Ski or cycle at Idaho’s resorts

It’s been a bad year for cycling.

First, there was the whole Floyd Landis drug thing at the Tour de France.

And then I caught my front tire in some gravel, pitched over the handlebars into the sweet by and by, and lay in a heap while my husband rode right over the top of me.

You may not consider these two events of equal import, but then again, you don’t have a tire tread across your back, do you?

You could probably get one without too much effort, though, and Idaho’s ski resorts will be more than happy to provide the venue.

Here’s what they have to say in their news release: “The state of Idaho is widely regarded as one of the nation’s best-kept skiing secrets. But an even greater secret is that the same resorts that offer premier alpine and Nordic skiing are also home to world-class mountain biking terrain.”

So, if it’s “widely” regarded, how can it be a secret? I don’t get it.

Anyway, here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll find among the state’s more than 19,000 miles of trails:

Around our neck of the woods, Schweitzer hosts the annual NORBA national mountain bike series – so they must know what they’re doing – and Silver Mountain’s Gondola Village serves as a trailhead to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.

Check www.schweitzer.com for a map, or www.silvermt.com for links to a couple of trails and a list of Bike and Stay lodging packages. You can also call (800) 831-8810 or (800) 204-6428, respectively.

A little farther afield, Brundage Mountain in McCall boasts a 1,640-foot drop, 20 miles of single-track trails and access to hundreds of acres of the Payette National Forest. There’s a bit more information at www.brundage.com. Or try (800) 888-7544.

If its Web site is any indication, Tamarack Resort in nearby Donnelly takes mountain biking mighty seriously. There’s a wealth of information including maps, trail reports, lists of upcoming clinics and prices for lessons and tours.

In addition to 25 miles of trails designed by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, Tamarack proudly presents access to Forest Service trails in both the Boise and Payette national forests.

Tamarack’s Foothills Park accommodates a range of skill levels, and the more adventurous among you can hitch a ride up a chairlift to 7,700 feet and scream back down on the single-track Stage Fright or Exit Stage Right.

Should you manage to arrive safely at the base, you might want to learn something new or test your technical skills at the Challenge and Jump Parks.

To find out more, visit www.tamarackidaho.com or call (877) TAM-RESORT.

Finally, Sun Valley’s Warm Springs Trail will take you about 11 miles through dense forest while the Mahoney Loop affords a tour of shade forest and mountain meadows in view of the Smoky, Pioneer and Boulder mountains.

They’ll tell you more at www.sunvalley.com or (208) 622-2097.

Striking Oregon

Not to be outdone, Oregon also waits eagerly for your vaunted presence.

And they’ve amassed a fine collection of enticements to draw you hither.

Let’s have a look, shall we?

For the entire months of October and November, hotels, chefs, winemakers, brewers, growers and others celebrate Oregon Bounty with special rates and packages, peeks behind the scenes, wine tastings, grape stomps, farmers’ markets and festivals devoted to everything from cranberries to onions.

Hood River gets in on the action with its 24th annual Hood River Valley Harvest Fest, which serves up more than 150 vendors’ worth of arts and crafts, fresh produce, entertainment and more from Oct. 20 to 22.

The Oregon folks would also have you know that they’ve got more than food to beguile you. They suggest you take a drive along the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Byway – the country’s first highway designated a national historic landmark – and drop by Multnomah Falls.

They invite you to try your hand at one or more of Smith Rock’s 1,400 climbing routes. And they remind you they’ve got an ocean handy should you wish to contemplate your relative insignificance to the planet.

Visit www.traveloregon.com or call (800) 547-7842 for information about all of the above.

Regional events

“Goldendale Festival of Wheels and Music Jamboree, Friday to Sept. 17, Goldendale, Wash. A cornucopia of music, dragsters, motorcycles, show cars, vintage vehicles, trucks, tractors and more awaits. (www.cityofgoldendale.com; 509-773-3400)

“Helena Indian Summer Art Market, Sept. 29-30, Helena. You’ll find Native American artists, clothing designers, jewelers, silversmiths and their wares, along with entertainment. (www.visitmt.com; 406-449-0318)