Dirt Biking on the Palouse
By Wyatt Haynes
XC runner, 2022 Logos Graduate, owner of Timber Crafter LLC.
Dirt Biking in Idaho!
Spring has arrived, and before you know it, summer will be here and blazing hot. But in the brief inbetween the weather will be ideal for Dirt biking! With snow melting off the mountains, many riders will be enjoying the trails, scenic views, and much more! Spring is the perfect time to get started.
North Idaho is home to many dirt biking trails, which makes finding a place to ride easy. Before learning to ride, you will need proper safety equipment. A well-fitting helmet and riding boots are a necessity. Shoulder pads, riding pants, goggles, and gloves are also a good investment. I’ve learned from personal experience that skimping on safety equipment can lead to many unnecessary injuries. Once you get safety covered, you’ll need a bike. Some basic things to note: a 2-cycle engine, aka “2-stroke,” typically has a faster throttle response. The 4-cycle engine, or “4-stroke,” is known for a smoother power delivery. One thing to keep in mind with 2-strokes is that regular gas will need to be mixed with 2-stroke oil. 2-cycle mix is typically between 30:1 and 50:1, which depends on the engine.
Once you have bought the necessary gear for riding, trails and a means of transportation are all you need. Latah County has many riding locations. Finding trails to ride is easy with apps like onX or Trailforks. Asking a friend can be another great resource. Many trails are open to hiking or mountain biking; not all trails accept motorized vehicles. Close attention to which trails allow motorized access is crucial. Another two factors to consider when choosing places to ride are the amount of riders and time of year. As summer approaches, the dirt on the trails will turn to dust. When riding in summer (especially late summer), dust will be unavoidable. Many times the trailing riders will have to follow at a far distance behind the leader. When trailing riders don’t leave a large enough gap, the dust can obscure vision and increase the odds of crashing. This becomes an increasingly important factor if you plan to ride with a large group, as the time for the last person to catch up may be 5 to 10 minutes. Planning out a ride is a crucial step to a fun, stress-free adventure; downloading the map for the area you plan to ride is a great way to avoid getting turned around and lost. Oftentimes the trails look much different from the ground than they do from a map.
Dirt biking can be an expensive hobby, but it comes with many good times in nature. Many trails are less than an hour drive from Moscow and offer varying degrees of difficulty. Whether you are just beginning or you have been riding for years, the variety in terrain is vast to match your personal taste. Right now is the perfect time to get into dirt biking; the weather is ideal for riding in spring. The ground is often dust-free, and the fresh spring air is the cherry on top.