Creek/River Crossings Technique?

[KTM Mike]

Perhaps this post belongs in the technique forum but as it is so "enduro specific" felt it best here.

I am considering racing the rescheduled Upland enduro in Indiana 10/28. I understand the route has numerous "rocky creek crossings" and a couple "river crossings". I really have no experience in either. Any advice/comments on technique and on preparing the bike for these situations would be appreciated. Can any who has raced this event before give me an idea of just how deep these crossings are? like - should i bring a life jacket or not?:D

 

[motormichael]

River crossing

All I can tell you is that we have had a lot of rain lately and the creeks have become rivers. As far as technique, I just try to keep my weight back to keep the front end light. I feel this helps if you hit a large rock or a soft spot. I keep the clutch covered and just try to keep the momentum up.

 

[dbdug]

2 things KTM Mike. One thing you can do is get off to the side and watch a few others go through. 1 or 2 riders may give you a hint just by watching their ride / crash or whatever. If you still dont feel comfortable, walk it across. Just dont walk on the main line or you will become traction for another.:eek: this advice is if its nasty. If its not, just do what motormichael said and you'll be fine.

 

[justql]

I know it was already said in other words but my philosophy is simple. It's better to drop 30 seconds watching someone else find the good line than it is to hour out after you drown the bike.

 

[KaTooMer]

For a long, rocky river crossing that is more than 2 feet deep, the safest way to cross is to get off the bike and walk it. You will want the bike to be on the upstream side so that the water pushes the bike toward you, rather than pulls the bike away from you. Tape up the sides of your airbox to keep out water.

Some of the tougher crossings are the small creeks that drop off a couple feet, and then you have to immediately get up the other side at a very steep angle. They develop nasty ruts that can get you stuck. Your first impulse will be to take the main line, which is sometimes O.K. but often not O.K. If you can find another line, take it. If there is only one line but you know you'll get stuck if you go through it, one trick I use is to go at it sort of diagonally. Put your wheel left of the rut at the bottom of the creek bank, give it gas, and aim for the right side of the rut at the top of the creek bank (crossing the rut, in other words).

Good luck!

 

[KTM Mike]

Thanks for the input guys! Keep the comments coming. Now all i have to deal with is the bad news I found when i drained my oil a few minutes ago...:(

seems about 10 little bits of needle bearings were stuck to that magnetic drain plug! Does not sound pleasant! Looks like I will miss the Rose City race so I can spend the weekend spliting cases and wrenching - if I am lucky I can still try out your suggestions. Easy come, easy go I guess.

 

[Billy Ed]

Round these parts we just hold it open and pray! The last time I rode Blackwater this technique served well!
The water might get in your overalls, though, so don't tuck them in your boots so the water can drain right out the legs.

 

[muddobber]

Since I am the guy who helps set the Upland Enduro up and always the first to cross the River crossings, here's my advice. First, if the River is above where we think its safe, we bypass it. Second, this is really good advice but some people will disagree with me, take you feet off the pegs and ride across sitting down at a steady pace. Not fast, just steady with the feet ready to dab if a rock throws you. If your feet are on the pegs and you deflect about half the time you can't get them off fast enough to catch yourself. Usually the river crossing's are no problem at all, and some people get all worked up over nothing. By the way, this will be a really good race. I didn't say easy race, but an excellent challenge for all level of riders. Hope to see you there. :D

 

[ScottZX7RR]

I was reading some advice that Trail Rider had a while back about this very issue. They said if you watch the truely fast pros they are not the ones that go blasting into the creek/river that all the spectators love watching. They enter the creek with reduced momentum and as MudDobber means lift their feet up to keep them dry. Also as the DB said stop a few sections and watch other riders or ones in front of you go through it to see if they encounter any problems and then choice a differnt line.

The said the bottom line was to go smoothly across the creek/river that you might lost a few seconds versus going blindingly fast and risk falling down and wasting large amounts of time trying to get the bike out and fired out again.