RLRR, a real live ride report

 

I'm way behind on ride reports, which is good because that means I've
been riding--as scrape aptly put it, doing my part to help global
warming. I've been through a spell of Hope and Change. Hope to ride a
lot, and making the Changes to do just that.

[you can also read this with photos embedded at
http://hwdinc.posterous.com/rlrr-a-real-live-ride-report ]

My wife and I have been riding together more and more, and she's
having a lot of fun with it. We stay on dirt roads for the most part
and she's learning a lot. She's been riding the ol' YZ80, a bike that
has an amazingly luggable engine (for a small-bore 2 stroke :) but it
desperately needed a top end replacement. I dug out my box of parts
and found to my surprise I'd stockpiled all the parts, and then
forgotten about it. Yee-hah.

The crank bearings felt tight. This is an easy motor to work on.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4055129068_b8b2aed015_b.jpg

The cylinder slipped over the new piston pretty easily--there's only
one ring on this guy.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4055129068_b8b2aed015.jpg


I'd been planning a trip to Santa Barbara to ride the 2 remaining
offroad routes left in that scenic county but the Pup (who now lives
there) had too much school-work to go riding last weekend, so I
scanned the maps for a closer place and decided on Georgetown area in
the El Dorado National Forest. It's pretty close, about 3 hours at
trailer speed (thanks, CHP, for reminding me of our designated vehicle
speed laws).

I'd competed in an enduro there once and had a helluva time dealing
with muddy switchbacks that kept putting me on the ground and a branch
that knocked me down and left a nice bruise and me gasping for
breath...good times. Let's hit it.

It took most of the day to finish prepping the bikes and pack and we
made it to our destination at the end of the day. We found a perfect
spot to camp alongside Rock Creek Road, made a quick dinner, and I was
sawing logs by 9:30 that night. I sleep the best when we're out
camping. The silence, the stars, an exponential decrease in the amount
of things I can be responsible for. It's a sudden immersion in a
direct way of life. It is peaceful.

The next morning I was sitting in the trailer working on my second cup
of coffee studying the topo maps and playing with the GPS.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/4055129374_09a4db1e86_b.jpg

I could hear something, faint, in the background. Is it raining? No.
What is that sound. tink...tink...tink...slowly getting louder. I step
outside and wait, sounds like...livestock??? Guess what?! I got a
fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4055137858_61bc79caf6_b.jpg

This small herd of 10 or so cattle "followed" us around all weekend.
Except for the calves, they all had a big leather collar with a bell
and as far as I could tell were on their own in the forest. I ran into
them later that day when I was exploring some single track, then they
got back to the road and we crossed paths again. About 30 minutes
after this photo was taken they came tearing back down the road at
full speed because a hiker was in the way...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4054396205_ea123deccc_b.jpg

Had a great breakfast (we always eat well when we camp!) and it was
time to explore.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/4054387655_b87a26744c_b.jpg

We rode down Rock Creek Road, exploring side trails and interesting
places all day, about 30 miles worth. We eventually made it just to
the edge of Pollack Pines, a little town next to Placerville. Along
the way we passed a homestead that I swear had the strains of Dueling
Banjos playing as we rode by. Rode by a few mine claims, looked pretty
new and probably encouraged by gold at $1000+ an ounce, several
creeks, so much forest that you enjoyed an open area without trees so
you could look outside for a change. We saw three other small groups
of riders the entire weekend--all of us were enjoying a little slice
of heaven that weekend. Perfect traction from rain the weekend before,
temps in the 60's, and plenty of places to explore. 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/4055130180_0eea88f3fd_b.jpg


When we got back to Camp Cowbells, I left Julie with a cup of hot tea
and a good book while I went out to putt around some of the single
track. The area is rich with fun little goat trails that wander in and
out of the creek banks and forest. The biggest drawback is that it is
very easy to get lost. A trail map and a gps are the best way to
navigate; I had a gps, but no trail map. Even with some good new topo
maps loaded, the small trails don't show up. Two of the groups I
talked to had been lost at some point during the day, and they were
both led by riders who'd been riding in the area for years. I rode up
a tricky little root and mud trail, and after about a half mile
decided it wasn't too smart to be out here by myself. I headed back,
and did a little more exploring on some of the more open trails. Had a
blast shooting over the water bars, pitching it in the turns. I'm
pretty fast when I'm by myself...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4054393629_2cb6766f00_b.jpg

I made it back to camp. It had been a good day. Good riding, good
food, good company, and I scared myself just enough to make me glad to
be alive. 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/4055137306_07284ddff4_b.jpg

Can you tell what I'm laughing about? Here's a clue:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/4054396441_949f9fbf99.jpg

It was nearing the end of the day. Built a fire ring, cooked some
steaks, started the fire and waited for the stars to show. This was a
good day.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4055137620_0371350496_b.jpg

--
Charles
'99 YZ250

 


Great news, Charles!


Hey, that's a cool thing! I might have to get me one.


It always blew me away when I realized that the piston rocketing me
around at break-neck speeds was smaller than a can of tomato paste.
80's are huge fun. And that's a sweet looking YZ!


D'oh! Didja get a performance award?


Well, I hope you enjoyed your enduro experience there, as it will
probably be your last one. The Center for Biological Diversity is at
it again and has convinced the USFS to not renew the 5-year event
permit. Bastards...


Funny how that is; Eric and I both sleep better in the van or our tent
than we do at home. It could have something to do with having 3 less
cats on the bed...


That's it! No phones, no one knocking on the door...you've hit the
nail on the head.


Now you know why we spend an average of 70 nights per year camping <G>
It's a soul-cleansing endeavor, for sure.




Funny how they'll run like mad from a hiker but they'll just
obstinately stand in the way when we want to pass by on our
motorcycles. Cows really are dumb.


We always eat better when camping than we do at home. It's
embarrassing at the grocery store, though, as my basket is filled with
decadent food and garbage like wine, chips, dip stuff, cookies,
steaks, peanuts, sodas (which we never drink at home) pretzels,
pastries, etc. I always feel the need to explain that we're going
camping and that these are not my normal grocery purchases <G> I'd
probably drop a few pounds by staying home more often.


LOL!  Why is it that I'm world champion only when no one is around to
witness it?

Nice looking trails. It's been far too long since I've been there.


Sounds like a perfect weekend to me!


Whoa! You weren't kidding...you really *are* fast when you're by
yourself! LOL!


Awesome report, Charles! Glad to hear you and Julie are having a good
time riding together.
Thanks for taking the time to add the photos, too.

 

In article


Thanks for taking the time to read it. Dang, that took a lot of time
to put together! That adv place sets a pretty high standard...

--
Charles
'99 YZ250

 

In article


It didn't happen this trip, but yes I am now a proud graduate of the
Pit Stop Traffic Violators School and Discount House of Religion.

--
Charles
'99 YZ250

 

you said the new piston only has one ring?  that be a Wiseco replacement of
factory part?  I did that with a trials bike (Yamaha ty80), that ring don't
last very long...  the factory piston was only a few bucks more (we found
out later and it pissed me off, because the factory had 2 rings.).  hope you
have better luck.  But I am just asking if this was the case.