Recreational resources are abundant
in Idaho. The large lakes of the north such as Coeur d’Alene, Pend Oreille,
and Priest Lake, provide great boating and fishing opportunities, but camping,
hiking, mountain biking and road cycling is also popular. The Coeur d’Alene
area, in particular, offers especially nice (and safe) cycling routes. More...
Recreational resources are abundant
in Idaho. The large lakes of the north such as Coeur d’Alene, Pend Oreille,
and Priest Lake, provide great boating and fishing opportunities, but camping,
hiking, mountain biking and road cycling is also popular. The Coeur d’Alene
area, in particular, offers especially nice (and safe) cycling routes.
Covering most of eastern and part of central Idaho, the Rockies provide for challenging
road and mountain bike terrain. With more than 14,000 miles of single track trails,
there are plenty of options for mountain bikers to explore.
For road cyclists Idaho offers challenging mountain terrain with beautiful vistas,
wildlife, and forests. Less...
The best time to visit Idaho for cycling activity
is from May to September, when the temperatures are warm and precipitation is
low. Generally, the more north you go, the cooler the temperatures will be. In
the Idaho Panhandle, the temperatures average in the 70’s and 80’s
(F) during the summer months. Less...
How to Get There
If you are traveling by air, you will most
likely arrive at Boise International Airport in Idaho or Spokane International
Airport in Washington. From the airport, your best transportation option is a
rental car or a shuttle bus to your hotel.
To get to your cycling destination from Boise International Airport or Spokane
International Airport, you will need to rent a car, unless you are planning to
do serious bicycle touring and intend to start from the airport.
If you are traveling by car and plan to stay at one location from which you
will engage in your cycling activities, check our DESTINATION
RIDES cycling pages for local routes. Less...
Climate and Weather
Idaho temperatures feel milder than its latitude
would indicate due to influence of the Pacific Ocean. In the west and north, the
prevailing westerly winds, (originating in the Pacific Ocean some 400 miles/640
km to the west). influence both the summer and winter temperatures with a stronger
maritime effect in winter; while in the central mountains and east in areas near
Yellowstone National Park, the climate is more continental.
In summer, rainfall, cloud cover, and relative humidity are at the lowest due
to the weakening of the westerly winds which allows continental climatic conditions
to prevail, therefore the best time to explore Idaho on bicycle is during the
summer months, especially in the mountains. However, you should be prepared for
rapid temperature changes in the mountains (the Rockies) even in the summer.
In the higher altitude of the Idaho Rockies, you will most likely get plenty of
exposure to blue sky and sun, therefore, proper UV protection for skin, lips,
and eyes is strongly recommended. Less...
The Roads
The “friendliness” of Idaho motorists
varies (depends on the area of Idaho) and therefore it is always recommended that
you ride defensively and obey all traffic rules.
The surfaces of Idaho roads are generally good. On some mountain roads you may
find occasional road hazards in the form of cracked pavement, pothole, gravel
or sand.
Paved shoulders on rural roads and in the mountains are minimal or non-existent.
Some Idaho roads have rumble strips (grooves ground into the pavement to alert
swerving drivers) which can be very dangerous for a cyclist. Additionally, on
rural roads you may encounter cattle guards, which should be crossed with utmost
care and as perpendicularly as possible. Less...
