2006 Epic Tour of Truth Wrap Up

The Tour has concluded for 2006. Jeffroe is proudly (although temporarily) carrying the BadMoFo wallet for his nocturnal efforts to organized the trip photos, finish laundry and get the East Coast contingent out of SAC on schedule - the dude stayed up all night after puttiing in a superhuman effort on the longest and most difficult epic of the Tour. He barely catnapped on the plane, and successfully navigated us out of DC after we loaded the WRX and pointed it South.

TOUR NUMBERS...
--- total miles ridden - 138.5
--- total elevation gain - 20,800
--- miles driven in Cali - 1,050
--- avg SAC AM temps - 105
--- total saddle time - 13+

Next Epic Tour, CRASH RETURNS 2007... sometime in May!
--dB

Ride 6 - FINAL STAGE - Downieville EPIC

This day's stage started with the usual business-like hit on the local Safeway for groceries, a big Jamba Juice smoothie, and a stop at CBO in Auburn to try and fix a worn out bushing on the 'Blade. Please note that the Trek branded rigs were flawless thoughout the tour. Success was had at the shop where the bushing was replaced, Powerbars were won, and the shop techie recommended that we shuttle at Downieville. This recommendation was thoroughly discussed by the crew during the drive out to this classic downhill mountain bike destination. After meeting with the manager at YUBA Expeditions, it was confirmed that a loop ride would be the order of the day - shuttle monkeys we are NOT. We discussed a likely route with this heavily bearded gentleman and thanked him by purchasing Downieville Classic pint glasses.

The loop was planned to be the IMBA Epic Big Boulder Ride, with 2nd Divide and 1st Divide thrown in after doing the Toejam thing and earning our DH with one massive and scorching climb. It should be noted that we only saw one set of bike tracks on this dusty winding fireroad. This route is an ambitious 35 mile + ride that would throw over 5,000 of climbing at us, 4k in the first 15 miles. The local temp was 103 degrees. The scenery was awe inspiring, jagged cliffs, cold, snowmelt rivers of emerald green water, this was gold country at its finest. We saw many floating mining rigs run by privateer miners in the rivers ( looked like fun to dB, hey Ann likes gold!). The carnes on the beaches of the river were also photo documented.

However, as the climb ensued - this trip became all business on a scorching hot fireroad, we tried our best to ride in whatever available shade fell upon the road. Jeffro was suffering, but stayed within himself and managed to reach the top of the fireroad only about 10 minutes behind the duo of dB and CRASH who finished 6 mins. ahead of dB. Crash stated that he felt he was the best he had been all Tour - getting stronger as the Tour progressed. ALL were low on water, Jeffro was empty.

Due to our slow pace in the searing heat, and our sense that daylight may become an issue, it was decided to amend the route and drop about 7 miles of fireroad in exchange for an earlier brutal downhill section on a world famous race course that would intersect another planned section of trail. This was know as California's longest DH.

Within a few miles of the dh though we found a spring and filtered water for everyone.

The Butcher Ranch DH was a very worn pro DH race course - better suited for bikes with 5"+ of suspension travel - not 4" or less XC rigs, but we managed. Though a pro race is supposed to occur this coming weekend we saw no riders on the course. The stutter/braking bumps were punishment and really made dB's wrist aggravated from the abuse - yet we bombed on. The trail was also unique, with smooth singletrack winding into tight bushy creek bed sections and then dumping out over rock/boulder gardens that threatened death and dismemberment to those who attacked it at too high or too low a speed.

CRASH was captured in one shot mid air as he wheel chocked one of the nastier sections. Chenger who captured the moment in digital eternity says, "yeah, I rode up on this and thought - WOW someone is going to BUY IT here, I'd better get my camera!" - thus is the Toejam mentality - don't save your fellow TJ'ers from themselves if you can take a picture of the pending carnage. It is a rough group.

CRASH recovered from his gnar-gnar faceplant, licked his fresh wounds - on top of old fresh wounds - and we proceeded with this relentless and rugged, DUSTY descent.
(Three days later and I am still coughing up red dirt. --dB)

The Bucher Shop section finally gave way to a steel bridge where the hot and DUSTY TJ'ers filtered more water and took a dip in the COLD emerald green pools. Refreshed, we then struck out for 2nd Divide, the true gem of the trip.
2nd Divide was buff, rolling sidetrack wwith tech sketch-o-matic, blind curves that could thrust the unseasoned over a 350' cliff and down onto boulders strewn about the Yuba river below. There were close calls had by all, knowing this trail would be a major advantage in any timed event. You either cruise or crash. dB bonked and had to gel up and chow down a chocolate powerbar to continue.

