Stage 2: The Smoky Mountains

Rebecca's Private Idaho multi-stage gravel race takes place on Labor Day weekend for the 12th year. This 4-part series explores the uniqueness of each stage, and sheds light on some new options available for competitors wanting to pick and choose their own adventure. This is part 2:

Stage 2 is Friday, August 30
A Climb into the Smoky Mountain Range of The Rocky's.

Dollarhide Summit: 50 MI | 3,057' -- GPX | STRAVA

If you recall from our previous dispatch, Rebecca's Private Idaho takes place in the middle of the Rocky Freaking Mountains. No exception is made with our Dollarhide Summit time trial. Please do not confuse the Smoky Mountains with the much older Great Smoky Mountains of the Appalachians. While both are impressive displays of Mother Nature's grandeur, they are very different places.

Stage 2 of Rebecca's Private Idaho ascends to Dollarhide Summit.

This stage is called Dollarhide because it climbs to none other than Dollarhide Summit. So naming it wasn't something we spent countless hours toiling over. It was very straightforward. Kinda like, DUH. We're all about naming things after their actual place. Case in point, Idaho is part of the event's name itself. Let's move on...

What makes our second stage, Dollarhide special is multi-fold. First, it begins with a casual roll at your own pace from downtown Ketchum, Idaho and gradually climbs Warm Springs Road into the Ketchum Ranger District. It is a beautiful ride into Sawtooth National Forest, and the southern flank of the Smoky Mountains which are yet again another subrange of the great Rocky Mountains.

The ride in its entirety from start to finish covers 50 miles out-and-back, but only a 4.5 mile climb section is scored. Once you reach the 20 mile mark, you'll line up in one long queue--fastest competitors from the prior day go first, and will be called to the front. In 30 second intervals, or thereabouts, you'll be released to ascend to the top of Dollarhide Summit. Over the next 4.5 miles the road pitches up steeper, and you'll gain another 1,500' of elevation on your way up.

Finally, once you are done, and recovered, you turn around and safely descend back towards Ketchum. This return route is SUPER FUN, but mind you there will still be other competitors racing to the top as you make your way down unless you were the last to the top of the hill. So you must descend with caution, and pay attention.

A-La-Carte

In a departure from previous editions of RPI, each stage is now its own race, scored and awarded by itself across various age and gender categories. You can sign up for Stage 1: Harriman Trail without having to sign up for any of the other days. Learn more about the event here.

But wait there's more!
Before reaching Ketchum, at the 38 mile mark you'll encounter Frenchman's Hot Springs. It was there on your way out, you just didn't notice. But on the return, it's going to be full of us hanging out, sharing some cold drinks and snacks.

We can't think of a better way to appreciate a place than to sit in it together. So we hope you'll make this stop with Rebecca and all your new friends before moseying back into town.

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