Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin'

In article
<b7c51956-11bf-4206-a2b8-b7c221a5e5b7 RemoveThis @d21g2000prf.googlegroups.com>,
WoodsChick <TamiRowell RemoveThis @msn.com> wrote:

> On Jan 1, 11:13 am, HardWorkingDog <har... RemoveThis @mush.man> wrote:
> > Wish me luck...my new schedule only allows riding on national
> > holidays, I guess. The last ride was July 4th.
>
> Yikes! Well, you're in luck if state holidays are included. We've got
> MLK Day in January, plus President's Day in February.
>
> Oh, good luck and have fun!
> I'll be anxiously awaiting the ride report.

OK, you asked for it, here goes:


Even though dirt bikes remain the one part of my life that keeps me
charged up, I just haven't been able to ride or wrench with as much
obsession as I would like. I have some other goals to accomplish that
are pushing this out, son has taken up another sport which entails
lots of weekends sitting in gyms in god-forsaken parts of the farmland
of interior California, and my mother is in the middle stages of aging
related dementia (Alzheimer's for all intents). I promised myself I
wouldn't allow myself to partake the pleasure of dirt biking again
until I'd put these other things into some semblance of control.

I guess, at this point, especially with my mother, the time
constraints are only going to get worse. I woke up this morning and my
will to do the right thing was simply overcome--there was nothing I
wanted more than to go riding. I had to finish configuring the
wireless gateway that daughter #2 had been given by boyfriend. Got
that out of the way, finally (I know way more about WPA2 encryption
now than I really want to), and out to the garage.

A quick check of the air filters (still tacky after 6 months in the
cool dark garage air), chain lube (sprayed some green Motul dirt
stuff), air pressure (all 4 tires at about 1 psi, pumped em to 13).
Everything looked OK, even though they were still dusty from our July
4th ride. I ashamed to admit I'd never even hosed them off, usually a
job I look forward to the day after a ride. I was worried about the
stale gas. Last August I'd bought some legendary Yamaha carb cleaner
and a quart of Sta-bil in preparation for my self-imposed riding
exile, but both bottles were still on the shelf, unopened. The last
thing I wanted was to load up, drive the 45 minutes and gear up, only
to find the bikes were gummed up and wouldn't run, so son and I
decided to see if they'd run before we began loading. My bike normally
will start from cold on the 3rd kick. After 6 months in the garage,
with absolutely NO effort to preserve the fuel, the 99 YZ started on
the 5th kick, the 07 on the 3rd.

Ah, the sweet smell of a 2-stroke dirt bike's exhaust...

The only thing I noticed was that the forks on the 99 seemed just
slightly tweaked out of alignment. I vaguely recalled dumping the bike
once last July, but at this point I was in too much of a hurry, and I
figured if it bothered me during the day I could always loosent the
triple clamp bolts and realign it there.

We wound up getting to Carnegie OHV park about 1:30 pm, and it was
packed! I like getting there on the late side, because most people are
worn out by then and despite the crowds the trails are fairly empty.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2157735056_0a75c78dba_b.jpg

I was expecting near perfect conditions because we'd had 3-4 days of
rain, and then 3 days of dry weather. Sure enough it WAS perfect. A
little bit of dust on the mx track and on the higher south hills, and
traction EVERYWHERE! No mud, just tacky, damp dirt with the occasional
bits of rock and gravel. Sunny, 45-50°F, breezy but not bad. The worst
problem I had was my sunglasses fogging up...

We were both a little cautious for the first half hour riding, if you
can ever call a 17 year old with a full quota of invincibility
hormones cautious, because it had been so long since our last ride. We
shared a bag of Cheetos and that steadied our nerves.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2088/2157723660_97c32873a9_b.jpg

But after a few runs over the trails and the track, we were ready to
go. We headed up into the trails--Los Osos, Ridge, Happiness Valley,
and the Dead trio--Dead Bird, Dead Pig, and Dead Cow. It was blast.
Other than getting tired too quickly I felt pretty comfortable pushing
myself and the bike. Although, as son pointed out, it probably just
FELT like we were pushing it because we were so out of shape.

