Getting out on my mountain bike has been a priority the last few weeks. This autumn has started out perfectly for riding. With my legs and lungs in prime shape after riding all summer, it’s time to get after it. The 90-day wonders have gone (thanks for the eye candy and economy boost), and the trail systems belong to the true locals of the valleys.

I’ve been getting out regularly with my usual partners Ryski and Squirrel and have been mashing around the Valley during the evenings and on weekends. The trails are in perfect shape: fast and tacky. The climbs that hurt so bad in the spring now pass behind easily. Breathing the cool fall air makes me feel like a fine tuned muscle car at sea level: Strong! The downhills are a blur of red, yellow and green. It’s impossible not to stop to catch views of this paradise we call home.

We’ve been hitting our favorite rides in Cache Creek and on the Pass and have been venturing into the Big Holes over in Idaho. Mountain biking has been a passion of mine for 15 years. Being able to ride from home without having to drive to the trailhead is just one aspect that makes the riding here so sick. Knowing there’s a cold beer waiting in the fridge and some food around the kitchen definitely keeps me motivated towards the end of a long ride.

I would say one of my favorite trails would be the Phillips Canyon trail. Park your car at the Phillps Canyon trailhead on Fish Creek road,and peddle through Wilson and up the Old Pass road, which is a great warmup.

Keep climbing up the road, onto the Phillips connector trail and continue across Highway 22 up towards Ski Lake. Merge towards Phillips pass and keep climbing more. The trail will soon level out after passing through an obvious drainage.

Get ready for a long, killer downhill back to you car. Time: two hours.

The word around town is definitely geared towards winter. But I say not to forget what I consider the best part of the year. Fall is only here for a short time. The mountains are already showing snow, and the days are growing shorter. I know I ‘ll be putting on extra layers, donning my orange hunting vest and sneaking out of work early to get the last of my evening rides in. See you on the dirt.