A women’s bikepacking rally in the wilds of Idaho
Inspired by the Komoot Women’s Rally
and countless self-organized women’s rallies after
A week full of grit and grins,
hot soaks and hot folks
September 12th – 18th 2027
McCall, ID
You are invited to join us on a rambling adventure through the Idaho backcountry. Open to women, non-binary, and trans riders who want to take on a big cycling challenge in a supportive environment.
Inclusive
This ride is open to women (cis and trans), trans men, and non-binary riders.
Within that group, all backgrounds, experience levels, and identities are welcome–this is a space for everyone who fits the above to feel at home.
Supportive
This is a non-competitive, community emphasis, shared welcoming space where no one gets left behind. The goal of each women’s rally is to share knowledge, learn-by-doing and above all else, have fun.
Self-Reliant
While the ride is supportive, each rider is self-reliant. This enables all participants to ride at their own pace and develop hands on experience with the highs and lows of bikepacking.
Route
The route travels through the rugged Salmon River Mountains. Expect tough climbs, deep forests, beautiful scenery, and blissful hot springs soaks.
This ride is demanding and the terrain is remote; be prepared for some navigation challenges and resupply uncertainty. However, water is abundant and technical sections are minimal.
Stats
- 74% gravel, 25% paved, 1% single-track
- 211 miles, 20,700 ft gain
Highlights
- Ripping 5,800 ft descent
- Historic mining towns
- Natural & developed hot springs
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
H. Jackson Brown
Travel
The route starts and ends at Hometown Sports in McCall Idaho. While there is a small commercial airport in McCall it is much simpler to fly into Boise.
If you are flying, we will have a trailer to haul bikes and carpool options to travel the two hours north from Boise to McCall.
If you are driving please consider carpooling either as a driver or rider. We will have a safe place for you to park your cars in Boise during the ride.
Itinerary
Day 0 (September 11th) – Welcome Party
Barbarian Brewing in Garden City
5pm – 8pm
We’ll gather to meet, discuss the route, and any lingering questions. Food and drinks will be available at the brewery and various restaurants nearby.
Day 1 – Ride Start
Willow Lane Athletic Complex
8am
We will meet, load up bikes and gear, figure out carpooling, and then caravan to McCall. There are many free parking options in McCall. Once parked, we can meet up for lunch then head out on the route. Don’t miss Gold Fork Hot Springs, at mile 25, on the way out of town!
Good options for dispersed camping will be around miles 30-35. Beyond that you will need to go over the climb and back down to Big Creek to camp near water.
Days 2-5 – Riding
Points of interest
| Mile Marker | |
|---|---|
| 38-44 | May involve some hike-a-bike. |
| 47.5 | Trail Creek. Fantastic wild hot springs. Don’t miss! |
| 52.5 | Spur to Warm Lake Lodge. Lodging & dining options. |
| 53-76 | Lots of roadside Forest Service camping options. |
| 67 | Mile 16 hot springs |
| 98 | Yellow Pine. Dining and resupply options. |
| 121 | Big Creek Lodge. Dining options–but you must call ahead. |
| 130 | Elk Creek Summit! Big descent time. |
| 157 | Warren Summit. Top of the last big climb. |
| 160 | Baum Shelter. One dining option. |
| 171 | Secesh. Two restaurants. |
Day 6 – Burgdorf
We will be reserving a cabin (or two depending on interest) at Burgdorf for anyone that wants to join for the final overnight.
Burgdorf also has a very small convenience store for provisions.
Day 7 (September 18th) – Finish Party
The end location will be at the Salmon River Brewery. We’ll toast our efforts, share food and stories. Depending on folks’ travel plans we can spend the evening in McCall. There are plenty of hotel options and there is a campground just outside of town. If folks need to fly out early on the 19th, we can load up and trundle back down to Boise to spend the night there.
FAQ
Is it a race?
Absolutely not. This is a non-competitive, community-based event.
What type of bike is recommended?
This route is suitable for mountain or gravel bikes. If you have the choice, a suspension fork or stem would make for a more enjoyable time. Recommended tire width is 2.2+ inches for an MTB or 45+ mm for gravel tires.
What’s the terrain like?
The ride will mostly be gravel, with some rough and loose stretches. Brief sections of singletrack and hike-a-bike are also to be expected.
Does it cost money?
This is a free event with a self-supported rally mindset – you must cover your own travel, food, and accommodations.
How much experience do I need?
Check out the route and elevation gain to see if you’re comfortable with it. A good general level of fitness and some experience doing 40+mile day rides is essential, and camping experience is helpful.
I want to go but I don’t have all the gear.
Let’s talk! We may be able to source items to loan.
What kind of tools do I need? Do I need to know how to repair my bike?
You will need to carry a repair kit with you at all times. This should include things like: tire levers, sealant, plugs, a spare tube (or 2 if you are prone to flatting), a pump, co2 cartridges & a nozzle, a multi-tool, chain lube, a rag (for cleaning chains and not getting covered in sealant if you get a flat). It is good to know some basic repair skills, but in the amazing style of the women’s rallies, there is usually someone around willing to help in case of a mechanical. Bikepacking.com has a more detailed breakdown of the repair kit.
Do I need to reserve campgrounds?
No. There are many established campgrounds and are not frequently used so finding a place to pitch should not be difficult. Much of the route is within the Payette National Forest, so opportunities for informal dispersed camping is plentiful as well.
There are several lodges on the route. If you’d like to stay in a room at a lodge advanced reservations are required.
We will be reserving a cabin at Burgdorf for the final night that everyone is welcome to join in on.
Do I need to bring my food?
Yes, there are very few resupplies on this route, so you will need to carry much of your food.
How much water do I need to carry?
You will need a water filtration system. Water should be readily available in streams and lakes. It is recommended to have a carrying capacity of 2-3L of water.
Register to Ride
Entries will be randomly drawn for a spot by July 1st 2027. You will be notified of results via email after the drawing.
This rally is capped at 20 riders.