Bike Touring News

Fools went on an Errand! Lovely weather, delightful mix of terrain, donuts, big views, cool birds and some kind humans to share the experience. What more can you ask for from a weekend?!

Eagle foothills roads are riding amazing right now, so if you’re not out there right now get out there right now! Johnson Crk is a little ooky in spots but at least 90% rideable. Moto guy definitely turned around where the pedal bikes cruised through. 😉

So when’s the next one? You wanna ride? We’ve got a couple sets of dates on the calendar with route plans still TBD. Those dates are:

May 24-25
June 22-23 (Swift Campout ‘24)

Stay tuned for more as the plans firm up for those rides. Holler if we can help get you ready to ride!

Two more sleeps, then we ride!

April Fool’s Errand 2024 departs BTN HQ at 2pm on Saturday, March 30th!

Weather will be unpredictable, so check the forecast and bring layers.

Birdwatching in the Montour WMA is always interesting this time of year, so bring your binoculars.

Johnson Creek Road may be a s**tshow, so bring wide tires, choose good lines and be prepared to walk. The Sand Hollow detour is an alternative. See our RideWithGPS page for tracks.

On a personal note, I (Ryan) can’t overstate how hyped I am to ride and camp with y’all. I lost the fall of ‘23 to injury (my fave season to ride) and spent the winter healing and working to regain fitness and excitement for bike travel. Some of those days were pretty dark and I certainly was not at my best. My work suffered and I want to apologize for the missed/late communication, slow turnaround and generally sub-standard experience with BTN over the last six months. We’ve kept this little ship from taking on too much water through that storm and I’m excited about bailing out the rest so we can really start shredding again. This coming weekend should go a long way towards filling the sails. Hopefully it can do the same for you.

Let’s Ride! See y’all Saturday!

Time To Ride, Y’all!

Spring is here and so is bike travel season! Is there a better way to kick things off than a jaunt over the Eagle foothills to Montour?! Nope, didn’t think so.

Join us for April Fool’s Errand 2024! The plan will be similar to years past but we’ll be going all-in on a Saturday departure. Here’s our plan:

- Depart BTN HQ at 2pm Saturday, April 30th

- Ride ~30 miles and climb ~2,000ft through the Eagle foothills to the Montour campground.

- Camp, chill, explore. Birdwatching in the Montour WMA is usually pretty interesting this time of year. Will the sandhill cranes meet us there?

- Return home on Sunday via the same route or one of your choosing.

Route Notes: Consider this an intermediate difficulty ride. Decent fitness is required for the climbing and intermediate/advanced bike handling skills may be needed on Johnson Creek. However, this is certainly a suitable trip for new bike travelers and is one of the easier overnights from Boise, so don’t be intimidated! From the ride’s high point we’ll descend Johnson Creek Road, an unmaintained, rutted out 4WD road with a section of loose, rocky creek bed that will probably be 4 inches deep in running water. Walking may be required. If you’d prefer to avoid the gnar take the Sand Hollow alternate (also on our RWGPS page).

Bike Notes: Any off-road touring bike or trail bike will do fine. 2” to 2.5” tires are the sweet spot. Suspension won’t hurt but is certainly not needed. More pavement-oriented rigs may struggle on Johnson Creek but should be ok on most of the maintained roads.

Camping/Resupply Notes: Potable water and pit toilets are typically available at the Montour CG this time of year. It is not officially open for the season so no guarantees. Be prepared to filter water and practice good Leave No Trace bathroom habits if needed. The Triangle Restaurant and Montour Store are both a short ride north from the campground to handle your food/beverage/water/bathroom needs.

You coming along?! Let’s go!! Holler if you have any questions about the ride or if we can help get you set up for the trip. Can’t wait to see you on the road to Montour next weekend!

Sorry I’m late, boss! Lil slippy sloppy out there this morning. Shop is open til 4pm today, hoping for regular hours tomorrow.