After reaching the Lavezolla Rd. it was decided to ride 1st Divide on out even though we were all smoked. It was a fun little trail with more scenery and we just tooled along till we reached D-ville at the end. A swim in the chilly Yuba River as the sky darkened was our reward, and we managed to get dinner at the Grubstake Saloon before it closed at 9PM. Everyone was almost too tired to eat.

#'s for the day included: 33 miles, 5,200' of elevation gain, 8.2 avg, 30.9 mx spd, 4:03 pedal time.

That night we toredown and packed our rigs for the next day's flight, Jeff stayed up all nite trying to get our pix sorted out and dB crashed for a few hours shuteye before being awoken for out 7AM departure. After traveling all the next day, dB arrived home at 2AM and fell exhausted into his bed - satisfied and glad to be home.

Ride 5 - Return to Hole-in-the-Ground

The original plan was to hit this trail only ONCE on the Tour, but in accordance with our regimen of 'rigid flexibility' (see Mantra), and in need of a bit of a recovery after the previous day's efforts, we elected to invite CRASHETTE (Courtney Swett) our newest Toejammer out for a little fun at HITG. This is one of our favorite rides on the entire North American continent. dB also had unfinished business to attend with a certain rock.

When we packed up and left SAC it was already 110 degrees and as we passed through Auburn it had rocketed to 115. Thankfully this ride is at elevation and above the worst of the heat - it would be about 86 F & 6,600' elevation at start of the ride.

CRASHETTE inspired us with her tenacious attitude and bike handling skills - in only her 6th mtb ride she held her own and showed she too was worthy of the BadMoFo wallet. Many photo ops were had, much playground antics, follow the leader, and wall riding ensued. dB watched Jeffro go aggro over the bars of his rig on 'the Rock' then sucessfully rode it himself (this was where I endoed and slammed my wrist - breaking it - a few days back). CRASH documented this more successful ride with video that is yet to be released to the general public.

No riders were seen on the trail all day till we prepared to leave the lake after our Swim Call, and so HITG was our own private playground. The water felt great! Those riders showed as we were wrapping it up, but they stayed only briefly and attempted to pursue us down the last few miles of trail. After bombing the upper section we lolligagged along the fire road and dB attempted to ford a rushing mountain creek pulling a flying dismount over the handlebars & landing perfectly on his feet after hitting a babyhead in the 3' deep rushing current. Crash was amazed. dB was awarded the wallet for overcoming 'the Rock'.

The pursuit finally caught the gaggle and dB turned on the jets to take back the attacking trio.

--dB - These roadie posers tried to overtake us and feeling bucky as usual I decided to show them we weren't just a bunch of Huckleberries. I closed the gap on the fireroad till I was on the wheel of the last of the riders. As we entered the singletrack I passed the first one in a rockgarden taking him by surprise and immediately jumped on to the wheel of the middle guy over the rocky terrain . The pressure was too much for him and he popped on a short steep grunt.
Then I promptly grabbed a gear and attacked the small gap to the leader who now knew his group was dropping like flies. He was the better rider of the three and managed to keep his composure as I sat on his wheel being sure not to breathe audibly. We popped out into the P-lot and I rolled on up to the truck as they re-grouped to continue their jaunt. I felt triumphant. The pride of the Toejam had been protected.

There were no tickets awaiting us this time and we pulled chairs out and enjoyed some refreshing beverages and laughs about the day's adventure. The light dimmed as the sun began to lower to the Pacific.

Our numbers for the day were a pedestrian 17.5 miles, and 2,500' of elevation gain.

Ride 4 - Xmas Valley Death Slog & Mr.Toad's Wild Ride

The Toejam started off another fine day prepping the rigs for the trip & reloading the cooler with about $80 worth of groceries. Then some time was spent in downtown SAC visiting Crashette's 'Alley Cutz' salon ( KB had to pick some CD's she had for the day's drive up to Tahoe) where dB spotted Stevie Ray Vaughn on the wall, and saw the most tattooed and pierced guy he'd EVER encountered. A visit was also paid to Mike's Bikes in SAC to see about a pivot-bushing for KB's Titus 'Blade... but no luck there, we did score some new maps though and really enjoyed all of the Chris King jewelry they showed off in the showcases.

