The Smoke ‘n’ Fire 400 is a bikepacking race that starts and ends in Boise, Idaho. It is filled with the diverse landscape that Idaho has to offer. Like the name suggests, the race is roughly 400 miles with 40,000 feet of elevation, and it is sure to test anyones ability. This first year event is hosted by Elev8/208, also know as Norb DeKerchove and Tyson Fahrenbruck. Racers will head out on Wednesday, September 10th, at 7:00am from the historic Hyde Park in Boise, Idaho. The race will head due east towards Ketchum, Idaho. Riders will travel along the south fork of the Boise River on forest roads before reaching Ketchum at mile 160. There they will have the opportunity to resupply in a relatively large town, even stay in a hotel if desired. Smoke and Fire 400 The Route will then head north along paved road, two track, primitive roads, and some amazing singletrack. Heading into a few more resupply points such as Red Fish Lake, a lake where mass amounts of sockeye salmon used to spawn and turn the lake red. The route continues north up valley to the town of Stanley at mile 256. Racers will head up valley again, and on a connection of roads with some brutal washboards west towards Deadwood Reservoir. Once racers reach the reservoir, they will then encounter a steep climb that will surely hurt, especially after 320 miles into the race. Racers will then visit their last resupply town of Placerville. Riders will take on some big climbs all the way to Schafer Butte, before descending on a mix bag of singletrack and dirt roads down to Boise, where racers will finish back at Hyde Park. Smoke and Fire 400Like many other races of this kind, participants should all understand it is a fully self supported race. Meaning they are completely on their own, no dropped bags or pre arranged help. All participants will likely camp, or get a hotel that is on route. The only exception to this rule is if your bike breaks down. In that case you may hitch a ride for repairs. In that event racers will need to return to the spot where they were picked up. Racers are provided with GPX tracks to upload to their GPS units as the route is not very cut and dry. All racers will be carrying Spot devices, which will track riders location as they go. For more information on the race rules, route details, and more check out their site, http://smokenfire420.wordpress.com/

What to know:

Name: Smoke ‘n Fire 400 Year: 1st (2014) Length: 400ish miles Start: Sept, 10th in Boise, Idaho Finish: Boise, Idaho Vert: 40,000 feet Route Description: Dirt Roads, Two Track, Singletrack, Pavement Race Director(s): Norb DeKerchove and Tyson Fahrenbruck.

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