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Prelude

 Ever since my first visit to Idaho in 2015 to ride dirt bikes with my buddy Russ, I knew I needed to see more.  A couple of years later I found out about the Tour of Idaho and eventually got a DRZ with the plans to someday tackle the route.  Even more years later while on a quick trip to ride in Idaho, a new friend I made on the trip enlightened me to GRIT 1, more offroad oriented route that aligns directly with preferred riding style.

Spare parts & Tools

The Roost Concepts Stache moto tool



This year having seen some great deals on new bikes I decided to make it happen and picked up a leftover 2024 Beta 350rr.  My plan was to put about 30 hours on it ahead of my planned late August departure and then load it up with new tires (Bridgestone x31 front, Goldentyre GT333 rear w/ platinum NitroMousse) and drivetrain (Dirt Tricks sprockets + DID EVRT chain) to take on GRIT 1.

I added a Baja Designs Squadron Sport headlight, USB charger on a relay, Xtrig PHDS bar mounts, & engine guards.

Some notable items in my setup:

  • Roost Concepts Stache moto multi tool which launched the same day as my trip. 
  • Gerber 600 w/ wire strippers, carbide saw, file, & sharp scissors. 
  • Knipex pliers. 
  • Silky Big Boy folding saw. 
  • Montbell 30* bag & Marmot Tungsten 1 tent. 
  • Bear spray. 
  • Hydrapak water filter and bottle. 
  • Jump pack. 
  • Quick steel and fuel tank repair putty. 
  • Hand warmers. 
  • Spare fuel pump and regulator rectifier. 
  • Fodsports helmet comm for music. 
  • Fenix bc26r helmet light.




Food and Comforts. I ended up finishing with half this food still in my pack

The only "support" allowed for the route is you can mail yourself oil, so I send premeasured bottles of oil via USPS to Riggins & Wallace.

I take navigation really seriously, I sit at computers everyday and only get a limited amount of time in the woods each year. I plotted my planned route and loaded it on 2 bicycle computers. I used the Lezyne MegaXL to record my track and provide a zoomed out "route line of truth" while the Garmin Edge 840 was zoomed it to make intercessions easier. I also had an old phone and cradle I'd pull out if diverging from my planned route. 

My packing strategy was to put all my tools and spares in the right pannier, spare clothes in a dry bag on the left pannier, sleeping bag and remaining clothes in a dry bag in the tail bag w/ sandals on top. Up front I had my tent, sleeping pad, and rain jacket. In my behind the bar bag I kept the jump pack and whatever needed to charge at the moment. Last minute I mounted a tool tube which held oil, brake fluid, and rubber gloves.


A few weeks ahead of my start I was riding with my friend Drew who asked if anyone on the ride had any interest in riding in Idaho before the end of the Summer as he had to pickup a Timbersled kit from Boise that he had ordered.  I told him I needed to get to the border with Nevada and a plan was set!  Drew as nice enough to camp in Jackpot so I could get my desired 6 AM start.

Ride totals: 63.3 hours 1,352 miles, 188,442 vertical ft gain


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Day 1

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