Burl's ride in Terlingua was incredible in every way. The organizers are seasoned veterans of the sport who have developed good relations with
land owners who allowed us to connect up between county roads via trails and creek crossings.
The lunches were excellent and catered for us at prime locations (Starlight Theater and the Rock House).
The gas stops were staffed great people who also provided water, tools, chain lube and toilet paper!
The riders ranged from new guys like me, to experienced Baja and Dakar racers who were as interesting as they were friendly.
I left Austin with my Homie Mark on Friday morning and camped at the Big Bend RV Park where Chadley met us in his 6 Pac Camper.
Saturday and Sunday's riding started with breakfast and a riders meeting where we navigated via roll-chart until lunch.
Post-lunch you could ride even more to finish up the roll chart. Bail out points were also indicated on the charts, so you would not miss lunch, or
you were just too tired to continue.
I estimate there was about 300 miles of riding available.
The variety of terrain we encountered was staggering:
* Smooth Hardpacked roads
* Deep Sandy roads
* River beds of sand and rock
* 3 foot deep washouts
* Narrow sandy single track with brush
* Steep rocky hill climbs
* Rocky switch-backs (ascent and decent)
* 3 foot wide trails following ridges
* Large sandy berms
* Rock gardens
The trails climbed over steep hills that were full of blind turns, sudden camber changes, washouts that
bottomed the forks, sand traps where you gunned the bike and prayed, rocky climbs where you dared not stop.
By the end of each day my body and mind were exhausted, but I rode the KLR through stuff I never imagined.
Mark and Chadley were awesome to ride with. The dudes know how to have a good time!
We explored the dark mystical side of ADV riding - crystals, dream-catchers, howling with the coyotes under the full moon
and telling poo jokes prepared us for our journey.
Many Thanks!
Patrice
www.RideDualSport.com/forum
