The Route: Map My Ride

Scott and Chad have been really busy planning, scouting and pre-riding the route.   Scott has shared the "First 40 miles" and then "the BIG Middle Section" on Map My Ride.   Check out Scott's links:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/88229297

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/88228777

The Route: From the North

Chad from Red Barn Bicycles sent on some photos of a trip he did which helped inspire the Fitz-Barn Route.  You should check out his blog with the trip details.  Here are some of his photos and his recap.

Chad writes: "On the map it didn't look like much, just a nice 100 mile ride taking us into Idaho starting from those fantastic springs in Jackson MT and then with a little luck another 100 or so the next day to get back. A popsicle loop of the south bitterroots with an overnight camp stuck some place in the middle. We'd be traveling on some sparsely used back country roads following the original path of the Nez Perce trail. What our gazzetteer map didn't show was how tattered and rough these roads would be. Nor did it really paint a good picture of how steep Bannock and Lemhi passes were, not to mention all the rolling terrain in between. And of course the only way to capture the beauty of The Big Hole Valley is to be there yourself. My photos don't do the scenery justice. "

We've started a Facebook Page!  Please take a moment to like us!   Here's the link!

Thanks for the link and the photos Chad!  The northern part of the Fitz-Barn is going to be beautiful!   And challenging with all the climbing!

The Route: Rail Trail Section

Trestle Bridge on Tetonia-Ashton Rail Trail

The Fitz-Barn will head north from Victor, Idaho to Tetonia, Idaho.  Once north of Tetonia, riders will jump on the Tetonia-Ashton Rail Trail and ride to France, Idaho.  Scott, Jannine and Braden Fitzgerald pre-rode this section of the Fitz-Barn in early May and shared these photos.

Jannine on the rail trail.

This section of the Fitz-Barn will be through Eastern Idaho's Potato Country.  There are rolling hills, lots of agriculture and fantastic views of the Teton Range.  

What is the Fitz-Barn Ride?

The Fitz-Barn Ride is an unsupported, group ride from Fitzgerald's Bicycles in Victor, Idaho to Red Barn Bicycles in Hamilton, Montana starting on August 17.

The suggested route covers approximately 350 miles of rail trails, country roads, gravel back roads, two-tracks and singletrack.  The terrain is incredibly varied and beautiful starting in the rolling hills in the heart of potato growing country in eastern Idaho, forges through a sand dune/sage brush desert north of Saint Anthony, climbs over the 7684 foot high Bannock Pass in the beautiful Beaverhead Mountains and descends into the Bitterroot Valley and into Hamilton, Montana.

Riders are responsible for their own safety and navigation as well as providing everything they need during the ride including food, water, spare clothing and mechanical support.  No overnight hotels or tents are provided - riders will need to bring their own sleep systems and be prepared to bivy along the route.  There are some towns along the route that will have provisions, but much of the suggested route is in remote and/or rural areas of Idaho and Montana where there is little traffic or availability of assistance.  Solid navigation skills will be required.

Coming soon:

• A full suggested route with a full GPS track and cue sheet;
• Information about a gathering to be held Thursday, August 16 before the ride in Victor;
• Post ride party in Hamilton;
• Photos of the route.