We’ve been told for years that whenever you move an event to a new location or venue, expect a drop in attendance for the first year or two.
So when Blake and Meg Allen decided to move Rally in the Pines from Mackay, ID, to Salmon, ID, the question was: would the event suffer from the move?
Not even.
A record number of off-road/powersports enthusiasts showed up for this summer’s Rally in the Pines in Salmon and participated in a dizzying array of activities and events—in addition to daily guided rides in the mountains high above the Idaho town.
Those activities/events/rides included an evening ride and light parade, Hunt For Big Foot Fun Run, lunch ride, haunted stage stop ride, ice cream social and show and shine.
Rally in the Pines organizers asked the editors at Dirt Toys Magazine to lead a couple of guided rides, and we happily obliged. On Friday of the event, we traveled south of Salmon to Tendoy where we took a group on the Lewis & Clark Back Country Byway, which climbs up to the Continental Divide before dropping back down along Agency Creek.
Our second guided ride was the Vista Ridge ride, which left from the fairgrounds and headed north and then west out along a burned out section of the forest that offered phenomenal views. Day two’s ride was a bit of a trek with us dialing up 70 plus miles.
It was very warm in the valley—hot actually. Temps rose to the mid 90s both days but up in the forest it was cooler and more pleasant.
Dirt Toys also sponsored a giveaway at the Rally, thanks to the folks at Camp Chef (www.campchef.com), which provided us with a prize to give away during our subscription drive.
Jim Murphy went home to Buhl, ID, with a new Camp Chef Redwood Fire Pit.
We are already looking forward to next year’s rally (www.rallyinthepines.com).