I dunno. It felt good, anyway. We decided to tackle some of the hill
climbs. It's fun, because you sit there, staring at the huge MONSTER
of a hill. It looks literally like a beast, daring you to take a run,
I can feel the hill getting ready to reach out and swat me down. Then,
watching son pummel the hill, I take off.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/2157723702_1ba849739e_b.jpg

Halfway up I realize--hey I've got it made, I crest the top, and
realize that was nuthin', really.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/2157735048_543bc5a4bf_b.jpg

We worked our way around the northwest section, gaining more and more
confidence. The bikes were just eating up everything. Need a bit more
power--just roll on a bit more throttle. Tires were grabbing, didn't
need any clutch.

We met up with some people son knew, and we decided to tackle the hill
above...the Water Tower.

Now the Water Tower hill has been haunting me for some time. I'd tried
climbing it once in early summer a year and a half ago, and it had
swatted me down before I'd gotten even halfway up. It has a tricky
little double angled slope, and we'd been eyeing each other ever
since. Our group sat there, staring. Finally, son took off without a
word. His bike growling, spitting, climbing until he was just a speck
on the hill, and finally a little triumphant blip as he crested what
must have been a little lip at the top and flew over, successful. Damn!

I waited for him to ride back around the top and back down the side to
get a report. Sure dad, no problem you can do it. Just keep up on the
tank. I put it into second, and off I went. I made it over the first
slope, bike absorbing the jolts perfectly, and now I was in new
territory, climbing, climbing, climbing. I could see the top! I had
it in the bag. When suddenly I saw what had caused son to give that
little blip and sail into the air. The route I was on was taking me
into a 3 feet deep channel with an almost vertical lip at the top.
Brain goes into blubbery jello mode, I tense my arms, bike starts to
move toward the left side of the channel, and the next thing I know
I'm on my back, head pointed downhill, bike on top of me. DAMN! I was
10' from the top. I was so close I could taste it.

It took me some time to get everything headed downhill, but eventually
I managed it and rode back down. Talk about embarrassing...oh well, it
gave everyone something to talk about on the way home, I'm sure.

And I've got another encounter with the Water Tower hill in my future.

We rode a bit more after that, a few more circuits of the mx track.
The park has really improved the condition of the track. There's now a
nice combination of moderately sloped jumps and tables that allow
ground huggers like me to have fun, while still allowing a challenge
for the flyboys.

As we packed up son was tying down my bike in the truck when I heard
him yell out Dad--you're top triple clamp bolts are loose. DAMN!! Sure
enough, last May I'd repacked the steering head, and in the process
had managed to leave all 4 pinch bolts that hold the top triple clamp
to the forks finger tight. And now, they were in various stages of
backing themselves right out. I think the only reason they hadn't
fallen out was because the number plate has a rolled edge that wraps
around and served as a stop. Who needs safety wire, I've got a safety
number plate.

Sheez. Now that was REALLY embarrassing. And it explains why I'd
noticed earlier that my forks were tweaked. Good thing I ride like an
old man...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/2157735058_9f728be3d2_b.jpg

--
Charles
'99 YZ250
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:00:13 -0800, HardWorkingDog
<harvey.DeleteThis@mush.man> wrote:

>We wound up getting to Carnegie OHV park about 1:30 pm, and it was
>packed! I like getting there on the late side, because most people are
>worn out by then and despite the crowds the trails are fairly empty.
>
>http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2157735056_0a75c78dba_b.jpg

Who stole all the trees???



