DRN NH Spodefest 2000 - ride report
Jay C
Sunday - I was there and I survived. There is a long-standing joke with the
Trail Rider guys about taking people from other parts of the country on
rides in New England. They can never understand why we ride this stuff...
sometimes I wonder myself.
The ride started on the Rockingham trail for a couple of miles. There were
seven of us - 5 Kawasakis, one DR400Z dual-sport, and me on my XR400. The
Rockingham trail is a perfectly straight road that is 20 feet wide and is
solid whoop-de-dos varing from 2 to 4 feet deep. We were hauling ass at
50MPH or so down this road and I confess I was in sheer terror. Way too
fast for me and my XR is set up just about perfectly opposite as it should
for this type of terrain. Between me hanging off the back of the rear
fender, yanking furiously on the bars trying to keep alive, and the death
grip I had - my clutch arm was totally pumped by the time we hit the power
lines... about 3 minutes and 1.8 miles into the ride.
The power lines were classic spring New England. There was a plethora of
steep rocky climbs - my personal favorite - and the lines seemed to keep
going forever. Rocky and technical with some smoothish fast sections and
lots of mud and water. Lots and lots and lots of mud and water. We forged
many swamps which were turned into impassible mud pits - none of which I
would've normally even considered trying to cross assuming some degree of
sanity. People were betting buried left and right and riders were slogging
around in goo up to their waists trying to free buried bikes. Black roost
was flying everywhere - if you made the mistake of entering a mudhole too
close to the guy in front, you paid dearly. The occasional rider doing an
unplanned Nestee plunge into black slop kept everyone else entertained -
until you were doing the plunging. The mud pits got deeper and nastier and
the water crossings deeper as we progressed. I kept thinking I was nuts to
keep going, especially since we had to cross these things again on the way
back. We soon were so wet and mud-covered that jumping into the middle of a
mud hole to help pull out another bike simply didn't matter. I ended up so
muddy that I could barely hold onto my bike. My butt-seat interface was
like wet ice and my gloves and grips were just as bad if not worse. Just to
add insult to injury, my clutch-side grip glue let go and, once water and
mud got in there, my grip began spinning freely. It didn't do my arm pump
any favors - that's for sure.
As we were crossing a yet another impassible mud hole, the Suzuki DR was in
front of me and I noticed him leaving a slick in the water behind his bike.
I figured he had a gas leak or a carb malfunction, but turns out he smashed
his case. He hit something and was left with a 1/2" hole in the bottom of
his motor on the right side. Serious bummer. As luck would have it, we
were only about 1/8 mile from a Supermarket off the trail - and it was
mostly downhill. We pushed the injured DR4 there, where pickup arrangements
could be made.
Team Kawasaki and I forged on toward a sandpit - our eventual destination -
through some classic New England woods trails. Tight and rocky and rooty -
just the way I like them. There was lots of mud and water there too - but
that much is obvious. Just before the pit, we came upon a really brutal
water crossing - at least 2 1/2 to 3 ft. deep (even deeper in spots) and
about 50 or so feet across. There were also hidden logs and rocks on the
bottom - as is typical. We all made it, though one guy stalled in a hole
and leaked water somewhere - but only had to change a plug. He did have
water spraying from his exhaust upon re-start though. Note: Silicone your
pipe-motor interface fitting. Also: An XR400 is way better for crossing mud
pits and water than any of the stink-wheels around - torque is king.
Once arriving at the pit, the 2-smokes played around a bit. I spent most of
the time trying to get my clutch hand to start working again and sucking
down water from my Camelbak. I think my left forearm was almost twice it's
normal size. After about a 1/2 hour playing in the sand, we took off on the
return trip. The first obsticle - the big water crossing again. Rider #1
got totally buried in mud and it took 3 people to get the bike out. Riders
#2 - #4 all took the same line through the shallowest part (only 2 1/2 ft.
deep most of the way). That line unfortunately also led over a submerged
log that dropped into a hole that just about dumped each guy. Lots of
swimming and walking shreeking 2-strokes and all 4 were across. Rider #5 (a
KDX 200) went for the same line and lost it going over the log and swamped
his bike. I brought up the rear by riding across right down the middle and
had no problem - I didn't even have to dismount in the middle this time.
After about a half hour of pumping water out of the KDX and kicking, we got
the thing going and were on our way.
