Eight Hours

It’s true.  I am a softy.  I love soft dirt.  Be it sand or mud I just seem to ride better in it.  I was reminded of this on Monday when I made it back out to the trails for the first time this season.  I love trail riding but circumstances and lack of riding partners has kept me on the track this season.  I was tired of it and made a choice to hit some trails this week.  

I wanted to do some real trail riding and get more than a mile away from the truck but once again I could not find another rider who could make the trip on the day I was open.  So I went to a place called the mounds.  It is a 2 hour drive from my house and is a 400 acre play ground with some trails and a couple of sand pits.  I knew I could ride there alone because in a tight area like that there would always be someone around to help me if I broke down or got hurt.

The Mounds is a popular spot for off road trucks to be tested on a rock climb and through the mud pits.  I have seen a lot of quads there as well. This visit was a bit more surprising.  There were mostly dirt bikes when I arrived this day.  The parking lot was understandably empty this Monday afternoon and the gate keeper was not particularly busy.  He walked over to greet me and gave my bike the once over to make certain I had the proper pipe and stickers.  Yet he seemed even more than a little interested in my bike.  He asked me a few questions about her (yes I still refer to my bike as a female person) and told me of his fondness for 2 strokes.  He also told me that he owns a ’01 CR125 and was checking out the parts our bikes share.  This gave us more to talk about than just the weather.

Speaking of which, there had been some rain the whole weekend before and I was expecting some muddy trails and lots of wet sand.  On my first quick loop I learned that was not the case.  The majority of the trails were whooped out and dusty.  The trails inside the denser forested areas were dry but not whooped out or dusty.

Right before I took off for my first loop around the area 2 groups of 2 riders came in from the trails for a break.  The area is pretty small and I was able to circle the place in less than 10 minutes, but there were plenty of twisty trails to explore later.  I came across a Dodge Ram that tried to cross a pond and got stuck.  The driver was a kid in his teens and his inexperience showed.  It did not help that he was mud bogging with street specific tires.  They did not even look like snow tires.  I headed back to the trail head to let Mike know there was someone stuck.  A scary thought went through my mind as clicked into 4th gear.  What if one of those groups of riders was coming the other way?  I would not have time to stop with amount of visibility the trees were giving me.  I slowed my pace and decided to join up with one of the groups of riders and reduce the chance of a collision.  

Back at the trail head both groups were still taking their breaks.  One group consisted of a guy on a CR500 and another on a KTM250XCFW.  The other group appeared to be a father and son team on a pair of CRF230s.  They were getting ready to head back out so I asked if I could join them.  Kevin and Drew were very friendly and apologized in advance for not being very fast.  The apology was not needed as they could both ride well and kept a good pace for the trails.  

The secret to keeping a small area of trails interesting is a good game of follow the leader.  And we did that for hours.  The CRF230s impressed me with how well they performed in the tight slippery terrain.  I must admit I looked at them in envy as my bike deflected off the small trail junk their suspension soaked up, and the ease in which they threw their bikes around corners.  But when the trails opened up and the whoops got deep I was thankful for my steed.  I was easily passing them in the high speed sections in only 3rd gear.  I even got into the habit of letting them get ahead and playing catch up.  We did almost run into that Dodge Ram in the middle of one trail.  The kid driving the truck stopped at a small water crossing and was testing the depth before attempting it this time.  He had not learned that if there are tire tracks coming and leaving the water it is usually safe to cross.  Unlike the swamp he dug himself in earlier.

Kevin and Drew had to leave after a few hours and I thought I was going to be stuck riding solo.  Then a truck pulled in with 3 bikes wedged into the back of it.  2 guys and a girl, all in their late teens, were getting ready to ride.  One guy was on a ’98 CR250. The other was on a ’00 KX250.  The girl was on a KX100 that was bored out to a 140.  She was also the ring leader as she was the only one with real riding experience.  I’m sorry but their names slip my mind.  The guy on the CR had only ridden once before, and this was the KX guy’s first time ever.  It goes without saying they fouled a lot of plugs that day. LOL  The girl was a good rider.  She was not exactly a fast rider but she could conquer most any obstacle we faced that day.  As a group they were too slow for me and they mostly stayed in the scrambles (open) areas so I ventured off on my own to discover new trails and bigger obstacles to conquer.  

When I returned to the truck for another fill up and water break Mike came over to talk to me again.  His shift was ending and he was going to pick up his bike and ride with me.  Mike is young, fit, and he knows the trails well.  I was looking forward to riding with him.  I expected faster pace and to find some hidden trails he might know about.  He did not disappoint.  I was back in the scrambles area riding with the other three bikes when Mike returned with his bike.  The 2 newbies went off on some of the easier loops and the girl opted to ride with us.  She was complaining her partners could not handle the tight woods without fouling plugs.  I shared that I was looking to go deeper into the woods and see what was in there too.  Mike said he was game and off we went.  I let her lead and she proved to be much faster than Kevin and Drew were.  But it was still not difficult for me to keep pace and I could hear mike on my tail as well.  She led us right into some slop and nasty muck filled with ruts.  I loved it.  After a few minutes she slowed down and wanted me to take the lead.  Then a strange thing happened….