Once on the way our drive out to Tahoe was high-speed and the WX clear. Once at the trail head, maps were examined and the route configured. The day's jaunt would include over 4,200' of climbing, with over 500' of that hike-a-bike-boulder-scrambling up Xmas Valley Trail (no, we did NOT realize this as we started out).

Leaving the bottom of Mr. Toad's (Saxon Creek Trail) at 2:30 PM, daylight was to become an issue. We had originally planned to do the descent as a nite ride - but had talked ourselves out of it - WHY? There was going to be a free gourmet meal at the end of the day... oh, and it was GOOOOODDDDDD too!

As we mounted Xmas Valley Trail we encountered a few local bikers wearing incredulous looks and a cute hippie chick hiker who stopped to ask us, "are youse guys going UP this?!?!?" Our progress was soon slowed by triple black diamond ascents through boulder fields the size of Peterbilts. This first leg was all uphill technical ride/hike-a-bike. Now we knew why the hippie-chick wished us luck when we told her we were going up.
We did see a couple guys riding down before the nasty stuff really started - they were oblivious to us - we soon found out why... they'd just had the shit pounded out of them!
"The ascent took us through areas that had recently burned, vital to the area's ecological function." - CRASH
Lots of rocks and roots gave finally way to ultra-smooth buff trail as we ascended into the Sierra Nevadas. After about three miles of sketch-o-matic climbing, the trail became very much to our liking and we finally reached our first checkpoint which put us on a steep grade switchback ascent. The bikes seemed to fly up the ascent with no chain. Upon reaching the end of this section we found a super-fast buffed ribbbon of singletrack that wound down to Big Meadows. On the way Crash tried to pass dB in a chicane,the pressure caused dB to overcook a turn-in, bail off trail - saved it - and come right back into the track just ahead of CRASH who was trying to complete his pass - CRASH went off the trail and had to do a flying dismount as his rig somersaulted throught the air behind him.

AHHHH!!!!! Just like the good old days at Pandapas!

After reaching Big Meadows, we re-continued our climb on more buff singletrack (Jeffro and KB were wishing they were coming down this instead having to slog uphill with tired legs, dB was LOVIN' it).
The climbing included a stop to filter some water from one of the many creek crossings.
Two older ladies came hiking down the trail as doubleB led the climb and commented, "it is so nice to see young people in shape!" That was kind of weird.

Eventually this awesome climb with Nevada scenery gave way to a phenomenal downhill known as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - but before we could finish the climb, we had a temporary delay - Thanks to dB leaving his glasses behind at one of the picture taking points.
(dB Note - I did the same thing on this same ride five years ago and had to double back to find them then too!!!) Fortunately it was only 3/4 mile back down the trail and the trail was SWEEET!!! So dB left his pakpak in the Toejam's safe hands and hurled himself back down the mountain at ridiculous speeds to recover his shades. They were found exactly where he'd left them. Then humped it back up in time to see KB and Jeffro impatiently starting back up the trail.

Jeffro Note - We (Kevin and I) weren't about to ride downhill to look for Ben's glasses, instead electing to stay put while Ben went back to search. I declared this trail was to only be traveled in one directon (towards the downhill) and we occupied our time by stuffing Ben's Camelbak with rocks for him to haul the remainder of the way up.
... insert pic here.
(dB Note - When I hefted my pak upon my return I noticed it felt rather heavy, but discounted this due to the extreme altitude, thinking I must have filtered more water than I had remembered and due to my extra effort expended racing back up the trail.)

