Sunday's (yesterday's) Pachaug loop ride was a bit shorter than Saturday's, as I did 28 miles versus 50 the day before.
Why?
The weather forecast was to be cloudy but dry up until around 4:00 pm.
However, as I was driving out to the riding area at 10:00 am, light drizzle was spotted on my windshield.
It was very light and barely perceptible while outside and standing still, but, I still made note of it.
As the ride was under way, more drizzle was felt, and this made me decide to cut the ride short.
This was mainly because I felt that with my luck, I'd be washing the muddy bike in a steady rain in the early afternoon, something that was certainly possible but not enjoyable.
So, I chose a route that avoided the water and mud for the most part and formed a compromise:
I got some riding in on a nice overcast fall day with a bike that came back with relatively little dirt stuck to it (and avoiding a need to actually wash it) at the expense of not riding my usual route.
Of course, as luck (or lack of it) would have it, the rain held off until well after sunset.
Nice, huh?
Oh, well.
At least I was out there on the WR-250FP for about an hour and a quarter and felt good doing it.
Notable was the performance of the M22/M23 tires.
You may wonder why I mention tires so much, but the correct tires to suit your liking are a key ingredient in getting the feel out of the bike and the riding experience that you are after.
If you're not out there to ride a dirt bike to feel, once again, how great it is to be riding a dirt bike on terrain you enjoy and how good it feels to put the bike through it's paces and getting a good feel back from the bike while doing this, then you must be out there only to observe the fall foliage that is quickly piling up on the ground.
This morning, I'm reading some writings thrown back and forth on an Internet dirt bike forum.
Some guy is asking the same old questions and getting the same old advice from asking what bike would be best for riding the street 100 miles out to some good off-road riding terrain.
The guy doing the asking already has a dirt bike with a license plate on the back that he claims he's very satisfied with as far as the off-road riding goes, but he wishes for something that basically feels like more of a smooth-running bike for the street, something that has an electric-smooth-feeling engine (low vibrations felt) which has tall gearing for relaxed-feeling highway cruising, a bike that gives him the feeling it was actually made for street miles to be piled up on it.
This is the same ol' story:
I'm looking for a great-feeling dirt bike that also has full-on street bike qualities to it when asked for them.
This bike doesn't exist because it's like expecting an ice cube to last in a furnace.
A bike designed for many street miles in one ride requires things that hurt off-road performance and feel, like very tall gearing to loaf along at 70 mph, tires that feel good on the street yet work lousy off-road, and an engine that's tuned for long-term and high-mileage usage between overhauls, which is another way of saying an engine detuned compared do a full-on dirt bike and makes less power than a dirt-only bike.
In my experience, a bike like the Yamaha WR-250R is an excellent compromise.
It feels just fine on the street and comes with everything needed to make piling on street miles 100% possible - tall gearing, street-worthy tires, an electric-smooth engine, and solid reliability allowing high mileage without worry.
Basically, if you can't maintain one of these bikes, you can't maintain a toaster, Bucky.
The trade-off is that isn't as good off-road as a dirt-only bike because it weighs more and the suspension is of cheaper quality.
You can improve the suspension, but the heavier feel will always be there since a large chunk of the added weight comes from the very heart of the engine, itself:
The heavier crankshaft, heavier generator rotor, heavier vibration counterbalancer, and larger and heavier crankcases to house all of these parts that make the bike so smooth and trouble-free while racking-up miles on the street and running with high-speed traffic.
Practically speaking, these spinning parts make the bike feel heavier and it is highly unlikely a WR-250R rider will be able to do anything about this - it's how the bike rolls off the showroom floor.
With the suspension set-up to work for the rider, it's a fine bike for street and dirt out of one motorcycle.
You really can't, however, expect it to feel exactly like a dirt-only bike AND a street-only bike at the same time.
Unless, that is, you are either not picky at all about what you ride, or are just a good straight-faced B.S. artist.
-John
Monday, October 29, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
404 Tons of Leaves on the Ground
What weighs more - a ton of lead or a ton of leaves?
Know the answer?
I'll allow you to simmer on that one, Lenny.
Well, the original plan for today (Saturday) - which was hatched last Sunday afternoon after the ride out of a guy's back yard onto trails not familiar to me - was to go with that same crew of guys I rode with last weekend and do some more terrain-unknown-to-me riding in a town north of here called Putnam.
During the past week, I started to regret saying that I'd go as I was basically longing to get back onto familiar terrain, also known as the Pachaug enduro loop.
