Turkey Trot 10 November

Transcription

1 Turkey Trot 10 November Day 1: Never imagining it would ever last this long, traffic worked in my favor and I made great time as I drove to Crumpler WV to participate in Turkey Trot 10. Although not as well attended as some rides past, Chris, Dave, Jeff, and Mike watched as I pulled in last (for a change) around AM Wednesday. James arrived shortlee after. After our machines were properlee provisioned, we departed for Welch with 3 each SXS s and ATV s with plans to have dinner there. We would also enjoy a night ride back to the cabin. Taking the creek route we paused at Tinys and took inventory of the dogs. The weather was fullee cooperating.

2 Tina hasn t been seen lately, but her brood was there. Since they were all male, Chris selected Toby as the name for all of them. If you call one they all come anyway. Keep it simple!

3 We made a rather quick run, arriving in Welch around We had good parking and were surrounded by signs of Christmas. After eating our fill and with darkness falling, we refueled and started the ride back.

4 We would vary our route and return through Kimball trying to make July s new trails feel more familiar. I had made a mistake going through here once so concentration was key. At the mistake place I pulled to the side and looked behind me. I saw nothing but darkness. I shut the machine down and heard nothing. As I was beveraging I finally heard someone coming. But from the wrong direction. So I talked to some hunters. They thought I said I was waiting for a deer to come out. After the hunters left, I turned the Grizzlee around finding the group (less me) here. This time, I was that guy! It was not a good feeling. We intersected the haul road on Burke and then the connector. Choosing a slightly different route, we rode new trail back to where we had already past. Well, at least we learned something! Not wanting to double down on backtracking, we changed course toward the Wagon Wheel. Then the Steps. They say (whoever they are) that most accidents happen 5 miles from home. As Chris and I stopped to get a headcount, it was obvious something was wrong below us.

5 Lights but no movement. We reversed course and went back to see what the h3ll was going on. This was! Jeff must have zigged when he should have zagged, leaving Krusty in a very precarious position. After righting this wrong, we made it the rest of the way to the cabin without further incident. It was around 1030PM. A late night for me!

6 Wednesday s Turkey Tracks. Somewhere around 60 miles. Day 2: Today we would have Thanksgiving dinner in Matoaka. The Feast of The Feathered Beast. But that was for later. First we had to get there. We reviewed our options. Having seen the new gate on our normal route near the Spillway driving in, we knew that was a no go. As we prepared to leave, we all felt something was wrong. We would nervouslee glance around as we stood there. Waiting. But waiting for what? We weren t sure. Then it hit us. We were waiting on Roger. Old habits die hard. Sorry Roger! We were really waiting on Jeff. He was reinforcing damaged bodywork.

7 Paul (call me Muss) and Kevin (we called him Kevin) arrived late Wednesday night and were joining us for the Feast. This changed the equation a bit, now with 5 SXS s and only 3 ATV s. What the Sam Hill is going on here?! Now fully acknowledging the absence of Kevin, Roger, and Bill, James led us in the direction of Hilltop. Having to be in Matoaka by 2, we all agreed James should lead. Going down by the gas pump, we descended into Soggy Bottom, bearing right at the bottom and away from the water. James was aware of a blockage on the trail that now must surelee go into the new mine, so we didn t waste our time on that either. We took the tight uphill out and rode our usual route toward the back of that new gate we knew we couldn t get through. But could we get around some other way? We first found this. Things had changed quite a bit.

8 As we continued on, the area was hardlee recognizable. We were dropping right into the heart of the mine. Luckilee, everyone seemed to be off for Thanksgiving as we searched for an alternate route out. James found the right road and we stopped next at the professional felled trees. A bit of offroad bypassing did get us by (hey, that s what these machines are for), but we were still not heading in the direction we wanted to. We weren t going across if you keen my meaning.

9 This stretch looked very nice but didn t last long. Now back on familiar trail we regrouped on the gravel road just above the Blue Building. We DID NOT find a new route through this area.

10 From our new vantage point the new mine was clearlee visible. And then, just like that, we were in Matoaka for the Feast. We ate very well indeed!

11 Anna presented us with an awesome meal and made us feel so much at home. As always! I hope we showed our appreciation by eating sooo much! Her and James are the ultimate hosts. We needed to get moving before we fell asleep. You know, that Turkey chemical thing was kicking in. James elected to stay put and take a nap. After a brief discussion, the new destination became Spider Creek. We would take that to Pinnacle and double back through the creeks, passing Tinys Corner. We took the pavement from Matoaka to the Blue Building. Recalling a comment Anna made, we continued on the pavement. I will admit it was quite a bit of pavement.

