Elkins Flat ride report
Mike Baxter
returning my 3 rail trailer. They invited me to go with them to
Elkins Flat on Sunday. Skipping ahead past the rude "no over-sleeping
excuses allowed e-mail, I woke them about 20 minutes before they
wanted to rise and shine, which was 4:45 AM. :-) After arriving at
their place we transferred my stuff to the van and I snagged a cup of
coffee and we were off in no time with Eric at the wheel of the mighty
white van. We used my trailer to haul my bike. We stopped at Dennys
on the way there to fuel our bodies for the days ride. We saw lots of
bikes and quads on the way there thinking it might be a busy weekend.
When we pulled in there was one truck with large trailer parked at
Elkins Flat and nothing else.
Conditions when we arrived were pretty damn good. It was somewhere
around 35 degrees with lots of moisture on the ground. Any hole,
whoop section or rut had standing water, but that was just fine by me.
I wore my Gortex riding pants and my Activent enduro jacket along with
a couple layers of stuff underneath. We took off down the trail and
when we stopped to figure out where to go next, we found the maps were
back in the van. No problem, we rode around figuring we would find
our way back eventually. The trails we pretty good. Some areas were
slick and some areas were fantastic. We all rode at a fun pace. I
did manage to crash early on while following Eric. It was a slow get
off in the rocks, but I managed to not fall on any rocks. :-)
Later in the ride we came to an intersection with a nice log that we
could practice log crossings on. We did this for a while with Tami
doing most of the riding. I think she did a great job crossing the
log and she only fell over once. It's a good thing that we practiced,
because the next trail Eric took us down had a bunch of log crossings.
My trials bike has made me much better at log crossings, so I kinda
like them. As we made our up the trail I noticed bike bars felt
wield. Turns out my bar clamps had loosened in the triple clamp
allowing the bars to move a couple millimeters. The last time I had
touched those bolts is at least 1.5 years ago. Of coarse, I don't
have the proper tool in my tool kit to tighten the ny-lock nuts.
Actually, nobody does. The top triple clamp has so little clearance,
that a std. 14mm socket wont fit. So I had to remove the bars and use
a wrench and a large adj. wrench and just make do. It worked out OK,
but I'm buying longer bolts and using a collar so that I can tighten
them on the trail if needed again. On the way back down the log
infested trail, Tami let me try the Pampera over a decent size log
that I crossed on my bike. I didn't use enough throttle and ended up
falling over. No worries. The Pampera is so light and never stalls,
so I was up and over with only minimal crap being slung from the
sister I never wanted. We finally made it back to the van after back
tracking on a few trails and using the road for a couple miles.
Back at the van I tried to tighten the clamps a little better, but I
don't think did anything other annoy myself. We decided to ride a
little more and Eric and Tami picked out trail #25 which was 15 miles
long. Cool, so I hurried putting my bike back together and we were
off again. Trail #25 is well used, so it's whooped out and has ruts
in lots of areas. It was a very wet 15 miles! The water from the
puddles was kinda warm compared to the air temperature, so our feet
actually warmed up a little. Eric, really started riding good and I
had a good time chasing him. When we stopped for intersections, Tami
would ride up with a huge grin on her face. That grin wasn't nearly
as big during the last few miles of the ride. It sure was fun out
there. I even got a new nickname. Sponge Bob! Tami can tell you
why.
On the way back, we were all HUNGRY!!! Tami is talking about food
non-stop and I threatened her with violence if she didn't shut up. We
skipped the 88 burger joint and Mel's diner. Too Busy. We ended up
eating at Perko's in Jackson. I was about ready to knaw my arm off,
so I could have eaten tofu and been OK with it.
So that's it in my limited non detail oriented ride report style.
Mike Baxter
PymerOne
"Mike Baxter" <mgb...@comcast.net> schreef in bericht
news:f1katv481lds0lcfe...@4ax.com...
Fine report of a great day-in-the-dirt!!!
Thnxx for sharing.