Luckily for me, the guy who actually concocted the plan showed up at jerk just yesterday to buy some dirt bike supplies (yes, that kind of stuff is sold at jerk), and when he came over to me and asked if I still wanted to go, I took the opportunity to tell him that I'd changed my mind.
What a wonderful coincidence that was since it got me off the hook.
At least, for him, I was able to give him my used M603 front tire I'd promised him, as my used one was in better shape than his used front tire.
All's well that ends well.
So, today was back to normal - as it's been regularly for the past 3 solid years - and yet another ride out on the ol' Pachaug rock n' roll pile, and going solo as is the norm.
I had two brandy-new Bridgestone M22/M23 tires mounted, the weather was comfy and cloudy (YES!!!), the ground was dry, and I felt good.
So, how was the ride?
It was good, all-in-all.
I backed the pace down a notch in many spots due to not having been out there for two weeks (or, was it three?) and didn't want to:
1) Plow straight on into some tree-hugger's idea of a booby trap as I've done before (yes, folks, there are assholes out there who are brainwashed into believing that my riding a WR-250FP on a STATE OF CONNECTICUT-APPROVED DIRT BIKE TRAIL LOOP WITH A LEGAL MOTORCYCLE ON TRAILS THAT ARE, AT MINIMUM, 40 YEARS OLD is somehow hurting a single fucking thing with the Earth's well being, jezzuschrist. Yes, it is absurd, but their tiny brains have been washed so well.).
I felt that there was a remote chance that the autumn weather conditions would bring these loony-tunes characters out for a tree-humping nature walk, which is when they do their dirty work.
2) With autumn weather comes autumn leaves down on the ground, covering the ground and doing a good job of hiding the very same obstacles I'd rather be able to see.
They can also be slippery.
I'm happy to report no booby traps or other mishaps were encountered, and the ride went off well.
It was too bad I didn't feel confident enough to ride at 100% but it was close enough, and the cloudy sky was just what the doctor ordered - I could see as well as I'm able to without having to squint like a mad man.
I did 50 miles, skipping the southern section because I felt it probably had numerous water holes left from the rain the Friday before last (yes, it takes a few weeks of dry weather to dry it up reasonably well), and basically had an decent ride.
The bike felt fine beneath me, it ran just fine and strongly, the suspension was working well, and the M22/M23 tires were feeling very good, as usual.
Those tires are basically like magic, gripping the ground, rocks, and tree roots like nothing else in such a well-rounded and balanced manner.
That means the tires feel good both accelerating with the bike straight up-and-down, and while cornering, too.
Braking, as well, is great, and the overall feel of these tires is still as of yet unmatched by any other tires I've used.
A front M603 is another good front tire I like out there, but even that must be used with the M22 rear for me to be completely happy.
The interesting fact about the M22 and M23 is that they made their debut in 1981, and still to this day are Bridgestone's hard terrain tire for their motocross tire line-up.
That's right.
It's still their tire 31 years later.
So, the ride is over, the bike washed and lubed, and I've eaten supper.
As long as the weather forecast is accurate, we'll have the same kind of weather conditions for tomorrow up until around 4:00 pm.
Hmmmm.
Another Pachaug ride?
-John
Know the answer?
I'll allow you to simmer on that one, Lenny.
Well, the original plan for today (Saturday) - which was hatched last Sunday afternoon after the ride out of a guy's back yard onto trails not familiar to me - was to go with that same crew of guys I rode with last weekend and do some more terrain-unknown-to-me riding in a town north of here called Putnam.
During the past week, I started to regret saying that I'd go as I was basically longing to get back onto familiar terrain, also known as the Pachaug enduro loop.
Luckily for me, the guy who actually concocted the plan showed up at jerk just yesterday to buy some dirt bike supplies (yes, that kind of stuff is sold at jerk), and when he came over to me and asked if I still wanted to go, I took the opportunity to tell him that I'd changed my mind.
What a wonderful coincidence that was since it got me off the hook.
At least, for him, I was able to give him my used M603 front tire I'd promised him, as my used one was in better shape than his used front tire.
All's well that ends well.
So, today was back to normal - as it's been regularly for the past 3 solid years - and yet another ride out on the ol' Pachaug rock n' roll pile, and going solo as is the norm.
I had two brandy-new Bridgestone M22/M23 tires mounted, the weather was comfy and cloudy (YES!!!), the ground was dry, and I felt good.
So, how was the ride?
It was good, all-in-all.
