Better Late Then Never!
Saturday morning started off cold with a lot of frost on the ground. I arrive at the designated meeting place to await MX547's arrival so se can convoy the last few miles to the hotel in Fayetteville. After waiting for about 20 minutes I get a call on my cell phone from MX547 saying he was on his way. Part way through our brief conversation the phone goes dead. Don't you just love modern technology? After a few more minutes MX547 arrives, and we take off to meet the KC riders at the hotel. Arriving at the hotel, we discover a sea of orange bikes. Man these guys love KTM's is my first thought. After meeting a few people and waiting in the hotel lobby, we convoy to get some grub before heading to White Rock.
Arriving at the trail head there is a strange, but faint sound of banjo picking. At least that's what the KC bunch swore they heard! Everyone has a good laugh at the stigma of banjo picking, stills, hillbillies, corn pipes, and Agent Orange with one overall strap hanging on with zip ties. A few of the KC rides look a little nerves when I ask if anyone has seen the movie Deliverance. To tell you the truth, I was a little nerves also, as this was my first time at White Rock.
Wade enthusiastically leads the group into hells path. I immediately decide I need to check the water temp. in the first stream cross with my boot, and confirm that it is damn cold. Stopping after the crossing I lift my leg as high as I can, only to have the water run out if my booth, down the back of my leg and soak things that don't need to be wet! The first loop is suppose to be "easy". Easy compared to what is all I could think. The first loop saw a bottleneck on a large rock cliff climb, made more difficult by snow, and water running down the hill side. Big Lou falls in front of me, after another rider fell in front him. I can already see the hint of frustration on his face, and think, my turn will come. The group continues to follow Wade like a bunch of lemmings. Deeper into the woods we go. The group stops and Wade announces we are going to take a harder trail. Big Lou, MX547, Jeff from Topeka and myself decide not to go along and we take off back for the trail head. This portion of the ride was the most enjoyable of the day. As we stopped a number of times on the road that was following the ridge line to take in the view. None of us were sure were we where headed, so we get directions a few times, but it is obvious we have missed the trail back to the trailhead. We decide to continue to follow the ridge road and see were it will lead us. Coming around a large bend in the road, a beautiful view comes into sight. All four of us pull of the road to the edge of the mountain, to take in the view. After a few quiet moments Big Lou makes one of those statements that make ya think. "Guys, after the horror that we witnessed in September, we are four luck son of a guns to be here today to take in this view." Everyone was quiet for a few minutes until we took off again. After this little "bounding" moment, I knew we all were in good company. Thanks Big Lou.
Back at the trail head, everyone regroups, and follows Wade once again. More difficult trails are encountered, but the group is having a good time. By this time, I've had my fill of rocks. I hate rocks. Thank God there are not rocks like this on most mx track. I think the only dirt we saw all day was on the road leading into the trail head. The rest of the day is a blur of rocks and will rocks. Ok, there were many downed trees from the ice storm the week before, and leafs that covered the rocks. But mostly rocks. Rocks, rocks, rocks. Rock on dude! Ok, I got that out of my system!
Before the last loop of the day, everyone discovers that Big Lou and Agent Orange have been gone for most of the late afternoon. More jokes about banjo picking, hillbillies, and the movie The Deliverance are all passed around. Some looking more worried about the possibility that a few hillbillies have captured Big Lou and Agent Orange. Concerned, most of the group takes off for one more loop.By now, I don't even listen to Wade's description of the coming ride. Since the place is called White Rock, its no surprise that rocks, water, a little snow, don't forget leafs covering the rocks, and downed trees, plus more rocks, makes a guy think its easy. Wade is either very sick and delusional, or he truly loves this stuff! By the smile on his face all day long, he truly loves riding at White Rock.
About half way through the last loop I have one of those most embarrassing moments. I'm riding third from last, in full survival mode. Suddenly, the trail widens, with no rocks and a large water hole dead a head. Instead of going around, I make the decision to go right through the middle of the water. Now, this water hole is about the largest one the group has gone through all day. Its maybe, 30 yards in length. Hitting it at speed in third all is well. That is until, about 3/4 of the way through, my front tire knifes in and down I go. I quickly discover that the water is over 10" deep. Jumping up out of the water, my whole left side is soaked. Boots filled with water. Water in my helmet and goggles. Gloves full of water. Basically, I'm completely wet. Once I pick my bike up, I look down the trail to see much to my horror, the group had stopped just after the water hole to let everyone catch up. Strangely, once I pull up to the group not a word is said about my dismount. I figured everyone would have a good laugh, and I could say something about living in Arkansas and only taking a bath on Saturday night. After freezing my but off, we arrive close to the trial head. MX547 and myself decide to call it a day and pack it in. After loading up, and while saying our good byes, Big Lou and Agent Orange show up. It was great to see them make it back right before we left. Both looked tired, thirsty, and glad they didn't get captured by a few hillbillies!
I did have a great time, even with the billions for rocks we rode over. Like MX547, it made me a better rock rider. Not that I've ever seen this many rocks before, but I did feel that my skills had been tested, and I was a better for the experience. It was great to put some names with faces and meet more fellow DRN members. Would I do it again? You bet, only not at White Rock! WFO Crusty said something about Chadwick. So, maybe I will have to expand my horizons once again. We will see. To all of the KC riders thanks, let me know when you plan to have a group ride at Merwin. I would love to come up and reciprocate you guys coming down here.