STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY KIM NALEN

Bicyclists have had it easy this summer while motorists sit mired in road construction.

But that changes on Monday when the Blaine County Recreation District begins a week-long project of seal coating the bike path between Fox Acres Road and Ohio Gulch Road.

It’s likely to make the commute to work and day care difficult for those living in Bellevue and Hailey. But, as Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw says, deferring seal coating for even a year can result in problems down the road.

The work on the Wood River Trail will begin Monday and continue through Friday, Aug. 1, said Ashley Knox.

This section of trail will be closed during the seal coating process. Alternate routes may not be suitable for road bikes, rollerblades, bike trailers, and dogs or for nighttime travel.

Seal coating is the process of applying an asphalt emulsion to seal the trail surface. After several years of regular use and the elements, the worn asphalt surface will roughen and crack. It must be seal coated regularly to preserve a smooth finish.

Trail users should stay off the path during the application and for 48 hours afterwards as wet seal coating material will ruin shoes, clothes, bikes and rollerblades and use can ruin the trail surface.

The good news is, the BCRD finally repaired the little Himalaya-like ridges that crossed the path near the north end of Buttercup Road late Friday afternoon. No more buckin’ bronco rides in that section as it’s smooth as a baby’s bottom.

You do still have to watch the little volcanoes caused by roots underneath the surface that have sprung up between the Meadows Trailer Park and East Fork Road, however. And, sadly, a few of them seem to be getting worse day by day.

Both bicyclists and motorists are asked to slow down and take it easy. A bicyclist was involved in a hit and run accident while crossing Buttercup Road that resulted in injuries. Another was injured as a car hit her while she tried to cross Sun Valley Road near the Horseman’s Center.

And it’s reported that cars have been screaming past the bike path near Broadway Run, as well.