I backed the pace down a notch in many spots due to not having been out there for two weeks (or, was it three?) and didn't want to:
1) Plow straight on into some tree-hugger's idea of a booby trap as I've done before (yes, folks, there are assholes out there who are brainwashed into believing that my riding a WR-250FP on a STATE OF CONNECTICUT-APPROVED DIRT BIKE TRAIL LOOP WITH A LEGAL MOTORCYCLE ON TRAILS THAT ARE, AT MINIMUM, 40 YEARS OLD is somehow hurting a single fucking thing with the Earth's well being, jezzuschrist. Yes, it is absurd, but their tiny brains have been washed so well.).
I felt that there was a remote chance that the autumn weather conditions would bring these loony-tunes characters out for a tree-humping nature walk, which is when they do their dirty work.
2) With autumn weather comes autumn leaves down on the ground, covering the ground and doing a good job of hiding the very same obstacles I'd rather be able to see.
They can also be slippery.
I'm happy to report no booby traps or other mishaps were encountered, and the ride went off well.
It was too bad I didn't feel confident enough to ride at 100% but it was close enough, and the cloudy sky was just what the doctor ordered - I could see as well as I'm able to without having to squint like a mad man.
I did 50 miles, skipping the southern section because I felt it probably had numerous water holes left from the rain the Friday before last (yes, it takes a few weeks of dry weather to dry it up reasonably well), and basically had an decent ride.
The bike felt fine beneath me, it ran just fine and strongly, the suspension was working well, and the M22/M23 tires were feeling very good, as usual.
Those tires are basically like magic, gripping the ground, rocks, and tree roots like nothing else in such a well-rounded and balanced manner.
That means the tires feel good both accelerating with the bike straight up-and-down, and while cornering, too.
Braking, as well, is great, and the overall feel of these tires is still as of yet unmatched by any other tires I've used.
A front M603 is another good front tire I like out there, but even that must be used with the M22 rear for me to be completely happy.
The interesting fact about the M22 and M23 is that they made their debut in 1981, and still to this day are Bridgestone's hard terrain tire for their motocross tire line-up.
That's right.
It's still their tire 31 years later.
So, the ride is over, the bike washed and lubed, and I've eaten supper.
As long as the weather forecast is accurate, we'll have the same kind of weather conditions for tomorrow up until around 4:00 pm.
Hmmmm.
Another Pachaug ride?
-John
Sunday, October 21, 2012
403 Wrong Turns
I went out to the second new riding spot today (Sunday) on the ol' WR-250FP, and this time it truly was 100% new for me.
The town was not Putnam but Brooklyn (I guess it's near a brook, eh?), and we hit the trail right from the back yard of one of the guys in our group.
Can't get more convenient than that.
The trails were tight and leaf-covered in most spots while we were in the woods, and there were plenty of tree roots and the occasional well-placed rock to keep you on your toes, or on your ass if you were to screw up.
Even though I didn't know the lay of the land at this riding spot, either, and the trail was practically non existent in many spots (the trail was not well-traveled and it was hard to decipher where the trail actually was and in what direction it went), I still had some fun and pulled off a few good-feeling maneuvers on the bike.
Nobody died or lost any fingers or toes, so I think the other guys enjoyed it, as well.
The bike performed well as always and the suspension balance felt good.
We also hit a few open fields where we opened the throttles as we rode along the outside perimeter, as well as some power line trails (which are basically rough gravel roads following high voltage electric power lines).
The bike felt good while ripping through these sections, too, so I guess I can feel the suspension setup is in the ballpark for the riding I'm likely to do.
As usual, I'm very satisfied with the engine performance and how easy it is to torque through tight woods sections, yet there is ample power on tap for open sections.
This is combined with that great light-weight feel of a mid-displacement bike.
Amazing what 250cc can do for you.
Total mileage was 23, about 20 less than even a short Pachaug enduro loop, but, that's how the cookie crumbles.
It still felt like a decent ride, lengthwise.
The challenge of trying to figure out which way the trail went made up for the shorter mileage, I think. :)
Next weekend (Saturday), I'm planning on going with these guys to yet another new-to-me riding spot.
Stay tuned.
-John
The town was not Putnam but Brooklyn (I guess it's near a brook, eh?), and we hit the trail right from the back yard of one of the guys in our group.
Can't get more convenient than that.
The trails were tight and leaf-covered in most spots while we were in the woods, and there were plenty of tree roots and the occasional well-placed rock to keep you on your toes, or on your ass if you were to screw up.