Also, we’ll be making some schedule adjustments next week to try and make up for recent and upcoming closures. Here’s the plan:

Open: Mon. 22 - Wed. 24, 11-5.

Closed: Thur. 25 & Fri. 26

Back to 11-4, W-F the week of Jan. 29.

Thanks for your patience with all the unpredictability this fall and winter. This is one of the downsides of sailing this little ship singlehanded. Hopefully you’ve been able to enjoy the snow in the valley!

Holy Snow Day, Boise! BTN WILL BE CLOSED (or opening late) today, Wed. Jan. 17.

Will try to make up for this closure with extra shop days next week. Watch this space for updates.

Stay safe out there and enjoy the snow!

F***y Packs Never Gave Up On You!

Thank YOU for not giving up on this little shop through all the injury-related disruption this fall. I (Ryan) am well on the road to full recovery but there have been some pretty major mental and physical low points along the way. Thanks for granting me the space to heal over these past months and continuing to support the shop with your business.

We’ve been keeping reduced shop hours over the past few weeks and will continue that schedule until late winter/early spring when things start getting busier. Here are those hours:

Fall/Winter Hours: 11am - 4pm, Wed - Fri.

As we head into winter the shop will be closed on some additional days for holidays, family and winter travel. We know most of those dates through January, so here they are:

Upcoming Shop Closures:
- November 22-24
- December 15
- December 27-29
- January 25-26

As always, we’re happy to make accomodations outside those limited shop hours if needed, so just call or email if you’re having a tough time getting into the shop.

Thanks again for your support, patience and kindness. We’ll see you again after Thanksgiving!

Y'all are long overdue an update on this injury situation! I (Ryan) hate keeping the shop closed for so long but really appreciate your patience and support as I get through the first phase of recovery.

Aaron has been doing an amazing job handling service work on top of his full-time job, so buy him a beer or at least give him a big high five when you see him.

We’re 4 weeks in and I’m finally regaining some decent functioning in my right hand. It’s crazy how trauma has run downstream from the broken bones and other damage around the shoulder. Hand writing and computer operations have been super painful or plain impossible up until the last few days.

We’re hoping that bones will have healed sufficiently for me to start PT in the next couple of weeks. It will feel so good to take a proactive approach to recovery! Fortunately, my legs work just fine so I can still get on the trails with the pup.

Massive thanks to everyone with service work, web orders and general inquiries for being so kind and understanding. Things will be moving faster from here out.

So, here’s the plan for this week:

SHOP OPEN : WED 9/27 - FRI 9/29, 11am - 4pm

20% OFF EVERYTHING IN STOCK!

Yep, bikes included. Not valid for labor or special orders. Web store prices remain the same. This sale is for the Boise bike travelers who are the reason this shop exists. Hopefully we’ll be able to expand those hours week by week, so stay tuned for updates.

The shop is in a pretty tough financial situation with all this downtime, so take advantage of this rare sale and help us keep the lights on heading into fall.

See y’all later this week!

Well, s**t.

Seems like all we use this platform for these days is to deliver bad news. Sorry about that. Here goes:

As of today, BTN in-store operations are suspended until further notice.

We will not be taking in any more service work until further notice. If you have work already in the queue I’ll be in touch soon if I haven’t already.

The web store will continue to operate. Shipping may be slightly slower than usual.

Due to a broken collarbone and several ribs sustained in a bicycle crash, I (Ryan, BTN owner/operator) won’t be able to perform most of my typical daily tasks for at least a few weeks. As a dominant right-hander, there’s not much I can do with only my left arm!

Over the coming weeks I’ll be asking favors, pleading forgiveness and begging for patience as we attempt to keep the wheels from falling off the shop, so thank you in advance for your graciousness.

There is never a good time to be injured but this situation is especially un-excellent. Lots of folks count on us for final Smoke n Fire prep this time of year and we won’t be able to offer much support right now. Please email if you’re in need of gear (especially anything you don’t see on the web store) and we’ll do our best for you.