The return ride was much faster - not only has my perspective on riding
through 3 ft. deep water has been permanently changed, but I think most of
us were also affected to some degree - probably by surviving the hole that
drowned the KDX. I thought it was funny how the same mud and water holes
that has us stopped and picking thorough on the way out became simply
dropping a gear and leaning back. According to my calculations, we averaged
almost twice the average speed on the return trip as going out. Those power
lines were really sweet. I wish I could've held onto my bike better on the
way back though - I was dying to really wick it up in some spots, but the
lack of handlebar control kept the pucker factor in effect. Twice I almost
fell off my bike on hillclimbs, as my bike was so slippery I almost slid
right off the back. Picture trying to ride a bucking greased pig up a 40
degree rock bed at 25MPH - yeesh. I did go down once when the bars popped
out of my hands after clipping a rock. Nothing serious though - just
another chance to take a break while lying half buried in the mud.
It took me over an hour with a scrub brush to get the goo off of my bike - I
even had to break down and take off my bash plate to get everything out. As
I speak, my gear is in the wash on it's second go-around (third, if you
count the hose before my wife would let me bring it in the house). I think
those bright yellow sidepanels on my Sinisalos are history ;). My bike's
brakes on both ends are toast too. Amazing - after over 1500 trail miles, I
still had almost 3/4 pad thickness left. 40 miles of goo yesterday and
*poof*... gone. Hell of a lot better than that guy on the Suzuki though -
poor bastard.
All in all a great ride and I had a blast. The DRN crew was nice and the
lead rider (another guy named Jay) picked quite the route with no wimps
allowed!!
Jay
'98 XR400
Brian McGarry
Jay C wrote:
> The DRN NH Spodefest 2000, publicized on Dirtrider.net, occured this
> Sunday - I was there and I survived.
snip: Story of men and machines, fighting the best mother nature has.
Held readers interest to the end.
Final score: Men and Machines 6, Mother Nature 1.
> Jay
> '98 XR400
trl...@netzero.net
{snip great write-up!}
: lack of handlebar control kept the pucker factor in effect. Twice I almost
: fell off my bike on hillclimbs, as my bike was so slippery I almost slid
: right off the back. Picture trying to ride a bucking greased pig up a 40
: degree rock bed at 25MPH - yeesh. I did go down once when the bars popped
: out of my hands after clipping a rock. Nothing serious though - just
: another chance to take a break while lying half buried in the mud.
Woohoo! I know that feeling. That's exactly what happened to me
and my DR at the Fools Gold. Everything was so slippery that when I
twisted the throttle, sometimes one hand would just slip off.
--
Scott Aldrich
Dave Dude
wrote:
>Note to all, Now this is how you write a ride report, great story Jay
>
>Jay C wrote:
>
>> The DRN NH Spodefest 2000, publicized on Dirtrider.net, occured this
>> Sunday - I was there and I survived.
>
>snip: Story of men and machines, fighting the best mother nature has.
> Held readers interest to the end.
> Final score: Men and Machines 6, Mother Nature 1.
>
>> Jay
>> '98 XR400
>
You might could look at it a different way. Stink wheels--five out of
five. Bloated Whale Pig thumpers--only one out of two. It was a good
report though.
Dave Dude
96yz250-Sweet Wheels
Jay C
> >
> You might could look at it a different way. Stink wheels--five out of
> five. Bloated Whale Pig thumpers--only one out of two. It was a good
> report though.
I was thinking more like:
Kawasaki: 100% survival
Honda: 100% survival
Suzuki: 0% survival
Yamaha: too scared to show up ;)
Jay
Jay C
news:39299845$0$88...@news.execpc.com...
> Note to all, Now this is how you write a ride report, great story Jay
Thank you.
Jay
HOSEHEAD
>
> The DRN NH Spodefest 2000, publicized on Dirtrider.net, occured this
> Sunday - I was there and I survived.
<snip excellent report>
Jay, excellent report. Sorry I could not make it. Next Time I will be
there as these guys want to do it again real soon.
jay...@my-deja.com
Jay but I must comment on your remark about the
XR4 being the best mud mount: there was a guy on
the ride (Mike) on a KDX who whooped all our
butts through the mud - he was the only guy who
didn't get stuck all day! Nothing against your
bike, I like XR4's, but it's hard to beat a KDX
through the rocks, roots and mud - JMHO.
