{"id":463,"date":"2017-08-14T15:20:03","date_gmt":"2017-08-14T20:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nyemoto.com\/?p=463"},"modified":"2017-08-15T07:36:48","modified_gmt":"2017-08-15T12:36:48","slug":"463","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nyemoto.com\/index.php\/2017\/08\/14\/463\/","title":{"rendered":"#Billysride, Pie and Colorado wine"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the heat of the White Rim Trail nobody was up early. \u00a0Today was to be a very casual day, a transit of sorts to a special place outside of Delores, Colorado.<\/p>\n

The plan for the day was to head over to a Vineyard called a ranch owned by man known only as “Big John.” \u00a0This was not to be a big riding day but a day to relax, recharge and prepare for the placement of a marker in the San Juan Mountains. \u00a0This was the day the Lost Sailor tour was fully merged with Billy’s Ride.<\/p>\n

We got going out of Moab at a very relaxed hour. \u00a0As hard as Jim and Rick tried there was no escaping that today would be about 200 miles of pavement. \u00a0I’d love to share some great story about the transit but it was simply that; start here, end there. \u00a0In sailing terms a Squadron Run. \u00a0I tucked in with the group and worked on being as relaxed as our pace. \u00a0This took some extra effort after we got passed like a bunch of old ladies by two guys on sport touring bikes. \u00a0It’s probably a good thing I did not have the destination otherwise me and that guy on the big BMW GT would have had something to write about.<\/p>\n

The reality was I had no idea where we were going. \u00a0 For the first time in decades I was not the ride leader. I was not involved in the planning and I had no idea what the plan was which suited me just fine. \u00a0One could say the best plan I had made in a long time was managing to get an invite to this ride and not worrying about the details. \u00a0This had been working quite well for the last few days so I felt no reason to be concerned. \u00a0“We’re going to a vineyard” was all I knew. \u00a0Of course. \u00a0In SW Colorado.<\/p>\n

There were some clues as to what might transpire “at the vineyard” \u00a0One clue was on the back of Jim’s helmet. \u00a0I figured it was some sort of inside joke among good friends, sort of like the dead chicken incident.<\/p>\n

A double entendre perhaps?<\/em><\/p>\n

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We arrived at JD’s Ranch right around noon and got settled in. \u00a0Big John is a lucky man. \u00a0He’s recently retired after over 20 years of service to the County. \u00a0He’s got a great spot near the San Juan National Forest and yes, he makes wine with grapes grown on the property. \u00a0He is a friend of many of the riders in the group and together with Jim gave this ride purpose.<\/p>\n

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A vineyard, right where you’d least expect it.
\nJim Bean photo.<\/em><\/p>\n

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When I first spoke to Jim about joining him he mentioned the following:<\/p>\n

“We plan on riding the WRT the morning of the 18th , then back into Colorado for some off pavement riding. We also plan to erect a sign in CO where we spread our friend Billy Odom’s ashes last year.<\/em>\u00a0”<\/p>\n

In the vernacular of the GS Giants one common phrase is “Go Big!” \u00a0It can mean all sorts of things. \u00a0When I received Jim’s message I didn’t focus on the sign. \u00a0I had never met their friend but I had heard many wonderful stores about him at Ribfest last year. \u00a0From all accounts he was a wonderful husband, father and friend who lost his life in an accident. \u00a0I planned on being a worthy witness to whatever they had planned. \u00a0I didn’t know they were planning on Going Big to honor their friend; but with Big John involved nothing less would do.<\/p>\n

Bip not Gary and Big John Davis prepare the post.<\/em>
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With the sign prepared we went into town for lunch. \u00a0After lunch we split into two camps; those that wanted to relax at the vineyard and those that wanted to explore a bit. \u00a0 We did a little hunt and peck with the GPS with a ride that left us not quite full but ready to go hang with JD. \u00a0I was really hoping to put together something extra fun as Blair was going to join us. \u00a0 There was a little confusion with Big John’s suggestion so we tried something else, proving it’s generally a good idea to pay attention to the local. \u00a0We found some nice sandy two track but every good opportunity was closed with a gate. \u00a0We bailed out and went back to John’s original suggestion losing two riders to the Vineyard on the way.<\/p>\n

What was a ho-hum romp in the forest in Colorado would have been an epic ride in Connecticut and I appreciated it very much but the opportunity to spend some down time at JD’s Ranch was calling. \u00a0 Big John’s place is a little slice of paradise. \u00a0He’s got a very nice main house with chef’s kitchen, a small (perhaps original to the property) guest house, a few outbuildings, a great outdoor seating \/ dining area and a wonderful western view. \u00a0 He operates the vineyard as a hobby which means he doesn’t sell his wine. \u00a0He enjoys making it and I enjoyed drinking it. \u00a0That worked well for both of us.<\/p>\n

We had a wonderful dinner on the patio with some grilled treats, and local veggies. \u00a0Then came dessert.<\/p>\n

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Yeah, we got your pie right here.<\/em>
\nJim Beam photo. \u00a0I hear he laminated a copy and glued it to the inside of his tent<\/em><\/p>\n

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Ok so you’re probably less than impressed. \u00a0Apple Pie. \u00a0Everybody makes a decent apple pie right? \u00a0Of course. \u00a0I thought I made a good pie. \u00a0I have a friend in California who I know makes great pies. \u00a0These pies prompted a guy to get a Got Pie sticker made for his helmet. \u00a0Game, set and match. \u00a0Yes they were that good. \u00a0Like the vineyard itself; unexpected.<\/p>\n

We had a wonderful evening at Big John”s outdoor table. \u00a0The sun went down, the stars came out and then off in the distance lightning started. \u00a0It rained hard that night, thankfully while we were sleeping. \u00a0Apparently it was quite a show but I slept through it all. \u00a0 We woke with the plan to head into town for breakfast, then ride Ophir pass to what was about to be renamed Odom Point which was halfway to Lake City, then down Engineer Pass “the hard way” over to Black Bear Pass and into Telluride.<\/p>\n

This was the first time I heard a plan I thought might be a bit ambitious on timing but I didn’t care. \u00a0This was now Billy’s Ride and it really didn’t matter how long it took, the rest would be easy to adjust. \u00a0I slept like a baby, woke up refreshed and used my touring experience to pack up quick. \u00a0This allowed me to sit with Big John for a few more minutes and have one more slice of pie. \u00a0I felt I won the day and we had yet to move 10 feet.<\/p>\n

Next: \u00a0Billy’s Ride<\/p>\n

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