A Muddy Ride to Idaho's Blackfoot Reservoir

[SpudRider]

Several days ago I took a 130-mile ride to the Blackfoot Reservoir, and back. :) The best part of the ride covered 50 miles of muddy, gravel road; therefore, I had another chance to test my Cheng Shin, C858 front tire in the mud. :)

Most of the gravel road leading to the reservoir does not receive any winter maintenance; therefore, several times I needed to head cross-country, into the sagebrush, to bypass large snowdrifts covering the road. All along the way I saw many migratory waterfowl, and American Bald Eagles. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/MuddyBlackfootRez031.jpg

Here is a closeup of the Bald Eagle in the previous photograph. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/BaldEagleCloseup.jpg

As I neared the reservoir, I entered gravel roads that receive winter maintenance; this was fortunate, because I am sure I would have been required to turn back, otherwise. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/MuddyBlackfootRez045.jpg

The mud, and the snow, got deeper as I proceeded toward the reservoir. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/MuddyBlackfootRez051.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/MuddyBlackfootRez055.jpg

When I reached the reservoir, I discovered it was still frozen.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/MuddyBlackfootRez062.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/MuddyBlackfootRez064.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/MuddyBlackfootRez067.jpg

Nevertheless, the scenery was still beautiful. :) As I traveled along the perimeter of the reservoir I saw many more migratory birds, and American Bald Eagles. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/MuddyBlackfootRez082.jpg

The next photograph shows the road I traveled to the south. After riding another fifteen miles of muddy road, I exited onto the pavement near Henry, Idaho. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/MuddyBlackfootRez076.jpg

The C858 front tire did a good job in the soft, slippery mud and gravel; I was quite pleased with its performance! :) The weather was warm, so I stayed quite comfortable until I returned home at dusk. I thoroughly enjoyed another beautiful ride in Idaho's wilderness. :)

Spud :)

[AZ200cc]

Looks great :D , And like a place you would not want to break down....But my main question is why would they plow that road?

[SpudRider]

Looks great :D , And like a place you would not want to break down....But my main question is why would they plow that road?
Thank you, AZ. :) Indeed, I always tread lightly over the terrain wherever I ride; I very rarely leave the road/trail. ;) When I do leave the road, my little Zong doesn't leave a mark behind. :) The two times I departed the road on this trip, however, I was disappointed to discover that trucks/jeeps had preceded me. :(

The road nearer the reservoir was probably plowed so several remote ranches/farms could gain access to the outside world. Also, the government probably wants to maintain access to the irrigation equipment/ditches around the reservoir. ;)

Spud :)

[TurboT]

Great pics.. I don't think I've ever seen that far in one picture before. :)

I too went, "ooh, wouldn't want to have a failure or a crash riding solo out there."

[SpudRider]

Great pics.. I don't think I've ever seen that far in one picture before. :)

I too went, "ooh, wouldn't want to have a failure or a crash riding solo out there."
Thank you, Turbo. :)

Spud :)

[SpudRider]

The weather was absolutely gorgeous today, so I took another ride over to the reservoir. :) The road was less muddy today, and I took a different route around the eastern shore of the reservoir. This trip, I stopped to take some photos from the dam, looking north. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Blackfoot%20Reservoir%204-15-10/BlackfootResDam001.jpg

I had removed my Ricochet skid plate this winter; however, I reinstalled it today, before my ride. The Zong is handling great with the new, 21-inch front wheel! :) After I install the lower fork protectors, the major functional modifications on my Zong will be complete. If you haven't voted, please help me choose a color for my lower fork protectors. :)

http://chinariders.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=9614

Spud :)