Thank you for your support over the years and your patience in this difficult time. Watch this space for updates and hopefully we’ll get back to business as usual sooner than later.

SHOP CLOSED - Tue Aug 8.

I (Ryan) am stuck In Minneapolis with a cancelled flight back to Boise. Zero chance I’ll be able to open the shop tomorrow.

Sincere apologies for the inconvenience. Hopefully we’ll be back in business on Wednesday.

Last weekend’s Owyhee Pedal Patrol trip was a winner!

We disproved some myths about riding in the Owyhees:

1: There are no trees.
2: There is no water.
3: It’s always windy.

Yep, it was hot but up close to 6,000 ft it was a heck of a lot cooler than Boise. Plenty of shade breaks and creek crossings to stay cool.

Thanks to all of you who expressed interest in this volunteer opportunity. We’re working on a volunteer interest form so we can get this project a bit more organized. It’s a bit of a dirtbag brain child, ya know? Keep an eye out for that link in your inbox and email [email protected] with Owyhee Pedal Patrol in the subject line if you’d like to learn more.

Gone ‘Splorin!

We’re headed out this afternoon for a weekend ride with the Owyhee Pedal Patrol! There are a couple reasons why this matters:

1: BTN HQ will close at 2pm today, Friday the 14th. It’s super helpful to get out of town early for these trips.

2: OPP wants you! If you enjoy rugged riding in remote desert environs and want to help support your public lands this is a great volunteer opportunity.

Our buddy Evan is the Lone Ranger (no mask but sometimes rides a horse) for the half-million acres of Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness and can use some help keeping tabs on things. We’re not law enforcement, we just ride the wilderness boundary roads and “cherry stem” routes and make records of what we find. Selfishly, it’s a free shuttle from the BLM to ride in some of the most remote country in the lower 48. Sound like your idea of a good time? Email [email protected] and we’ll get you clued in.

SHOP’S OPEN!

We’re observing Independence Day by celebrating the two wheeled, human powered freedom generation machine we know as the bicycle!

A handful of Surly models are still 20% off, though that deal disappears for some models today! Lots of bikes on the floor and in the warehouses. Come let us help you find a new freedom machine or make the one you already have even better!

In other important news, the national treasure that is our women’s soccer team is chasing a record breaking back-to-back-to-back World Cup trophy this summer with a young, talent soaked, but largely untested (1st World Cup for 14 of 23 players) squad! The tournament kicks off in 16 days (but who’s counting 😉) and is sure to be a month long thriller. Support our badass women in their quest for glory and ask Ryan pretty much anything about women’s soccer if you want to see him get all teary eyed! So much pride behind this crest!

Let’s Ride!

The weekend is drawing near! Hope you’ve got your packing (mostly) sorted for the Warm Lake Wanderer!

We’ve got a route file https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43355448 that reflects the plan outlined in our last post. Should be a great ride!

Sounds like there will be folks driving out of Boise on both Friday night and Saturday morning. Let’s plan to meet at Ponderosa CG or thereabouts on Saturday night.

All are welcome. Holler if you want to share a ride and we’ll see you lovely humans out there!

Let’s Go Camping!

It’s Swift Campout time and the hills are calling! We’re planning a trip on the Warm Lake Wanderer and think you should come too! put up this tasty tater of a route and took all these lovely photos, so tell him thanks when you see him.

Expect about 90 total miles and 6,500 ft of climbing. Fishing potential, hot springs and sweet camping options galore!

Rough plan is as follows:

Leave Boise on Friday and get the drive over with. Either car camp or ride a few miles to camp off the bikes.

Day 1: 40 miles to Secesh River. Hot springs and camping.

Day 2: 20 miles to Yellow Pine for lunch. 33 more over Thunderbolt Mtn climb, topping out around 7,200ft before descending back to Warm Lake.

