The Tour of Idaho (T1) is a 1400-mile dirt bike ride that begins in the Malad Range of southern Idaho and ends in the Selkirk Mountains near the Canadian border. It is very likely one of the most difficult long dirt bike rides in the United States. It is NOT a dual sport ride - plated dirt bikes, with lights, are required. There is a dual sport variant, T3, and a 500-mile dual sport friendly East-West Tour known as T2. Idaho has some new requirements for offroad motorcycles. If your bike is plated out of state, you should be fine. Click here to check the rules.
Most of the week or so normally taken to complete the Tour is spent in wilderness areas far from the nearest town including the largest designated wilderness in the lower 48 states - the Frank Church. Cell phones are useless much of the way. Water, food, emergency supplies and fuel must be carried and bikes and riders must be capable of a 200+ mile range day after day. The Tour encompasses extremes of elevation (1486' at Lowell to 10,420' at Railroad Ridge) and climate.
Technical challenges include mud, snow, extensive sections of technical single track, rocky atv trails, numerous water crossings and deep sand. The variety of plants, animals and geological features found along the way is amazing. The riding is varied, challenging and always interesting. If you are the type of person who feels comfortable rebuilding a bike in the middle of nowhere, or lashing logs together to cross a swollen creek, T1 is for you.
The Tour is physically passable, i.e., snow, blowdown and other winter remnants are minimized, by late July each year. Some trails in the north (D6) have seasonal closures in effect until August 1st. A last week of July start is generally the earliest that is advised. The route remains open until October 1st when some trails close for hunting season. There is a distinct possibility of blistering heat, brutal cold and deluges of biblical proportions - rain, snow or both - along the entire route. All of the above may be encountered within just a few hours.
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
posted November 23, 2014 09:15 AM
I should start training NOW and learn how to channel my inner MacGyver if I ever hope to enjoy something like this in the somewhat near future after I retire...with the proper bike, of course . Looks like waaaay fun for the strong and adventurous!
____________ “We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted December 01, 2014 11:40 AM
Yah, I love the idea of having to hack your way through. Think Top Gear's Polar Special.
____________
82 Gpz750, 84 Ninja 900, 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy Big Bore Kit), *another* 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy custom stroke crank 1341cc motor), 2004 ZZR1200, 2005 ZX10R, 2007 ZX14, 2008 Concours 14, 2014 Versys 650, 2014 Yamaha WR450F, 2015 Ninja H2
HOME
NEW TOPIC
posted November 07, 2014 10:53 AM
. Looks like waaaay fun for the strong and adventurous!
Think Top Gear's Polar Special.
