What a day...
Present were Desert_Racer, Tee, Tree, Elk, Elk Jr, Scar and Holeshot (eventually)
We met at the Ranger Station and we decided to follow Elk to his super secret hide-a-way. Upon arrival, I immediately got the mighty Dodge Cummins stuck in the sand. Something about 75psi, highway tread, 2wd and me dumb enough to find the only soft spot around. Being the intelligent folks that we are, we geared up and figured on digging out after the ride. We commenced doing donuts in Elk's secret spot and quickly got bored and headed out. A few miles of soft sand and my 200 was smok'n out the pipe with the engine off. Hmmm... Better check the jetting... Naw. We hit Pole Line road and head north to 78. I was running cleanup and darned if I don't see the funniest thing! Tree performed what I understand is a 'Fly Swatter'. We're cruising along, not too fast, when Tree's new 525 decided to buck him off. Quick as a blink, his front tire hit an off camber hard spot, Tree swats the ground hard. His 525 shoveled the road for another 30 feet or so and comes to rest with the throttle stuck. By the time I parked, Tree already had killed the engine and commenced trying to breath under some very banged up ribs. We found some shade and listened to the 4 stroke music fade into the distance as our riding buddies diligently did not look over their shoulders to see if we were still on. After a few minutes, we hear the return of our faithful buddies and investigate the road for the cause of the Tree fall.
After recovery, Tree decides to follow the road back to the trucks and the Elks head back to play near the trucks too. Desert_Racer, Scar and I head out. We cross 78 and head up Pole Line and who do we see parked, but Holeshot! We listen to his tale of being late and getting stuck, let him get geared up, minus boots, and head for Gas Domes. I decided it was my turn...
Rex hits a little crest in the road and down into a bowl of the softest, finest foot of Desert dust you could find. He was kind enough to gas the 520 and raise a cloud that could be seen for miles. Scar follows him in and adds to the visibility problem. OK, I'm next. I can't see, but who needs to see??? Over the lip and... washout and a tumble Dirt in my goggles, in my helmet, in my boots, up my @ss. You get the point. It sure was pillowy soft though.
No harm done and back in the saddle, off to gas domes. Boy, that trail has really gotten wasted.
We spend a few minutes there and head out to the well, back to Pole Line and then cross country all the way back to the trucks. That was the best part of the ride and was a blast.
Back at the trucks, Tree had downed 3 cans of medicine, but was moving real slow. He hadn't dug my truck out either. After some bike swapping, we started loading up and digging out.
Now here's the funniest thing. Keep in mind that Elk Jr was parked next to me in the soft sand. He smartly sets up the ramp and rides his RM up into the back of HIS truck. No problem. Elk is soon to follow. Baaahhhaaaa.
He lines up the faithful RM and heads for the ramp. Well with the sand being soft and all he give it a little gas while on the ramp. The ramp shoots out and yep, Elk should have installed a skid plate cuz he crashes down on Poor Jr's tail gate and pretty well wasted it!
Here's the pic -->
Sorry Elk, but it was pretty funny to see. Jr took it pretty good though.
After dropping 25psi in the tires and digging a little, the mighty Dodge was free. We loaded up and time to leave this possessed place.
As always, no matter how bad, it’s great to get out riding with you guys.
Till next time,
Tee