>
>I was expecting near perfect conditions because we'd had 3-4 days of
>rain, and then 3 days of dry weather. Sure enough it WAS perfect. A
>little bit of dust on the mx track and on the higher south hills, and
>traction EVERYWHERE! No mud, just tacky, damp dirt with the occasional
>bits of rock and gravel. Sunny, 45-50°F, breezy but not bad. The worst
>problem I had was my sunglasses fogging up...
>
>We were both a little cautious for the first half hour riding, if you
>can ever call a 17 year old with a full quota of invincibility
>hormones cautious, because it had been so long since our last ride. We
>shared a bag of Cheetos and that steadied our nerves.
>
>http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2088/2157723660_97c32873a9_b.jpg
>
>But after a few runs over the trails and the track, we were ready to
>go. We headed up into the trails--Los Osos, Ridge, Happiness Valley,
>and the Dead trio--Dead Bird, Dead Pig, and Dead Cow. It was blast.
>Other than getting tired too quickly I felt pretty comfortable pushing
>myself and the bike. Although, as son pointed out, it probably just
>FELT like we were pushing it because we were so out of shape.
>
>I dunno. It felt good, anyway. We decided to tackle some of the hill
>climbs. It's fun, because you sit there, staring at the huge MONSTER
>of a hill. It looks literally like a beast, daring you to take a run,
>I can feel the hill getting ready to reach out and swat me down. Then,
>watching son pummel the hill, I take off.
>
>http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/2157723702_1ba849739e_b.jpg

Oh, there's the tree!!!

>Halfway up I realize--hey I've got it made, I crest the top, and
>realize that was nuthin', really.
>
>http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/2157735048_543bc5a4bf_b.jpg

Hmmm. No kWad tracks...

>We worked our way around the northwest section, gaining more and more
>confidence. The bikes were just eating up everything. Need a bit more
>power--just roll on a bit more throttle. Tires were grabbing, didn't
>need any clutch.
>
>We met up with some people son knew, and we decided to tackle the hill
>above...the Water Tower.
>
>Now the Water Tower hill has been haunting me for some time. I'd tried
>climbing it once in early summer a year and a half ago, and it had
>swatted me down before I'd gotten even halfway up. It has a tricky
>little double angled slope, and we'd been eyeing each other ever
>since. Our group sat there, staring. Finally, son took off without a
>word. His bike growling, spitting, climbing until he was just a speck
>on the hill, and finally a little triumphant blip as he crested what
>must have been a little lip at the top and flew over, successful. Damn!
>
>I waited for him to ride back around the top and back down the side to
>get a report. Sure dad, no problem you can do it. Just keep up on the
>tank. I put it into second, and off I went. I made it over the first
>slope, bike absorbing the jolts perfectly, and now I was in new
>territory, climbing, climbing, climbing. I could see the top! I had
>it in the bag. When suddenly I saw what had caused son to give that
>little blip and sail into the air. The route I was on was taking me
>into a 3 feet deep channel with an almost vertical lip at the top.
>Brain goes into blubbery jello mode, I tense my arms, bike starts to
>move toward the left side of the channel, and the next thing I know
>I'm on my back, head pointed downhill, bike on top of me. DAMN! I was
>10' from the top. I was so close I could taste it.
>
>It took me some time to get everything headed downhill, but eventually
>I managed it and rode back down. Talk about embarrassing...oh well, it
>gave everyone something to talk about on the way home, I'm sure.
>
>And I've got another encounter with the Water Tower hill in my future.
>
>We rode a bit more after that, a few more circuits of the mx track.
>The park has really improved the condition of the track. There's now a
>nice combination of moderately sloped jumps and tables that allow
>ground huggers like me to have fun, while still allowing a challenge
>for the flyboys.
>
>As we packed up son was tying down my bike in the truck when I heard
>him yell out Dad--you're top triple clamp bolts are loose. DAMN!! Sure
>enough, last May I'd repacked the steering head, and in the process
>had managed to leave all 4 pinch bolts that hold the top triple clamp
>to the forks finger tight. And now, they were in various stages of
>backing themselves right out. I think the only reason they hadn't
>fallen out was because the number plate has a rolled edge that wraps
>around and served as a stop. Who needs safety wire, I've got a safety
>number plate.
>
>Sheez. Now that was REALLY embarrassing. And it explains why I'd
>noticed earlier that my forks were tweaked. Good thing I ride like an
>old man...
>
>http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/2157735058_9f728be3d2_b.jpg

Ah, horseshit. You just need more Cheetos.

