SSGR or Buncha' Bitches Riding Bikes

Well, it's not really a bunch. It's really just a few and honestly we are not all bitches. Or, not bitches all of the time, I should say. BBRB. It's a girls ride that happens once a year. I am not the organizer of this ride.. but more of a reluctant participant. I say reluctant b.c this is always an ass kicker of a ride! The route changes but the goal is consistent ~ that being to have a full day riding dirt! The ride is planned out to be an 8 to 10 hr mountain bike ride... That's why I say reluctant. The group is small so that the group keeps on task.. and usually the group is 4-6 women and this was it's 3rd year. It's a pretty delicate mix and this year we were unsure when it would happen and IF it would happen. All of the smoke that has been surrounding Idaho didn't make the planning easy. In fact, it was going to be sometime at the end of the month.... but a "clear smoke free" window lent itself to us and we jumped on it. It was a gorgeous "fall like" day and it was a great way to wrap up the summer season. We started at Galena Lodge and rode dirt alllllll the way to the Greenhorn parking lot which included some steep ups~ hiking our bikes but we had some looooong descents too on gorgeous pristine single track. It's an early start and I never feel like I have had enough coffee for what lies ahead. Fingers are cold. Everyone is pretty quiet.. anxiously awaiting what's ahead. But as we get into our grove, it happens. The sun warms us. The group becomes more relaxed and we enjoy one another and where we are. Usually someone cries at least once.. and this year, no one did. Though I have to say, I did tear up thinking that I almost conisdered missing this ride.

                                                         Thanks Ladies AND nice work!

Start to Finish: Galena Lodge, down the Harriman trail to Prairie Creek. Up to Prairie Lake. Up Trail #134 to Trail #138 to Baker Lake. Down Baker Lake and up Lost Shirt Gulch to trail #140 (? I think) and onto Castle creek and down to Warm Springs Road. Up Red Warrior and down Lodgepole to Greenhorn parking lot where we had a van parked full of snacks and COLD beers!!