Grtz, P1
WoodsChick
> I was talking with Tami and Eric on Saturday when they called me about
> returning my 3 rail trailer. They invited me to go with them to
> Elkins Flat on Sunday. Skipping ahead past the rude "no over-sleeping
> excuses allowed e-mail, I woke them about 20 minutes before they
> wanted to rise and shine, which was 4:45 AM. :-)
Jerk... We had gone to the Indoor Trials Championship event at the Cow
Palace the night before and had gotten to bed about 12:30am. That
phone call came waaaay too f'ing early. The funny thing is, it got
recorded on my answering machine and I listened to it after the ride.
I didn't even recognize my own (sleepy) voice.
> After arriving at
> their place we transferred my stuff to the van and I snagged a cup of
> coffee and we were off in no time with Eric at the wheel of the mighty
> white van. We used my trailer to haul my bike. We stopped at Dennys
> on the way there to fuel our bodies for the days ride. We saw lots of
> bikes and quads on the way there thinking it might be a busy weekend.
> When we pulled in there was one truck with large trailer parked at
> Elkins Flat and nothing else.
>
Yeah, that was crazy. Almost perfect conditions, with a little bit of
fluffy snow and some painful ice pellet episodes, but we only saw 2
other riders all day. And we only saw `em once. Buncha pansy-ass
fair-weather riders we got around here...
> Conditions when we arrived were pretty damn good. It was somewhere
> around 35 degrees with lots of moisture on the ground. Any hole,
> whoop section or rut had standing water, but that was just fine by me.
> I wore my Gortex riding pants and my Activent enduro jacket along with
> a couple layers of stuff underneath. We took off down the trail and
> when we stopped to figure out where to go next, we found the maps were
> back in the van.
Uh, yeah, that was...Eric's fault. I always carry the maps in my
pockets, but *this* time it was Eric's responsibility. Honest...
Besides, if I, er, I mean *he* hadn't forgotten the maps, we never
would've found the Trail of 1,000 Logs, and that was one fun trail.
> No problem, we rode around figuring we would find
> our way back eventually. The trails we pretty good. Some areas were
> slick and some areas were fantastic. We all rode at a fun pace. I
> did manage to crash early on while following Eric. It was a slow get
> off in the rocks, but I managed to not fall on any rocks. :-)
>
> Later in the ride we came to an intersection with a nice log that we
> could practice log crossings on. We did this for a while with Tami
> doing most of the riding. I think she did a great job crossing the
> log and she only fell over once.
That was fun! Mike's a good teacher. Eric stood there wondering why I
listened closely to every word Mike said, when anything *he* has to
say to me immediately goes in one ear (usually the deaf one...) and
out the other. The funny thing about that whole log-crossing thing was
that I did it a zillion times and only fell once, and then when we
started doing a little cross-country stuff to get to a trail, I tried
to ride over a twig about 3" in diameter and slammed to the ground in
a heap. Guess I bettter stick to the harder stuff from now on.
> It's a good thing that we practiced,
> because the next trail Eric took us down had a bunch of log crossings.
> My trials bike has made me much better at log crossings, so I kinda
> like them. As we made our up the trail I noticed bike bars felt
> wield. Turns out my bar clamps had loosened in the triple clamp
> allowing the bars to move a couple millimeters. The last time I had
> touched those bolts is at least 1.5 years ago. Of coarse, I don't
> have the proper tool in my tool kit to tighten the ny-lock nuts.
> Actually, nobody does. The top triple clamp has so little clearance,
> that a std. 14mm socket wont fit. So I had to remove the bars and use
> a wrench and a large adj. wrench and just make do. It worked out OK,
> but I'm buying longer bolts and using a collar so that I can tighten
> them on the trail if needed again. On the way back down the log
> infested trail, Tami let me try the Pampera over a decent size log
> that I crossed on my bike.
