THE RIDES

The Owyhees
So, for years I have been listening to the Walkers talk about how much they love early Spring rides in the Owyhee mountains near Murphy/ Marsing/ Melba, Idaho.  Circumstance, and the powers of the Dark Side have kept me from experiencing this illusive place--until this year.

Background:
     If your were going to guess the etymology of "Owyhee" you would think it was Native American for something, wouldn't you?  

But that would not be correct.  It is famous for it's mining connections and history, and features Silver and Ruby City Ghost town.  (A must see)  But not an Indian word.   Huh?

        The name "Owyhee" actually comes from a much more temperate climate.  When good old Captain Cook was bouncing around the South Pacific in the late 1700's, his crew anglicized the word "Hawaii" to "Owyhee".  50 years later, 3 "Owyheeians" were in Idaho working for a trapping company. (Evidently they hadn't heard about "winter")  They head up what is now the Owyhee River in the winter of 1819-20, and are never heard from again!  The place get's called "Owyhees" after that, and it sticks. No wonder every time I ride there I am in the mood for some Kalua Pork.

Yeah, that's a true story!

The Place:

  

  Absolutely something for everyone.  From the 1st time beginner to a KTM all star, there is something for everyone.  MILES and MILES of trails, climbs, or dinking around on Hemingway Butte.  (Not sure why it is called thus.)

                                                 Cat and Callen "High Marking"                     

   

 The Riders:

The Conklin Bunch came en mass.

 

     DIRT BAG DAWSON                                                                      CALLEN THE KID

AWESOME AFTON

 

CASH MONEY CAT  and   PEPPY PAYTON

3 cheers for Dad's that take kids riding, but don't actually get to do much riding because they are taking their kids riding.  Atta boy Scott.

We were even able to drag old Klondike Mike out of retirement!
(He didn't mind too much)

Just say, "Moto Campout" and you can count on

Moto-Head Mason and Gunner Jaillett!

And let's not forget "The Colonel"

He's always up for Camp Moto as well.

At this point it may be important to remind you that the Walkers love coming here for Spring Break. 

 We went in late February.

The Colonel, as usual, was kind enough to invite us to stay in his mobile accommodations:  The Coleman Tent Trailer:  Utah model.  Not sure why it is called "The Utah" but it does sleep 8 very comfortably.  

Ahem.  






Now, we have made a point of repeatedly mentioning that this was at the end of February, and despite it being unseasonably and unreasonably delightful, it was still only the 2nd month of the year.  Friday afternoon was great--needed a coat, but the terrra firma terrain was terrific.  

Gunner J's most recent swap success.  "Quadzilla"
The thing ought to have wings.


After dinner and sunset our campfire got cut short as the wind began to blow and temperatures started to drop.  The Colonel barely had time to tell a few stories; something about the Marsing Monster.

It was Kid Callen, Cash Money Cat and myself joining The Colonel.  The wind was ripping and rocking "The Utah".  Then the rain started.  As loud as the weather was, everyone else was pretty quiet.  Right up until my 2nd favorite quote of the trip.  Out of the darkness from the south end of the of "The Utah" The Colonel barks in a loud and rather sarcastic voice, "Let's go camping in Murphy, in February!"  (This was a mocking remark about my idea to, well, go camping . . .  in Murphy . . . uh  . . . in February.)

Up to this point the wind had been blowing, but then it decided to really Huff and Puff and blow our Utah down.  This, with previous seeds of "The Marsing Monster" starting to germinate and grow in young minded soil, lead to favorite quote #1, compliments of Kid Callen.  

Poor guy had a big bed all to himself, which he is very much not accustom to.  The wind and rain were beating down, the Marsing Monster was on the loose, The Colonel was sarcasting, and RastaRobby was snoring.  He woke me up and said he needed to call his dad which was no problem.  Then I hear him say,      "Dad, I'm on a bed all by myself!"           Scott, always unruffled and soothing, explained that he was not driving out to the Owyhee Islands again, and to cope.  He then explained to me that he may need a cuddly spot betwixt Cat and I.  The necessary adjustments were made, and we were back to all smiles and snores.

Of coarse, there is a history of family freakouts there.

The Cruddy night passed, The Colonel served up some of his finest, and we fired up the bikes.  The rain left it's mark, and we fought mud and snow the rest of the day.  

MotoHead Mason dealt with a sticky Needle, but they always come with extra everything, so the ride went on.

It was tough going in that mud, and we wore them little buggars out.  

RastaRobby says, "Four Revs!"

Vroom, Vroom

The Riders III part 2

Name That Rider  

The Naaammmmme Game . . .  
          Barry, Barry, quite contrary, how do your nic-names grow?  There have been some great suggestions put forward, so we better give them a podium.  You ready Barry?

• Nitro Neyman suggests:  The Southern Smoker,  The S'cuse Me Smoking Barry, Smoking Barry or Credence
• Love the Southern influence-- "Credence" is sitting pretty well with me
• Lady at Church:  "The Kick'in Chicken"      
• That is worth some consideration
• Josh and Anne of the Wester Clan:  "Southern Rider"
• Zack, also of the Wester Pack:  "The General Lee"      
• C-L-A-S-S-I-C    Right to the top of the list.  He also suggested, "Boss Hog"  

• RastaRobby:  "The General Lee" is tough to beat, but it also inspired my personal suggestion:

"The Colonel"

It captures the Southern Element as well as the cooking considerations.  Plus it's funny as heck.  Come on Colonel, get us a little Sumpin Sumpin.  