Cool day. It's going to be another week and a half or so before I
get to get back out. Hopefully, we won't be in full on shitty
east coast winter weather by then.


----
Go fast and aim for where the trees aren't.
----
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

On Jan 2, 2:00 am, HardWorkingDog <har....TakeThisOut@mush.man> wrote:

> OK, you asked for it, here goes:

Sorry to hear about the bad stuff and I hope that goes as well as it
can.

Still, you need to keep yourself sane and I'm glad you got out to
ride. Not many things work as well as riding does to keep my head on
straight.

Thanks for the RR.

Craig
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

Great write up. Fun to read. I can relate to all of that. The YZ 250
is a wonder bike. It can do everything well. It always seems to like
the rider a lot. OF
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

On Jan 2, 11:29 am, Craig <googlegroupm... DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Jan 2, 2:00 am, HardWorkingDog <har... DeleteThis @mush.man> wrote:
>
> > OK, you asked for it, here goes:
>
> Sorry to hear about the bad stuff and I hope that goes as well as it
> can.

I am real sorry to hear of your troubles, too, Charles. I am spending
all my free time taking care of my Mom, too, so I kind of have an
inkling of what you're going through.

>
> Still, you need to keep yourself sane and I'm glad you got out to
> ride. Not many things work as well as riding does to keep my head on
> straight.

I concur. At a time when I need the solace and peacefulness that
riding provides the most, I just don't have the time or energy to do
it. And, like you, Charles, I am compelled to do the right thing.
Things will all work out, Charles; they always do.

>
> Thanks for the RR.

Yep! Thanks! I really enjoyed it! I know how intimidating those hills
at Carnegie can be, and some of them are rather unpleasant.


> Craig

Tami-
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

In article
<4f02eb65-945c-4731-aada-a6a0ddfb816d.TakeThisOut@n20g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>,
Craig <googlegroupmail.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:

> On Jan 2, 2:00 am, HardWorkingDog <har....TakeThisOut@mush.man> wrote:
>
> > OK, you asked for it, here goes:
>
> Sorry to hear about the bad stuff and I hope that goes as well as it
> can.
>
> Still, you need to keep yourself sane and I'm glad you got out to
> ride. Not many things work as well as riding does to keep my head on
> straight.
>
> Thanks for the RR.
>

Your welcome. I (mostly) do it for my own entertainment, so if you
enjoyed it too, that's icing on the cake!

--
Charles
'99 YZ250
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

In article
<443c0919-e106-4733-87da-bf6fa707d26d.TakeThisOut@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com>,
oldfart <alan.westcoast.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote:

> Great write up. Fun to read. I can relate to all of that. The YZ 250
> is a wonder bike. It can do everything well. It always seems to like
> the rider a lot. OF

It's taken good care of me. The only significant injury was caused by
a combination of my own inexperience and the pompous ass behind me who
wanted to overall a family enduro.

--
Charles
'99 YZ250
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

In article
<712f12de-8bad-4990-b23a-f34c86137cbf DeleteThis @l6g2000prm.googlegroups.com>,
WoodsChick <TamiRowell DeleteThis @msn.com> wrote:

> On Jan 2, 11:29 am, Craig <googlegroupm... DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
> > On Jan 2, 2:00 am, HardWorkingDog <har... DeleteThis @mush.man> wrote:
> >
> > > OK, you asked for it, here goes:
> >
> > Sorry to hear about the bad stuff and I hope that goes as well as it
> > can.
>
> I am real sorry to hear of your troubles, too, Charles. I am spending
> all my free time taking care of my Mom, too, so I kind of have an
> inkling of what you're going through.
>

Hang in there, Tami.

> >
> > Still, you need to keep yourself sane and I'm glad you got out to
> > ride. Not many things work as well as riding does to keep my head on
> > straight.
>
> I concur. At a time when I need the solace and peacefulness that
> riding provides the most, I just don't have the time or energy to do
> it. And, like you, Charles, I am compelled to do the right thing.
> Things will all work out, Charles; they always do.
>
> >
> > Thanks for the RR.
>
> Yep! Thanks! I really enjoyed it! I know how intimidating those hills
> at Carnegie can be, and some of them are rather unpleasant.

