A veteran BIG DOG on his way to the annual group pounding was caught here with a 'geezer pad' on the seat of bike before he could strip off his road gear for some serious rock-hopping. He said, 'I’m standing on the pegs when riding off-road so my youngish backside doesn’t wear out like it wants to'

Veteran BIG DOGS know the announced 9:00 AM Start means they can get a jump on the competition by leaving before the announcer says, 'DOGS, start your engines.'

BIG DOGS can be anything from physicians, to bankers, to real estate developers, to wastrels or motorcycle mechanics, but once invited and accepted they know they are all winners.

In a helmet and riding gear this veteran BIG DOG can lull riding pals into thinking he is a sleeper until the riding gets tough and he shifts gear. 9-5 in his world of work he is an insurance company executive, on the hills and in the rocks he can be a terror on two wheels.

From New York, veteran rider 'Chocolate Dog' (John Courtsunis) explained how he rubbed off the hair on the top of his head. BIG DOGS know how to have fun telling tales and his had to do with nocturnal pursuits.

One of the founders respected veteran of the BIG DOG ADVENTURE RIDE, Clem Cykowski.

A group of the BIG DOGS on the Warm-Up Day at BMW of Denver before bikes were broken and BIG DOG riding gear got dirty.

Pictured here was reportedly Bob Henig, owner of BOB’s BMW in Jessup, Maryland, and sponsor of the BIG DOG ADVENTURE RIDE, riding disguised so as not to be missed at the office 2,000 miles away.

A BIG DOG shows the bruise he got when he bounced off a trail and into a tree. The tree won, it did not move.

A 2008 Kawasaki KLR was a late entry in the 2007 BIG DOG ADVENTURE RIDE.

A BIG DOG who happened to be a Harley-Davidson dealer from California was photographed explaining the virtues of American iron to a salesman for a Colorado Kawasaki dealership. That afternoon the Californian was riding his newly purchased KLR in the BIG DOG RIDE.

A couple of the C Group riders take a break at a pristine Rocky Mountain lake seldom seen by the average Colorado tourist. The C Route has now become known as the Cheeseburger Route to honor a fallen BIG DOG who placed a high priority in his day of riding on finding a good cheeseburger for lunch.

Ouch! This dented tank on a valuable BMW R80 G/S meant it was on its side or upside down.

One of the 'Doggetts' (wives and/or girlfriends of BIG DOGS) serves up a helping of Cajun Gumbo.

If a wannabe adventure rider thinks he has the ride stuff to run with the BIG DOGS he might want to think twice. This 2007 entrant was a finisher in the Dakar Rally, a place where the BS stops when the flag drops.

The dent in this BMW front rim was the result of zigging when the pilot should have zagged and his front wheel met a nearly immoveable object.

This BMW was nearly a virgin before the 2007 event where the owner broke it in before leaving for Mexico.

'Bike down!' A new DOG learns his riding pals will help him when stuff happens, but usually after pictures are taken. A close-up of this high altitude get-off was featured on the cover of a DVD, much to the chagrin of the pilot.

Sponsors of the BIG DOG ADVENTURE RIDE range from dedicated adventure riding motorcycle dealers to motorcycle magazines to individual riders.

Song writer, singer and BIG DOG ADVETURE RIDE historian 'Bee Dog' (Barry Finch) sings a song dedicated to two fallen DOGS and the uniqueness of the event and the morning’s Rider’s Meeting.

A BIG DOG from Texas was caught here with a brown bag filled with lubricant for worn joints, those not mechanical or on the motorcycle. Most BIG DOGS are quietly bedded down at night by 10:00 PM, prepping for their next day of ground pounding.

The famed 2-inch thick T-bone steak BBQ features prime meat for hungry DOGS. One DOG once said, 'This isn’t a steak, it’s a roast!'

Sponsor and long time supporter, the publisher of Adventure Motorcycle magazine, Toby Lampson, could not stay away from the fun of the annual running of the DOGS. In true BIG DOG adventure fashion he rode from Ojai, California to pound the ground of the high Rocky Mountains.

If a BIG DOG has a destination or sponsor sticker on his motorcycle chances are he did not order it over the Internet. He was likely there with his bike, sponsored and has a good story to tell about why his bike was sporting it.

That is the famed Black Bear Pass in the background. More than one dirt bike rider has gone off the edge, as have numerous trucks and 4 x 4. To date no BIG DOGS have earned the same fame.

Some 4 x 4 Jeep drivers fail to reach this point, and many dirt bike riders are amazed to see a 1,000cc BMW here, often asking, 'How did you get here?' and shaking their heads in disbelief when the DOGS tell them, 'Like you, I rode.'

The B Group on Day 2 making plans to beat the A Group back to the start to get their 2-inch thick steaks on the grill.

The A Group on Day 2 making plans for their loop out of the BIG DOG base camp. Their day can be 200-300 miles of adventure or Hades, the only rules being not to leave anyone on the mountain and try to be back to the start before sundown.

A veteran BIG DOG jumps the start to take the lead up the hill. He knows his 650cc Kawasaki is no match on the pavement for the larger displacement motorcycles so uses old racing tricks to best them, like a 'Cheater Start.'

The 2007 B Group hams it up for the Adventure Motorcycle magazine editor.

A Kawasaki KLR 650 BIG DOG pictured here is about to make his move to pass two BMW riders on the outside, unless the bigger bikes shut the door or use some other racing trick to keep from eating Kawasaki dust.

The beauty of the Colorado Rocky Mountains draws BIG DOGS from as far away as Canada, Florida, California, Vermont and Washington.

Team Green Kawasaki DOGS have infiltrated the ranks of the beemerphiles but have been well accepted.

The BIG DOGS pound the ground while the little dogs sit on the porch.

A BIG DOG pit stop on the top of an 11,000 foot pass gives the A, B and C riders a chance to compare trail stories, kick tires and hydrate with tire kicking and wound licking added.

Coming down hill at speed can be more of a thrill than going up the hill without a spill.

The BIG DOG ride isn't without a couple casualties.

One of the veteran BIG DOGS takes on the impossible with his BMW G/S. Two hours later, with snow swirling around, he managed to get off this goat trail.

If the new DOG is not the lead dog at the start it may take them a while to see other than dust and tails over the trails.

Sneaking through the aspen trees where the air was fresh and the only worry was a bear.

Taking the racing blood out of former road and dirt track racers proves impossible when two find themselves evenly matched on different machines.

None of the splendor or solitude of high mountain adventure riding is lost on the true BIG DOG.

These BIG DOGs topped the mountain in the background just to see what was there besides rare air.

Big boys with big toys take a BIG DOG pit stop on top of a Rocky Mountain pass.