Fall is the perfect time for adventure biking

Ian Costello of Eagle is no fair-weather rider. Earlier this month, the 10-year-old BMX racer was pumping pedals around a track at the Eagle Sports Complex and getting ready for a race in Caldwell.

"It's a good time to ride because it's cooler," Costello said.

Nearby, Alec Carson, 14, of Eagle was hitting the jumps at the park.

"It's awesome," he said after soaring over a jump on the expert course. "This is the best time of year because you have the most traction. The ground's not super dry and dusty."

Fall may be best known for football and pumpkins, but there's no reason to put the bikes away.

Carson said he plans to keep riding his bike "until the snow flies" - and that's not a bad idea.

The Treasure Valley's mild, dry climate makes riding comfortable well into fall and bearable when the temperatures drop lower if you wear the proper clothing.

Local trails tend to be less crowded than in the spring and summer, and as long as trails are dry, most remain ridable into the winter unless there's seasonal closures to protect big game wintering grounds.

If there's rain or snow, riders and other trail users need to stay off trails until they are completely dry.

Even when trails are wet, there are other riding opportunities on lightly traveled roads and the Greenbelt.

With the right clothing and a little cooperation from the weather, you can stay on your bike until the slopes open at local ski resorts.

It's a good way to stay in shape and keep the holiday calories from hanging around your waistline.

Better yet, it's just a great way to get outdoors and have some fun without having to take a long drive someplace and spend a bunch of money. Plus, it is something the whole family can do together.

WHERE TO RIDE

The Idaho Velodrome & Cycling Park: The park at the Eagle Sports Complex off Old Horseshoe Bend Road is a great place for late-season riding because you can do a lot of different riding in a relatively small area, so you're never far from your vehicle if the weather changes.

The park has trails and tracks on which you can take a casual trail ride, get a workout or improve your riding skills.

Like any other trail, the park should not be ridden when wet. It's critical that riders stay off the tracks and trails when they are wet so the terrain will stay in top condition.

Foothills trails: Most trails are open in the fall and can be ridden when weather conditions allow.

According to David Gordon, coordinator for the Ridge to Rivers trail network, the trails in the Camel's Back/Hulls Gulch area have a sandy base and tend to dry out quickly after rain. They're a good choice for fall riding.

Bob's Trail in the same area quickly becomes ridable after rain or snow, and it's a technically challenging trail so you can get a workout in a fairly short ride.

Gordon said there's an easy way to know if trails are too wet to ride (or hike).

"If you're leaving a track, either by foot or on a bike, turn around," he said.

People also need to check for seasonal trail closures in the eastern Foothills. Many trails are closed starting Nov. 16 to protect wintering big game. Information and maps on trail closures can be found at www.ridgetorivers.org.

Greenbelt: There's probably not a day out of the year when someone isn't biking on the Greenbelt. It's a great place for a casual ride, and if you want to ride in a more natural environment, ride between Boise and Lucky Peak.

But don't overlook in-town riding. Ride a few miles and then pop into one of the restaurants or bars along the Greenbelt for a hot drink to warm up before finishing your ride.

Roads: Although the gate is closed after Dec. 1, 8th Street is open to bicycles year-round and provides a good (although a little bumpy) place to ride.

The same goes for Rocky Canyon Road. Cartwright Road north of Boise is a popular place for riding. There's also a nice loop in Northwest Boise by taking Seamans Gulch Road to Dry Creek Road to Old Horseshoe Bend Road, then Hill Road back to Seamans Gulch.

Owyhee Desert: Fall is a great time to explore the Owyhees. There's a large, mostly nonmotorized area with a variety of riding trails in the Wilson Creek area southwest of Walters Ferry.

The area favors intermediate and expert riders, and bikers should have some good navigation skills because it's easy to get turned around.

For more information and a map of the area log on to www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/owyhee/recreation_sites_/wilson_creek_travel.html.

DRESSING FOR FALL RIDING

Doing it right can be tricky, especially if you're mountain biking on trails, because while climbing you will go slow and exert a lot of energy, which produces heat and perspiration.

Then you will be zooming down hills and subjecting yourself to wind chill.

Layering your torso and paying attention to your feet, hands and head will allow you to ride comfortably in cold weather.

Here are some tips from IdahoOutdoors reporters Roger Phillips and Pete Zimowsky:

• Layering is important in cold weather. Breathable materials are best for wicking away moisture and preventing that cold, clammy chill.

• A zip-neck base layer is a good way to regulate your body temperature. Unzip to prevent overheating and sweating.

• Wear long johns made from a lightweight, synthetic material under your riding shorts, or wear cycling tights, which are less likely to chafe. You don't need a bulky layer. Your legs will be working hard and producing a lot of heat, and a thin layer is usually enough to keep the wind chill at bay.

• A fleece vest is a great way to stay warm but not overheat on climbs. Unzip it for the climb, then zip it for the descent.

• A light, packable and breathable windbreaker is a good outer layer. It cuts the wind chill but is still small enough to fit in a pocket on your hydro pack if you don't need it.

• A beanie under your bike helmet is another quick, easy way to regulate your body temperature. You can stow it almost anywhere if your head gets hot.

• Don't forget warm gloves. Your hands are directly exposed to the wind when you're riding. Wear a pair that is warm but still allows you to brake and shift without fumbling. Gloves designed for Nordic skiing also make great cold-weather biking gloves.

• To keep your feet warm, consider a pair of booties that fit over your riding shoes. You may want to buy another pair of riding shoes that allow you to wear thicker socks. Wearing thick socks that make your shoes fit too tightly may restrict blood flow and make your feet colder.

• Neoprene arm and leg warmers are light and easy to put on and remove and pack away if you don't need them.

• If possible, ride during late mornings to mid afternoons. That's when the temperatures are typically the most stable. Temperatures often rise or fall 10 or 20 degrees in the mornings and evenings, which makes it trickier to dress comfortably.