STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Dan Deluca handed out cute little bike stickers he’d created evoking thoughts of a cowboy biker on a bucking bike. Riley Revallier of Wild Rye painted silver and gold glitter on youngsters’ cheeks while handing out “Say It in Crystals” stickers and other swag.

And DeAnn Campbell and Lilianna Bridge stood outside The Community Library’s new bookmobile, filling small paper cups with dollar-sized pancakes topped with syrup that those taking part in the annual Bike to School and Work Day could take with them.

“This is how summer begins in the Wood River Valley!” said Backwoods Mountain Sports owner Paddy McIlvoy as he watched a steady stream of tiny tots, older youth and adults bicycle past him on the Wood River Trail bike path.

Jack Bruner, a North Blaine County firefighter, flipped pancakes for those taking part in Bike to School and Work.

“To me this event is what marks the beginning of summer in Sun Valley,” he added. “This valley is all about getting outside, and people come out for this event, whether it’s rainy or cold or sunny and wonderful like it is today.”

McIlvoy said Backwoods Mountain Sports sold a record 144 bikes at last weekend’s Bike Swap, which means that bikes that previous owners might have passed over for newer bikes with better suspension systems are now getting new life with new owners.

“This has been a big bike spring. The enthusiasm around bicycling is phenomenal. People could ride earlier because the snow melted earlier, and the wildflowers are spectacular,” he said.

The Blaine County Recreation District, which organizes the Bike to School and Work Day every year, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. And BCRD representatives cut up a big white sheet cake with sprinkles on top to celebrate the occasion.

Erin Buell of St. Luke’s Wood River handed out free bicycle helmets to keep cyclists’ noggins safe.

After all, who doesn’t want to eat cake for breakfast!!!

“It seems like there are a lot of significant anniversaries this year,” noted Ava Scanlan, whose Sun Valley Museum of Art was among numerous organizations participating in the event for the first time.

“We’re celebrating our 55th, BCRD is 50, Trailing of the Sheep Festival is 30…I heard Gail Severn Gallery is even celebrating its 50th. Can you believe that?” she added.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s ministerial team of Mary Malkmus and the Revs. Jonah Kendall and Kathleen Bean blessed bikes and bicyclists, requesting safe passage for both while sending them on their way with clementine oranges.

These bicyclists appeared to handle the hill leading towards River Run. But one mother jumped off her bike to push her child up the hill, and other children simply got off their bikes and walked.

And chances are fewer speeding tickets were handed out Wednesday morning as the Ketchum Police Department Community Service officers showed up in full force handing out Sheriff Blaine County Patrol Team bags stuffed with dinosaur finger puppets, reflective bicycle tags, strawberry and blueberry granola bars and Sheriff Patrol Team water bottles.

Not to be outdone were the firefighters and paramedics stationed in the new fire station community at Greenhorn.

“We wanted to let people know that we are now staffed 24 hours a day,” said Katelyn Berman as she watched Jack Bruner flip pancakes for passersby.

Representatives of the Wood River YMCA bundled up in the cold morning air to hand out bike bells as sun rose over the mountains behind them, while staff with Big Wood School draped participant medals around bicyclists’ necks.

Mary Malkmus and the Revs. Jonah Kendall and Kathleen Bean have been blessing bicycles at the beginning of the season for a few years now.

And Erin Buell of St. Luke’s Community Health Center had an assortment of bicycle helmets for cyclists to pick from—along with all-important sunscreen.

Mike Fitzpatrick, who heads up Guest Services for Sun Valley Resort, filled up a plate with bacon that Sun Valley’s Sam Cochran was cooking up on a huge round grill, along with pineapple and melon slices and pumpkin seed muffins.

He could appreciate of those just beginning to embark on the summer cycling season in Sun Valley.

“But I’m headed off to work on next year’s ski season,” he added.

The Blaine County Recreation District, with its model “Pursue the Active Life,” was founded in 1976. It has grown alongside the community it serves, connecting generations through trails, programs, and gathering spaces that have become part of daily life. It runs Galena Lodge, as well as youth and adult sports and afterschool programs.

“The BCRD is such a gift,” enthused McIlvoy. “Everything they do runs through the heart of the community—the bike path, the cross-country ski trails, the bike park and their swimming pool…”