We have this little trail in the San Bernardino Forest here in So. Cal. called Cleghorn trail, but its official nickname is 'Cleghammer'.
Today a group of six brave souls found out the reason for this name.
We were split into two staging areas, and Eel, Capt. Jack, and myself had to ride to a predetermined meeting place to join up with RM(YZ)Jeff, Holeshot, and Mike. These three and Capt. Jack were holding up the 4-stroke honors for the day, and Eel and myself were the only ones representing the two-stroke crowd.
First off, I have to say that RMJeff is a lot faster on his new YZF than he ever was on the RM. Second, Holeshot is a maniac, and would have lead the ride all day had he been familiar with the area!
I swear there was a 426 shoved up my tail-pipe all day!
Then there's Eel. This guy will make you swear he's on a 250 as fast as he rides, but he's on a 125! Jack, all I can say is it's nice to have someone else there that falls down as much as I do! :p
I think if you get the Gas-Gas that will change for you, as it won't tire you out as fast, and will turn easier for you.
Well, after we all met up, we proceeded up the 'Cleghammer, and I knew after the first couple of miles it was gonna be a long day. This trail is hard packed, loose rocks on top, rutted, whooped out, steep up and down, kick your :moon: tough! My fore-arms pumped up so hard I could drive nails with them! And I wasn't the only one. I would be trying to work the front brake on the downhills, and my right forearm was burning and weak!
We made our pass over 'Cleghammer and back pretty un-eventfully, except for the timber rattler Holeshot almost ran over, and a near miss with an out of control quad that we didn't see, but heard about.
We split up into our two groups to gas up and meet back for the second loop of our journey--the Phelan ridges. Unfortunately for RMJeff, the other two riders in his group opted out of the second loop, so we were down to four. All I've got to say to Mike and Holeshot is: we found a new single-track that is the tightest :moon: trail I think I've been on. It was gas, clutch in, brake slide, pop clutch out, gas it, brake slide...... you get the picture. And there was no leaning the bike around the turns-there wasn't enough room. In fact, the vegetation was so thick, you couldn't see what was coming up next. It was like riding in a tube! :cool: Well, Jack kept saying he liked technical riding, and I think he got it on that trail.
Upon returning to the trucks we loaded up and enjoyed the hospitality of my friend who graciously allowed us to stage at his property. The refreshments were so good that I ended up staying until 9:30. (Hence, this late post.)
Once again I had a great time, (even though I crashed at least twice!), and I look forward to the next ride with the crazies from the So. Cal. Wrecking Crew! ;)
P.S. Next ride I'll have the new slide in--maybe the bike won't stall as often! But I'll still fall, 'cause if you're not falling you're not riding hard enough!
Today a group of six brave souls found out the reason for this name.
We were split into two staging areas, and Eel, Capt. Jack, and myself had to ride to a predetermined meeting place to join up with RM(YZ)Jeff, Holeshot, and Mike. These three and Capt. Jack were holding up the 4-stroke honors for the day, and Eel and myself were the only ones representing the two-stroke crowd.
First off, I have to say that RMJeff is a lot faster on his new YZF than he ever was on the RM. Second, Holeshot is a maniac, and would have lead the ride all day had he been familiar with the area!
I swear there was a 426 shoved up my tail-pipe all day!
Then there's Eel. This guy will make you swear he's on a 250 as fast as he rides, but he's on a 125! Jack, all I can say is it's nice to have someone else there that falls down as much as I do! :p
I think if you get the Gas-Gas that will change for you, as it won't tire you out as fast, and will turn easier for you.
Well, after we all met up, we proceeded up the 'Cleghammer, and I knew after the first couple of miles it was gonna be a long day. This trail is hard packed, loose rocks on top, rutted, whooped out, steep up and down, kick your :moon: tough! My fore-arms pumped up so hard I could drive nails with them! And I wasn't the only one. I would be trying to work the front brake on the downhills, and my right forearm was burning and weak!
We made our pass over 'Cleghammer and back pretty un-eventfully, except for the timber rattler Holeshot almost ran over, and a near miss with an out of control quad that we didn't see, but heard about.
We split up into our two groups to gas up and meet back for the second loop of our journey--the Phelan ridges. Unfortunately for RMJeff, the other two riders in his group opted out of the second loop, so we were down to four. All I've got to say to Mike and Holeshot is: we found a new single-track that is the tightest :moon: trail I think I've been on. It was gas, clutch in, brake slide, pop clutch out, gas it, brake slide...... you get the picture. And there was no leaning the bike around the turns-there wasn't enough room. In fact, the vegetation was so thick, you couldn't see what was coming up next. It was like riding in a tube! :cool: Well, Jack kept saying he liked technical riding, and I think he got it on that trail.
Upon returning to the trucks we loaded up and enjoyed the hospitality of my friend who graciously allowed us to stage at his property. The refreshments were so good that I ended up staying until 9:30. (Hence, this late post.)
Once again I had a great time, (even though I crashed at least twice!), and I look forward to the next ride with the crazies from the So. Cal. Wrecking Crew! ;)
P.S. Next ride I'll have the new slide in--maybe the bike won't stall as often! But I'll still fall, 'cause if you're not falling you're not riding hard enough!