Mr. Toads Wild Ride lived up to its billing... a super burly rock garden started us off, claiming 2 of the 3 members of the traveling party. Crash led the group down, rounding a corner hit HARD after getting the right pedal hung up on a protruding rock. We heard various bashing sounds of metal - rock - bone and flesh down below and dB hustled down toward the eeerie sounds of disaster braving his own death and dismemberment in order to reach his fallen friend.
... insert pic here.
--dB - "The first thing I saw was CRASH all splayed out on the ground spread eagle on his face with his bike clear off the trail - both sprawled across rocks the size of cinderblocks. He was moaning and gasping and the blood was beginning to pool near his mid-section so I quickly put my rig up against a nearby redwood and began digging for my camera. A good cameraman always documents these things before offering help to the disabled. Eventually CRASH did one mighty pushup and began to recover his usual staid demeanor."
... insert pic here.
After laying on the ground & moaning for what seemed like an hour, Crash recovered strong for a scorching descent along the remainder of Toads. From here he was a Man On A Mission, pumped full of adrenaline and riding like a lunatic - it was all dB could do to keep him in sight as he styled, weaved and bobbed his way down this most heinous and technical NAR-NAR descent - the BEST downhill in California. dB managed to take the lead in one section, but promptly washed out in a corner of some deep powder and ended up on his head underneath the rig - this too was photo documented.
... insert pic here.
From there, CRASH could not be passed, and we all rocketed down the plunging mountain side trail.
The day's effort resulted in... 25.8 miles (dB), 4,200' elevation gain, 3:44 ride time, 40.1 max speed (CRASH), CRASH acheived full Regime points, and took the BadMoFo wallet for his post crash descent.

Ride 3 - Snow Valley Summit Peak 9,216' & Flume Trail

Ride Numero Tres
After LOADMASTER CRASH supervised the handling of cargo arrangement in the truck, the Toejam rolled out of Sac while still pretty early in the AM and the temps above 105 degrees. Heading out on 50 to Tahoe (81) where it was a bit overcast with scattered showers - yes it FINALLY rained in Cali !!! - CRASH was blown away by this. We unloaded, checked things out and then began the ride at Spooner Lake.

Things started off peacefully enough till dB attacked early on the soft & sandy fireroad. He writes: "I was feeling some angst from the previous day's adventure. I hadn't planned on riding the next 4 days with a broken wrist, I really wanted to lay the hammer down and see how I was going to hold up. Plus I was feeling anxious about Floyd's collapse on the slopes of Stage 16 in the TdF. I wanted to ride hard and will him back into contention... guess it worked!"

The gentle climb steadily increased in severity and dB gapped the Toejam before stopping at the Snow Peak trail intersection to wait for the regroup. The last pitch was steep and just a taste of the climb to the summit to come. dB then continued his dominating climbing performance all the way to the 9,216' summit. We climbed over 1,100' in less than a mile of steep, sandy and rocky jeep track.

The views were amazing, distracting and inspiring.















Upon reaching the summit the wallet was returned to dB.

As we consumed the view at 9212' cell phone calls to the significant others were made, beef jerkey and gummy bears passed about and the Toejam prepared for an AVALANCHE ride off the summit. CRASH led the way into the snow and promptly wiped out taking the rest of the crew with him. A fierce snowball fight ensued before each Toejammer took a shot at bike skiing off of the rather steep and slippery packed snowfield.
Chenger fired snowballs as Crash descended, then earholed dB with one as he ski-biked down, this crashed dB out and he slid the final 75' down on his back with the snow pouring in under his collar before finally coming to rest in an icey heap at the bottom of the bank in a slimey, melting, mud puddle.
After regrouping, the Toejam attacked the fireroad descent, rolling back over our tracks at ridiculously highspeeds with CRASH showing off his motoskills, jumping the waterbars, skimming tabletops and floating crossups. Upon arrival at the Flume Trail intersection the climbing resumed to Marlette Lake.


The trail led through the lake, where water was given to a pleasant ultra runner and the Flume Trail descent commenced.

More AMAZING views, plenty of pictures, little traffic and ultra-high speeds. As one group of hikers were passed - they exuberantly hooted and applauded their approval as CRASH lit up the trail with dB hot in his wake - a veritable rooster trail of dust pluming high into the dry air, CRASH gave them room trimming the bushes on the far side of the fireroad and dB followed - actually having to duck flying foliage thrown up from his wake.

The descent continued all the way into Lake Tahoe where dB lived his dream with a splash into the lake from a boat dock. The water was crisp and crystal clear - refreshing! Everyone rode there rigs down the boat ramp and into the lake.

The crew now refreshed, then turned it up the paved road (Hwy 28) along the lake to return the 13 miles to Spooner Lake Campground where we were parked. This was a bit of a slog and seemed to be 85% up hill. When you are running 30 psi in your tires, and have digested 2,800 feet of elevation gain for the day - at elevation, it becomes a bit of a slogfest - especially when dealing with auto traffic and little shoulder. Feeling a bit done, CRASH and dB pulled Jeffro in the draft and just maintained a steady pace till the ground was finally covered.

