Now we're looking down where it's obvious the going gets tougher and a guy on a thumper chugs up the hill. He tells JL that there is no WAY we can go down there on these bikes. It's too steep and slippery he says. People die here he tells us. Great. I'm thinking we should listen to this guy, but n-o-o-o-o-o-o. Jim says we can make it, so...? Off we go - as I'm slowly easing the freight train down a particularly rough stretch, there's a guy on a trials bike off to the side with his jaw hanging down, staring at me like he just saw a ghost. I had to laugh. The roughest stretch was where we got off to take some pictures. There was no way for the photos to show just how gnarly this bit was - we're talking loose rocks, boulders, stone steps, gravel, dirt, and steep, steep, freaking STEEEEEEEEP! Aiyaiyai, what was I thinking....?

We all made it, high fives all around, and we wheel on down the trail. After the worst was over, we were bopping along when there was a nasty rut that broke Jim's shock. JL and Mike had been in front, so I got to go hunt them down. It just happened to be one of the most fun and beautiful runs on the whole trail, and I was flying. Lots of jumpable whoops, smooth, no rocks to speak of, and gorgeous scenery. Took me about 15 minutes of this heaven to catch those guys - they couldn't stop either. We headed back down, and damn - the trail was even MORE fun going down! MacGyvering the shock was funny as hell, and actually effective. While working on it, we were passed by a whole gaggle of ladies on 4- wheelers, and one particular lady who mumbled something to Mike about knowing someone or something, and Mike replies: "Well, there you go!" I ask him what she said, and he says: "Hell if I know."

Following Jim was interesting. Since he had to go slow, and we didn't want to leave him, we ended up having a "slow" race behind him. At one point, we're 3 abreast, going about 5 mph, and we all realized about the same time how hard it was to go slow. We were picking really funky hard trials lines, traversing into the woods, taking offshoot trails and generally having fun. It was a whole different way of riding, and we really enjoyed ourselves. Jim had to be convinced that we were actually having fun while going slow.

We took Independence Pass (man, gotta do THAT one with my Tourances on...) and lost Jim and Mike when we stopped to put on more clothes.
It was getting dark, and we still had a long way to go. The shortest route back to the hotel was Weston Pass - dirt in the dark. Cool - I love night riding. It's an easy pass - only a couple of miles rough enough that we couldn't ride side by side. Riding like that takes an enormous amount of trust - in the dark, going 40-60 mph, dirt roads, you really have to trust the other rider. But, the payoff is that nobody has to eat dust, and when both guys are tuned in, matching revs on those big twins, it sets up a vibration that gets in your soul and borders on the spiritual for me. There are only a few riders I trust like that, and JL is one of them. We went on like that - doing the dance mile after mile. If a car came (very few) we could see the lights, or if it got rough enough to need to switch tracks, the guy on the left drops back. Almost too soon, it was over, we were back at the motel, and cooking those 2" t-bones. It was roughly 10:00 PM. When it was revealed that we had done Schofield, our Big Dog status was unanimously re-confirmed. The slide show that night was received with much enthusiasm. We were practically celebrities.

Sunday dawned bright, clear, and perfect. Jim scored a shock to use, and was juiced about riding with us again back to Glenwood Springs. He recruited David, riding a 650GS, and after many handshakes, smiles, and promises to keep in touch, off we went. Another good rider - David showed us what that 650GS can do, and man - that's a pretty damn capable machine. Comfy too. I would think about having one now.

We decided a relativily easy day would be good, so we avoided the really rough stuff and just blazed through some awesome scenery. We did the Tin Cup route again, some other stuff I don't remember, and Crested Butte again. Nice town. Lots of pretty local talent.

Wearily parting ways, Jim and David headed home (local boys) while JL made our way back to Glenwood Springs and the truck.

About 20 hours later, we were back in the Bay Area, and I was ready to turn right back around....

Summary:

The Big Dog Ride is really just an overpriced get-together and excuse to bang out some of the most impressive passes in the country.

Will I do it again?

The people will probably bring me back....

WOOF!

Pictures: http://www.pbase.com/rainman/big_dog_2001

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