When Jr & I left home, the sky was blue; only ran into some fog 1/2 way on the drive up. Somehow we knew it was going to be a fine day for riding.
We pulled into the parking lot before 9am, & Dirt Bike Dave was already there, gearing up. It was a pleasure to meet up for a ride after talking about it for a while.
I was concerned the trails were going to be too greasy, but looking around it appeared they were just right; not too much rain & not too little.
After the usual hellos, we unpacked and geared up. Trailrdr (Greg) shows up , & a few min. later it's CPT Jack. Some photos were taken for historical purposes, to compare the present clean machines & happy, eager faces with what may be quite different thereafter. (If anyone can post pix, let me know so I can sent them to you for that purpose - I do not have that capability.)
Once ready, we headed up to Lower Broom, Mesa, Masons, Salt Lick, Cow, & Pronghorn Trails to the MX track. The conditions of the trails were just about perfect: no dust with traction galore. And it wasn't cold enough for enduro jackets either; the air fresh, with a breeze.
Practice was underway at the track, however, we were unable to spectate from such a distance, & they now want $ to get in (yes, just to spectate).
We resumed on Quail Pass, East Freeman, & Homstead trails. I led the group on a spur which dumped us onto the Backbone Trailhead, but it was closed due to the previous rain, so we circumvented the trail & rejoined at Vic's Cat trail. This trail drops in elevation across the beginnings of Freeman Overlook - a beautiful display of different soil colors brought about from years of erosion on an earthquake fault.
For the trails just mentioned, DB Dave handed me his CRE - nice suspension and flickable! The last time I could throw a bike around like this was with my '78 IT175. Funny how this CRE not only has more punch than my RMX, but it hooks up even better too. :cool:
Vic's dumps us into Badlands Trail, but before we go on, I give DB Dave his fine CRE back lest I break it or me...then CPT Jack offers up his Gas Gas - how can I resist? The tempation is too great for me, & I'm overcome :cool: Whoa! Another source of refined boost...and equally-matched fine- tuned suspension. Nice. Can I have not one but two of these?
We backtracked to camp for some chow, & then it was off again for a second loop. But before we left there was a poor fellow who couldn't get his XR started. CPT & DBD offered some assistance; even a bump-start attempt proved futile. He ended up leaving without riding.
'Jack had difficulties starting his sled, & it was traced to clogged carb vents. He ended up turning around a short ways from camp and heading home; Jr. said his throttle was sticking... :(
We went by the forest entrance (Tejon Trail), & everyone was game for a loop in the trees. Conditions were equally perfect. Jr. was beginning to hang back some, so I stayed with him; good thing as I was ripe for making little mistakes here & there. I ended up smacking a yucca plant the size of a basketball & rolled over as dead, then thought it would not be good for Jr. to see his dad display such weakness, so I picked it up quickly, tho not before he pulled up "what happened?" "Oh, this yucca came on out and tripped me up; or did I veer off & hit it? Either way, my "privates" hurt!" :eek: Moreover, my pride...I carried the rear from then on.
Trejon connected to Gold Hill, down to the paved road and back into Hungry Valley. I pointed out THE SPOT to DB Dave, the one that is like the Deleware National (enduro) "sluce". We didn't have time for it today, tho DBD would sure be game if we did. So far, Kiwi, Farmer John, The Eel, Trailrdr, & I have done exploits deep in the heart of that rock-and-water infested canyon. Any other manly-men out there want to give it a go?
Tataviam Trail was our next accomplishment, along with the Lower Scrub Oaks, Coyote, Sterling Canyon, & Road Runner Trails.
And with that, my friends, we ended a fine fun-filled day at camp.
We pulled into the parking lot before 9am, & Dirt Bike Dave was already there, gearing up. It was a pleasure to meet up for a ride after talking about it for a while.
I was concerned the trails were going to be too greasy, but looking around it appeared they were just right; not too much rain & not too little.
After the usual hellos, we unpacked and geared up. Trailrdr (Greg) shows up , & a few min. later it's CPT Jack. Some photos were taken for historical purposes, to compare the present clean machines & happy, eager faces with what may be quite different thereafter. (If anyone can post pix, let me know so I can sent them to you for that purpose - I do not have that capability.)
Once ready, we headed up to Lower Broom, Mesa, Masons, Salt Lick, Cow, & Pronghorn Trails to the MX track. The conditions of the trails were just about perfect: no dust with traction galore. And it wasn't cold enough for enduro jackets either; the air fresh, with a breeze.
Practice was underway at the track, however, we were unable to spectate from such a distance, & they now want $ to get in (yes, just to spectate).
We resumed on Quail Pass, East Freeman, & Homstead trails. I led the group on a spur which dumped us onto the Backbone Trailhead, but it was closed due to the previous rain, so we circumvented the trail & rejoined at Vic's Cat trail. This trail drops in elevation across the beginnings of Freeman Overlook - a beautiful display of different soil colors brought about from years of erosion on an earthquake fault.
For the trails just mentioned, DB Dave handed me his CRE - nice suspension and flickable! The last time I could throw a bike around like this was with my '78 IT175. Funny how this CRE not only has more punch than my RMX, but it hooks up even better too. :cool:
Vic's dumps us into Badlands Trail, but before we go on, I give DB Dave his fine CRE back lest I break it or me...then CPT Jack offers up his Gas Gas - how can I resist? The tempation is too great for me, & I'm overcome :cool: Whoa! Another source of refined boost...and equally-matched fine- tuned suspension. Nice. Can I have not one but two of these?
We backtracked to camp for some chow, & then it was off again for a second loop. But before we left there was a poor fellow who couldn't get his XR started. CPT & DBD offered some assistance; even a bump-start attempt proved futile. He ended up leaving without riding.
'Jack had difficulties starting his sled, & it was traced to clogged carb vents. He ended up turning around a short ways from camp and heading home; Jr. said his throttle was sticking... :(
We went by the forest entrance (Tejon Trail), & everyone was game for a loop in the trees. Conditions were equally perfect. Jr. was beginning to hang back some, so I stayed with him; good thing as I was ripe for making little mistakes here & there. I ended up smacking a yucca plant the size of a basketball & rolled over as dead, then thought it would not be good for Jr. to see his dad display such weakness, so I picked it up quickly, tho not before he pulled up "what happened?" "Oh, this yucca came on out and tripped me up; or did I veer off & hit it? Either way, my "privates" hurt!" :eek: Moreover, my pride...I carried the rear from then on.
Trejon connected to Gold Hill, down to the paved road and back into Hungry Valley. I pointed out THE SPOT to DB Dave, the one that is like the Deleware National (enduro) "sluce". We didn't have time for it today, tho DBD would sure be game if we did. So far, Kiwi, Farmer John, The Eel, Trailrdr, & I have done exploits deep in the heart of that rock-and-water infested canyon. Any other manly-men out there want to give it a go?
Tataviam Trail was our next accomplishment, along with the Lower Scrub Oaks, Coyote, Sterling Canyon, & Road Runner Trails.
And with that, my friends, we ended a fine fun-filled day at camp.