The Scaredy Cat Dualsport

8~21~2005

All photos and articles Copyright^© Vernon Wade 2005 unless otherwise noted

The Scaredy Cat was lots of fun; about 35 entrants, mostly big BMW GS, KTM and VStrom dualsport bikes. Amy and I had the only sidecar.

    It was structured a little differently than the other dualsport rallies I have participated in. There was a paved loop with seven check points along it. Each check point gave you an opportunity to improve your score, but they were only open for specified periods, so you had to hit them on time. Only the best 5 out of 7 of the check point scores were to be counted. Check point events included an equipment check for points, a sound check with the most points awarded for the quietest bikes and a litter patrol with a sliding scale awarded for paper, plastic and metal refuse hauled off the course.
    There were also gravel and dirt road loops off the main route which you could choose to do. There were scavenger hunt type points to be garnered on some of these legs, with the most points being hidden the furthest distance from the main check points. This meant you had to plan a strategy balancing making the checkpoints against scoring the scavenger hunt points.
    We had a good strategy mapped out and had hit three of the checkpoints and gotten all but one of the scavenger points. We were backtracking the Monument Peak leg when my shifter pivot bolt disappeared. Then my brakes boiled - we were twenty miles out, navigating backwards on the roll chart without a map, stuck in first gear with no brakes and two check points to go. We eventually made it in, but an hour and a half after the finish closed.
    Even so, it was a great rally and a lot of fun. Challenging but not an endurance event. It is too bad there weren't more sidecars involved. You should put on your calendar for next year if you can- it is a one of a kind adventure!

Go to the Northwest Tour and Trail website for information about other dualsport events in the Pacific Northwest: