Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1527076
Flashback! October 2024 5 Well, here we are, deep into the fall riding season, with a handful of fun events under our belt. September began with the annual trek to the North Haverhill, New Hampshire, Fairgrounds for the Ammonoosuc River Ride. Although I've ridden the Ammo for decades, it's always a favorite as it's such a social gath- ering. Few events draw the same people year a er year. I've met many fine people at the Ammo over the years, along with many hardy souls who seem to follow the same events as your editor, Kurt. Our friends, the HMS Vi- kings, had their huge circus tent set up early on Friday with all their impeccably prepped bikes lined up, looking like a factory-backed effort. These guys do it up big for the Ammo with enough food to feed an army. Thanks for the hospitality, boys; I always enjoy the banter hanging with your crew. Blackwater 100 legend Tommy Norton was among the entrants, and I'm happy to re- port that Tommy is s ll riding at the top of his game and s ll spor ng his famous Ninja Turtle graphics on his KTM 150 XC-W. I'm also pleased to see so many youngsters we've seen tagging along with their parents over the years, growing older and embracing the sport of off-road riding while doing their own thing. It seems like yesterday, these kids were riding Pee Wee classes, and now they're on new KTMs and Betas ripping through the woods seemingly effortlessly. Oh, to be young again! As for myself, only weeks before the Ammo, I'd a ended Touratech DirtDaze, also based out of North Haverhill NH Fairgrounds, and have ridden that area extensively this sum- mer. I'd neglected to pre-enter, and without a cket for Saturday's ride, I decided to do my own thing and explore north via the Am- monoosuc Rail Trail. I've ridden the Ammo Rail Trail last summer with my bud Jim Bird while exploring during last year's DirtDaze. We ended up in the northern New Hampshire town of Li leton and made our way south to the fairgrounds via the rail trail. Having enjoyed it, exploring north and some of the trails spurring off might be fun to check out. Now to be clear, the Ammo rail trail is wheeled vehicle/ATV friendly with signs sta ng ATV use per- mi ed. Aboard my trusty Husaberg 570, I set out solo and enjoyed a nice relaxing morning riding at my own pace. The scenery is gorgeous, with several old bridges with great views and I was in the zone having a wonderful day. Just as it seemed I was totally relaxed on my ride, I was snapped out of the trace by an extremely agitated old lady who ran out of her house screaming at me like a crazed luna c. I'm not sure why, as I'm typically be er than this, but my survival ins ncts must have kicked in, and instead of trying to calm this angry old woman, I dropped the hammer and fled the scene, tossing rocks in the process. I was perplexed, I'd read the countless signs during the trip north sta ng I was permi ed to ride the rail trail. It was at the next road crossing that I read the text on what looked almost iden cal to the signs posted previously sta ng "ATV and Wheeled Vehi- cles Prohibited"… Oh boy, now I'm "that guy." Of course, I turned around and headed into Li leton on the pavement to grab a bite to eat. As soon as I rode through downtown Li leton, I was promptly pulled over by the Li leton Police Department. The officer, a young man, asked me if I had been riding on the rail trail. I said, "Yes, it was me; I WAS riding the rail trail!" I then told him about the angry old lady who freaked me out and how I fled her anger with a bit of roost. Now, just as I thought I was gonna get arrested, a big smile appeared on the young cop's face. He thanked me for being honest, and I explained how I ended up in that situa on as all signs leading north stated I was permi ed to be there; then, as I approached the town, I was prohibited from riding the rail trail. I told him how I make my living with le ers, words, and forming sentences, and as a 62-year-old motorcyclist, I'm not really much of a law- breaker, anymore, at least… A er running my license to make sure I wasn't on the most wanted list, we both had a laugh. In the end, I appreciated that young policeman giving me a break and he appreciated me for being hon- est with him. As for that old lady, as expected, she's the one who called the cops on me! Yes, once again, I did not actually ride the Ammo, but I did enjoy the camaraderie and had a wonderful week- end regardless!