Again, great ride report and it was good to meet
and ride with you. We will definitely have to do
it again.
Jay
In article <9jdW4.20936$g41.1369756@news-
west.usenetserver.com>,
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
jay...@my-deja.com
DRN New England Spodefest lead rider here. Jay, I really enjoyed
reading your ride report but I feel the need to comment on your remark
about the XR4 being the best mount for mud: were we at the same ride? I
must admit, although I usually pride myself on being pretty good in the
muck, I got buried a lot! I'd say poor line choice had more to do with
it than poor bike choice (I usually went first). Mike was another story
- this KDX mounted mad man ripped through the mud like it wasn't there
and he was the only one of us who never got stuck. I also remember the
XR4 leaving you halfway up the first technical hillclimb - before we
were wet! Now, I like XR4's but I think the KDX's come out on top in
the rocks, roots and mud - JMHO.
No offense intended, I'm just defending my ride! We all do that, don't
we?
Anyway, it was great to meet and ride with you and we should definitely
do it again... there were so many gnarly trails we didn't get a chance
to ride this time!
L8r
Jay
In article <9jdW4.20936$g41.1...@news-west.usenetserver.com>,
Dave Dude
Oooooh, North East Yamaha riders hear that? Jay C is callin you
out---?
The "Suzuki: 0% survival" is pretty funny- LOL!
Dave " t'aint skeered" Dude
96yz250
Jay C
> it than poor bike choice (I usually went first). Mike was another story
> - this KDX mounted mad man ripped through the mud like it wasn't there
> and he was the only one of us who never got stuck. I also remember the
> XR4 leaving you halfway up the first technical hillclimb - before we
> were wet! Now, I like XR4's but I think the KDX's come out on top in
> the rocks, roots and mud - JMHO.
First, Mike made the difference, not his bike... that guy could RIDE!!
Second, my biffing on the first hillclimb was purely caused by losing
momentum to avoid running into the back end of another one of those
stink-wheels in front of me... yea, that's it! IT WASN'T MY FAULT!!
Goddamn rocky hillclimbs ;).
Jay
Sean Phillips
wait,
you'll see me - I don't spend too much time lookin' back ;-)
- Sean
Jay C
> Jay - Nice one - kick me while I'm down. See ya' out on the trail! Oh
> wait,
> you'll see me - I don't spend too much time lookin' back ;-)
I feel shame.
Let us on RMD know how the repair goes and what you ended up doing to fix
your diesel pig. Any other collateral damage? Check out the DG Baja bash
plates like I have on my XR - they are vitrually indestructable. Oh yea,
crank in some rebound damping on your shock before you kill yourself.
See Ya (Don't worry, I don't mind looking back ;)
Jay
'98 XR400
MVCronk
<snip great ride report>
Hi Jay,
Thought you might be interested in the fact that while reading your
report, I was amazed at how similar it was to our ride last weekend.
Given the geographical differences, I thought it kinda cool.
I just love it when you wade out into a 200 foot pool, and you're the
first one in. There was one that was a sneaky bastard - it gave you
50 ft of smooth bottom, no submerged trees, and deep enough so your
front fender just above the water. Confidence builds............Poof!
under goes the front fender, confidence slips away and then you spot
the 2ft diameter nuggets hiding under the surface, everywhere.
Yiikees! Thankfully no submerged trees in this one - that would have
been truly ugly. Cleaned that one.
This is where I am thankful I have endless bottom end power on my CR5,
and I took the time to extend all my vent lines - to the top of my
helmut :-)
I really should write a ride report up........
Thanks for yours Jay.
Mark
92CR5 that sounds really cool when the exhaust is completely under
water. Liquid silencer.
Leav Home
>Sunday - I was there and I survived. There is a long-standing joke with the
>Trail Rider guys about taking people from other parts of the country on
>rides in New England.
Jay, are you keeping secrets from me? You should have told me about this.
Clough is open now, don't know when I'll be heading there, maybe the weekend
after this one. I have a race this Sunday so I have to practice on the tracks,
I'm 3rd place in 250 novice, gotta keep this going. Clough will be getting
ripped apart soon though. Keep in touch.
-Franky
00' CR250
Jay C
>
> Jay, are you keeping secrets from me? You should have told me about this.
