I can wait to try Joshua Tree; I can wait a long time. I'm pretty sure I can't make it, and I hate the thought of my bike or my body or both all balled up together tumbling down that cliff face. The only sensible way to do it is to have three or four buddies at the top to catch you just in case. Anyway, I'll be riding in a month or two; I may wait until the weather cools off to get started again. In the meantime I have to:
Replace rear wheel bearings in two KTMs
Replace countershaft seal in the 200
Replace chain and sprockets on one 400 and the 300
Get the lights working on the 300 and the 200
Find out why the 400 doesn't like to start when it's hot
Solve a nagging vibration on the old 400
Get a new GPS unit and teach my sons to use it
So you see, I have lots to do. It's not all necessary before I ride again, but it would be nice to get it all done. In addition, I'm trying to decide which bikes to keep and which to sell, if any, and what kind of new bike to buy, if any. I kind of have the itch for new mo-chine, but I'm not sure which one. If I get a two-stroke, it will probably be a KTM 250 or 300 XC; if a thumper, probably a 400 or 450 E/XC, but maybe a 450XC. I might even go big and get a 525.
They say the collarbone will take 12 weeks to fully heal. It's been four weeks now, so my estimated return is the end of August. But we'll see. I might be ready to go before then, if the doc says OK. I just can't take a chance on re-breaking this thing before it's fully healed. You guys stay healthy until I get back. Don't try Joshua Tree yet.