Author: Bill

So last night we realized that the sounds coming from the street were not, in fact, a live band but the occupant downstairs from us. Boom, boom, boom, and it just kept reverberating through our apartment. We needed to get the bed and more importantly needed to get to sleep fast. Snuggles is getting on the bus for Yellowstone National Park at 4 AM. And myself I had to get back to work on Monday.

I’m now standing here at my desk gazing into the screen trying desperately to try to figure out how to do my job. Mo left this morning at 4 a.m. And I just hope that she is feeling better than I am. I did do some investigating this morning and, well, let’s just hope the person downstairs is going to be ok.

A lot of times in life we get irritated and we went to lash out. But maybe it is better to attempt to view the situation from another point of view. Was it really their fault? Did they intend to irritate you? Are they deceased? We should take that into consideration … um … maybe.

So you’re screaming down a hill on a mountain bike and there’s a log across a trail. It is possible that the tree didn’t fall to interrupt your Strava time. Pick up your damn bike and run across a log and get back on. It is what it is.

I just walked away from my desk. Time to go for a walk. Got to clear the mind and come up with a solution for a problem here at work. To clear my mind I start thinking about my current situation. I have a good situation right now, a job with flexibility at a place where I can contribute. Is THIS my favorite job? Wait, what year is it? What is my favorite job, was my favorite job? Not a job that I wish I had, which if you think about it is kind of stupid because I hate working. I mean my favorite job of all time.

I guess the first job I ever had was peeling potatoes at my grandma’s Cafe, the Pioneer Cafe in Roundup. But really a job where I was actually paid maybe would be the family business Buckey’s Petroleum. Which Mom and Dad ran and which in payment I was given gas to ride my motorcycle Maybe? Okay, maybe not, can’t remember back that far. I guess with the requirement that the first job would be the one that I actually got paid would be the United Building Center in Roundup Montana. Restocking nails and paint. Was kind of a lumber yard and hardware store. But in return, I got a grade for school. Kind of like work experience class or something, can’t remember that either. No, I guess my first job, the one I actually got paid for, would be the Power Wash in Casper Wyoming. We washed construction equipment for mines.

From there I would go on to sell cleaner door-to-door in Salt Lake City and Seattle then after a short stint at college, or a try at it anyway, I settled upon being a carpet laying apprentice at J&J Enterprises in Billings Montana. Continuing on I went on to Burt & Ernie’s Restaurant but then moved and was a janitor at Cameron Middle School in Missouri. I was an electrician’s Apprentice at Roundup Electric which my Uncle Bob ran. I also was a convenience store cashier at Blue Basket Billings. I worked a short stint at Pizza Hut. I also worked for the state of Missouri in a state park. I also rebuilt gauges at Plattsburgh gauge in Plattsburgh New York and even worked at a wallpaper factory in Plattsburgh New York. Whew! [couple deep breaths] From there I became a cyclist, raced my bikes, and worked at Viking Ski Shop in Plattsburgh New York. I rolled candles at Northern expressions … even worked at a nursery. Then I went to school and sitting there in the counselor’s office I determined that maybe I should go into computer science. So then it was Sikorsky Aircraft and on to Missoula Montana for a couple jobs. And finally where I’m at now working for Montana State University.

Whoa, there! Backing up to my FAVORITE job, let’s roll back the clock to when I went to school the second time. My friends Paul and Lucy had talked me into the possibility that I was actually smart and that I should go to school. I started out at Clinton Community College, got a degree, and then went on to Plattsburgh State University. I soon discovered that I needed some extra cash to afford an apartment while I finished my degree. I got a job at the Plattsburgh State University Fieldhouse. And my job, to Drive a Zamboni. This, my friends, was the best job I ever had.

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park. A great place to ride a mountain bike. But only in the spring because in the summer there are lots of people and rattlesnakes. We all know that Lewis and Clark used to call each other Snuggles and Cuddles right? And then there was Sacagawea. Who we all know was the strong person for the entire Adventure. Sometimes, sometimes … they would take a break in the journey for a mountain bike ride.

So these three standing on a hillside above the Jefferson we’re enjoying the sunshine and each other’s company. All the bikes were working except for one which had this skipping problem. But all in all is it been a long cold winter and they were enjoying the warm sun and being out on a mountain bike … finally.

