2003 Simple Simon

 

 


 

 

May the 18th 2003.

The first dualsport event in Oregon this year was to be the Simple Simon ride, this my 3rd time at this event. On my first attempt I fared rather miserably, and left at the half way stage with my tail betwenn my legs. On the second attempt, I thought to myself what an easy, yet fun event that was. But on this, the third attempt the word easy was no where to be seen and the word FUN was around every corner.

 

 

 

These two have been called many things, but for this story, I think it best we stick to George F, and Jim L.
 

 

As usual I, had teamed up with Jim and George, Jim is one of those guys that just can't sleep the night before an event, and this ride was to be no different from past times. At 6:30am I feel my truck being rocked backwards and forwards, and "Yep" you guessed it, Jim was out side shouting wake up Dave, we have an event to ride.

I take a few moments to gather my senses, and hunt around for something to throw at Jim, then get up and start the process of suiting up and prepping my bike. Great, now it's 7:30am and the ride doesn't start for another hour.

I WILL get him back one of these days, I promise!

 

 

Emerging from the Zig Zag Trail
 

 

Well as soon as the riders meeting was over, we started our bikes and were the first ones out on the course. The weather the night before had been rain, rain and even more rain, but someone up there must like us, cause the sun was out in force and the conditions were outstanding.

After a few miles of some easy gravel roads we are led to the Zig Zag trail. I rode on this trail last year and it was fun, and nothing too daunting. Funny how a little bit of rain can change the earths crust, riding the Zig Zag this time was like ice skating in a pair of wooden clogs. It was SLICK!

One by one we hit the trail, stopping around half way up to take a breather. At the top of the trail, I found myself alone and waiting for my two partners in crime, after a brief wait JIm came up the hill moaning and groaning, and flicking off the mud from his bike which he had dropped a couple of times in the swamp, then George popped his head around a corner, George wasn't a happy camper, but after a quick break he was back to his old cheerful self.


 

 

 

The BHY guys, Frank, Tom, Walt, and a buddy.
 

 

After the Zig Zag Trail, the going was easy, just your normal run of the mill forest roads, until we reached a check point. Now I have no idea who came up with this one, but "Good Lord" a hula hoop ? .... Theres nothing worse than having to watch grown men try and girate their hips to get points, it was like Elvis had entered the building and everyone was trying to copy him. That one is gonna haunt me for some time to come :)
 

 

 

After the Hula Hoop stop, it was onto lunch for a tasty sandwiche, and some free gas for our bikes, "Fill her up, Premium please" :)
 

The 2003 Simple Simon ... Page 2

 

 


 

 

After lunch we are pointed towards Diamond Mill, and then on to Triangulation Point, the views are just great up there, and the roads that lead up to, and down from there are really fun dualsporting roads.

 

 


 

 

From here we are sent off along your usual gravel roads, where you can pick up the speed and just enjoy the ride.

A little further along we reach another check point, this one was a small square drawn in the dirt, and the idea is to put your front wheel in the box and see how long you can balance your bike for without leaving the box.

 

 

Dualsporting guru Tom Niemela, doing the balancing test .... What was that Tom, 1 second ? ... tsk tsk :)

 

 

After the check point we go along a short piece of single track, and then we take a sharp right hander up Rogers road. The title Rogers Road is deceiving, it should really be called "Rogers Up Hill Bog Marsh Run"

 

 

Rogered on Rogers Road
 

 

If you thought the Zig Zag Trail was muddy, then you were probably sweating a good one on this piece of trail. It was long and took a fair amount of concentration to manuvre this section. Unfortunately this trail was just too much for George and he had to turn around and go back down to find a different way back to camp, Jim L went with him, while I carried on, it's a shame they turn back, as the going got alot easier about a quater of a mile further up the trail.

 

 


 

 

After the slosh run it was back to more rider friendly roads and then on to the finish line.

For myself, I had a great ride, no mishaps, a good workout, and I got to see some new terrain and areas to ride in. The guys over at Mt Scott did a great job at setting out this course and coming up with some pretty annoying check point games, that I just couldn't do :-) ... Until next year!




 

 

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my webpage

Dave
Salem Oregon