Ok, let me tell you how it *really* was, ok? We'd come to a downed
tree and Baxter and then Eric would go over it and they would
immediately stop and look back to watch me go over it. Eric surely was
thinking, "Man, I hope she doesn't fall. I don't wanna have to help
her." Baxter was thinking, "Man, I hope she doesn't want to do it so
*I* can ride it over." He was having a blast throwing my bike around
like it was nothing. Just so y'all know, I didn't fall over one log
crossing (`cept for the practice log) all day. And the ones where
Baxter rode it over, where I would have fallen way down the hill and
off the trail if I'd blown it on the sharply angled downed tree? Well,
I only let Baxter ride it `cuz I know he was really wanting to do it
<G> ok, back to Baxter' story:
>I didn't use enough throttle and ended up
> falling over.
Highlight of my day, folks. Usually I'm not close enough to witness
his get-offs.
> No worries. The Pampera is so light and never stalls,
> so I was up and over with only minimal crap being slung from the
> sister I never wanted.
Hey, I had to sling a little bit of crap your way. Like I said, it
ain't every day I get to witness an act of such high spodely caliber
from you. I enjoyed it tremendously. Thanks! You put a scratch in my
plastic, though. I trust you're going to replace it?
> We finally made it back to the van after back
> tracking on a few trails and using the road for a couple miles.
>
> Back at the van I tried to tighten the clamps a little better, but I
> don't think did anything other annoy myself.
Um, it annoyed me, too. My feet were beginning to freeze and I was
anxious to get in the last 15-mile loop.
> We decided to ride a
> little more and Eric and Tami picked out trail #25 which was 15 miles
> long. Cool, so I hurried putting my bike back together and we were
> off again. Trail #25 is well used, so it's whooped out and has ruts
> in lots of areas. It was a very wet 15 miles! The water from the
> puddles was kinda warm compared to the air temperature, so our feet
> actually warmed up a little. Eric, really started riding good and I
> had a good time chasing him. When we stopped for intersections, Tami
> would ride up with a huge grin on her face.
That section is always fun, especially the little twisty uphill
section at the end there before the fire road. It would have been alot
more fun (i.e. faster) had I gone with a different tire choice. The
trials tire was great on the wet rocks and roots and downed trees, but
it was hell on this lower, wetter, muddier loop. It was weird, I could
still climb with it, but couldn't stop or go slow on downhills to save
my life. It would just slide in the mud. Add in that almost
non-existant front knobby, and I felt more like I was skiing rather
than riding. It was still big fun, tho.
> That grin wasn't nearly
> as big during the last few miles of the ride.
Well, I figured if I was going to go as slow as I was, I would take
the opportunity to work on some stuff that I usually don't
*consciously* think about when riding hard. Ya know, weighting the
proper footpeg, looking as far ahead as possible, body position, etc.
Well, I was standing on the pegs taking a tight muddy turn and just
moved the bars out of the way to avoid hitting a tree. I hit the tree
with my footpeg and rear brake lever instead and damn near went down.
I didn't realize it was as close as it was. It tweaked my left wrist
and it ended up hurting quite a bit. I had slammed it against the
footboard the night before so it was already a little sore, and the
wet cold wasn't helping any either. I was still having fun, I just
didn't want to hold onto the bars anymore.
> It sure was fun out
> there. I even got a new nickname. Sponge Bob! Tami can tell you
> why.
>
We saw no other tracks out there all day. Ours were the only ones we
saw. I had no trouble telling Baxter's and Eric's tracks apart. Eric
is very fluid and graceful, a remnant of his road racing days. Mike is
a maniac and squares off *every* turn. Wide or tight, high-speed or
slow, bermed or off-camber, rocky, muddy, snowy, whatever; doesn't
matter. Every single turn in front of me had a squared off track in
it. I tried to follow them and do the same but of course, the Pampera
isn't really made for busting out of turns like that. Besides, I was
already wet, I didn't feel like falling down and getting muddy, too. I
called him Spongemike Squaretrail.
> On the way back, we were all HUNGRY!!! Tami is talking about food
> non-stop and I threatened her with violence if she didn't shut up. We
> skipped the 88 burger joint and Mel's diner. Too Busy. We ended up
> eating at Perko's in Jackson. I was about ready to knaw my arm off,
> so I could have eaten tofu and been OK with it.
