Bonehead Enduro
Diggin' for Bones Near Snoqualmie
 April typically marks the month for the annual Bonehead
Enduro. Introduced in 1994. The event is a tribute to older riders and older
machines.
Riders over 53, or owners of pre 70's bikes are encouraged
to participate. ID's will not be checked. Virtually anyone licensed to ride can sign up for this fun
ride through the mountains around Snoqualmie. At the center of it all is a
scavenger hunt. Riders check in early in the morning and get a clue to
find the first "bone." By the end of the event they have
typically located up to ten bones (depending on the year) and a few bonus
bones.
The course changes each year, but typically takes you
along dirt roads north of North Bend. The supposed unimproved dirt roads
are actually in quite good condition most years. We covered the 2000 event
on a Honda Helix and were impressed to see other street machines such as Harley-Davidson's and sidecar rigs running the course.
 The bones themselves aren't actually bones, but numbered
slips that correspond to the number you are assigned at check in. Riders
are given about three hours to locate all the bones and return to the starting
point on Meadowbrook Way at the VFW hall in Snoqualmie.
Each bone has a different name such as the "Hollow Log Bone",
"Mountain Goat Bone", and the coldest bone of all, the "Big Snow
Bone" which can only be obtained by riding up Prospector's Ridge along the
snowline. Each rider who picks up all the bones gets rewarded at the end
with a "Bone" award. The oldest rider and owner of the oldest
bike are both rewarded by having their name included on a coffin shaped box/plaque that features a large bone attached to the front of
it.
 In 1998, 52 riders
rode, but by spring of 2000 the number
of entries was 72. The event is getting more popular each year with riders
both young and old participating. The lineup of bikes is awesome from
a vintage point of view. The 2000 oldest bike winner, Randy Jamison,
sported a 1928 Harley-Davidson. Also in the herd for 2000 were
vintage many Japanese, British and American iron from AJS, Norton, BSA's
Triumphs, Hondas and otherwise. Obviously there are breakdowns along the
way. Each year someone's bike drops a tailpipe, headlamp or some
other vital organ. Never fear, as a few trucks follow the pack to clean up
and load up breakdowns.
The course conditions vary from year to year. More rain
means more mud for the "Mud Bog Bone" and less daring riders are
encouraged to park their bikes dry side of the bog and walk back to retrieve the
bone.
The run is capped off with lunch at the Mt. Si VFW Hall.
TM/Spring 00
Assistance with this story was provided by Tom Samuelsen.
For the exact date of the next Bonehead Enduro, visit the
Sound RIDER! Calendar.
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