As I sit here getting ready to go to Bear Wallow I’m trying to understand what drives me to spend all of my free time the last couple of weeks getting the buggy ready. It’s normally 10-20 hours in the shop for 2 days riding if nothing major is broken. This my third off road vehicle, the first was a retired suburban that ended up on tons, second a truggy that I installed fuel injection, rear 4 link and whole bunch of other modifications, and now an older built buggy that I will continue to improve.
I wanted to build a buggy and did like a lot of you started collecting parts. Last summer one popped up for sale and boom I’m in the seat of my dreams. Fast track to the next level.
Last fall in Harlan a place I’ve been to more than any other I had the time of my life. I dominated every trail except Pony Hill when I sheared off the rear axle flange bolts to end my weekend. I never had to pull the winch cable all week end. The trail that really defines what drives me is Little Jäger. I’ve spent many hours at the top watching others try and fail,roll and break, and then the ones that make it. I know it’s propably not the most difficult but it’s the most visible. I watched one day as my son made it up while a stranger spotted him ( much better than I could have ) . Just telling it now brings tears to my eyes as it did then. All those hours of planning, wrenching and practicing come together for a moment of conquering. When I got to the top my eyes filled with tears with maybe 50 people watching. My thought was I might run over someone because my vision was blurred by tears. I drove triumphantly to the bottom, got out to hug my family of friends. These are the ones that drove me to always bring my « A » game, put up with my weaknesses and supported me when I failed and celebrated my success. The best hug was with my son. We have matured and raised our level of of abilities together. I am truly blessed to achieve my dreams with the company and support of my family and friends for at least the last 18 years.
Today I’ll rush around tying up loose ends at work, finish packing and getting my tow pig ready and everything else that’s needs done so I can head off for another adventure. I would not want to do anything else. Thanks to all that supported me each step of the way.
