Destiny finds a way to make things right.
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This is Johnf3's son, Conner.
He can ride a motorcycle with a young man's legs and abilities. He's also an unusually intelligent and respectful young man. If you ever meet him, you'll know the world still stands a chance after-all. His Dad is a blessed man. Nuff said.
my advice on the Rim Trail...
do not fall off the Rim Trail
Number 64 is my friend Joel. He and Johnf3 were leading the ride.
If you went with those two you got the true Cloudcroft Experience. I'd not what to give Joel a big head, but those guys can ride with the best of them. You might want to learn to feed them drinks at camp the night before so you can keep up! Even if it does not slow them down the stories will be fun anyway!
The trails to the west (Alamogordo) side of Westside Rd are very different, but still lots of fun. They are rarely ridden by other motorcycles. Most of the traffic (almost all four wheelers) actually comes up from Alamogordo or near there.
The terrain is steep and almost completely rock-covered, and good line choice decisions pay nice premiums. This is where we, a loooong time ago, coined the term "Cloudcroft 90". It refers to an unintended change of direction, 90 degrees or more, and usually because of a nasty rock or root. As in, you are cruising up a tough climb, feeling good, when all of a sudden you are pointed the other direction, usually off the trail. That's a Cloudcroft 90.
Snip... Deb made it out, and had a few choice words about the whole deal. Let's just say it was right to the point, and at that time I made a note to myself that she fit right in with the rest of us. Turns out she jammed her foot pretty bad and had a nasty purple bruise to show for it.
The trails to the west (Alamogordo) side of Westside Rd are very different, but still lots of fun. They are rarely ridden by other motorcycles. Most of the traffic (almost all four wheelers) actually comes up from Alamogordo or near there.
I've done some "bike fishing" on that trail over there that follows the pipeline down to Alamo. Buddy busted a case cover on our way back up (probably a Cloudcroft 90 caused it. Nice to have a name for the move) and I tried to tow him back up to Westside and burned out my clutch.
Had to go to the forest service and get a key for the gate at the road to take the Jeep down and tow the bikes back up. Fun, fun, fun.
Riding down to the Hang Glider launch near the Space Museum and back up to Westside is a rocky trail like no other I've ridden.
John what's the weather like in late September / early October ?
Yep, this is a fun trail. I wouldn't try it alone since it takes several folks to help pick me and the 530 up off the ground along the way.
This is the TH on Westside rd. - where we came out. We rode from east to west. It's not a long trail but it takes a while to get from one end to the other. Number 64 is my friend Joel. He and Johnf3 were leading the ride. They know these trails - well - like they were in their own back yard...cause they are.
Monsoon came early - with ice. We stayed just to the edge of it until it passed.
This is the same TH a little later after the rain. That wonderful dirt I so enjoyed earlier turned into slick red goo.
RG,
If you guys took Scott Able and then took a left up the mountain through the burn area, then you were going to an area known as Rodger's Ruins. Did you ever make it to Weed Saturday?
We will see everyone next time. We sure enjoyed sharing the trail with everyone this trip.