"The Colonel" crests a hill at the Owyhees

Oh, yeah, and Barry has requested that the management publish a correction to the previous post.  His new bike is a KTM 300 XC-W, not a 300 EXE.  Evidently, the EXE is an "Old Man's Bike"  (which is why I assumed  . . .)

He has even submitted a name for the new bike:          

CHEWBACCA!

I don't know, Colonel--that's a pretty tough name.  It may need to be earned.  So until it is, we will have to call it, "The Ewok"

The Riders III

Name that Rider
At this part of our story, lets turn our attention to this fancy dancer who, for the time being, will refer to simply as "Barry"

 A few years back, when there started being more and more bikes show up in the valley, this Southern Gentleman, deeply blessed with both the gift of gab and the skill of prized pit master, started to feel that his Yamaha 4 wheeler was inadequate.  Time on Craigslist began to be a daily experience.

                           "This 4 wheeler is outta here."




Now, he has owned bikes in the past, including a scooter that nearly cost him his life on a Florida Highway, but his search began afresh for something with two wheels, and, per his preference, a 2-stroke engine.  Talk to him all you want, but he is sticking with the Pinger.  His dreams to ride got stronger and stronger, as is witnessed in the next pic:

Then he found it, and it was green:

  

The KLX 220     2 Stroke and Blue Smoke

Even had an aftermarket gas cap stabilizer.

This was sufficient for his needs for a time, but then he started getting wandering eyes.  Bigger rides, steeper hills, faster paces and he was considering heading for the cheating side of town.

That's him yelling at Harrison and the author for taking him on a spot at the cycle park
that he has since labeled:  "Pucker Ridge."
Ask him if he will ever go on it again.

So, with sons in the sport, the know, and the greater Denver area, he expanded his search pattern.  There was even talk of something orange, but 2 stroke still a must.   

Then the cream rose to the top

(The one on the right)

Please welcome to the Sweet Ride Family the newest addition:

2009 KTM 300 EXE 2 Stroke

WITH MAGIC BUTTON !!!

Pretty fancy machine
That may be more ride than rider?

So let's get down to the nitty-gritty.  Barry needs a good moto name.  I have several ideas, but thought it might be fun to open this up to moto-republic.  Therefore, as the Executor of The Sweet Ride Blog, I hereby open the, "Name That Rider" contest.  You can comment here, or contact me directly.  Prizes will be awarded accordingly.  This is your chance to brand him for life.  Some of the criteria you may want to remember are as follows:

• His Southern Origins
• It is a 2 Stroke
• It is a heckuvahalotta bike
• Top Team KTM
• Weepy-Eye Wester has already been used

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Ahhh, Shucks

The 1,000 Miles of 2015 V.

The weather holds, and the tires roll!  The winter of the bikes!  I'm starting to worry about the lack of moisture for this summer, but in the meantime we keep blowing exhaust.  Barry, Weston, Geoff, Kyle and I had a great late afternoon ride up Johnson creek.  

It's not the ultimate in thrill seeking, but great if you only have an hour or so, and any ride is better than no ride.  Especially with great friends.  Right Weston?

   Rad Rex and his CRF 250

The whole family has been getting in on the great weather, but every drainage has some water in it.  Looking good Kitty Cat!                 

         
                No problem for Bec . . .

                                                                                              Okay Barry, let's see you . . .

Ooooopps--my bad.  I guess you were too fast to catch on film.  (And this is a digital camera.)

THE QUARTER QUELL!

     

The Riders II

Here we go Round the Mulberry Bush
A.K.A.  Geoff "The Rekluse" Neyman
A.K.A.  Nitro Neyman
A.K.A.  What Goes Around Comes Around
A.K.A.  The Tracker

Bike:  Yamaha 450 YZ with Rekluse Clutch

The Man:  
    Geoff has the focus, concentration and discipline of an elite bird dog on a strong point.  (Not necessarily a reference to, formerly his, dog, Jack).  He LOVES a good jump and hitting it over and over and over and over and over and over and over.  Remember that '80's dirtbag hair band, "Ratt"?  "Round and Round!"  That's him.  And it shows:

Nitro Neyman is the last one off the bike every time.  After everyone else has tired and stops for a breather, he keeps them occupied by going again, and again, and again, and again.  Stickittytoiddy.

On the trails you can't shake him, and on the track you can just bid him good day because there is no staying with him.  (Sorry Wes).  However, a nice leisurely family ride with lots of stops and waiting for the others is not his favorite way to spend a day.  Isn't that so, Geoff?

     He loves a jump track so much he built one in his yard.  That way he can go on it over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over.  (Getting the picture?)

That much track work can wear a guy out.  Winken, Blinken and Nod.

Hey Geoff, when you get up, maybe we can go ride again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again . . .  Wave if you want to.