I have to admit that while I was writing it for myself, as usual, I
was also writing it for you. You DID commission it, after all! I
believe this is the first report I've done with photos. It was fun,
and son even got into the spirit and took some of them.

I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

--
Charles
'99 YZ250
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

Way to be a savage, Dad. The minute I walked downstairs in the morning
to beg to go riding, he announced we were going riding, we were both
ecstatic. Anyways, that ride was amazing, just what the doctor
ordered. And yes, those wonderful pictures of this beautiful bikes
come straight from HWD's offspring.

Arm pump sucks.
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

Nice report Charles.

The loose triple clamps bolts are your free pass to explain all spodely
manuevers for the day. BTDT, only a couple of mine fell out. :-/

-Jeff-
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

Hi Charles,
Thank you for the ride report and accompanying photos. I have been
saving your report (and Craig's) until I could get a chance to
properly appreciate them.

If I can find the time to compose an articulate and (somewhat)
entertaining ride report of my three rides in the last couple of
weeks, I will post it/them here.

The photos of the hills, make this place look like one heck of a
playground. There's just something about a trail leading up the face
of a monster hill that is hard to resist; sort of like being subjected
to "The Call of the Wild".

It was good to see a current photo of yourself and "The Puppy". What
sport has he taken up? Basketball, wrestling?

Keep riding with him as much and as long as he will put up with you.
I rode with my oldest riding son last Sunday. It was as much fun as it
ever was.

WTG! And thanks for the report.

Jim
If someone wants to make a protest by burning the American flag, they
should consider making their protest much more effective by wrapping
the flag around their body before setting it on fire.


**************************************************
>On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:00:13 -0800, HardWorkingDog <harvey DeleteThis @mush.man> wrote:

