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.

more updates…

 

one of the jumps thru Brewster Park.

Since the past post, the roads and trails have dried out even more. No longer are there big snow banks in Brewster Park or on Lost Trail Creek. So far, we’ve made it to the top of Timber Hill, and to the forks of Lost Trail Creek…

 

Now, our problem isn’t snow banks… At least, not directly in our path. But the creeks still have their spring swell, and the larger creeks and river are nearly impossible to cross come afternoon (especially considering KTMs and Super Sherpa’s don’t swim!).

 

As far as sleds, they’re obviously parked in their places for the summer. Apart from repairs, hopefully I’ll be able to get more mods done….

Different bikes, different styles

As I mentioned in “Riding Brewster Park”, I ride a two-stroke KTM. Part of why I love it is because it’s got a snappy powerband – without being too uncontrollable.

 

Although it does get a little tiring on long days, I personally like a quick-moving bike for the trails and jeep roads. It may not get you there faster, but the ability to pop the front tire over obstacles is not only fun, but useful in some cases. (Ok, so maybe all fun…)

 

The two biggest downsides to riding a capable 2-stroke in the mountains, I feel, are having to premix gas for it, and having no engine braking capabilities. Although neither is a big problem, they both get tiresome – especially when you have to ride the brakes all the way down a mountain pass…

 

Then there’s my dad’s Kawasaki Super Sherpa. About the opposite of mine. Slow to rev up, mellow, and easy to ride (comparatively speaking). It gets around just as well as the KTM, just at a more even pace. That might have to do with the rider, though…

New helmet, and more riding…

In recent days, the final stages of spring thaw have come and passed. The ice on the reservoir has completely melted, and the roads have finished drying up. So we’re getting in quite a bit of riding in between school and work…

 

We also got to ride in the foothills of San Luis Valley last weekend, with some of our buddies. New country to ride in for me, but it’s definitely not new for my dad – who rode those same hills when he was about my age… I’m not complaining about the riding up here, but it was awesome to ride new country for a change.

 

As a continuation of Helmet Modifications, I finally got a brand new helmet! After many hours of online research, I decided on a 661 Flight helmet; unsurprisingly, it’s black… but it does have gold accents. Best of all, it fits me properly – which is something my old helmet hasn’t really done in a while…

 

Pictures of the helmet (and more riding) to come…