Wood River, there is a slight incline when heading north, making it a more relaxing return trip heading south.  There is well kept asphalt the whole way, fairly wide and clearly marked for curves and tunnels.  Our one concern about the tunnels was that “Keep Right” road signs are posted at the entrances which, according to normal rules of the road, guide travelers smack into the cement wall.  Heavy blue padding at one entrance lead me to believe that someone may have misinterpreted them once…

It was a quick trip without a camera (I was told to pack lightly, and then one bag was left behind accidentally), but I can assure you it was beautiful and peaceful.  Some sections were adjacent to lush golf courses; other parts were along the Wood River.  On the loop through town, in the most northern aspect, we found cars to be very polite and aware of us as we crossed multiple streets.  Even though, for a mild summer Saturday, we were surprised by the minimal use of the trail itself, there were a few other bikers, a small number of pedestrians and runners, a roller-blader, and a couple of people on wheeled cross country skis.

There is a speed limit of 15 mph, which was about my top speed anyway, but my coach, aka husband, said he was impressed with my stamina and overall performance.  I must admit that the bikes we used had comfort gel seats.  I am seriously thinking I need one of those for my own bike.