And after the ride there was relaxation. Hanging out with a beer and some potato chips. Grilling some meat. This is how things were back then. The simple fact that spring had arrived and they got together for a ride. Taken a break from the journey.

These are simple times but make no mistake very very good times. And now that their adventure rolls on it must be said … that these get-togethers are the cornerstone to the adventure overall.

New place, new town. Snuggles and I was out scouting the area to figure out where to park. A new chore is something one is faced with living in a downtown. I am thinking, super fun. Like living in San Fran or something. We stumble upon the library. Snuggles got excited.

Every day I have a new idea for a blog post, but every day I get busy. There is a lot to moving. Specially when you want to take advantage of all the new stuff. Like having my own private enduro training facility. I work and then disappear over to the 1000 ft drop with every gravity fed element one could wish for. And then there is Gils. And now the library.

What is a person supposed to do. Creativity is important, and so is working things out by writing. Maybe things will settle down soon. Maybe they will just get more exciting.

Ahh home … our new home. And snuggles has a place to escape “the cuddles”.

One only has so much willpower. We all have a s*** ton of stuff to do every day. For me, I create a list and try to get through it. But then there is today. Everything is a distraction. At dinner, I sit down to eat but then I find myself taking pictures of some flowers for about an hour. Reviewing, getting different angles. What the hell am I doing? I have so much stuff to get done. Better focus, get back to it.

I got to get out for a quick walk and get some air. Oh yeah sure, this is a distraction, I mean procrastination. But if I clear my head I’ll get more done later. Right? Oh, wait a second! What is that stuck in the telephone pole? A saw blade? Wonder how that got there? I wonder if it’s a piece of art? I wonder …

Holy s***. I’m at it again. I just got to get all this stuff done. I know what is going on. I have gotten so much done up to this point it is all I can do. I’m full up. I need to take a break and clear my head.

Maybe today will be a day where I don’t get much done. But one only has so much willpower. Maybe I’ll go and do something that I like. Like mountain biking.

It’s hard for me to complain right now. Especially since I am out the door for some glorious single track. But I must. To reflect and remember. The last straw. The one last try … and our last failure. The damned forest service cabin bad luck streak.

We have tried three times in the last two years to obtain forest service cabins and failed. This one, in particular, where we have waisted at least $120 in rental fees without ever stepping in the door.

The April days leading up to the adventure were fantastic. So much so I wondered if I should just take my regular mountain bike. We even left behind some heavy winter gear. It was going to be a spring fling to remember.

And no, I have not forgotten last year when a sudden snowstorm turned us around. But what are the chances that every year a storm troll sees us coming and brews up a special blizzard? Never … right?

By the time I decided to turn around I had figured it all out. We were not welcome in these parts. Time to go home and pack. And to leave this valley. Sure we could have walked bikes until 2AM but that adventure has been done and really, l don’t think it is really that much fun.

Everything is so good right now. Knock on wood. And I must sew this up so I can go ride some great single track. It is interesting that when we moved into our situation in Bozeman it was considered the perfect setup. A cute little quonset hut and all this adventure to be had around us. But after being here in Livingston for about a week in our new place, I look back on this and think, wow we ran up against some pretty big obstacles. I feel great now and haven’t had vertigo or a migraine since we left. Maybe that cute little place we lived in has mold. Maybe we just didn’t gel with the people of Bozeman. It always seems like I was angry and people were always angry at us. Keep in mind that Snuggles got the double finger flip off one day. And the weather, well as funny as it sounds, seemed to always reject us. But that’s behind us now and this new adventure awaits. On the Sunny Side of the pass.

Yea, so I did what I wanted to do is to go mountain biking for my birthday. And I endured the traditional party. Now a secret party were snuggles built me a cake without processed flour or any sugar. Those things smell like dirty baby diapers to me now.

The only problem is that I wet wild and ate too much. I rolled around nursing a huge stomach all afternoon in a coma. Oh, but it was so good.

A card from snuggles

A card from mom and dad

Why a third party? Well because we were home in Montana now and I had some cards sitting in the mailbox.

Will I ever do it again? Naw … been there got that tee shirt. Eating an entire cake that is.  Maybe something more modest next time.

