Short View
of
Mile High Enduro
By
Ralph Crowder

With great anticipation we departed for Cloudcroft Friday afternoon, only Markworth and myself from hot San Antonio. This would be the first riding for me in about 3 months, and the first Mile High put on by new TSCEC prez George McMahan & Co. Only 9 hours later, in Vernon's new van (ex-Simpson, ex-Harris Ford van), we were enjoying the cool mountain air. Saturday was spent jetting bikes, relaxing, and for me a hike up the mountain near camp. This was before I learned of a bear and mountain lion that frequent the camp. A great dinner followed, courtesy of Fredna and Bruce Lair-Thanks again Mrs. Lair! George M. was concerned about rain Saturday, but the afternoon showers missed us. Sunday was beautiful, cool and clear. Our row consisted of the wily veteran (diplomatic way of saying old) Markworth, the young and somewhat wild Michael Bunn, 1998 200C Novice class champ Jody Rose and me bringing up the rear. The trail left 3M Snow Play camp at a relative easy 18 mph, which was good as the trail was wet due to a heavy dew. The first check was on a steep gnarly downhill with room for only one bike at a time-somehow in the confusion I never got scored-thank goodness for backup sheets! The pace went to 24mph, but was still achievable and fun. I disagree with not having any danger markers though-one place in particular stands out-a high-speed section over a rise then into a trail on the side of a steep canyon-you had better be paying attention! A few miles later Jody bailed spectacularly off the side of a hillside trail. He apparently hit something, launching him and his bike up and off the downhill side. He was ok though, and yelled to go ahead. This put me about 30 sec. late going in to the next check, which was a check-in to a test section. More fast, fun trails with an occasional slippery rock garden thrown in. I dropped 2 points but still let out a "yee-haw" at the check - I was having fun. The roads used to connect the trails kept us mostly on time, but made it easy to lose your concentration while sight seeing. We missed a turn off on a road about 26 miles out and rode far enough to put us down 5 minutes! Vernon and Michael did better but I dropped 4 points at the next check-this pretty much cost us a good finish. The trails to gas were a gas, however I would have liked more time allotted at the gas stop. We left gas slightly early, but a dumb move concerning the gas petcock put me 45 seconds into my minute at the next check-in. Dropped 2 points at the tie breaker but was still enjoying the ride. More fast trails back to camp, caught Michael Bunn sideways on the trail, went into the woods to pass him-only way I'll ever pass him. He caught me before the finish with a flat rear tire.

Everything was handled expediently back at camp. Scoring and trophy presentation went well and the Short course trophies were actually given out before the Long course finished. More clubs should try this. There was a problem with the gas trailer though and we waited a hour and half for our gas cans. The "new" Mile High was well organized and laid out. To all who didn't go: you missed a really good run!