Since I came home to a dead modem, the assumption is that you've already read a couple of versions
of this great weekend. Here's a few observations from my notebook:
(note, got the new modem but I can't believe I am the first one to post anything!!)There is way more
to this story that what I have to tell..
Herding the group on Sat was like watching molasses flow; a 9 am start somehow turned into a post
noon start in the heat of the day by the time we got the shuttle all done. But it was gorgeous out
and the company was good so I do not have any right to complain. I get all ansty to get going on
these things. As I explained to Craig ( Mr. Penny) "think of it like how you feel on the morning of
a powder day". HIs reply.. yeah but powder goes quickly; the trail's not going anywhere!! "
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb02.jpg Penny and Gab hanging out
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb01.jpg Adam ( Paladin's friend) Paladin and Gman.
Riding, I was in between the fast and slow groupings... a great place to be because I rode alone a
lot, but I always knew there'd be folks behind me.
Omigod.. the Willow Basket windy portion of the Sat trail is awesome, beautiful and a whole lot of
fun. It goes through an old burn and meadow just twisting and winding up and down and around. I
really like how the trail surface was sandy, just like home. www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/ruby.jpg
Gman had a flat so we all took a break in what little shade we could find.
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/cdb.jpg Paladin www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/nap.jpg Mr. Penny taking
a snooze www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/bobjd.jpg The freak and a spider.
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb04.jpg yours truly
Then, a little bit of climbing over the next rise to Loon Lake, where we had another long break:
lunch, swimming and some folks hiked over to see the WWII bomber under water that crashed into the
lake years ago.
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/gman.jpg Gman feeling good www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb03.jpg
Gman again www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/group.jpg There is a trail that goes around the lake, back
up the valley and over the
pass in the back of the photo. Anyone up for that? It's theorectically do-able<g> By the time we
added up AMB-ers, friends and kids we had a group of 14. The couple reading quietly by the lake at
the "spot" probably didn't appreciate the invasion, but if they really wanted seclusion they could
have chosen something other than THE most accessible backcountry lake in the area. We saw lots of
folks all day long.
The rest of the ride was down into the Secesh River canyon, and then a wonderful rolling canyon
trail out to the campground. It was much easier this year than last year. Gabrielle did awesome on
the switchbacks... go grrl!!!
Here's where I segue into Craig's epic adventure. He's a white water fanatic if y'all remember, and
this river is on his to-do list. He decided ( with my OK) to go south when we hit the river trail,
instead of north, the way we all went. This would give him a chance to scout the river. I agreed to
pick him up later, which involved a 30 mile drive up a different road once we got back. Keep in mind
that this trail is marked on the map, but no one had ever ridden this section of it.
Later that same evening: I don't even stop to eat or change as I hurry to go pick up him up. Somehow
I hadn't connected that this was 30 miles of backcountry road, not good FS road. As I crested the
Lick Creek summit... 7000+ feet of above timberline rock piles and avalanche debris, my mental state
alternated between being extremely annoyed at agreeing to this, to the "what-if's" of his 12 mile
ride through uncharted MB territory. A black bear cub and a herd of elk crossed the road as I headed
to the rendezvous point.
I assumed that he'd knock off the 12 miles with relative ease based on the condition of the know
section of trail. So did he. Well.... what an adventure. He was there, bathing in the river when I
got there. I haven't seen him so thrashed in many years. The trail was unused, unmaintained, and
unrideable. Up and down the canyon, no section rideable for more that 50-100 feet. Poor guy... and
he wonders why I refuse to go on trails that I know **nothing** about....He says he's not sorry he
did it, he just wished the trail had been better.
We made it back to the BBQ a little late. Homemade apple pie courtesy Spider, (yummy!) fresh caught
and smoked salmon, burgers, chips, dips and beverages of your choice. After dinner entertainment was
PF videos played in a DVD player with surround sound.
Sunday's plan was lift serve biking at Brundage mountain. The freak bailed, he had very
legitimate reasons but I think it's because he didn't want photo evidence of himself on a
chairlift with a bike...
That was tons of fun, whether we were screaming down the green trail or on the DH course. I rode a
goodly portion of the DH course, pat myself on the back. There was no hope keeping up with Gman on
any of it.
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb06.jpg
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb05.jpg Craig
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb07.jpg Penny
Most farklempt moment: Adam presented me with a lift pass as a prize. "most improved rider from last
year". sniff. "over 100% improved". sniff sniff.
Most failed Kumbayah moment... Spider tried to thank me for convincing him to come, and I bite his
head off... this was Sat night, after retrieving my hubby from his epic, before I'd had enough food
or drink to calm my nerves. Sorry for being such a b****, Bob!!
Most deliciously evil moment: Screaming down the (green) Elk Trail at Brundage. This is a trail that
families and beginners tootle along on: or nuts like us pedal and go fast. We got in one last run
here - I had all my armor on after riding the DH course, just flying and I come up on two beginner
large ladies going about 3 mph as I"m screaming down the trail "rider!! I'd like to pass when you
can let me by". I promise, I didn't crowd them, but it sure did feel good to fly by being extremely
happy I was
me and not them.
Pennys' best bonehead move... and no one but my hubby saw it. Finishing up the last run at the ski
hill, I bomb off the end of the trail into the public area right by the lift load... catch my front
tire on the edge of the cement pad and go flying off the bike and sliding across the load platform
in my armor...in front of everyone. Too bad you missed it, eh?
until next year.
Penny