12 As pavement ended and gravel began, I wondered if I was taking the group in the right direction. I had chose this way to make up time. As I was about to stop and look things over, I saw it. A guardrail. Not The Guardrail, but a guardrail I felt sure I had seen before. My confidence soared! When we reached Red Rock Trail, the entrance to our Spider Creek run, Dave took lead and led us at breakneck (or ball joint, or shock, or tie-rod breaking) speed to Pinnacle. We took an extended pause at the old campsite just off the connector. Danger continued to set a blistering pace. We had agreed to make a stop somewhere on the creeks. That didn t occur until just before the T. It was getting late too, going on 4.30 or 5 already. (HAHA) Then the Punisher had an idea. We talked. I told him it would be at least a 3 hour detour. He just looked at me like DUH. So off we went. We rode toward the Steps taking a right to pick up the High Trail, quicklee detouring up to the haul road. With the help of Trailrider s blindinglee bright lights we found our next turn. It s one that takes you, or could take you toward Northfork. Even here darkness induced confusion abounded, but we just kept going.

13 When things started looking familiar again, I took advice from Throttleboss and we stuck to what we knew. Winding through the woods behind Worth, we took a break at The Hill before sneaking into the cabins from the back side. Jeff had made a good call. It was a fun detour. Thursday track of again, about 60 miles.

14 Day 3: Was it only the third day? I felt like I had been riding for a week. Damn I was beat. This day I realized how hard we had been riding. I think Dave had been trying to prove something. That he was back and doing well, and really digging his new shocks! Today we had no plan to go anywhere. Just ride around. Chris Pilson and his GF (huh, ain t I hip) were also joining us today. New score: 3 ATV s and 6 frigging SXS s. Yea I know. Because they are worth it We left a little later than normal. That s what not having a plan does to you. We had an idea though. If you re just going to ride around, Hatfield is the place. Well marked, not to extreme, trails pretty clear most of time. You can cruise, but you must still be wary. They will get you to other places. We aimed to the direction of Indian Ridge T80 and Mike s Choice. I was holding down last place with Dave and the others well out in front of me. I was cruising, but being wary. I came around a turn and really couldn t figure out what I was looking at. Paul had parked on a boulder.

15 Everybody knows that you don t text while driving. It appears you should not be fooling with your GPS either. Paul s story goes something like I was only GPS surprised me He moved that rock almost a foot when he hit it. Playing Rock, paper, Honda, Honda loses! Punishment was dealt here. Paul made a MUSStake! I asked Paul to go ahead and take the tire off, refusing his suggestion that we just leave he and Kevin and go on, and took out after the toolbox, I mean Jeff. The balance of the group was dutifullee waiting at the next intersection and followed me back. Out came the hammer. Now who is to say who left that boulder just out of the center of the trail. Hatfield trail maintenance maybe? Some disgruntled former Ranger? Doubtful. But it gave us something to drink about. You should be able to spot it now though. It is clearly marked. With the tire sealed amazinglee well, we continued onward. The mud on the Choice was in top notch condition, trying to suck you in when you went through. Choosing the right line was of paramount importance!

16

17 We took a late lunch break here.

18 After reaching Windmill Gap Road, we sat for a moment listening to numerous gunshots, seeminglee all around us. Sounds like they have a rifle season now. We passed by the Spillway thinking maybe, just maybe, we could find another way to cut across toward Soggy Bottom and Hilltop. Nothing at all looked promising so we took the road. Reaching the point where of I/R T-92/93 and UDT meet, we once again reviewed our options. After discussing this, that, and the other things, we decided to make for Wagon Hill, or that rock up above the Wheel. Our goal was to be there to watch the sunset. It s a hard call, but I think we made it - but the clouds hid it. We each pocketed a beverage and climbed on up anyway! I should mention that at this point Danger Dave and Punisher were missing. We even thought we saw Dave pulling Jeff down the gravel road. It was an ATV towing a SXS for sure, but it turned out not to be them. They were on a hill facing us, unable to see us!

19 Now full dark, we began the last trek of this trip. We were cabin bound and raw steaks (that needed cooking) awaited us. That fancy crock pot Throttleboss brings had already taken care of the potatoes. All back together again, we waited in turn for our turn with the hot running water. We had a Big Hair Contest that was too close to call.

20 Jeff took the little hair completion easilee. We partook.

21 Fridays track All tracks It was a great ride!

22 Lacking eggs for waffles some of us packed up and departed Saturday morning hungry, so I have no clue what happened that day with the remaining riders or drivers. I have to get me some LED s are whatever they are for the GrizzLee. Man were those lights bright! On the other hand, this was the most night riding I had done in years. But it was fun. The weather was perfect. Easily the best we ve had for a Trot since maybe No rain, snow, or extreme cold. Very Nice. Is this it for the Trot? For me both yes and no. For Thanksgiving day, probably. Reoccurring business travel the first week of December makes this timeframe tough to meet sometimes. Maybe next year we ll go up on the Sunday before and travel home while everybody else is eating on Thursday. Who knows. That s something for next year