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Originally posted by Moonbeam-Express:

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as a desert racer, trees scare me

Did you catch the video above Bill?

No, my connection here is too slow for video. Next time we hitch up the team and go to town, I will bring the laptop and find a wi fi spot.

I am not the only desert rider scared of trees. I remember a social function after an AMA National event out here where one of the Penton kids regaled the attendees with his impression of a District 37 rider and his first encounter with a tree. I think he exaggerated a little to make it funnier, but I was comforted to know that I was not the only one.

The other side of this is that at one of the ISDT events, (the first with an American team) the best riders in the world were absolutely slack-jawed at how fast the California entrants went in the sand, literally leaping over slower riders when the terrain allowed. I think it was some Ekins brothers and Steve McQueen. They had NO IDEA that such a thing could be done.

Trees also scared me skiing, too.. When cross country skiing, I always let a partner lead the way on the fast downhills in the forests.

When younger, I was foolishly brave on downhill forest runs, but avoided injury. Some of my friends were less fortunate. Except one guy. He met his future wife after she had skied into a tree at an airline ski meet. He was so busy looking after her that our team was short in some events.

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Originally posted by Moonbeam-Express:
Did you catch the video... ?

I thought it was an image - here it is, it's embedded on our site.

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I am not the only desert rider scared of trees.

You do realize our trees don't have 4" needles on them like those I see in the desert (at least when the coyote chases the roadrunner)

I spent 4 hours today up in Croom Riding are in Withlacoochee State Park. I met up with another "old guy" and we chased each other through the pine trees making our own trails. The best fun I've had up in Croom yet. Pine needles are much better than sugar sand!

I guess it boils down to what terrain you are used to and what skills you develop.

Whenever I make it out your way I want to ride the desert with you. I always feel better riding with someone that knows the terrain. Especially where the canyons open up and stuff like that.

If I have one unfulfilled dream, it's to run the Paris-Dakar rally. Lots of desert there.