through the overhead canopy and lit up the pine
needles littering the ground, giving the single-
track trail a honey glow in the late morning.
I darted off the trail to hop over a fallen log, and
from there carved my way around trees, bushes
and boulders down the slope of the mountain.
My buddies all quickly joined in, careful at first
to not slip on the pine needles. We blazed our
own paths, darting between trees and ducking
under branches in an improvised game of hide-
and-seek as we descended into the basin of the
forest.
I stopped at a small clearing and looked
around, but didn't see anyone else. I turned off
the motor to listen, and barely audible over the
pine needles whispering in the breeze over-
head was the sound of four-strokes echoing
through the forest. I paused for a spell, inhaling
the fresh, sweet scent and waited as the sounds
of my friends drew nearer. Sure enough, they
popped up over the side of the hill one by one.
For 45 miles and four hours, we continued
exploring, playing in the Cavanaughs. We
stopped for breaks at incredible vistas and
shady retreats, and munched on candy bars
stashed in our packs. We splashed through
streams, laughed at each other getting stuck,
bickered over which way to go next and took
silly pictures.
It was dark by the time we got on the road
heading home, and of course, we had to make
our traditional stop in town to gorge ourselves
on pizza before hitting the highway for home.
I'd consider myself lucky to have this incred-
ible day only once, but this is only one of many,
one whose memory will last a lifetime. If I could, I
would return every weekend for more. But there
are times like this when all I can do is gaze long-
ingly out the window at the wilderness beyond,
beckoning to me. Knowing the possibilities of
what could be out there makes me sorry I have
to pass it by. But I'm even sorrier for people who
will spend their whole lives never knowing – or
even wondering – what's out there. CN
VOL. 51 ISSUE 16 APRIL 22, 2014 P137
LOOKING BACK
40 Years Ago
April 30, 1974
We celebrated the start of the speedway
season with a photo of Ivan Mauger
leading Chris Pusey, Mike Bast and
Danny Becker at the U.S. versus the
World Speedway Challenge in Bakers-
field, California… We called the 49ers
Enduro the best eastern enduro west
of the Mississippi and we were there to
cover it… Cycle News traveled to San-
ta Maria to cover the Inter-AMA Qualifier at Spillway won by
Marty Smith, Rich Thordwaldson and Tony DiStefano…
We tested the Montesa 250 VR, saying it was the "best stock
250cc motocrosser you can buy – better than works."
30 Years Ago
May 2, 1984
A streaking Freddie Spencer was fea-
tured on the cover 30 years ago after
winning the Italian Grand Prix. We made
note that he beat Kenny Roberts by
20 seconds… Mike Healey and Eddie
Hicks were the talk of the town at the
13th World Mini Grand Prix at Saddleback
Park. Damon Huffman was the top Pee
Wee, and other winners included Jimmy
Button, Chris Young, Jimmy Gaddis,
Mouse McCoy and Mike Fisher.
20 Years Ago
April 27, 1994
Damon Huffman made front-page news
for winning the Minneapolis Supercross
at the Metrodome in the 125 class. Who
else but Jeremy McGrath won the 250
main event… We reported of the can-
celation of the Blackwater 100 off-road
race… Ricky Carmichael, Travas Pas-
trana, Bobby Bonds, Johnny Marley,
Kevin Windham and Casey Johnson
were some of the big winners at the World Minis in Las Vegas.
10 Years Ago
April 28, 2004
Valentino Rossi was pictured wheely-
ing on the cover after winning the open-
ing round of the MotoGP Series in South
Africa… Ivan Tedesco clinched the 125
West Supercross West title in Dallas… The
Honda CBR1000R won our Open-class
Shootout… Jeff Ward topped the STTARS
Supermoto at California Speedway.
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