>In article
><b7c51956-11bf-4206-a2b8-b7c221a5e5b7 DeleteThis @d21g2000prf.googlegroups.com>,
> WoodsChick <TamiRowell DeleteThis @msn.com> wrote:
>
>> On Jan 1, 11:13 am, HardWorkingDog <har... DeleteThis @mush.man> wrote:
>> > Wish me luck...my new schedule only allows riding on national
>> > holidays, I guess. The last ride was July 4th.
>>
>> Yikes! Well, you're in luck if state holidays are included. We've got
>> MLK Day in January, plus President's Day in February.
>>
>> Oh, good luck and have fun!
>> I'll be anxiously awaiting the ride report.
>
>OK, you asked for it, here goes:
>
>
>Even though dirt bikes remain the one part of my life that keeps me
>charged up, I just haven't been able to ride or wrench with as much
>obsession as I would like. I have some other goals to accomplish that
>are pushing this out, son has taken up another sport which entails
>lots of weekends sitting in gyms in god-forsaken parts of the farmland
>of interior California, and my mother is in the middle stages of aging
>related dementia (Alzheimer's for all intents). I promised myself I
>wouldn't allow myself to partake the pleasure of dirt biking again
>until I'd put these other things into some semblance of control.
>
>I guess, at this point, especially with my mother, the time
>constraints are only going to get worse. I woke up this morning and my
>will to do the right thing was simply overcome--there was nothing I
>wanted more than to go riding. I had to finish configuring the
>wireless gateway that daughter #2 had been given by boyfriend. Got
>that out of the way, finally (I know way more about WPA2 encryption
>now than I really want to), and out to the garage.
>
>A quick check of the air filters (still tacky after 6 months in the
>cool dark garage air), chain lube (sprayed some green Motul dirt
>stuff), air pressure (all 4 tires at about 1 psi, pumped em to 13).
>Everything looked OK, even though they were still dusty from our July
>4th ride. I ashamed to admit I'd never even hosed them off, usually a
>job I look forward to the day after a ride. I was worried about the
>stale gas. Last August I'd bought some legendary Yamaha carb cleaner
>and a quart of Sta-bil in preparation for my self-imposed riding
>exile, but both bottles were still on the shelf, unopened. The last
>thing I wanted was to load up, drive the 45 minutes and gear up, only
>to find the bikes were gummed up and wouldn't run, so son and I
>decided to see if they'd run before we began loading. My bike normally
>will start from cold on the 3rd kick. After 6 months in the garage,
>with absolutely NO effort to preserve the fuel, the 99 YZ started on
>the 5th kick, the 07 on the 3rd.
>
>Ah, the sweet smell of a 2-stroke dirt bike's exhaust...
>
>The only thing I noticed was that the forks on the 99 seemed just
>slightly tweaked out of alignment. I vaguely recalled dumping the bike
>once last July, but at this point I was in too much of a hurry, and I
>figured if it bothered me during the day I could always loosent the
>triple clamp bolts and realign it there.
>
>We wound up getting to Carnegie OHV park about 1:30 pm, and it was
>packed! I like getting there on the late side, because most people are
>worn out by then and despite the crowds the trails are fairly empty.
>
>http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2157735056_0a75c78dba_b.jpg
>
>I was expecting near perfect conditions because we'd had 3-4 days of
>rain, and then 3 days of dry weather. Sure enough it WAS perfect. A
>little bit of dust on the mx track and on the higher south hills, and
>traction EVERYWHERE! No mud, just tacky, damp dirt with the occasional
>bits of rock and gravel. Sunny, 45-50°F, breezy but not bad. The worst
>problem I had was my sunglasses fogging up...
>
>We were both a little cautious for the first half hour riding, if you
>can ever call a 17 year old with a full quota of invincibility
>hormones cautious, because it had been so long since our last ride. We
>shared a bag of Cheetos and that steadied our nerves.
>
>http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2088/2157723660_97c32873a9_b.jpg
>
>But after a few runs over the trails and the track, we were ready to
>go. We headed up into the trails--Los Osos, Ridge, Happiness Valley,
>and the Dead trio--Dead Bird, Dead Pig, and Dead Cow. It was blast.
>Other than getting tired too quickly I felt pretty comfortable pushing
>myself and the bike. Although, as son pointed out, it probably just
>FELT like we were pushing it because we were so out of shape.
>
>I dunno. It felt good, anyway. We decided to tackle some of the hill
>climbs. It's fun, because you sit there, staring at the huge MONSTER
>of a hill. It looks literally like a beast, daring you to take a run,
>I can feel the hill getting ready to reach out and swat me down. Then,
>watching son pummel the hill, I take off.
>
>http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/2157723702_1ba849739e_b.jpg
>
>Halfway up I realize--hey I've got it made, I crest the top, and
>realize that was nuthin', really.
>
>http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/2157735048_543bc5a4bf_b.jpg
>
>We worked our way around the northwest section, gaining more and more
>confidence. The bikes were just eating up everything. Need a bit more
>power--just roll on a bit more throttle. Tires were grabbing, didn't
>need any clutch.
>
>We met up with some people son knew, and we decided to tackle the hill
>above...the Water Tower.
>
>Now the Water Tower hill has been haunting me for some time. I'd tried
>climbing it once in early summer a year and a half ago, and it had
>swatted me down before I'd gotten even halfway up. It has a tricky
>little double angled slope, and we'd been eyeing each other ever
>since. Our group sat there, staring. Finally, son took off without a
>word. His bike growling, spitting, climbing until he was just a speck
>on the hill, and finally a little triumphant blip as he crested what
>must have been a little lip at the top and flew over, successful. Damn!
>
>I waited for him to ride back around the top and back down the side to
>get a report. Sure dad, no problem you can do it. Just keep up on the
>tank. I put it into second, and off I went. I made it over the first
>slope, bike absorbing the jolts perfectly, and now I was in new
>territory, climbing, climbing, climbing. I could see the top! I had
>it in the bag. When suddenly I saw what had caused son to give that
>little blip and sail into the air. The route I was on was taking me
>into a 3 feet deep channel with an almost vertical lip at the top.
>Brain goes into blubbery jello mode, I tense my arms, bike starts to
>move toward the left side of the channel, and the next thing I know
>I'm on my back, head pointed downhill, bike on top of me. DAMN! I was
>10' from the top. I was so close I could taste it.
>
>It took me some time to get everything headed downhill, but eventually
>I managed it and rode back down. Talk about embarrassing...oh well, it
>gave everyone something to talk about on the way home, I'm sure.
>
>And I've got another encounter with the Water Tower hill in my future.
>
>We rode a bit more after that, a few more circuits of the mx track.
>The park has really improved the condition of the track. There's now a
>nice combination of moderately sloped jumps and tables that allow
>ground huggers like me to have fun, while still allowing a challenge
>for the flyboys.
>
>As we packed up son was tying down my bike in the truck when I heard
>him yell out Dad--you're top triple clamp bolts are loose. DAMN!! Sure
>enough, last May I'd repacked the steering head, and in the process
>had managed to leave all 4 pinch bolts that hold the top triple clamp
>to the forks finger tight. And now, they were in various stages of
>backing themselves right out. I think the only reason they hadn't
>fallen out was because the number plate has a rolled edge that wraps
>around and served as a stop. Who needs safety wire, I've got a safety
>number plate.
>
>Sheez. Now that was REALLY embarrassing. And it explains why I'd
>noticed earlier that my forks were tweaked. Good thing I ride like an
>old man...
>
>http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/2157735058_9f728be3d2_b.jpg

