Arizona (Jan. 2012)

[accadacca]

See how to embed Google Maps in your posts

Viewing on a mobile device? Click this link to open the map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=213347094909764048559.0004b717a698e0d1e3037&msa=0&ll=36.73118,-113.400879&spn=0.775932,1.783905

We had a great ride. Only a few hiccups. Couple flats and a crash that tore off a foot peg. I'll let the others fill in the blanks. 145 miles by the time we were done and DARK.

A few pics to get the thread started.

[Mtnseeker1]

Great day and one big ride.

These crazies started the ride off with a drop that most needed the help of others to get there bike down. Chete hit it like the pro he is with no help.
Then into a climb from hell that about half the group needed help to get over.
Then onto some great single track were I found a rock with my left foot peg and ripped it right off. I had just put a new kick stand on and I think that is the only thing that saved my baacon.
It give me the 1/4" of fresh thread to get the peg back on, Carried the kick stand in the pack the rest of the day.
Shortly after that we got our first flat of the group. I'll let the Honda boys explain just why there was no axle tool among them.

By far the best part of the ride was the first 15-20 miles or so.

After about the first 60 miles+- the boys keep asking me just were the heck I stashed the gas and how much further.

I assured them that it was either just around the next corner of not very far or both.
Truth was it was way the heck out there.
I think people were getting a bit nervous due to the time of day and the need to get the gas and head on.
I know I was.

The rest was smooth and fast untill about 15 miles +- from the end of the ride when the group suffered another flat.
My air filter had gotten plugged up with all the dust so at the last stop I just keep rolling due to not being sure if I could get my bike started again.

When the rest of the crew showed up with two riders on one bike I new we had not finished our day yet.

I'll let some of the others commit on this big long ride.

On a side note: I'm learning just what a fine line it is between ridding light and having the gear and tools needed for such a ride.

[accadacca]

A few more from Mark and Chet.

[accadacca]

Thanks for stashing the gas and helping to plan this ride Mtnseeker1. We need to get you up north this spring for some riding.

[Mtnseeker1]

Yahoo brother, I'm almost on my way. Just as soon as things up that way thaw a bit more.
The gas stash was no problem at all and I'm more than happy to do those kind of things that I can since I'm in the neighborhood.

[REDFOX]

Did anyone get a picture showing who is who and the motorcycles that they are riding ? I noticed a cr in one of the pics did he bring oil and a container to mix additional fuel ? Was this a marked trail ? "You guys looked like you were in some rugged country.

[accadacca]

We did bring a container to mix fuel. A collapsed milk carton.

List of riders:
@accadacca (Scott) KTM 530 EXC
@double moo (Mike) KTM 530 EXC
@Garbanzo (Mark) Yamaha WR 450
@Mtnseeker1 (Mark) Yamaha YZ 450 and Honda XR 650
@glasscutter (Mark) Honda CRF 250X
@(Chet) Honda CR 500R
@(Sterling) Yamaha YZ 450

[BruteForce]

I think I saw you guys driving in. The weather was fierce on Saturday.. or at least it was in Mesquite. 60+ mph winds and piercing rain. Thanks for the photos!

[accadacca]

I think I saw you guys driving in. The weather was fierce on Saturday.. or at least it was in Mesquite. 60+ mph winds and piercing rain. Thanks for the photos!

Oh yeah? We parked north of the 19th hole restaurant and staged from there. It was fierce at times, but mostly great. Having the sand packed down made it awesome.

It rained when we were unloading and then loading, but most of the ride just cloudy with sprinkles occasionally. Excellent really.

[REDFOX]

Nice write up and pictures. I wondered if Mark or someone would report if the crf250x was under powered for some of the hills and if Chet has some special gearing for his cr500 for this trip.

[Garbanzo]

Marks 250 seemed to do fine. He didn't try any of the big sand climbs, but only a few did. He had no problems getting anywhere. Chet's bike has enormous power and a brand new rear tire, so he was the big dog.

[homerj]

We did bring a container to mix fuel. A collapsed milk carton.

List of riders:
@accadacca (Scott) KTM 530 EXC
@double moo (Mike) KTM 530 EXC
@Garbanzo (Mark) Yamaha WR 450
@Mtnseeker1 (Mark) Yamaha YZ 450 and Honda XR 650
@glasscutter (Mark) Honda CRF 250X
@(Chet) Honda CR 500R
@(Sterling) Yamaha YZ 450

LOL! 3 of you are named Mark? What are the odds?

[Garbanzo]

And this is what can happen when the bike flies and lands on it's rear end.
Broke both rear seat mounts, rack, and tore the exhaust mount. Yikes!! It was worth every penny.

[ATTACH][ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[Mtnseeker1]

Sorry to hear the tail section on your bike is feeling as bad or worse than your tail section.
Both you and your bike did hit pretty hard.
That pipe is scary.

This is an expensive hobby in deed.

[double moo]

And this is what can happen when the bike flies and lands on it's rear end.
Broke both rear seat mounts, rack, and tore the exhaust mount. Yikes!! It was worth every penny.

[ATTACH][ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Biking through Armageddon?

[Mtnseeker1]

Got out today to warner and it was fanfriggintastic.
No dust, no deep sand, Just pure heaven baby.
We got a real good soaking right after you headed into the snow.
Hit the whoops road by sand hollow golf course in fourth for the first time ever.
Anyway could not get any good picts. while riding so I thought I'd just show you all just what your bike should look like after. Look ma no dust. You know the smart ass that I am and all.

[accadacca]

Looking good!

[REDFOX]

When I was asking about Chets cr500 gearing, I was thinking about the 2001 cr500 that I test rode. That bike went pretty fast in first gear. Looking at how techinical some of pics showed where you were riding, I wondered if he had to feather the clutch a lot to keep from fouling the plug while hitting those slower technical sections. Maybe he just twisted the throttle and had great balance.

[Mtnseeker1]

DudeEverybody was feathering the clutch or at least the ones that made it first try
The rest of us got a real lesson in how to feather the clutch:)
Chet is a great rider and knows what he is doing and he told me that he only replaces his plug about once a year. But he also uses top Qaulity mixxing oil at 50:1 unlike many others at about 36 or 40:1 with cheaper oil. And I never seen a drop of smooge around the front or rear pipe.

[Mtnseeker1]

I'd say if (REDFOX) you want a 2-t get in touch with nelsonccc and chet. Those boys I'm sure can set you straight on anything t stroke related.