2srok4fun (Chris) wanted to do Ballinger, so we met there today. It had rained a few days ago, and we expected the conditions to be epic, and they were - but what we didn't expect was to have to test our mud riding skills.
We looped around the north acres first, he on his fine 250 e/xc and me on the loaner RMX. He's riding just as fast as always. Views were spectacular and we rode most of the day without seing many other on the trails. We found the canyon of doom - the one where you had to duck under a tree, but that was not the most remarkable part - it was the bike and man eating mud bogs! Usually I don't scope a spot for traversing (me too tough, old, and confident), but this time the sheer presence of the standing water with unknown depth and mud intimidated me to park and seek out a line on foot. After throwing some sticks in a few spots, Chris grabs second and motors on thru, clinging mud up 10'. Then it was my turn. As I was going thru, I could see and feel the mud globs (a la Blackwater 100 viedos) raining on me. Did I say elsewhere it was tacky and traction was surperb? And there was no dust? Or that the temperatures were perfectly on the cool side?
We crossed over to the south side and then up along the knife-edge ridge. But before getting there we jumped the water bars, and at the next rest spot saw oil coming down from my fork and flowing over the caliper like hot chocolate on a banana split. Dang! That's two for two (seals, that is). I know one had gone from the pre-existing nick, but now the other. I wonder if my bike's front end ('97) will fit OK in place of this '94's? With much less suspension and a mushy brake I had no choice but to slow my pace to accomodate a moderate trial ride, encouraging Chris to lead.
Once at the other fallen tree, I explain to Chris this is where I met my fate a few weeks earlier, and he-man mcassle saved my arse with a tow back to camp. The good news is I conquered that trail today. Done. I got the dominion. Me-master. Trail #49: you unda mah foot!
Chris suggests we head back to camp for a break, and afterwards decide to wind in and out of the remaining dirt bike-only trails. On a blind corner Chris and a Yamaha guy kissed front fenders; the latter lost his for good. Then we gain more elevation and criss-cross all what's left - none of the trails were losers; all were just fine and waiting for the rest of the SoCa Wrecking Crew to experience...
We looped around the north acres first, he on his fine 250 e/xc and me on the loaner RMX. He's riding just as fast as always. Views were spectacular and we rode most of the day without seing many other on the trails. We found the canyon of doom - the one where you had to duck under a tree, but that was not the most remarkable part - it was the bike and man eating mud bogs! Usually I don't scope a spot for traversing (me too tough, old, and confident), but this time the sheer presence of the standing water with unknown depth and mud intimidated me to park and seek out a line on foot. After throwing some sticks in a few spots, Chris grabs second and motors on thru, clinging mud up 10'. Then it was my turn. As I was going thru, I could see and feel the mud globs (a la Blackwater 100 viedos) raining on me. Did I say elsewhere it was tacky and traction was surperb? And there was no dust? Or that the temperatures were perfectly on the cool side?
We crossed over to the south side and then up along the knife-edge ridge. But before getting there we jumped the water bars, and at the next rest spot saw oil coming down from my fork and flowing over the caliper like hot chocolate on a banana split. Dang! That's two for two (seals, that is). I know one had gone from the pre-existing nick, but now the other. I wonder if my bike's front end ('97) will fit OK in place of this '94's? With much less suspension and a mushy brake I had no choice but to slow my pace to accomodate a moderate trial ride, encouraging Chris to lead.
Once at the other fallen tree, I explain to Chris this is where I met my fate a few weeks earlier, and he-man mcassle saved my arse with a tow back to camp. The good news is I conquered that trail today. Done. I got the dominion. Me-master. Trail #49: you unda mah foot!
Chris suggests we head back to camp for a break, and afterwards decide to wind in and out of the remaining dirt bike-only trails. On a blind corner Chris and a Yamaha guy kissed front fenders; the latter lost his for good. Then we gain more elevation and criss-cross all what's left - none of the trails were losers; all were just fine and waiting for the rest of the SoCa Wrecking Crew to experience...