- Jul 31, 2000
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The sun was shining brightly as I loaded up the truck for what was turning out to be a good day of riding. I planned to get to the Perry State APV area a bit early to see what the trails were like so I didn't look like a real spode when JimmyD2, Squad_3670 and Curt arrived. I hit intermittent patches of rain on the way up, but upon arriving at the parking area found the sun partially blocked by clouds, looks like it's going to miss I thought to myself. It did miss, I unloaded and geared up, but then it opened up on me, only for around 15 minutes but it was enough. The trails were extremely muddy from the previous night's rain. I got in a few good spills before everyone else arrived. I was taking a break when Jimmy and Bill and Curt arrived, they unloaded and geared up and we agreed to go hit some slate washes at the area opposite the road from the parking lot. The slate washes were the highlight of the day, steep long hills of considerable size just perfect for flying up. They had hidden dangers the likes of which were yet unknown. We took it easy starting off, rode one loop that was again very muddy and just ended where it began. Again off to the slate dumps (I can't get enough of these things, they're awesome) then off to another trail which led us out to state route 345. We rode along the edge of 345 for a while until I realized we weren't where I had thought, turned around and retreated to the woods. We were having a great time, hitting huge slate hills and then decided to go back and stop for some lunch. We were sitting around the van talking about how bill didn't have riding boots, probably not a good idea looking back, might have put a crazy idea in his head. Upon returning to the slate dumps we took a few more spins and then disaster. Bill was riding down one and didn't notice the trail cut back to the right, off into a miniature slate ravine he went, over the bars and did a very unnatural looking flip. He said he had some pain in his left ankle, and that he was pretty sure it was broken. He rested for a minute and I helped him take off his boot, he had his left foor wrapped up from a previous injury at wayne national, but accompanying this was massive swelling of the ankle. We then thought about how we would get him back to the van as a nice guy on a yamaha tried to sell him some riding gear. We started his bike and put him on it and pushed te bike into gear, after the short ride back to the van he were forced to call it a day. Truly a great day of riding, it's too bad it had to end so early. But to Bill I send get well quick wishes from the smb boys. Great day of riding guys, we'll have to do it again as soon as possible.