Back at the truck, V8 and choklit milk beverages were slammed, chairs set out and recovery began. Sierra Nevada brewage was also enjoyed in quantity. The man was at the window. After refreshing ourselves we headed to Monica's (CRASHETTE's Mom) for a swim in her pool, a shower and a SUPER fine grilled pork tenderloin dinner.

Rides 1 & 2 ... the Epic Tour of Truth Begins...

Arrival - Jeffro and dB left SWVA in the WRX with bikes and gear for DC to overnite at the Cheng abode in DC after work on Tuesday. On the way we ht Luigi's in H'burg for pizza pie with Thanimal. We enjoyed our visit and arrived in DC around midnite-thirty. We got to sleep and rose at 5:30 AM for Mr. Cheng to give us breakfast and a ride to BWI where we met our check in time and flight. We flew with Frontier to Denver and then had a short layover there where we grabbed a bite and checked in with the wives - also checked on the TdF where we heard about my new hero (he didn't do it I tell ya'!!!) Floyd blowing up on the last climb and losing 8' on the GC. grrrrrrrrrrrr. Our arrival at SMF at 1:55 PCT where Crash met us at the airport in SAC and the love flowed.

(The smiles hide some tension... did the rigs make the flight?)

The bikes finally made their appearance at Baggage Claim (SHEEEWWW!!!), the Official Toejam One Percenter dogs were passed around, and before they made it out of the SMF a brushfire was started and we made our 1st stop at In-N-Out for double-double cheeseburgers & choklit shakes.

YUMMMMMY

We finally made it to the CRASH Pad and Jeffro noticed that perhaps our trip was off to a bad start as there was a nail in the ToeJam Hooptie Ride, KB deftly pulled it out with needle nose pliers and it went sphhhffffftttt... so we found a larger nail in his tool box and hammered it back in to the tire - it lasted over 1,050 miles

(hey Kev, you get that tire plugged yet? 7.27.06 --db)

Ride #1 - Auburn State Recreation Area - on the American River was the site of the first assault. This ride was to be a little shakedown for the rigs and to get the legs stretched out from the long trip out. Temps were around 100, so we started off at 8PM and began climbing with Jeffro leading from 50 yards back as CRASH & dB continually lifted the pace from 4 to 8 mph. Auburn's sweet singletrack kept things interesting, it felt good being on the bike in spite of the fact we'd been up on 4 hrs sleep since 2:30 AM PCT. We ended up doing 23 hrs the first day, but it was worth it. dB crashed out along the Manzanita Trail in a sketchy ditch crossing, wrong gear and too little speed. No harm done - felt good to get the first one over with.

Sweet ride, lites made their appearance and we finished with 25 miles and 3,000' of climbing posted in 2hrs, 29 mins. with no wild animals seen. Darn, I was looking for cougars, but no luck.

Riding bikes with your pals makes you forget all about being an adult.

Ride #2 - Hole-In The Ground - The ride started out with us being a bit less lost than last time I rode here as this time I knew the trailhead - so in spite of Jeffro and KB's best efforts we made it to the trailhead on schedule.

No one saw ANY 'NO PARKING SIGNS' (there were seven!)

dB (that's me) crashed FACEPLANT style after having just cleaned that same rock... dumbass.

As you can see it was AGGRO dude.

Then dB crashed again in a 'Wallet Challenge', KB laid down the line and dB missed the line by less than an inch resulting in a wheel chock stall that slammed him violently to the deck...
... in this case a nice piece of granite, breaking his wrist - so it really sucks to type this. ...but I wrapped it up with an arm warmer and continued, no broken bones gonna take me off this Tour, Tyler Hamilton has got nothin' on me. Next morning I bought an Ace brace for it at the Safeway and it really got the job done. A little pain won't kill ya' and it dulls to an ache after the bike pounds on it for ten minutes or so. It really didn't slow me down except in stutter bumps, and made me a little choosier about the lines I rode. So with the help of EPO, steroids, HGH and Hammer Perpetuem - I had it all covered and continued to climb like Landis and Lance, who take none of that stuff. --dB

Final East Coast Shakedown... Urban Assault Report - Richmond

Why we love mountain biking...
South Yuba Trail, Nevada City - here we come!

