Yes indeed, BBTC campout season is upon us. What a way to kick it off too. Hot sunny days, fun trails, good people and no major mechanicals or injuries.  Friday evening we got out and were already surprised that all the snow from last week was gone. And, I mean, gone. No wonder the river was running higher than

I've ever seen it in the 20 years we've been going there. A larger group and the dog in tow meant that by the time we did see the herd of elk, they had moved off into the thicker trees. Oh well, some deer sightings along the way and back to camp in about an hour or so. Not much dust, lots of green grass and flowers out.

Couldn't wait for the next day.

By Saturday a.m. we were spread all over the middle of the campground and grouped up for the ride. A bigger than expected turnout meant a lot of accordion movement within the group but it seemed to go pretty well. The creek crossing were actually lower than last week so we managed to get through it with dry(ish)

shoes. The ridge trail claimed a few riders and Joel looked like "pigpen" from the Peanuts strip when he arrived at the river from apparently a spectacular roll in the sand on the way down. Nothing a dunk in a freezing snowmelt river wouldn't cure. We pressed on hoping to get Joel and Sara back to their truck by 2:30 but stopped briefly at a huge hoo doo up on the ridge line along BST to admire the weathered cracks and watch Lisa free climb one. Bomber trail run back along the cliffs 200 feet above the river and down to the river and back to camp. Hot, tired, but completely sated. That hot 14 miles sure felt like a lot more.

We had planned to treated to a south of the border feast by chef Floyd but work called and he was unable to attend last minute so we feebly tried to put on a build your own burrito bar in his honor. (Though any food at that point would have been phenomenal.) Many stories were told, beers consumed, and logs burned in the fire before all finally succumbed to the night.

Sunday was cooler and windier but still nice and warm. More singletrack and slick rock was ridden and all had fun with a tail wind back down the valley at the end. My guess is that of the 12 miles we rode, 10 of it was real singletrack with some short road down doubletrack connectors thrown in.

Jerome, Lisa, Ethan, Cary, and myself all were there to chronicle it digitally so I am sure you will have web links to peruse the shots at your leisure should you choose. (Just put one up on the club home page.)

Great time, wonderful way to kick off the campout portion of the riding season for me and I personally had a ball. So, thanks to everyone who came out. Old friends and new for such a great time.

It still surprises me every year that this area does not get more riders.

Thanks again!

Bob Bq