Back to Boise Sunday afternoon/evening.

Wanna go? Come on! Shoot a DM or (EVEN BETTER!) call the shop or stop by. All are welcome.

Link with route files and other info coming soon.

Well heck.
Due to circumstances beyond our control we will not be open as planned tomorrow, Tuesday the 11th. Truly sorry for any hassle or inconvenience. You can take it out on me (Ryan) when I’m back in the shop on Wednesday.

Hopefully we can make it up to you with a good time and sweet deals this weekend, Saturday the 15th. We’ll be down at a bike nerd’s dream garage sale, hosted by from 10-2 at their spot in Garden City. See y’all there!

Closed mañana!

Between holiday travel and limited staff we’ll need to close tomorrow. Sorry for the inconvenience! Open regular hours Thursday, Friday and all next week.

✌️ ❤️ 🚲

RIDE UPDATE!

We’re 3 days away from the April Fool’s Errand and can’t wait to ride and camp with y’all! Here are some important updates for anyone joining in, so please READ THIS POST!

DEPARTING FRIDAY 3/31, 4pm SHARP from BTN HQ.

TAKING THE SAND HOLLOW/SHALEROCK ROUTE. (38mi, 2,700ft climbing) Route link in bio via .

Johnson Creek Rd is almost 100% certain to be an impassible mud bog so we’ll have to go round the long way, adding around 10 miles and 800ft of climbing to the ride. We’ll be pushing daylight to get to Montour before dark, so plan to be efficient and BRING LIGHTS! Feel free to depart earlier if you want more time on the road.

(First 4 photos from Johnson Creek on a much less wet year for context. 5th from Shalerock Rd. the same year. It’s pretty sweet!)

NO ORGANIZED SATURDAY DEPARTURE.

Looks like Saturday’s weather will be less than wonderful and nobody has expressed interest in heading up a Saturday group. If you want to do a Sat/Sun itinerary and would like folks to ride with hit us up and we’ll try to connect you.

Think that’s it! Holler if you have any other questions and we’ll see all you wonderful humans on Friday!

Y’all ready to ride?!

Spring is maybe actually here and we’re just over a week away from the April Fool’s Errand, our annual kickoff to the bike camping season!

The plan will be basically the same as in past years. A group will depart BTN HQ at 4pm, Friday March 31st for a 35ish mile jaunt over the Eagle foothills to the Montour campground. Check our RideWithGPS for the route. Ride home via the route of your choosing or back the way you came.

We’ve usually had a Saturday departure as well. Anybody up to being the point person for that group?

Also, anybody scoped out Johnson Crk Rd this year? Suspect it may be a bit wet…

Holler if you have questions and we’ll hope to see a good crew on the road and in camp!

(Photos from last year’s ride to whet your appetite.)

BOTW! 10% Off!

The Surly Ghost Grappler is BTN’s Bike Of The Week! That means you can ride away on this drop bar party wagon with an extra $200 in your pocket! You too can climb and descend mountains with a smile like on our House Mountain Hooper ride last spring.

Small thru XLarge completes are in stock! Pricing good through Friday, March 3. Make it happen this spring on a new whip!

New Surly Alert!

Y’all seen the Preamble yet? Surly’s latest model is an all you need, naught you don’t whip to get you around town and beyond. Simple, affordable, steel. Racks?Yes. Fenders? Yes. 10 million attachment points you’ll never use? No. $899 sticker price? Yes! We’ve got S,M,L sizes in stock if you want to check one out.

What do you think of this new offering? Solid value? Boringest Surly ever? Ideal first nice bike? How bout that “Skyrim Blue” color? What does the chisel decal symbolize? Sound off in the comments, the. come ride one and see for yourself. ✌️ ❤️ 🚲

Hey, Big Dummy!

Y’all heard the news? The Big Dummy is back with updated frame design, streamlined bags, a sweet sparkling purple color and (maybe best of all) a corn dog on the seat tube. (Also, why is there no corn dog emoji?) 🌽 🐕?