Urban Assault Ride Report
Finished up the shakedown rides with a pair of evening rides on the Xterra course in downtown Richmond, VA on the James River. Scorched the Buttermilk Trails, North Shore and a few others. Very nice layered loops with nice logovers, rocks and some sketch-o-matic rocky, steep drops. They do a fine job laying out their trails, I had a hoot. Showed the locals how to get it done though. They are very tenative riders down there - I guess they are just scared. Amazing how the riding here in SWVA prepare you to handle anything you ride across anywhere else. I just point and shoot, the bike does the rest.

I think the rig is tested and ready for our epic Cali adventure. She is dialed and ready to rock. Now it is just a matter of a few last minute things and we'll be on the jet plane.
--dB

Shakedown Ride #2 - Carvin's Cove

Usual suspects showed, Chenger was late, without his new cleats mounted up - so we stood there in the parking lot till he fumbled through that process as I stood dripping sweat in the hot sun and choking humidity. Then proceeded with what we hoped would be a decent 20+ mile endeavor.

Climbed Buck's Rut, no heroes there, by the time we reached the top were all soaked in sweat, Jeffro commented about Auburn being even hotter - oh yay - then bombed Trough accompanied by the rumbles of thunder in Roanoke. After some lite stretching at the bottom of Gauntlet, we began our ascent. It was a pleasant enuff grind though the air was stirring as the rumbling grew louder, my mission became twofold; climb w/out a dab and beat the rain to the top.

Check off beating the rain, but only by about a minute. Had a real strong climb though, stopped once to adjust pedal tension, new cleats (1st ride) already pulled a muscle in my GM not clipping out easily enuff on BR switchback. Had one dab 50' from the top - damn.
By the time Jeffro - 6'0/200lbs - appeared, the rain was serious, thankfully we didn't SEE any lightening. Then a minute or so later his buddy Brian hike-a-biked around the corner and we all descended towards Jeffro's fave - Hi-Dee-Ho - in a downpour.

We bombed it in a driving rain - not able to see very well - I'd say the new brake pads should be broke in pretty good now. It was a sweet DH though - we were at ridiculous speeds and I was right in his rooster tail. We got back to the car and aborted the ride - not interested in trashing the rigs any more than necessary with Cali just a few days a away - and a wet log off perpindicular could trash more than that. Ate at a good mexican place, and got the California Burrito. Then drove to Richmond, arrived at hotel at 12:15 was told my room had been resold and was sent down the street, finally got into a room around 12:45. Got a few Zs - now off to sales school - grrreat.
--dB

Shakedown rides have begun...

doubleTROUBLE is back in action with the R7 sporting new uppers, the brakes bled, new sintered pads, and all linkages refurbished or overhauled. Saturday afternoon El Jeffe joined up with dB for a review of his Shenandoah 100 video (we'll be duo-teaming in September) and then a walking tour of the Briar Patch Trail Labrynthe.

After the girls got their ride in, babysitting duties were transferred and the 1st pre-Cali Shakedown Ride commenced.

The shakedown was a success, with doubleTROUBLE dialed in on the Gap trails, a clean climb of Beauty, and a fast descent of Old Farm with a returning climb. Sidewinder was also swept and the day's effort accumulated an easy 16.75 miles, with an avg. of 7.5, a top speed recorded of 28 on Speedracer, 29 on the ridge.

The Bad MOFO wallet is securely in doubleB's possession. Chenger is eyeing an attack on Tuesday somewhere in the Carvin's Cove system during pre-Cali Shakedown Ride Number Two on Tuesday afternoon. It is antipipated a heated battle will take place on the 1,000' climb (where the Bad MOFO wallet was conceived) OR descending Hi-dee-Ho where El Jeffe's local trail knowledge and prowess is rarely challenged.

A little more about the Bad MOFO wallet... the lay Tour day France as its mellow Johnny, the Giro it's pink jersey, the Indianapolis 500 has a bottle of milk, the 24 Hours of Daytona has it's Rolex... and thus the Toejam has the Bad MOFO wallet... if you want to carry it you have to be worthy, being worthy can be shortlived, because it is ALWAYS up for grabs - to keep it you have to be on your game. Gap someone on a descent - there are NO excuses, clean a nasty rockstudded climb where the other guy dabs out. You wanna see what's inside the wallet? You gotta be a Bad MoFo to find out. You wanna put something in it? You gotta earn it.

Now, who is gonna carry it to Cali, who is gonna pack it through the Sierras????

Wanna see what's inside?

Snow continues to melt...

Melt damn snow! MELT!!!!!!

Courtney mashes through snow guts BWAHAHAHA!!!!