Big Nasty

Thanks to a Facebook note from an old co-worker, Jon Forst, I was reminded of this annual, world class hillclimb event, The Big Nasty,^¹ less than an hour from home. I thought it would be a good event for just Hunter and I — some man time.

^¹ http://www.bignastyhillclimb.com/; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Nasty-Hillclimb/229332530446786

When I was little I remember watching 16mm movies of my grandpa’s (mom’s dad) of hillclimbs just like this. If we were lucky we would be allowed to watch some of them backwards.

This section of the hill was a race.

The hillclimb staff,^¹ so-called “catchers,” were sometimes as fun to watch as the riders as they leapt to arrest tumbling motorcycles or were sprayed violently by roosting tires.

^¹ https://www.facebook.com/hillclimb.staff

The Monster Energy Drink^¹ truck periodically gave away free beverages. Hunter and I each had a few. We agreed Rojo Rehab^² is our favorite.

^¹ http://www.monsterenergy.com/

^² http://www.monsterenergy.com/us/en/products/#!/products%3Arojo

Someone had likened this event to Burning Man^¹ which would have been surprising to find in Idaho. Having been there now, I would put it closer to the church picnic end of the scale. It took a while to even find beer!

^¹ http://www.burningman.com/

We found a soft seat in the back of camp trailer.

He really wanted a stun gun. Somehow I didn’t agree to buy him one.

A lot of folks had chairs and tents but I think I liked walking around, standing in different places.

Hunter enjoyed standing at the fence to get high-fives from the riders.

Look closely. These seemed pretty wild. They tractored up the hill well but didn’t come close to the best times of regular-wheel motorcycles.

Hunter found some other kids to play with so I hung out on a random couch until dark.