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With breakfast in the gut it was time to figure out my plan for the day. \u00a0 This is the day I’m to meet the group in Ridgway to camp in the state park. \u00a0It’s not yet 7 and it’s still rather chilly out. \u00a0What plan I had was to go over the mountain to Ouray \/ Silverton. \u00a0I wanted to acclimate to the environment and get in some riding before I met up with the group. \u00a0I was a little apprehensive about riding alone but I did realize I was in a popular tourist area so while I’d be riding alone I would probably never be too far from some sort of help, plus I had my In Reach tracker \/ SOS device which is fantastic for offering false confidence. \u00a0I was also feeling a bit worn out from the blast west, hanging with Woody Friday and trying to drink beer with Irishmen the night before so I took my time getting going.<\/p>\n
To get the dirt party started I decided to ride Cinnamon Pass over the Silverton. \u00a0This was the pass I rode back in 2004. \u00a0I figured it would be “easy” or at least as it was something I did once without killing myself I should be able to do it again. \u00a0Off I went. \u00a0It didn’t take long before I gained a strong appreciation for the practice, training and experience I gained in the last 13 years; what was pucker inducing way back then was pure fun now. \u00a0 My only challenge was getting comfortable with the heights and potential life ending drops off sheer cliffs. \u00a0I had prepared for this and my little reminder which I said often all week was “ride within yourself.” \u00a0It’s very easy to get what I call too much happy hand (throttle) in the dirt or when with a new group to get going faster than one’s comfort speed. \u00a0This can lead to bad things which I like to avoid. \u00a0Especially in a group ride. \u00a0Not only is it embarrassing but good group etiquette says don’t crash and ruin everyone’s day.<\/p>\n
I check a few campsites on my way out of town. \u00a0As I got on the trail I saw a sign for a site “up there” so off I went. \u00a04.5 miles of a muddy, rocky big bike hard route which had me panting like a horse and no sign of the group. \u00a0The campground was deserted and I kicked myself for going there by myself.<\/p>\n
As I came down the backside of the pass I saw a rider on a Husky coming up a few turns away. \u00a0This got my full attention because when on the trail my biggest fear is a head on collision. \u00a0So many people get lazy off pavement and ride not only left of center but often in the left track \u00a0wicked fast and here was a rider coming up hill. \u00a0I only saw him due to brief opportunity and I doubt he saw me. \u00a0I also figured it would be fun to chat so I was ready to stop.<\/p>\n
Around the turn he came and we both stopped. \u00a0He looked at my bike; saw some stickers and said “Ribfest, who the fuck are you?”<\/p>\n
There is only one correct reply: \u00a0“Who the fuck are YOU<\/strong>”<\/p>\n He then introduced himself as Blair Young. \u00a0I introduced myself and we realized we’d already met! \u00a0Good fun!<\/p>\n Now at this point I have no idea who is on this tour. All I know if Jim is in charge and my friend Chad will be there too and I need to be in Ridgway at the state park sometime this evening. \u00a0So I ask Blair what he’s doing in Colorado and he looks at me like I’m a dope and says “Riding with you!” \u00a0 This is getting better! \u00a0He then explained he was going to Lake City to retrieve some gear from his truck. \u00a0When they all met up in Lake City they decided to camp on the west side of the mountain which is why I couldn’t find them the night before. \u00a0He told me where the rest of the group was and I set off not at all worried about finding them as my “arrival” wasn’t planned until that evening.<\/p>\n I did find the gang at a BLM site. \u00a0We chatted briefly and made some introductions. \u00a0Their plan was to ride some of the Colorado Back Rode Discovery Route to Ridgway, while my plan was lunch in Ouray, a quick stop at an outdoor supply store and a nice afternoon nap on some shady grass. \u00a0We split up to execute or respective plans. \u00a0I never asked when they thought they would be in Ridgway, next time I will.<\/p>\n I had a lovely afternoon featuring a very casual lunch and a close to two hour nap. \u00a0I still had plenty of time so I took a dirt road over to Telluride and tried to find an old friend who was unfortunately out of town that day. \u00a0I got over to the state park ,set up my camp and waited. \u00a0While waiting I chatted with the campground hosts.<\/p>\n Most parks supplement the rangers with what are known as campground hosts. \u00a0These are people who commit to spending the summer in a campground at no cost in exchange for light clean up work and to act as another set \u00a0of eyes. \u00a0Depending on the park they may also have a golf cart and a radio. \u00a0If you’ve been to a BMW National Rally you can see what happens to people when they have a golf cart and radio and it happens in state parks too. \u00a0On top of this while the Ridgway state park is nice and all that like many state parks it’s not really the<\/em> spot the park the rig for an entire summer but it’s free and you get a golf cart and a radio.<\/p>\n Golf carts and radios are one of the easiest ways to catch a RIP. \u00a0What is a RIP? \u00a0A RIP is a Retired Important Person. \u00a0They spent their career in white collar mid level management with a small team of up and coming (usually younger) talent that held their every word as gospel. \u00a0Now that they’re retired nobody has to listen to them *unless they have a golf cart and a radio*<\/p>\n I met Mark the host and he was perfectly charming. \u00a0I was first to a walk in site which by all accounts appeared to be one big group camping area with individual fire pits an gravel pads. \u00a0I put my tent up on some earth under a tree and waited for the others. \u00a0First to arrive was Chad, over from Salt Lake City. \u00a0Then Captain Ben, Blair and a few more arrived and the party got started. \u00a0What was strange was Rick had reserved two sites but they were not together. \u00a0This was especially weird because the walk in area was wide open with tons of room but according to the host all those empty sites were reserved. \u00a0They sure do have a lot of no shows in Ridgway.<\/p>\n Next thing I know is Mark has his radio out and he’s calling in the Rangers. \u00a0We have too many people on our site, someone is cussing and gosh darn it, you can’t use a hammock here either plus all the tents have to be on the gravel. \u00a0Go Mark!<\/p>\n Fortunately the Rangers were not RIPs (yet!). \u00a0We all had a calm discussion and review of the rules. \u00a0Between the late arrival, the separate sites and the overbearing “hosts” it didn’t feel like much of a meet up but we were together and ready for the next day.<\/p>\n