>
I don't know if we were really hungry, or if Perko's was really that
good, but that dinner was excellent. Killer hot chocolate, too.
Mmm...I think we were just really hungry...
> So that's it in my limited non detail oriented ride report style.
>
If I'd written it first, it would have been 3 times as long. Good job,
Mike.
Oh, by the way, be thankful we couldn't figure out how to use your
million dollar digital camera. We were wanting to take some photos
with it. Think
"Jay C."
> Mike Baxter
Tami-
The Cooks
I thoroughly enjoyed your ride report, Mike. (and Tami)
Jim
(On Deb's Computer)
"99 Gas Gas EC274 (Sweet Baby)
www.smackovermotorsports.com
DirtCrashr
>Thank you!
>I thoroughly enjoyed your ride report, Mike. (and Tami)
Me too, I'm jealous.
-k
dirtfirst
> returning my 3 rail trailer. They invited me to go with them to
> Elkins Flat on Sunday.
Did you folks take any pictures? Elkins Flat is one of my favorite
riding areas but I had written it off until next spring.
DF
WoodsChick
Well, whyn'tcha dust off that dirtbike of yours and go with us sometime?
You *do* still have a real dirtbike, don't you?
> -k
Tami-
WoodsChick
> Mike Baxter <mgb...@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<f1katv481lds0lcfe...@4ax.com>...
> > I was talking with Tami and Eric on Saturday when they called me about
> > returning my 3 rail trailer. They invited me to go with them to
> > Elkins Flat on Sunday.
>
> Did you folks take any pictures?
Yeah, we took a few where the trail crosses the river and there's all
that solid rock across the bottom. The only problem is that they're on
the "trail" camera and it'll be awhile before I get `em up and
viewable. We should have taken more photos of all the trees and logs.
There were a ton of `em.
> Elkins Flat is one of my favorite riding areas but I had written it off until > next spring.
Hmmm...you must be one of those pansy-ass fair-weather riders I was
talking about <G> Really, though, it was almost close to perfect. A
little more standing water than I would have liked, but all in all,
epic conditions for December. It looks like it might have been the
last good weekend up there for awhile. Maybe Stonyford next weekend...
> DF
Tami-
DirtCrashr
>> Me too, I'm jealous.
>
>Well, whyn'tcha dust off that dirtbike of yours and go with us sometime?
>You *do* still have a real dirtbike, don't you?
>
>> -k
>
>Tami-
I'm busy job hunting? Yeh the KTM seems fine, even has a fat new tire
on the back. I just can't get away so easily the way you guys
do/can/appear to, but the current arm problem is going away.
-keith
dirtfirst
> talking about
Actually, I'm going riding at Hollister this morning then motorcycle
hunting this afternoon in boulder Creek. I just figured that Elkins
Flat was covered in snow by now and somewhat impassible. Wet dirt
doesn't bother me at all.
DF
Jay C
> Actually, I'm going riding at Hollister this morning then motorcycle
> hunting this afternoon in boulder Creek.
When you do motorcycle hunting, do you eat them, or just leave them there to
rot?
Jay
WoodsChick
> > Hmmm...you must be one of those pansy-ass fair-weather riders I was
> > talking about
>
> Actually, I'm going riding at Hollister this morning then motorcycle
> hunting this afternoon in boulder Creek.
If you happen to spot a lowered CRF250 out in the woods, will you bag
it for me?
> I just figured that Elkins
> Flat was covered in snow by now and somewhat impassible. Wet dirt
> doesn't bother me at all.
> DF
I tend to talk a lot of shit in my posts sometimes, and the <G> means
I'm kidding. I don't *really* think you're a pansy-ass fair-weather
rider <G>
And you weren't alone in thinking it would be snowed in. I'm certain
that's why we had the place to ourselves. We had driven right by the
Omo Ranch cut-off the previous Tuesday and it looked primo. Lots of
snow blowing around as we crested the pass, and on down to about
6,000' or so. I figured Elkin's Flat would still be good. Glad I was
right.