*******************************************************************


Wudsracer/Jim Cook
Smackover Racing
'06 Gas Gas DE300
'82 Husqvarna XC250
Team LAGNAF
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

In article <jmrco3la84d0qj1s7a8ejmnjoekpbpf55u.RemoveThis@4ax.com>,
Wudsracer <dirtbike_smackoverRemove.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi Charles,
> Thank you for the ride report and accompanying photos. I have been
> saving your report (and Craig's) until I could get a chance to
> properly appreciate them.
>
> If I can find the time to compose an articulate and (somewhat)
> entertaining ride report of my three rides in the last couple of
> weeks, I will post it/them here.
>
> The photos of the hills, make this place look like one heck of a
> playground. There's just something about a trail leading up the face
> of a monster hill that is hard to resist; sort of like being subjected
> to "The Call of the Wild".

Glad you enjoyed it!

> It was good to see a current photo of yourself and "The Puppy". What
> sport has he taken up? Basketball, wrestling?

BolleyVall. It's been very cool watching him progress, except for the
weekends in Clovis...

--
Charles
'99 YZ250
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin' 

"HardWorkingDog" <harvey.RemoveThis@mush.man> wrote in message
news:harvey-BC05AD.18331510012008@individual.net...
> In article <jmrco3la84d0qj1s7a8ejmnjoekpbpf55u.RemoveThis@4ax.com>,
> Wudsracer <dirtbike_smackoverRemove.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi Charles,
> > Thank you for the ride report and accompanying photos. I have been
> > saving your report (and Craig's) until I could get a chance to
> > properly appreciate them.
> >
> > If I can find the time to compose an articulate and (somewhat)
> > entertaining ride report of my three rides in the last couple of
> > weeks, I will post it/them here.
> >
> > The photos of the hills, make this place look like one heck of a
> > playground. There's just something about a trail leading up the face
> > of a monster hill that is hard to resist; sort of like being subjected
> > to "The Call of the Wild".
>
> Glad you enjoyed it!
>
> > It was good to see a current photo of yourself and "The Puppy". What
> > sport has he taken up? Basketball, wrestling?
>
> BolleyVall. It's been very cool watching him progress, except for the
> weekends in Clovis...
>
> --
> Charles
> '99 YZ250

$atanfiord plays USC (men's bolleyvall-Mountain Pacific something something
conference) 7:00pm 18Jan08 and Pepperdine the next night at Burnham
Pavillion. Entry is free this year.

I usually ride my motorcycle unless its raining.

Joe

XL600R
 >> Stay informed about: Happy New Year--I'm goin' ridin'