Jay Richards

Jonell and I took the boys minus Jake who is at bible camp plus nephew Joey for a 24hr retreat up to the lake cabin on south Twin near Pinehurst Tues afternoon. It's always a nice short break and I come back recharged, and more efficient. Upon arrival, Jonell and I snuck out for a tandem ride while Jonell's dad watched the kids. We rode pretty much straight east on Tibbetts road to Norris trail to McKenzie trail and lake then went north on Waptus then northwest on Kanten before coming back on the same route. Close to 30 miles I suppose. Some great forest road riding. As far as tandem riding, it really doesn't get much better. I have been riding these trails for 17 years and I always find new routes. For sure if we do another ride or race up there, it would be point to point from Pinehurst resort. Non issue for shuttling and for marking it would be pretty simple. Anyways, we saw a bear cross the trail about 75ft in front of us about 15 minutes in and I thought Jonell would of been freaked but she was like no big deal. Knowing the bear didn't see us I was a little concerned we might scare it when we went past where it crossed but we never saw it again......we just heard it and we must of spooked it pretty good because there was some serious crashing in the thick brush. Figured it was only about 20ft away at that point.

McKenzie lake was looking very clear for a lake out in the middle of nowhere. A beautiful day. Perfect riding with the temp right around 70 and light winds. Couple loons on the lake plus these two loonies.



Almost all the trails have a tunnel effect. There aren't ditches on the sides so the brush and trees hang over like a canopy. The Norris and McKenzie trails have real nice rollers. Seems like you will be on a high point and roll down 3-4 hills before climbing up a big hill and then rolling down again. The middle of the Naytauwash system has this big ridge so when you leave Pinehurst you are in the low and whatever direction you head out, you climb up 500 ft or so, real gradual then start rolling east of the ridge towards Itasca Park. The ride back is always faster. We rode tempo just to get some of that under the belt and clipped along nicely. Fun riding that 29er two seater.
Calling Paul Hanson. These guys are nuts. They have been holding this rally for 10 years maybe. I caught a glimpse once and it was crazy.



Tuesday night was about as good as it gets on the lake. Grandpa Rodney went out to the middle of the lake so the boys could jump off and swim. Some good times. The sun was all funny color from the forest fires out west. I guess the largest fire right now started 10 miles from where we used to live in Montana near Marias Pass and now it is moving east. I guess everything in Glacier Park is open, according to the Hungry Horse News. I did quite a bit of riding up the Heart Butte road. You could really see out on the prairie from the high point and the mountains to the west. Anyways, campfire and smores to top the night.
Wed. morning Jonell I went out for a ride again and Grandpa took the boys for a forest run in the jeep. We went around the lake and about halfway through they passed us and they were gone but we caught up to them again on the bumpy and pothole quad trail. The boys were going crazy yelling in the back telling Grandpa to hurry up. Rodney had to put the pedal down to drop us and put a big gap on us when we got back on the gravel forest road that we couldn't close down. Good training. Jonell stuck around for the rest of the day and I rode back to Maplelag to get some work done. A lot of riding from Mon to Wed, close to 120, all off road, and today I was wiped and stayed off the saddle. But the legs feel great and ready to rip it up this weekend. I'm real excited to ride the tandem on the O2S course. We're just doing the 28er but should be a blast. Jonell is nervous but I said its all about having fun. Welch looks to be hot and dusty. Maybe we will be so lucky to have a thunderstorm roll through again like last year. Block 8's are rimmed but muds are coming along just in case.

First meeting tonight for the OHV plan. Not much happening to be expected for the first time. Everyone was real reasonable and the moderator/facilitator is doing a great job so I think there will be some good progress. The proposed 70 mile new trail is off the table, now in the hands of Aitkin county I believe. There is going to be atv use in Becker County just like every other county in the state so identifying which trails should be used and not used and having maps and signage will be a positive thing. Right now it is a free for all and this is not good as people are going where they shouldn't and making mayhem. See you at the races!!