How was Hollister today?
Tami-
XR650L_Dave
> So that's it in my limited non detail oriented ride report style.
>
> Mike Baxter
A nice day in the dirt... is there any better kind?
Someday I'll have a ride out of new-england, just so I can see what
its like to ride more than a few miles in one direction without
hitting a road, or a house, or a police station...
-Dave
The Cooks
Wudi6 Feb 28 & 29 (plus some)
Come roost in some Southern terrain.
dirtfirst
Today I bagged a 1978 Husqvarna 390 amx which is an automatic. It is
in pretty cherry condition and should be a nice addition to my
collection. Hollister was still pretty slick after the last rain but
should be in top shape by tomorrow. Peat's Path was good until the
uphill sections which were quite challenging. Momentum is the key. On
one hill I killed the engine and started again only to spin as my rear
tire is half gone. I then backed into a rain rut and hooked up
immediately. Ruts can be your friend too. All in all it was a good day
and the Nyquil is starting to work so I'm off to bed.
DF
XR650L_Dave
Ohhhh yeah I've been eyeballing that... started having palpitations as
soon as I read about it. This year doesn't look good, but next year
I'll probably be ummmm... less encumbered and able to attend.
I've decided that riding is going to be a part of my life again, and
if someone thinks that's stupid, I can't change their mind, but that
doesn't mean I'll not do something that's important to me.
-Dave
spodely
"XR650L_Dave" <spamT...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:5eafeac.03121...@posting.google.com...
> Ohhhh yeah I've been eyeballing that... started having palpitations as
> soon as I read about it. This year doesn't look good, but next year
> I'll probably be ummmm... less encumbered and able to attend.
> I've decided that riding is going to be a part of my life again, and
> if someone thinks that's stupid, I can't change their mind, but that
> doesn't mean I'll not do something that's important to me.
> -Dave
So, did you get rid of a wife recently? Divorce, not kill...
John
XR650L_Dave
> Spodely John wrote:
> So, did you get rid of a wife recently? Divorce, not kill...
>
> John
It looks like its heading that way, but the spousal unit won't
shit-or-git, so I'm left with trying to figure out if I should wait
for her to figure things out or go for the pre-emptive strike. The
only reason I'm not is if she decides she does want to work on things,
that'll be lots better for the boys who are 7 & 8.
I MET her while I was on a motorcycle, but now she wants to know why I
won't grow up and quit riding dirtbikes. I think all the women that
don't think that way are already posters here on RMD.
Sorry for the rant
-Dave
.
spodely
> It looks like its heading that way, but the spousal unit won't
> shit-or-git, so I'm left with trying to figure out if I should wait
> for her to figure things out or go for the pre-emptive strike. The
> only reason I'm not is if she decides she does want to work on things,
> that'll be lots better for the boys who are 7 & 8.
> I MET her while I was on a motorcycle, but now she wants to know why I
> won't grow up and quit riding dirtbikes. I think all the women that
> don't think that way are already posters here on RMD.
> Sorry for the rant
> -Dave
> .
No need to be sorry. I'm sorry. It was just a guess. I hope you're able
to work things out And tell her that none of the rest of us have grown up,
either. Well, on second thought, don't do that.
John
The Cooks
I don't know if you've seen this before or not, but I will repeat
myself for your benefit (I hope).
My first ex-wife told me to choose between her and motorcycles.
(Please do not get the wrong idea. This is not a suggestion for what
I think you should do.)
Grow up. Hehe. I'll be 51 next Friday. I'll never grow up, if
growing up means not riding. (People just think I'm an a$$hole now.
If I couldn't get my riding fix every once in a while, I'd be a REAL
a$$hole.)
XR650L_Dave
Yeah, I don't know how I did a coupla years without riding the
dirtbike regularly. Oh yeah, regular 130mph jaunts on the Seca900 on
the way to work. Twisty paved farm roads with lots jumps. See, I did
grow up- doing 130MPH, bad... doing 20mph in woods, good!
-Dave (man, I've got lotsa riding to do!)