Big Cat was conceived in 1999 as an inducement to get the big dual sport bikes off the highway and into the wilds. The west becomes ten times larger for the motorcyclist when he/she can ride the big adventure bikes off the beaten track. In 1999 the first ‘Cat took six intrepid riders into Nine Mile Canyon and the Sand Wash area of the Green River in Utah. In 2000, nearly 30 riders discovered the Pilot Range on the Utah/Nevada border. 2001 took 30 riders and 8 volunteers to Browns Park – outlaw country in the three corners area of Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. In 2002 the Cat’ and 45 riders crisscrossed the high and remote Idaho and Nevada state line between Jackpot, Nevada and Jarbidge Nevada. The 2003 ride in and around Dubois, Wyoming took 70 riders and 17 volunteers into some of the most spectacular adventure riding terrain imaginable. In 2004, 120 riders rode from McCall, Idaho to the Salmon River gorge and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
| Full day off-road ride | 650cc and above dual sport |
| Scenic, obscure location | Technical route choice |
| Event shirt and cap | Advanced and Basic Touring routes |
| Welcome dinner - Friday Evening | Awards dinner - Saturday Evening |
The first day, following registration at Big Cat headquarters (a local hotel), participants and volunteers will join for a welcome dinner and a briefing on the next day’s ride. Three routes are established: a Basic Touring Route, where scenery abounds, but where technical aspects of the ride are kept to a minimum. This route has been popular with many riders who are new to off road riding on the big bikes as well as those who may have paid their dues on technical trails and prefer to concentrate more on scenery this time around. Think of the Advanced Touring Route in thirds: equal proportions of tarmac, graded dirt, and mid-level technical terrain, and, usually Advanced Touring is the longest distance of the three options. The Technical Route (knobby tires only), for riders more interested in technical challenge. Unless they’ve stopped for a rest, tech riders won’t have a lot of time to check out scenery. All rider groups are “tailed” or “covered” by back-up service vehicles. All groups are led by experienced ride-leaders who have previously ridden the route. Big Cat makes use of satellite phones and coordinates closely with local law enforcement, EMT, Forest Service and BLM authorities. After the ride – between 150 miles and 250 miles of backcountry riding, riders return to the hotel for an awards dinner. The event is officially over after the dinner is complete.
Big Cat VII will be held on July 16, 2005, in the San Pitch mountains near Ephraim, UT.
Questions? Please call Steve Taylor at 435 640 6310; or email Big Cat Ventures at: bigcatventures@aol.com