Handler Joe

I had an amazing weekend. It started on Friday morning when Jaye, Becki and I went to Dorchester to run some dogs. Jaye set me up with 6 of her dogs to run my own sled. This would be the first time with a team of 6 for me. This was the same trail that I first ran tandem behind Jaye so I was familiar with most of the trail we were running.

Lots of nice hills (some up and some down, as most hill are) and sharp corners. Coming down the some of the hills were pretty hairy with a 90 degree gee at the bottom but I handled them well and am gaining confidence as a musher.

The run ended up being 15 miles and I loved every minute of it. I have pretty much decided that 6 is the number of dogs I'm shooting for at this point. I don't really see me having a large kennel but to do what I would like to do with mushing I will need 6-8 strong dogs.

Steve and Dawn showed up at the cabin that night and the next morning we started packing up for the inaugural race in Colebrook, NH. Jaye and Steve had been spearheading this race for sometime and it was finally happening.

The only race I had been to so far was a fun run so I was looking forward to the experience. I wasn't up to racing yet but I volunteered to help in anyway I could for the race. I handled for Jaye as well as helped lead some other teams to the starting line. 

I've seen on video 4 or more people walking the gang-line full of dogs up to the line. Believe me, it looks a lot easier than it really is. Those dogs were on fire and we could barely hold them back. I even fell to my knees once or twice trying to maintain control in the chute.

There was a moment that I have to mention. The dogs were dropped, harnessed and waiting to be hooked up to the sled. Jaye was standing by her open truck door putting on her gear. I thought to myself "This is why I do this, this is why I'm here." I felt an excitement for my musher. I wanted her to do well and just felt happy to be part of it.

I've only known Jaye for about 6 months and in that time she has taught me a lot about the mushing world. I've always just thought of myself as a friend helping her with her team. But at that moment I actually felt more a part of her team than every before. Maybe it was the race adrenaline, maybe it was the cold, thin air. I was proud of her.

After all the teams were out on the trail and I was waiting to give them a head start before I took the snowmobile out to collect trial signs, I went in to change my base layer. I was soaked! There is plenty of exercise working with the teams.

I took out on the trail and started collecting signs. It was beautiful. I don't know who or how they picked this area but I was taken aback by it's beauty at every turn. From the small, winding trails through wooded areas to wide open, majestic hill tops overlooking the area I couldn't help but feel at peace. I'm really starting to get used to that feeling on the trails and find myself longing to go back for more.

The end of the day saw the handing out of trophies and run times. Everyone seemed very happy to have been part of this race and it looks like it will do nothing but grow from here.

The weekend was full of laughter, good friends, good times and an awkward interview. Can't wait to do it all again.

Initiation

Today I was invited by my friend Maggy to come up and train on the trails behind her house so the girls and I hit the road. For 30 minutes anyway, she isn't that far away.

I got there just before 10 and introduced them to Gemma before getting Luna out and tethering her in the yard for harness. We talked about what I wanted to do and if I wanted a fast team or a calm team. I chose the calmer option for my first run, after all I had never been on these trails and didn't know what to expect my first time out.

Another friend, George, was there to take me on a run to show me the trails. There were lots of loops but it wasn't too hard to follow the main trail. I am definitely happy that he gave me a preview in the buggy. Sometimes, the dogs were going to fast for me to have to make a quick decision on which way to go.

So, we hooked up Luna in wheel and 3 of Maggie's other dogs along with her. When we took off I immediately felt joy, peace, connection...lots of things all at once. Winding through the snow covered wooded trails with just me and the dogs was amazing.

That feeling soon wore off when I saw the first "S" turn coming and they weren't slowing down. I scrambled to find the drag brake and actually got my foot on it but it was too late. I had been told not to apply the brake in a turn, only before and after it. Knowing this and that it was obvious they were not waiting for me to make decisions, I took my foot off the drag brake and braced for the turn.

I leaned as much as I dared so not to tip the sled but also to ride through the turns. Well, I should have made sure I was secure on the runners first because my right foot slipped off and I kind of did this half run/half hop jog until the second part of the "S". 

That's when I realized gravity still applied to me. As the snow bank on my left came up to meet me in the face, I tightened my grip with my left hand and tried to save myself with my right. There is no saving yourself once the sled is on it's side. You just pray the dogs hear you screaming "Whoa" at the top of your lungs and hang on so you don't lose them.

Now see, this is why I wanted a calmer team to start with. They stopped and waited for me to right the sled and get back on. I brushed off the snow while they just stared at me with what I am sure were sarcastic grins and insults to the new guy.

Ok, back on the trail and thank God we hit a small hill so they slowed down. I kept looking at my feet to make sure I was on the runners and just catching my breath. I'm on a sled being pulled by dogs, why am I sweating already. Believe it or not, you work on the back of that thing. Always shifting to keep balance and if needed pushing off with a foot to help them along.

I made it back in once piece and Maggie asked if I wanted to go again. Of course I did! This time was a little better and I learned to use the drag brake before the turn a little better. This team was tired when we got back so I was offered a more focused lead pair.

This was different than the first. No time to admire the snow, trees, or peacefulness. These two were off like a shot and I found myself riding the brake most of the time just to keep from hitting trees on the slightest curve.

I took a wrong turn and had to loop back to the main trail and I dumped it on this wrong loop. 

You an Imagine my thoughts as we approached the fabled "S" turn. This time was different. I felt twice. Going in and going out. Oh, and I ate snow this time too.

By the time the second fall was over I was on my back looking at the trees with my left arm extended knowing that the sled was somewhere on its side above my head. I also felt a little pain in the back of my head which is also when I noticed my hat was missing. When I got up I noticed that I landed on top of the snow hook with the prongs facing up. Luckily mat hat was just sitting there mocking me in the snow bank a few feet away.

For those that don't know, the snow hook is this evil looking saber toothed metal anchor for the sled normally used to stop and hold the team in place. Of course, normally the sled is right side up too.

The rest of the run went with out incident because we came to that hill and I think the initial energy burst was used up in the dogs.

When I got back Maggie was gone and George was waiting at the starting line. Apparently taking the wrong loop and dumping more than a few times along the way got them worried because I was taking longer than I should have. I had George look at my head, no blood. Maggie came back from looking for me on the ATV. I was sweaty and out of breath and ready for a break so we put my dogs away and set her up for her runs.

Today was an awesome day and I'm going back for more tomorrow. I anticipate more brake riding and less dumping but you never know what the dogs have in store for you. Exciting, isn't it?