I totally relaxed.  I was calm and loose on the bike.  I weaved in and out of trees found great traction and good lines.  Popped over logs, and carved turns.  The water holes and the muck did not slow me down one bit.  I was home.  Then I paused and looked back.  They were not in sight.  I waited a few minutes before turning around to search for them.  I caught up to the girl and she was covered in muck.  She had fallen a couple times and could not keep pace.  She told me she was rejoining her pals and off she went.  Going back further still I found Mike.  He ad fallen over and flooded his bike.  Then got himself stuck trying to get out of the mud hole.  I had him take the lead after that and showed him the areas I covered.  He told me I missed Cherokee trail.  It was tight muddy and had some steep little hills.  We had a blast and we were about the same speed.  I thought for sure he was going to leave me in the dust, but he couldn’t shake me.  Then we raced back to the trucks and it was a tight fun race that I won on sheer horse power down the main stretch.  

By now the sun was beginning to set and I considered loading up for the day.  Mike had other plans though and urged me to go for one more loop.  It was uneventful but still fun and we explored more areas before.  By the time it was growing too dark I had to call it quits.  After 8 hours in the saddle my hands were blistered and bleeding.  My back was aching and I could barely keep the bike straight.  It was a hot humid day and I had drunk 2 liter bottles of water plus a big Gatorade.  Somehow I was still dehydrated and cramping up.  I needed a few days to recover.  But I had great time and was determined to go riding again the following weekend.  Which I did but that’s my next story…  

Bill H.
Temperance, Mi
2000 CR250R
1991 YZ125

Can someone read all that and just give me the foot notes???  

Bill rode.
Bill kicked butt.
Bill had fun.
Bill rocks!!!!

Nice write up Bill...I loved it!  
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WAFNIA!

BC
01 YZ 125
02 RM 85
99 KX 80
87 DR 200

Wow, I read the whole thing. Sounds like a great day. It's great how friendly and willing other riders are to join up with complete strangers. I find that where I ride as well.  
___________________
Southern California

* 2007 YZ450F *

That was great Bill!  Sounds like a fun day

I'm not much of a mud fan myself...hahaha...we don't get along well.  
.................................

"Only the desert has a fascination to ride alone in the sun in the forever unpossessed country away from man. That is a great temptation."
--D.H. Lawrence

Thanks guys.

Yeah Six I love the comraderie most of us share as dirt bikers.

Sully thats because you grew up riding in the Desert.  I grew up in snotty trails and giant sand whoops.  

Bill H.
Temperance, Mi
2000 CR250R
1991 YZ125

Excellent yarn Bill.  Pleased to read that you had a fielday on Monday.  Very little compares with when things just "click" on your bike.  

I think that comraderie between dirtriders is universal.  Just the other day I was at our club MX (getting a refresher course on how crap I am at MX) and ended up banging bars for a race with some bloke I didn't know but I stopped at his truck on the way back to mine for a quick yarn and a laugh.

You should have grown up in NZ Sully.  Then you'd love the mud.   Although I wouldn't mind a lash at the desert areas you ride in, going by the pics you and your father post.  
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And on the fourth stroke....      All hell breaks loose!!!

Great story Bill!  

Autismspeaks.org
Gilbert AZ
06yz144,05yz85,02yz85

Bill, thanks for giving me something to do..for my first 2 periods. I am not in the mood to work for school..Lol

Great ride, I would have joined..on my 230 Lol. I am growing up in the mud and slick stuff, so crossing rivers, going through mud, over rocks and such is my riding style. To bad they whiped out, you were in the zone man. Lets hear another story sometime..haha  
>Brad
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Shift Happens
4 Stroke FTW!

Ontario.
2 2008 Honda CRF 230's!
1 2005 Honda CRF230!

That twas some good readin Bill! You'll have to show me how to really ride.

P.S. Check your PMs.  


2 strokin till I die. Which I hope aint soon.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

1994 CR80

That twas some good readin Bill! You'll have to show me how to really ride.

P.S. Check your PMs.  


2 strokin till I die. Which I hope aint soon.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

1994 CR80

Sounds like you had a great time bill.

Back to the track now.lol We are going to BAJA Sunday.  
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I love this dirt stuff.

Kiwi450x:
Excellent yarn Bill.  Pleased to read that you had a fielday on Monday.  Very little compares with when things just "click" on your bike.  

I think that comraderie between dirtriders is universal.  Just the other day I was at our club MX (getting a refresher course on how crap I am at MX) and ended up banging bars for a race with some bloke I didn't know but I stopped at his truck on the way back to mine for a quick yarn and a laugh.

You should have grown up in NZ Sully.  Then you'd love the mud.   Although I wouldn't mind a lash at the desert areas you ride in, going by the pics you and your father post.

yea we don't get mud that often...we should switch sometime!! haha  
.................................

"Only the desert has a fascination to ride alone in the sun in the forever unpossessed country away from man. That is a great temptation."
--D.H. Lawrence

Kiwi450x:
Excellent yarn Bill.  Pleased to read that you had a fielday on Monday.  Very little compares with when things just "click" on your bike.  

I think that comraderie between dirtriders is universal.  Just the other day I was at our club MX (getting a refresher course on how crap I am at MX) and ended up banging bars for a race with some bloke I didn't know but I stopped at his truck on the way back to mine for a quick yarn and a laugh.

You should have grown up in NZ Sully.  Then you'd love the mud.   Although I wouldn't mind a lash at the desert areas you ride in, going by the pics you and your father post.

Then get your kiwi butt on a plane and come to GH...D'UH!  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WAFNIA!

BC
01 YZ 125
02 RM 85
99 KX 80
87 DR 200

Man, that was a long read. My professor caught me since I was staring down at my blackberry for 10 minutes LOL.

Glad you had a good time Bill. I will be heading up north one of these next few weekends.