Ride Report 11/12/08 Nov Ride 2008 (I guess thats what the numbers mean right?)

Attending: #5, #680, #1776

So the crew of 7 from the Oct ride had dwindled to only 3 by the time the Nov ride rolled around.  This is typical, the Nov ride is usually only attended by the most hard core of members.  We would miss our Pres this year as he took ill and could not attend.  #23 was on the mend but not ready for what would promise to be a stressful day in the wet leaves.

With temps hovering in the 70s the previous week, we were wondering if we would see any cold weather riding this year.  But as this week began, the temps began to drop to their normal range.  It certainly felt like mid-November on this morning.

Even though the thermometer glared 37 as we rolled out, it was bright sunny skies and crisp, cold air.  Perfect.  Met up w/ #680 at Gardner DD and fueled up on egg sandwiches and Joe (the drink, not the guy).  Made the drop point on Rt.119 in good time and then we took a little set back as #680 noticed he had no transmission oil in his engine and #1776 began what has now become a ritual of endless button pushing on his helmet cam recorder device.  So while #680 left for a nearby store to pick up some oil, #1776 declared that he needed new batteries.  (more on this later)

20 minutes later we were ready to roll.  We had our official NH State Park Pisgah Trail Map fresh off the web as well as several pages of highly precise GPS locations printed out from #88, we headed north into the park.  We rode straight up through the entire length of the part on Reservoir Trail.  But not so fast, there were several noteworthy events on the way to the top.  First, let me try to describe the traction.  Picture this, a uniform blanket of homogenous brown leaves covered every square inch of the ground.  All 3 later agreed that they rode weight back ready for any suspension inputs for the entire day.

The ride up to and including the next event is all captured beautifully on #1776 helmet cam (all the button pushing had worked!).  The detail that I was now riding with the Netra B-Vet Champion, and a guy who can pretty much keep up with him was weighing heavy on my mind for several days leading up to the ride.  I would be the dreaded slow-poke that they would need to wait for all day long.  However, like rain on a Formula 1 Grand Prix race day, the leaves were the great equalizer.  #680 and #1776 were not able to pull huge gaps on me at any point in the day.  In fact, in most sectors I was riding right at their pace, which made me feel great!

Anyway, as we came to an unassuming bridge, #680 had a major kick-out slide, I negotiated without incident and #1776 took the first real digger of the day.  He went down and I mean hard.  I must confess to all that read this, it made a major impact on me to see #1776 on the ground with bike flat as a pancake next to him.  His wrist took a real smack and his helmet, unlike poor #23, smashed hard down onto a miniature version of the pyramid that claimed #23s ribs.  His helmet now bears the battlescar to prove the severity of the impact.

But the safety equipment did its job and we were off in no time.  #1776 and I were determined to do the Vista lookout via Hubbard Hill Trail.  So up we went to our favorite sandwich eating spot and the day did not disappoint.  We took our first break here and #680 was very appreciative that we knew about this little gem.  It was here that we learned that Techno-Weenie Boy (#1776) had more challenges commanding his technology when he confidently declared that according to his very powerful and very expensive GPS unit Keene now lay west of Brattleboro.  And that even though we were looking at VT, somehow NJ lay just beyond.  #680 and I tried to use the sun to figure out what ski mountains we were looking at.  It was clearly time to just go.

Then over Davis Hill Trail and back into the park via Kilburn.  Now we came to Kilburn Loop.  This was absolutely the highlight of the day.  What an awesome trail.  Very technical but incredible cadence to the turns and elevation variance.  A perfect mix of rock, mud and hard pack.  It was clear to me that we were all getting into a groove on this trail as we each took turns leading at an aggressive pace through the ultimate New England made for woods riding terrain.  I love this sport so much.

Now the fun begins.  It is well after noon at this point due to our not so early start, so we make a decision to ride right through and eat at the end of the day.  Good.  What ensues next is a spirited debate over how to decipher #88s cryptic ride instructions.  We really couldnt make heads or tails of how to get to where he was trying to send us.  But with really compelling names on his route such as Whoops Loop, Kick Ass Jump and Lookout Loop, we really wanted to try.  So out of the State Park and across Rt.63 we went.  Here it gets real  well, read on.

We should have taken a moment to consider what the trail, marked with a hiking dude, would mean on dirt bikes, especially in these conditions.  But we needed to get to Kick Ass Jump so on we went.  I dont know that Ive ever gained and lost so much elevation change in such a manner.  It was ultra challenging but awesome to negotiate the extreme switchback that was required on this trail.  The 3 bikes performed well but we eventually came to a descent that made you question if the world really was in fact round.  We were following marked trail markers but the drop became too much.  We questioned whether we would be able to climb back up and the sky wasnt getting any brighter.  We decided we would head back to another park exit that might be where #88 was trying to send us.

Doubling back on this trail actually proved to be more fun than frustrating.  We had some laughs and I was soon sporting my Alpinestars Tech 8 Flip Flops (right sole completely delaminated and was flopping freely from the toe).  Another challenge tossed in.  But we made it back to the park in good time.  Now all hell breaks loose.

As #1776 was smacking his front tire against a gate post (from another fall), and #680 watching, I was looping around looking for another trail head to go in.  When this giant pick-up truck with official NH Forest seal on the door and blue lights flashing comes flying into the parking area in a 4 wheel drift aimed right at me.  I immediately flip into the #1101 method of negotiation management by cutting the motor and getting my helmet off as fast as possible.  Using only yes sirs and no sirs we quickly get the absolutely hysterical area 3 park warden to calm down and actually become quite friendly and helpful.  Admittedly, we played a little bit dumb stating we werent sure how we came to be in a spot that was not accessible by any motor vehicle authorized trails.  But after he came to recognize we were all 40 year old responsible adult enthusiasts, he was sympathetic to the fact that we were fully registered out of state riders just out for a day of harmless riding in a sport that continues to rapidly lose legal riding areas.  And then we agreed whole-heartedly with him that friggin greenies should all go straight to hell.

In fact, he unlocked another gate (unnecessary but we played along) and sent us on a specific way to go back to our trucks.  To be sure when we popped out the other end of the trail he sent us on, there he was waiting to see us pass onto the next section of trail he instructed us to use.  Ok, well, daylight was nearly gone at this point and we decided a nice fast rip through the length of the forest to finish our season was really not such a bad thing.  And we all agreed chili-dogs were sounding quite good at this point.  So off we went in top gear jumping and burming all the way back.

Back at the trucks we were loaded up and eating, no make that inhaling the grub at an alarming rate.  Said our goodbyes to #680 and hit the road for home.  The 2008 dirt riding season in the bag and really, quite possibly the best November Ride I can recall in years.  A great overall day of riding.  I believe Technology Boy said something about 33 miles by his GPS but I know those can be a little off, but I forget in which direction.

For the record, #680 did mention maybe one more Pumping Station/Lost Lake ride if the weather will hold for us.  Im up for it, but Id like to bring #19 and #43 if I do.  Try to see #1776s video of the first 20 minutes of the ride.  The picture quality is really excellent but there is no sound this time.  Doesnt matter the pictures are priceless.

Until next year dirt-ees, put em away and pull out the kind with skis!!  Seeya.

Respectfully submitted,

#5