Cycling in Idaho
Cycling in Idaho is a common as walking or driving. If you’re a roadie, and you know who you are, then you have had to of heard of Kristin Armstrong; three-time Olympic gold medalist winner for individual time trials in women’s road bicycle racing. Well, she lives in Boise and Boise is proud of her.
There is an 8 mile stretch on the drive to the top of Bogus Basin ski resort named the Kristin Armstrong Bikeway. She chose this section of road for her training for the 2008 Beijing Games because it mimics the rise on the race course. Every day you see cyclists pumping up this incline on their way to Bogus Basin.
Not only is this stretch of road named in her honor, there is a park right along the Boise river named after her and, here is where it comes back to you cyclists, she is a figure at the annual Twilight Criterium held in downtown Boise. Each year, top pro women’s and men’s cycling teams, along with local and amateur cyclists, take to a high-speed race course through the streets of downtown. It’s an adrenaline pumping, crowd pleasing event for all.
Fast racing road cycling isn’t the only type of cycling in Idaho. Boise is quite a bike friendly town with many residents within the city using bicycles as their main form of transportation. The streets throughout Boise have their own designated bike lanes and the paved Greenbelt along the Boise River runs right through downtown. This makes commuting to parks and playgrounds, shopping and dining, and even to work and home safe, fun, and enjoyable.
Opportunities Abound Everywhere
Boise and the surrounding area deliver an unparalleled quality of life not found anywhere else in the nation. It’s the reason Idaho is the fastest-growing state in the country. The Treasure Valley has so much going for it—a vibrant urban/metropolitan economic and educational base, an affordable cost-of-living, an extraordinary business-friendly environment, four mild and distinct seasons, and plenty of public wilderness that allows a lifetime of weekend adventures.
The Boise-Nampa metropolitan area is known as the Treasure Valley. In addition to Boise and Nampa, the area includes the cities of Meridian, Eagle, Caldwell, Star, Middleton, and Kuna. Situated between the Boise Mountains (or foothills) to the north and the Owyhee Mountain Range to the southwest, the valley provides abundant recreational activities within minutes from your home. In wintertime, these snow-covered ranges are simply breathtaking.
Downtown Boise
Recognizing the abundance of resources and opportunities back in 1959, the area was coined the “Treasure Valley” by the Chamber of Commerce, and it stuck. Keep reading to discover why it is such a true treasure today. Surrounded by beauty, a thriving economy, reduced commutes, and a wide variety of recreational options, you’ll find living in the Treasure Valley an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Opportunities For A Better Life
More Family Time
Living in the Treasure Valley provides more family time and adventure opportunities. One of the first things people notice, especially if they’re from California or Washington, is that their commute time is significantly reduced. This means less time on the road and more time enjoying life.
You will quickly discover an abundance of outdoor activities for people of all ages and interests, with easy access to open spaces such as rivers, lakes, and trails. Plenty of family-friendly indoor activities are also available year-round, including indoor rock climbing, ice skating, trampoline parks and more. Whatever your passions, you’ll find them in the valley. And you won’t have to navigate through hours of bumper-to-bumper traffic to arrive at your destination!
Drive Your Career
Boise and the Treasure Valley boast a diverse and evolving economic landscape, providing opportunities for everyone. The region is becoming a popular destination for start-up companies thanks to a growing pool of young talent and experienced entrepreneurs. The area is also becoming well-known for its health and science industries. The Treasure Valley offers low business taxes, a lack of stifling regulations, and inexpensive commercial real estate. Of course, high-tech and innovative businesses coming to the region isn’t a new development. They’re simply building on a well-laid foundation paved by companies such as Micron, HP, Simplot, IBM, St. Luke’s Hospital, Albertsons, and several other well-recognized corporate brands.
Heighten Your Education
There is simply no denying that Boise State University is the most visible higher-education institution in the valley. With 26,000+ students and more than 200 fields of study, ranging from undergraduate programs to post-graduate studies, it’s easy to see why. But Boise State isn’t the only institution carving out an amazing reputation for itself. Throughout the Treasure Valley, you’ll find colleges and universities setting themselves apart. For example, The College of Idaho, located in Caldwell, is rated as one of the top 50 Small Colleges in the United States. Situated in Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is one of the top Christian universities in the Northwest. Idaho State University is renowned for its Meridian Health Science Center. Meridian is also home to Idaho’s first medical college—the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, or ICOM. These are just a few of the most recognizable institutions found throughout the valley.