The Sam-less Spring Prairie Poker Ride

With Idaho Sam out of town on family business, IAMC club president capt. ed led us on the 6th annual spring ride.  For many of us this ride is the first real "serious" outing of the season though a milder than normal winter allowed limited desert riding.  Sam did pick the perfect day though.   With promise of highs in the low 80's we gathered again at Bad Boy Burgers on Fairview to carb-up for the trail and after instructions from our leader we hit the interstate to Black's Creek exit and on to Mayfield.

Bad Boy Burger on Fairview

Instructions from ride leader, capt. ed.

Flanked by historic Mayfield dance hall, riders appreciated the roadway improvements, not the fresh "asphalt".

Our first break in Mayfield over we headed farther east to the Canyon Creek Station site.

The Canyon Creek Station parking lot.

Remains of the station make an excellent "photo op".

The next "break" was courtesy of capt. ed's pinched rear tube. 

Having many "practices" under his belt, he and experienced helpers made short work of it.

At the the corner of Anderson Ranch Dam the riders regrouped...

...and took time for a "class" photograph.

Several riders elected to try the ride over Meadow Creek Summit which we later heard from the proprietor of the Y-stop was not passable due to snow.  After a "time-out" at the Y-stop at Prairie others rode Long Gulch Road to the Middle Fork Boise River Road.  The rest of us rode back on Blacks Creek Road.

I can never resist this spectacular view of snow covered Trinity Peak whose melting snow fields flow into the South Fork of the Boise River and Arrowrock Reservoir. 

Sorry you missed it Sam.  Great day, perfect weather, easy pace and great friends.  Thanks capt. ed.  Hope you made it to the birthday party in time.

This ride did not suck.