ATVNation 2007 Annual Ride.
Yesterday, I sat down for dinner with my wife. Conversation was light, and she eventually got around to reminding me about all the unopened mail I was going to tend to when I got back from the 2007 Nation ride in Wallace, Idaho. I replied, “I’m not back yet!”
“What do you mean?” she inquired.
“I’m not back yet, I’m still out there, somewhere, in my mind. Still riding the trails and enjoying the views and the people.”
“It was that good?” she asked.
Yep, it’s that good out there. The riding areas are nothing short of spectacular. The trails offer up everything. Tight wooded trails through canyons where the surrounding mountains stretch up to surprising heights. Steep, rocky ascents where your best riding abilities are stretched to the point of improvement. You learn fast out there. Learn or fall !
Those steep climbs open out into huge vistas while traversing mountain side slopes lush with Bear Grass and other flowers I never learned the names of.
Those traversing trails demand your full attention. Not much time for sight seeing unless you stop, because to take your attention off the trails could be disastrous. One wrong move or bump of the front tires against a protruding rock could send you down a mountainside. Not a good plan.
On to the top where the mountains march off into the distance as far as the eye can see. Some still capped with snow although it’s nearly July. The views are spectacular and you find yourself just grinnin’ as you take it all in.
The descent down the trail is always interesting. Down, down you go, working your way around switchbacks and side slopes. You think you’re nearly down when the trail breaks out of the trees and you realize you’re maybe halfway down the mountain.
When you do get down, you head for home. Home? Yep...heading back into Wallace is like going home. Wallace has to be the most ATV friendly town I’ve been in . Ride right down the street and as long as you behave yourself, obey the traffic laws and rules of considerate driving, no problems. Thanks go out to all in Wallace who made the ride a great one. The merchants who treated us like one of their own. The folks at the Wallace Inn who took care of our housing needs. Never did hit the pool, too busy riding.
Wallace itself is a vacation. Lots of history there and in the surrounding areas. One could spend a week there, never ride a quad, and still be entertained.
As with all ATVNation annual rides, it’s the people that make it great. The folks you ride with, old friends and new.
The guys that did all the leg work and trail prep to make the ride a success. Dave Abneth (Kodiak660), and Mark Magill (Rockman) who co-chaired the ride. The list of others who helped with trail clearing is impressive and if someone is overlooked, please forgive me. The trail clearing crew was, Rockman, Rockwoman, Motelcambodia, Jackson, OldManCrash and daughter, Xploridaho, Riley, Art and Peggy Harris, and Viper65 as well as a few other locals. Trails such as Slate Creek, Red Oak, Ridgeline, Champion Creek and Granite Gulch saw the clearing crew. My thanks to all those who helped with the clearing.
Our ride coincided with the first annual Earl Castleberry Memorial Fun Run and those trails were marked by V8Biker and family, BowhunterWI and son, Xploridaho, Ron Hood and son, Bob Case and Jeff Knowles.
Thanks to those who helped with marking the trails.
The ride was pulled off without major incident, again, thanks to the clearing efforts of those mentioned above.
Thanks also go out to our impressive list of sponsors. Excuse me while I peel off my 2007 Nation Ride shirt to check the back side for the list.
Maxxis, ATV Illustrated, Moose Racing, Kolpin, Scott, Can-Am, Gorilla Winches, Honda Parts World.com, Cocoon, Symtec, Ramsey Winches, and Ricochet Off-road Armor.
As with all good things, our time in Wallace and surrounding area came to an end. Usually, when vacation time is running down, you start longing to head for home. This was different. All in our group were plotting out someway to stay just one more day. Just one more ride. Alas, we couldn’t pull that off but the discussion on the way home often focused on “We should have stayed one more day! “
Yep...it was that good !!
Submitted by Lars. (Bill Larson)
Note: pictures used in this article were taken by Kodiak660, The traveling Wiburys and DirtyWhiteBoy. My thanks to them for letting me borrow the photos !!!! Ya done good boys !!!