The sun was out as I sit awaiting my compatriots. I was wondering if I should have maybe splashed on some sunscreen. Just then snuggles came ripping by me. I snapped off a shot and stepped out of the way. Damn this single track was fun. And the grin on her face confirmed it. I jumped on my bike in hot pursuit.

The O-Town Enduro was over. Snuggles showed up on Tuesday from a stint in New Mexico and suggested a birthday party. Whatever I wanted. Of course, that is a trap. That really means … let’s have a party. I would have none of it. Ok, well I did succumb to the darn party but what I wanted was a birthday ride. And we made that happen. Snuggles, Warren, and I.

We rode out to an overlook and ditched the bikes against a huge boulder to take a look at the canyon below. It sure was nice to be out with friends riding my bike.  I had just spent three mega ride days by myself and now I realized what was missing. Even though I didn’t know it at the time. Sharing such jewels with friends.

Time to return back to base camp and it was not my idea. For we needed to get back for what was first suggested. A party, of course, gotta have a birthday party. What ever.

How did the party go? Ok, I guess. There were burgers. And beer maybe?  All I remember was that I was with friends Tacey, Warren, and the snugglenator. In the end, it is the experiences with friends that really matter. Except I seem to remember more of the times with friends spent on bikes.

All the excitement in the world means nothing if your body doesn’t want to go along. At first, this seemed the case. I jumped on my bike and went to the first climb out of the Ogden neighborhood. The first punch upwards resulted in a ginger speed and … once to a certain heart rate, a little dizziness. Whoa, Nelly.

But forget the fatigue. As in normal fashion, I pushed the warning signs to the side and just rode. Wasnt long until I was immersed in the day. Sun, dirt, and knobbies. Nothing could take this day from me. Nothing.

The sun burned down as I rode up Coldwater Canyon a 2.7 mile, 1,200-foot climb that took me to North Ogden Canyon. That did hurt, I will not lie. But the tiny decent and traverse to the canyon made me forget all perceived pain.

The big Canyon with a road that goes to the Eden Vally.  I am sure all Ogdenites know this route. Especially if you ride road I figure. I headed up the gut which had a trail/jeep track route to the pass. My hopes were that once on the pass I could explore all kinds of options and trails. After climbing for an hour I ran into some cockleburs that literally stopped me from progressing. So many with such size and stick power that I couldn’t let go of my handlebars. My bike stayed upright and I did an effortless track stand. I was stuck in velcro hell. It took another hour or so to wiggle back out and extract the balls of spiny velcro.

I did make the pass after hiking the bike up a trail with a sign to stay off when wet. Well, it was frozen and I did not ride. I hiked. When I got to the top it was apparent that my progress was all over for this climb. Too much snow. So I took to the powerline trail and bombed down stage 1.

2.3 miles 1,200-foot drop down stage 1 was a total treat.  I crossed the pass road near the bottom to climb North to the end of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. It ended in a parking lot near the town of Pleasant View.  I had run out of water and unfortunately, time was ticking off as well. I almost missed my cutoff to start the big stage 2 decent. Mostly downhill but it felt flat with tons of turns, jumps, and berms. Took me no time at all to get back to the North Ogden Canyon Road. I sat down to take a break and sip some water obtained, and steri-penned, from some stream I had crossed.

I was sipping on the cold earth beverage and taking a little pull from a fruit snack when I was asked where I had been riding from a bystander. I rattled off the names I knew and pointed in the direction of the trails I didn’t.

“Wow … gosh, do you want a ride up the hill or something?”

“Naw, but thanks … I’m going to savor the rest of the ride back … um, just have to climb back over that beast”, pointing towards Coldwater Canyon.

The little tag of fruit chew and the gulp of water did the trick and I was suddenly feeling spry and rehydrated. One last big climb … and the best stage of the weekend was awaiting me at the top.

The last stage of the weekend and the 3rd on the day is a 1,200-foot drop over 2.6 miles back to base camp. I perched at the top and reflected over my trip to Ogden. What a marvelous place to ride a bike. And what a great break from the winters up north. The best birthday present ever.

The stage was a ripper. My new knobbies biting into corners of pumice and rock. I got safely down and took first place in the screaming-with-excitement category.

