Paul's Power Line Poker Run Writeup, with pics and video

Wow we had a terrific time in the woods today!  I headed out early this morning to set up the parking area/pits.  I held the sign-ups at 9:00 to 9:45.  41 riders showed up this year.  The riders' meeting was at 9:45, then we bike riders took off first.  The atv's left after the dust settled.  About 3 miles into the course Trent (KX85) nailed a rock outcropping, flattening his front tire and endoed over the bars.  It knocked the wind out of him and hurt his shoulder real bad.  Jim (his stepdad) stayed behind to help him get back to camp, and the rest of us took off again...

...Duane (KX250) was the next one to crash, and snapped his clutch cable at the perch.  He wasn't hurt so we continued on, and Duane managed to finish the whole course without a clutch.  We were the first to arrive at check 1, which was located at Rattlebone Lake.
 
Here are some of the riders who came into check 1 while we were there:


While waiting for Jim (KLX450) to rejoin Aaron (KX250) and I, the rest of the bikes took off and many of the atvs passed us by.  Once Jim caught up to us we took off, and soon passed all the atvs and passed the rest of the bikes in the woods.  Here is a video of Jim riding wheelies and where we pass the other riders along the trail.  There is a long muddy uphill which several riders were stuck on as we passed them by.  Here is a video of us riding into Hidden Lake Trail, you will see Jim's legs at about 20 seconds into the video, where he tried to pass me and endoed right in front of me.  I rode off the trail into some bushes to avoid running him over!  He wasn't hurt and we continued on to Hidden Lake and check #2... Here is a picture of the lake:
 
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NW Montana
Where the pavement ends and the fun begins  
2005 KTM300exc

dang that looks like fun! i may have to try to  be there for next year!
DavidS  
i take a lot of pride in what i am

___________________
ride: 02yz426
local: north east Oregon

terrain type woods with lots of roots & rocks

Looks like fun Paul!  So pretty!  
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"Only the desert has a fascination to ride alone in the sun in the forever unpossessed country away from man. That is a great temptation."
--D.H. Lawrence

i might stand a chance there its nearly identical to my terrain in the higher el's what was up with the guy wearing the no chin bar arai trials helmet? he shoulda had a jofa haha
DavidS  
i take a lot of pride in what i am

___________________
ride: 02yz426
local: north east Oregon

terrain type woods with lots of roots & rocks

riding out the looks great Paul, looks like you did a great job bud. reminds me so much of the colorado riding I do and did.  
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MIKE
Phoenix, az
(07 yz250)
(99 yz125)


Every bush has its day (sanders, 2009)
Lack of enthusiasm is for the weak and timid. (alex, a.k.a. yz250 forever)

"I know much about nothing at all"(Maple, 2009)

The guy with no chin guard on the helmet is named Able, riding a Suzuki RM250.  He has a bald tire on the rear, so needed some assistance climbing out of Hidden Lake.  I spent quite some time there on the two uphills coming out of the lake with the camcorder.  I'll post those videos later...  
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NW Montana
Where the pavement ends and the fun begins  
2005 KTM300exc

nice  
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____________________
MIKE
Phoenix, az
(07 yz250)
(99 yz125)


Every bush has its day (sanders, 2009)
Lack of enthusiasm is for the weak and timid. (alex, a.k.a. yz250 forever)

"I know much about nothing at all"(Maple, 2009)

why doesnt he get a chin bar helmet? or does he like the old school look? Paul get him a rock catcher! haha
DavidS  
i take a lot of pride in what i am

___________________
ride: 02yz426
local: north east Oregon

terrain type woods with lots of roots & rocks

So we finally leave check #2 at Hidden Lake after filming several riders attempting to climb the hills and made our way to check #3.  We passed a couple atvs in the tight stuff, then at the end when I came upon the rest of the group at check 3 I was going too fast and layed it down so I wouldn't run into them!  Here is the video  
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NW Montana
Where the pavement ends and the fun begins  
2005 KTM300exc

"I rode off the trail into some bushes to avoid running him over!"
Are you sure the bushes didn't set up a booby trap?  
Looks like a great ride and great weather for it.  
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"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing some people out there having fun on motorcycles. It makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen

The trail in the 2nd vid was pretty rough going.  i can see where you really had to cut a lot of fallen trees in both vids.  
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"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing some people out there having fun on motorcycles. It makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen

After watching that second vid I'm going to have to start calling you Dances With Trees.  hahaha Actually that is a lot like our trails.  Man I wish I could have been on that ride with ya.  

Bill H.
Temperance, Mi
2000 CR250R
1991 YZ125

Hurt shoulders seems to be contagious, it has been over a month since I landed on mine and it still hurts when I put any load on it. I hate when those damn rocks jump out in front of you.  
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Stand in the place where you are, think about direction and wonder why you haven't
North Carolina

The ride to check 4 from check 3 was uneventful, and the video is like the others, so I'll spare you that.  But here is a picture of Blue Lake, where the check was located:


atv rider Gail gets insight from the instructions:


atv rider David gives directions for the next section:
 
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NW Montana
Where the pavement ends and the fun begins  
2005 KTM300exc

Mark and Jennifer opted to skip check #2, but their caution didn't help when it came to getting sprayed when I passed them while hitting a puddle section...
 
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NW Montana
Where the pavement ends and the fun begins  
2005 KTM300exc