This was my very first trip to Big Bend. The Dos y Dos went from wishful joke-like thought to reality so there was no way I was going to miss seeing other people who actually rode TW200s. On Friday, I drove for what seemed like 900 hours straight in rain. It looked like this.
Fortunately, it stopped raining for nearly 20 minutes after Fort Stockton to clear the way for...
fog.
It cleared up just as the sun was setting somewhere and I got my first glimpse of ... wow...
After a good night's sleep listening to rain (and more rain), we met for breakfast and the riders meeting at the Starlight Theater. We paid close attention to the information presented.
My rider coach in the BRC hammered into my head that I should always ride within my limits. Most of the time, I don't pay attention to that until I am Wile E. Coyote past the end of the cliff. I figured, despite our fearless leader's concern (and I quote: "I fear for you with those tires..."), no guts, no glory.
Off we went for the first leg of the Dos y Dos! And then there was this...
I skated through the first million miles (about 100 yards I think) and water crossing and realized I was not going to do very well. I was pretty sure I could use Q's tires as an excuse but mostly I think it was me. Some encouragement from Peter and Everett allowed me to push on. Ahead a few hundred yards, a meeting of Tdubs was being held. Mostly due to the discovery that Tdub front fenders are perfectly designed to store mud. I'm sure this is a feature.
Peter suggested I trade bikes with Everett. At first, I wasn't so sure but a quick test (and assurance from Peter I probably couldn't break it) got me on his far more friendly 150 and Everett got to know Q. I've never really known my bike to be so eager to have his rear tire take the lead. Everett lives in my pantheon of stars for getting Q to mind his manners on what turned out to be racing slicks in the chunky peanut butter of River Road.
That'll wash.
Hello, Mr. Golden Sun!
Peter's opinion of road conditions ahead ("I don't see this getting any more fun...") helped with a group-ish decision to return to Rio Grande Village. I traded bikes back with Everett and we commenced to desludging.
There was a deep puddle across the parking lot so all our bikes jumped in for a bath until a guy in a golf cart yelled at us and told us we couldn't do that. He told us to go to the dump station up the road. The one with the sign that says "No Vehicle Washing Allowed."
Long story short... I got to accompany The Tennessee Connection up Old Ore Road, around Boquillas Overlook and up Boquillas Crossing, and got back to Rio Grande Village in time to load Q, get three of four straps on him and get pummeled with rain and hail. I hope Johnny will share the pic of his Ural's hail-filled tub.
This was an amazing experience. I am grateful to the group of friendly folks, the superhero leaders/sweeps/organizers extraordinaire, and will never forget one of the best days of my life. Thanks, everyone!!!
(ssshhh...my camera went under the gate to get a better view of Mexico.)
Superhero leaders/sweeps/organizers - Everett (l) and Peter (r)
Until next time...
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Drove the truck over to OJ and had lunch. Somehow missed the deluge going but saw several flooded road crossings and many washed over rocks in the road coming back. 
Envied the folks who rode that day...between the showers and hail. 
