MISSOULA, Mont. (BRAIN) — Adventure Cycling Association has released a set of maps and guides for a 518-mile off-pavement bike tour of Idaho's hot springs.
The route, which has four additional singletrack options, passes by more than 50 hot springs, including some that are commercialized and others that are undeveloped.
"Adventure Cycling has always been on the cutting edge of long-distance bicycle routing in North America," said cartographer Casey Greene. "The Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route continues this trend by incorporating backcountry singletrack options into a route, which is a first for us. It's also something that our members have been asking for, and with the innovative new bikepacking gear and techniques that have surfaced over the past 10 years, it seemed like the perfect time to develop this kind of route."
"There are few things I've found that go together as well as a day of backcountry bicycling followed by a relaxing soak in one of nature's own hot tubs," Greene said. "Those who've never experienced it are in for a real treat."
The Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route is offered as a two-map set. The first map section features the main, off-pavement route — a loop route that primarily follows dirt roads for 518 miles, with a few stretches of pavement in the mix. The second map set cover the four singletrack options. Some sections of the singletrack are expert-only riding (or hike-a-biking for those who aren't experts).
The maps sell for $15.75 each or $29.50 for the set.
More information: adventurecycling.org/idahohotsprings.
