Racking up miles on two wheels…

 

The biggest waterbar on the road to Reagan Lake.

 

After getting my wheels back, and taking lots of smaller rides, we finally got in a decent 50-mile ride. 

Granted, the majority of those miles were on the open road. But we did get to go clear to Reagan Lake and back around to Sawmill Canyon. None of that terrain was challenging, so we were able to just cruise for most of the time – a welcome change from the technical trails.

Probably the best part was that it was uneventful. After being out for 6 or so weeks, it was good to just ride without worries or problems. Hopefully it stays that way for a while!

got my wheels back! (finally)

So between flat tires and self-destructing wheel bearings, i haven’t gotten to ride the KTM at all for the past 4 weeks or so… but i finally got it back together this week, and it’s going strong again. Good timing, considering we aren’t going to the ditch this week…. so hopefully we can get in some good big rides on two wheels.

I’m also breaking in a pair of motocross boots. they’re a far cry from the cowboy boots i had been riding dirtbikes in, but i feel quite a bit safer and more protected. Once I get a good amount of experience in them, i’ll let you all know how they work out…

I know i don’t have an excuse for not writing, but i thought i’d share what we’ve been doing the past several days…

The transcontinental ditch that we’ve been maintaining in the Weminuche Wilderness suffered a blowout this spring. So we had a lot of work to do filling in a washed out hole in the ditch. In two and half days of work, we moved about 6 or 7 tons of dirt and material by horse and hand (as in pick and shovel!), and got the hole mostly filled…

Pictures on my mom’s blog

So that was our first mission to “the Ditch” this year. We’ll be going up there throughout the summer, but it won’t be so urgent.

 

As far as sleds go.. i haven’t gotten around to do my “summer work” – aside from stickers (to make them go faster, of course!). At this point, i’ll probably stick to inexpensive (relatively!) mods, and preventative maintenance…

breakdowns, summer edition…

It seems like I’ve said this before… I need more preventive maintenance in between riding seasons. This time, it was my dirtbike, rather then my sled, that broke down right into the riding season.

 

Going into the season, I knew I needed new tires. They weren’t that worn out, so I figured I could run them for a while. Not the case when the front went flat. No problem, I’ll get new tires. When I took the rear wheel off, I noticed the bearings were loose. Cool, just order a new set of bearings, and put them on when I get them. No hurry. That was the mistake. They went out on the second ride with the new tires. While they were at it, they tore up a couple more parts, too.

 

So that’s a quick update. I’ve been out of riding for a couple weeks now, and I’ve still got some “ride-less” time ahead….

Dropping in

 

 

dropping.

 

I know i usually don’t put my poetry on here – considering this is about riding. But, when i have a poem that is directly about just that… i figure it’s appropriate. And i bet you didn’t think there was any deeper meaning in hucking yourself off of a 30 foot cornice….

 

The edge of the cornice closer now,

Senses keened, eyes wide,

Unaware of anything but motion,

Focused upon the task at hand.

 

These seconds I crave -

Tension, rush, and relief,

From the edge to the landing,

These are my wings.

 

This is the form taken,

The release for me,

When thought is provoked,

Cherished is the quiet absence of.

 

Perhaps it is only

When we think the least

That our minds are the clearest,

And that we are the most attentive.