> Clough is open now, don't know when I'll be heading there, maybe the
weekend
> after this one. I have a race this Sunday so I have to practice on the
tracks,
> I'm 3rd place in 250 novice, gotta keep this going. Clough will be getting
> ripped apart soon though. Keep in touch.
Sorry dude - my bad. I didn't get too motivated about the ride in the first
place since I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make it until that
morning (bachelor party the night before - adding an even more impressive
twist to my surviving the ride ;). Congrats on the racing spot BTW, keep up
the good work.
Jay
Slower than Francis, but if all else fails I can always sit on him.
Sean Phillips
> > Oh yea, crank in some rebound damping on your shock before you kill
> yourself.
What do you mean by this? If you have a valid suspension suggestion I will
listen. But mind you when you say in your report,
>Way too fast for me and my XR is set up just about perfectly
> opposite as it should for this type of terrain.
I wonder what your basis of suggestion is. I have been riding that Whoop
section that JVC took us on for a while. On our ride, I had no problem
keeping up with the leader there. I have spent some time adjusting my
suspension for the local terrian and feel this setting gives me the best
overall performance. So let me know why you think my rebound "is going to
kill <me>."
>Let us on RMD know how the repair goes and what you ended
>up doing to fix your diesel pig. Any other collateral damage?
The repair is going well, the clutch inner and outer casings were damaged.
The inner has been welded and the outer, I am procuring now. I am making my
own guards to protect the outer covers as none of the current aftermarket
offerings seem to cover the spot that took the hit on my bike.
Mike W.
<sea...@speakeasy.org> wrote:
>Jay - kidding aside,
>
>> > Oh yea, crank in some rebound damping on your shock before you kill
>> yourself.
>
>What do you mean by this? If you have a valid suspension suggestion I will
>listen.
About once a quarter, Jay hits the ground so hard he changes the orbit
of the Earth... it's probably a combination of setup and riding style
(it would be rude to say "judgement" here so I won't:). Hell... when I
feel a vibration on the weekend, I'll wonder if it's Jay for the rest
of my life!
Mike
Mike W.
96 XR400
BRC, AMA, NETRA
Jay C
> Jay - kidding aside,
>
> > > Oh yea, crank in some rebound damping on your shock before you kill
> > yourself.
>
> What do you mean by this? If you have a valid suspension suggestion I
will
My observation is based partly on your bike's behavior on the Rockingham
trail. While you were definately hauling ass on that run (faster than I
wanted to go - I got to hang back and watch), the rear of your bike
occasionally over-bounced and began swapping - a couple of times pretty
badly - enough to made me nervous. It obviously came back each time, but
definately was too busy for my tastes. The rear of your bike was also
pretty lively in the rocky areas - a few clicks of additional rebound
damping will quiet that down considerably and make the bike much more
controllable and faster in the rocks.
OTOH, I read in a bike rag this weekend that the dual-sport DR400 doesn't
have a rebound adjustment on the shock. If that is really the case, you
have no recourse.
Jay
Jay C
>
> About once a quarter, Jay hits the ground so hard he changes the orbit
> of the Earth... it's probably a combination of setup and riding style
> (it would be rude to say "judgement" here so I won't:).
Uhhh, what exactly are you trying to say here, Mike?
Jay
Jeff Deeney
: I wonder what your basis of suggestion is. I have been riding that Whoop
: section that JVC took us on for a while. On our ride, I had no problem
: keeping up with the leader there. I have spent some time adjusting my
: suspension for the local terrian and feel this setting gives me the best
: overall performance. So let me know why you think my rebound "is going to
: kill <me>."
We become experts at compensating. I once rode for 2 days with a fork
damper rod that had come completely loose. Sure, I noticed extra
deflection off rocks, but I thought it was just my riding style.
If I could get someone to video tape me riding thru a rocky section, I
would learn more about my suspension behaviour that I would riding for
hours.
-Jeffrey Deeney- DoD#0498 NCTR UTMA BRC COHVCO AMA
j...@fc.hp.com '85 XT600-Willy '88 XR600-Shamu '99 ATK 260LQ-Stink Wheels
We don't stop riding because we get old, we get old because we stop riding.
Mike W.
Hope that clarifies things:)
Mike
>
>Jay
Sean Phillips
couple and see if it makes any difference.
Jay C
> Compression damping is fixed, rebound is adjustable.
Really? I'd double check that - that would be a VERY unusual combination.
Jay