Ridin’ with Old Friends (Part 2)
Friday, July 12, 2013 at 2:02PM
Part 1 of this escapade had Ed preparing to buy a new/used Off Road bike. Jess was unaware of what was about to befall him as we, Cheryl and I, drove toward his place in Idaho for a visit and hopefully a bit of trail riding.
Having not ridden with my old riding partner, Jess, in more years than I care to remember I was pleasantly surprised that he had not sold every bike he and his wife Becky owned. Jess sold his stuff while he was busy relocating to Idaho and building a beautiful place, but left his wife’s stuff alone. Good man!
Upon arriving we set up camp and made my plan. We visited, played with the dogs, did some sightseeing and generally had a good time. Finally I got Jess to stop by the local bike shops to look at bikes and talk to a few riders we both knew from back in the day. Dan McConnell was also a rider we knew from days past in Nor Cal, but has relocated to Idaho and opened a shop in Orofino, Idaho called “Cycle Parts & Trading Post”. After visiting with Danny for a bit and catching up on who was still riding and who wasn’t from the old days we agreed to meet up for a trail ride. I was very impressed that Danny was still riding due to the fact that he has gone through 2 hip replacements! The guy is hard core and loves to ride! I want to be like him when I grow up. That was the answer to my dilemma of how I was going to get Jess out to show me trails he has not had time to explore. Danny was our trail guide for the day. When we met up for the ride there were 4 of us, Danny, Jess, Brian who we just met at the parking area and #33. You are not going to believe our good fortune, but it rained the night before!
Danny (KTM 150) took the lead since he knew the trails and I fell into second rider with Brian (KTM 300) falling in as third rider on the trail. Thanks Brian for keeping an eye on me and picking me up a couple of times. Then Jess (KDX 200) followed as the sweep rider. I think Jess was a bit concerned of holding someone up since he had not been on a bike in several years. We head out into some of the most fun and challenging single-track you could hope to find. It is not overridden and sometimes difficult to follow because the brush is beginning to grow back over the trail. I think they need more riders riding these trails and I am willing to go back to help brush out the trails with my bike! I am just that kind of guy.
As I ride along marveling at how great the riding is I realize just how fast Danny is making that little KTM go through the trees. He is going like stink and I start to get a bit warm because I have over dressed by wearing a jacket. He finally stops for a nature break and I have a chance to take off my jacket and let a bit of air out of the tires. We are riding in 1st to 3rd gears because the trails are so tight and I don’t have to worry too much about a pinch flat. Perfect!
We have a great time for the next 40 miles or so with everyone taking their turn tipping over, stalling or missing the trail. Brian actually has to lift my bike off me one time when I fall down hill with the bike trapping my leg between it and a rather large stump while laying down hill. Sort of funny really because I must have looked like a turtle that couldn’t get up until he lifted the bike off the stump. Jess thought this was quite funny when he rolled up and saw me upside down pinned by my bike. I have to remind Jess that he is one of the characters in this rolling circus and I point out the cast to him at one of our rest stops.
Danny-the guy with artificial hips that should have a Blue Handicap placard on the back of his bike, but is riding better than the rest of us.
#33-the guy trying to rehab a broken thumb, that can’t keep his bike upright and needs a trail assistant.
Brian-the guy having to make sure everyone goes the right direction and cleans up the crashes as they happen. Thanks Brian.
Jess- my buddy that doesn’t even own a motorcycle and has to ask his WIFE if he can borrow her bike so he can go riding with the boys!
So at the end of our ride we say our good byes and head home to Jess’s. We put our bikes away and retire to a meal that his lovely bike loaning wife has prepared. We talked motorcycles for a while and as I listen to Jess talk about his ride I know that he still has a good time when he goes riding with the fellas.
A day later it is time to move on and we say our farewells. It doesn’t take long and I get an email from Becky (the bike loaning wife) saying that Jess is talking about a KTM 300. Wow, I wonder how that happened. I think there were more grins under that helmet that day than I could see!
Old friends, new acquaintances and riding, what could be better?
#33
“A man is usually more careful of his money, than he is of his principles.”
Reader Comments (2)
The name you are looking for is Dan MCCONNELL
great news on the hip guy !!! i know i will need 2 knee replacements and plan on doing the same thing, riding !
thanks for the inspiration