Here’s the bummer news. This will be the last run of Big Dummies. Ever. So say the Surly overlords. So if you want one you better hit us up and don’t drag your flip flops on the way over here. Kyle picked up his large (pictured) last week. No, they don’t come with Persuader Bars but we can dress yours up any way you like!

We’ve got a medium built and chilling on the shop floor. All sizes are available to order, both complete bike and framesets. Haven’t been able to say that for a while. Get a Dummy, ditch your car, haul your stuff, eat a corn dog. Rinse and repeat. Life problems solved. ✅

Ed’s new Stargazer turned out sweet! This was a fun build with some orange color pops accenting the bone frame. Can’t wait to see this one out in the wild!

Now is a great time to get your ride sorted for the coming season. Availability of bikes and parts is better than it has been in two years and the service queue isn’t too stacked up. We’d be stoked to get you rolling on a new custom build, with a factory complete bike or with some service needs on your current ride. Hit us up!

End Of An Era! Today is Aaron’s last day at Bike Touring News!

Come help send him off with a bang! Happy Hour starts at 5pm, chill foothills ride to follow. Bring snacks and/or beverages to share.

Aaron joined the BTN squad back in the summer of 2020. We’ve all obviously been through some serious s**t since then and Aaron played a massive part keeping this little ship on course through some turbulent waters. If you’ve had service work done, bought a bike or wheelset from us in the past two years you have Aaron to thank for the quality of that work. His shoes are unfillable but we’ll just have to muddle on somehow… 😭

Tears aside, come hang out this afternoon and help send this guy off in style.

What a weekend to ride bikes and sleep outside!  How was your Swift Campout!?

We learned a few things and also found some new questions on this trip.  Let’s talk about some of those. 

One thing we learned is that there may be a good reason that every time Ryan sets out to do some kind of Trinity Mountain ride nobody wants to go with him!  See photos 2-3.  More on that later…

Another more important thing we learned was that the S. Fork near Featherville was still as much of a zoo as in peak pandemic outdoor escape times.  Perhaps we were naive thinking things would quiet down this summer.  Every campground was 100% full, along with nearly every turnout spot.  Of course, everyone brought all their motor toys to braaap around on as well

Rachel and Pat were first to Chaparral and got permission to camp in a shaded corner but the host wasn’t keen on a whole group piling in there.  Fair enough.  Our crew (Rosemary, Ryan, Charlie and Ryan) set off to find a little hole in the trees away from the motors and didn’t have to go too far to reach a shady pine grove with plenty of space. Rob rolled in just a bit later to join the tent village.  He said he had crossed paths with Clint on the road but he never arrived at our spot.  Hope you had a great ride and found a good camp spot, Clint!  We had an enjoyable night but missed the larger communal atmosphere we were hoping to foster.

All this leads to the important question:  Where Should We Camp Next?  It’s been too long since we had a proper group campout and we want to make it happen this year.  We’ve got some ideas but want to hear yours.  What y’all got?  The ideal location will check most of these boxes:
* Space for a good size group, 15-20 tents max
* Option to reserve space would be nice
* Accessible within a 1-2 day ride from Boise
* Route options for all ages and abilities
* Within range of at least some services/amenities

Despite the camping kerfuffle we had a great weekend and will be sharing more stories in the next few days.  Thanks to everyone who came out!  Hoping for a bigger gathering here soon!

Happy Solstice, y’all!!
We’re super psyched to ride bikes and sleep outside this weekend! Hope you and your posse are too!

What kind of route and itinerary options are folks planning on? Anyone interested in being the contact person for others who want to join? Ryan will be heading up the Friday 10am departure from Boise. Anybody planning a Saturday morning exit from town?

Regardless of route choice, we can’t wait to see who shows up at Chapparal CG on Saturday!

Route options and more info in our profile link. ✌️