The headline pretty much sums up our experience at this year’s Rally in the Pines.
Certainly the weather can be fickle in the summertime in the mountains so you might be plenty warm one minute and riding through a thunderstorm (or hailstorm like this year) the next.
Such is life when riding in the mountains but one thing that is very predictable is that the Rally in the Pines is fun. There is always so much going on but nothing really trumps the riding in and around Mackay, ID, in the Lost River Range and White Knob Mountains.
Once again sponsored by BAM Films/PowerSports Adventures, the rally was four days of activities, eating and riding.
Dirt Toys Magazine was there in full force again this year, guiding the Tops of the World ride for two of the days and hosting a pancake breakfast for Rally in the Pines attendees on Friday morning.
We just kind of hung out on Thursday, helping the Camp Chef crew serve lunch to a few folks before spending the afternoon riding with them. Friday and Saturday we guided the Top of the World ride, which takes you to some amazingly scenic ridges that offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Friday’s ride started out warm and sunny at the lower elevations but as we led our group on the Top Of The World ride and gained elevation, the weather changed. It didn’t change real quickly but it was fairly fast. It started with rain and then came the hail. We drove out of the storm as we wound our way around the mountains but then drove back into it. Again and again.
We did have a few breaks but for the most part we were wet all day long.
We eventually made our way up Stewart Canyon to a beautiful unnamed lake. That was the crown jewel of both days’ rides. Saturday’s ride was much drier and a little warmer.
We didn’t participate in all the activities over the weekend but we did make it to the parade on Friday night, which is always fun.
It was another great event.
