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?