One day left. Let’s do something easy was the thought. Bwdmax and I studied an OHV map they give you in town and formulated a plan that involved a “moderate” 50 inch track over to a jeep road in the Beaverhead Creek area. Ok, sounds cool. We hit the trail head close to town and unloaded.
My middle daughter Abby had been fighting a fever most of the week and was only able to ride for one day in Sipapu. So we went out without her, again
. We weren’t sure if it was altitude or just plain ol plague stuff. At this point, we are chalking it up to plague, I don’t think altitude can make you run a 102. So it was me, my oldest daughter Emma, Trey, Mrs. KsTeveM and Mr./Mrs. Bwdmax. Right off the rip, trail was pretty aggressive for quads. Bwdmax was helping Mrs. Bwdmax with her quad and hiking back and forth, dealing with his bike on ledges and had some good drops and was getting taxed. I was unaware and up the trail, helping my clan on some other obstacles. I should have kept us tighter, sorry Garbear!! Pic I took from up above looking back down the valley, you can see big red’s lights center frame.
Bwdmax was smoked already, off to a bad start, with a loop out to boot. Helping others, himself and the previous day’s effects were taxing him. I eventually rode back down the trail to survey the scene, he was recovering and had their two bikes positioned to proceed. We pushed forward.
Eventually we get the group back together and took a good break when the trail poked out in a meadow at higher elevation.
We contemplated turning around as this was a little more aggressive than the group wanted or expected. It was decided the group would pause and let my son and I continue up the trail with a head start. The idea being if it got too bad, we would back track and turn the group around before it got out of hand. Sounded good, right?
The steep off camber ledgy stuff was over and we were doing a mix of Aspen tunnels and some climbs here and there. It was turning into cool riding.
But…..a little further in, some steep rocky sections were creeping back into the fold, some a little worse….some a little longer. But after yesterday I wasn’t waiting much for my boy anymore, dude can ride. But I got to a spot I wanted to take a breather, no wingman. He shows up eventually and I asked what was the hold up, he said he crashed and took pics for me. That a boy!!
The two of us regroup and keep going. Again, I lose my wingman. He took pics again but was stranded. I walk back down the trail a ways. Me—I say, I say, whatcha doin down there son? Chickenhawk—my bike won’t start.
Well on that crash, he managed to wedge into a stick/log and when he dragged it clear, he ripped the starter button wires in half on the bars. I came back and kicked started it (Trey—oh it has a kick start too?). I rode it to level ground and then got the tool kit off his bike and spliced it together. I’m trying to learn him.
Meanwhile everyone shows up except for Bwdmax. Apparently he was having a spa day down below. I sent Trey walking back down the trail to find him. He said he found him staring off in the distance murmuring something about 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 while sitting on his bike’s skid plate, as it was facing down hill on it’s side. Trey got his firing order back online and the pair righted it again, like they had done plenty of times the day before together. The group was getting a little frazzled.
But in the middle of it, I couldn’t help but be proud of my oldest daughter Emma as she was managing all of it on a KLX140L and was just getting it done. I gave her a fist bump and said “dang, who taught you to ride like that girl?” It was impressive that I wasn’t having to focus on her at all, I kept to scouting the trail and helping others. Quietly being self sufficient on a rough trail. Legend.
We studied the map and assured some folks with bewildered looking eyes that we probably only have one more tricky section to get off this 50” track.
Decent downhill, some exposure, some off camber, always more intensified on a quad. Steady as we go, a little coaching here and there along with some rock placement. We got this.
The rest of the day we kept to Jeep type roads. They were rough/rocky at times but the fear factor was down and it was much more enjoyable for all.
Eventually came down from on high and paralleled a beautiful lake for a bit as we made our way back to the truck at the trail head.
Went back to our cabin and got all packed up to head home the next day. Grilled up some sausage and hot dogs at our little outdoor hangout and then some of us got in the hot tub. There was some Smores action as well on this trip a couple times….but I don’t like marshmallows. But they were doing deluxe ones with peanut butter cups. What? That was new to me. So….if you are careful and concentrate, you can grill a gram cracker and a peanut butter cup without the mallowmash. Not a bad way to wrap up a trip!
And that’s that. Other than my truck losing the clutch master cylinder semi-close to home, this trip went pretty dang well. Enjoyed some good camping and riding in the Sangre De Cristos. Moved camp to experience the San Juans in a new zone. We made some good memories with close family and friends. Mission accomplished. Some take-aways—4 year old 6 ply tires with a pretty good load are probably not going to make a 2000 mile trip. Phoenix Clutch—where I bought my new Ram clutch and hydraulics 2 months ago….they are trying to make things right, sending me a metal master hydraulic slave kit at no charge (better part?) and crediting my card $250 for my troubles….stuff happens and I think that says a lot about a company in this day and age that they went there all on their own without any pressure applied. Tim Horton coffee from HEB is pretty good stuff, coming from a guy that typically hates coffee. Heineken Zero non-alcohol beer isn’t too bad. Coors Light consumed in the Rockies is better. South Fork is cool and needs more investigation. 13/52 gearing was spot on for single trackin it. Bwdmax’s vomit pills are both good and bad. GU pack strawberry banana is a winner. Ten year old Globetrottin KTM rack can take a beating. Gaerne Fastback Enduro boots are a really good enduro boot that don’t kill your feet to walk in them. Bwdmax’s Stanley Classic Travel French Press mug was impressive and a must have (on order). And, I love my friends and family. Till next time…..
Welcome to the Two Wheeled Texans community! 
Feel free to hang out and lurk as long as you like. However, we would like to encourage you to 
He also bounces, whereas I tend to crunch... 