The epic weekend of adventure and dubbed Ogden Endro in my inner world was a total success. And my birthday the next day. What could top the last two days? So far this year … nothing.

So I just turned 52 years old recently. So on my birthday I was presented with the opportunity have a fantasy trip of my dreams. Well, considering I live in Bozeman and don’t know anything but shitty winter weather. Ugh, as I write this a cold 40 degree rain is slithering its way to the ground outside my window. Back to the story.

Anyway I want to ride my bike in spring-like conditions. Snuggles was headed down to Ogden to see friends so I tagged along. I decided to set off on a three-day Enduro that I like to call the Ogden Enduro Series. Three days of just me and my bike and the Sun and all the terrain I could endure.

Day one was an intro to the area. I set off in the afternoon for two stages to enjoy the trails around our friends house. The first test would be what the locals call Prospects. It’s a gnarly 2.4 mile climb and 1100 feet of climbing from home base. The Descent was fast and loose and had lots of drifting. Oh the new tires certainly hooked up like a dream.

Did I mention the new tires I was riding with? They are Terrine Chunks. A 3″ in tire that has the most aggressive knobs I’ve ever seen. And the excitement was so high on the first day just to try these new beasts out. For those that care they seem to roll well … but on the way down they gripped everything like greedy hands dipping into the candy bowl at work.

So back to Stage 1, a 1.5 mile bomb down a hill called Prospects which passed something called the Norman mine. I saw no signs, just was following the Trail Forks app. From there I wondered my way over to what is referred to as The Knob, a 1.6 mile climb with 571 feet of elevation gain.

After taking a extended break overlooking Ogden Canyon and the valley I discovered that I had lost my reading glasses. Side note, yes, I took reading glasses so that I could read the Trailforks map. Yea, get over it. Couldn’t find them so F’it dude, let’s ride. I bombed down stage 2.

Stage 2 was a 1.3 mile and 571 vertical feet of elevation loss that took me down to the bottom of the Ogden Bike Park. Ogden bike park this cool piece of land that has … oh I would guess about 4 to 5 runs. A couple black runs, a couple blue runs, maybe some green runs. Very cool.

After a nice spin back to base camp I got ready for Day 2. My day 2 would be an all day enduro adventure ride that would test my endurance which I hoped that I haven’t lost.  Maybe my skills too. And so stoked to test the new tires. And happy shutters to just be out in the sun. I am going to reunite with the dirt, and thumb my nose at winter. That’s all I could ask for my birthday, to just get away from old man winter. That creepy old man.

Nothing like taking a short break from work to go on a lunch ride with a buddy. Even more, better is that it is spring. Seems like all I want to do is get out there. Today is supposed to be stupendously sunny and warm. Gosh, talk about torture. We have to pack and sell things today. Maybe we can squeeze out a couple short breaks.

The plan today is to post everything on craigslist so that in my final week here we can recoup some mullah. Maybe even enough to get a loft bed for our small space. Oh, did I mention that Snuggles is outta here after this weekend? Yep, gone back to work in Yellowstone. So buckle down we must.

We are looking to sell a brand new air compressor, speakers, antique movie projector, backpack, framed prints, washer, tons of bike gear, wheelsets, full bed mattress, and basically anything one can walk into our place and point at. All must go. Except for the bike … which I need for my lunch rides.

When visiting Missoula we also discovered someone, an old friend you might say, that we have been missing for a while. Spring. The sun was out and we were able to go out hiking with friends and just enjoy the outside without bundling up and worrying about mud and snow and ice. Yes, spring.

As we get into the meat and potatoes of our downsizing for the move to Livingston something is happening outside. I’m starting to hear birds and the sun is seeping through the windows, hitting the floor around me. As I decide which things to throw away and which things I’m going to need there are forces outside pulling at me. I open the door and take a look outside. A waft of ground smells hit me in the face and you know what? The air is not cold. Spring is finally in Bozeman.

On our way out the door we are not going to say goodbye to this old friend but take them with us. Yes, summer will be waiting for us at our new apartment. Or may I say our new space? The loft of 400 square feet. Spring is waiting. Will just need to pack up and get out of here so we can live together as one big happy family again.