Even though I didn't know the lay of the land at this riding spot, either, and the trail was practically non existent in many spots (the trail was not well-traveled and it was hard to decipher where the trail actually was and in what direction it went), I still had some fun and pulled off a few good-feeling maneuvers on the bike.
Nobody died or lost any fingers or toes, so I think the other guys enjoyed it, as well.
The bike performed well as always and the suspension balance felt good.
We also hit a few open fields where we opened the throttles as we rode along the outside perimeter, as well as some power line trails (which are basically rough gravel roads following high voltage electric power lines).
The bike felt good while ripping through these sections, too, so I guess I can feel the suspension setup is in the ballpark for the riding I'm likely to do.
As usual, I'm very satisfied with the engine performance and how easy it is to torque through tight woods sections, yet there is ample power on tap for open sections.
This is combined with that great light-weight feel of a mid-displacement bike.
Amazing what 250cc can do for you.
Total mileage was 23, about 20 less than even a short Pachaug enduro loop, but, that's how the cookie crumbles.
It still felt like a decent ride, lengthwise.
The challenge of trying to figure out which way the trail went made up for the shorter mileage, I think. :)
Next weekend (Saturday), I'm planning on going with these guys to yet another new-to-me riding spot.
Stay tuned.
-John
Saturday, October 20, 2012
402 and Something New
No, not another new motorcycle, as I think I've done enough of that for now.
I actually went out to a new riding spot today (Saturday) with a couple I know from jerk and a few of their friends.
It was on some acreage of land around part of what is known as a "rail trail".
What's a rail trail?
It is an abandoned railroad bed with the tracks and wooden ties removed, leaving the trail meandering through the woods.
This trail is all that's left of the old railroad line without the steel rails and wooden ties, so that's where the name comes from.
Geddit?
Good.
The rail trail is the former New Haven railroad line going through the towns of Oneco and Sterling, and the land beside it that we rode on is privately owned by a friend of a friend of one of the people there today.
Works for me just as long as I don't get shot or arrested or fined for trespassing.
In actuality, it wasn't 100% new to me because one of my olden days riding buddies and I went out to this very same spot back around 1986 once or twice (twice, if I recall), but since the last time I was there was 26 years ago, it was the next best thing to a new spot.
How was it?
It was about how I thought it would be:
Short sections of wooded trails going around the hilly terrain with a sand pit thrown in for good measure.
That's how I remembered the place.
We didn't actually do a whole lot of riding in the 2-or-so hours we were out there (10 miles in total), but that was what I expected, as well, since me going riding with others I've never ridden with before means anything can happen.
So, I'm not disappointed about the low mileage for two hours at a riding spot considering I wasn't familiar with the lay of the land and didn't know where I was going to a great degree.
It wasn't my land to begin with and I was basically a guest there, and we all did a lot of resting and talking and making jokes.
That's OK.
If I lived there and had unlimited access to the place, I probably would spend time out there and get to know the lay of the land pretty well and put together some kind of a trail loop that's to my liking.
That would be fun.
Aaahhh, to have a spot for dirt bike riding where you live, anytime you feel like it right outside your front door.
To me, that's a form of heaven on Earth.
And, convenient.
The WR-250FP, by the way, performed very well and felt good.
When you get out of your usual riding spot and go someplace different, the potential is there that the bike which feels good at your old stomping ground may feel a bit funny at a new spot.
Today, the bike felt just fine and ran pretty strongly, I'm happy to say.
Out on the new-to-me trails, there were numerous hill climbs that loomed unexpectedly around sharp corners, and the bike pulled up them without trouble and made the ride go pretty smoothly.
I still have the Michelin AC10 rear tire mounted, and I'm glad because there was plenty of soft dirt out there that suits this tire.
The balance of the suspension was good, too.
I could feel that when riding across the open sand pit, the front fork was a little soft when backing off the throttle (due to the 5mm lower oil level to achieve a more supple fork action on the rocky Pachaug loop), but not enough to cause a major imbalance that would make the bike feel bad.
Minor, yet noticeable, and it was acceptable.
Here's more news that's about new:
Tomorrow, I'm meeting the same crew and going to another one of the crew's riding spots around the Putnam area.
Never been riding at this place, so it will be 100% new and uncharted by this guy.
I just hope I remain in good health and that no arrests are made. ;)
-John
I actually went out to a new riding spot today (Saturday) with a couple I know from jerk and a few of their friends.
It was on some acreage of land around part of what is known as a "rail trail".
What's a rail trail?
It is an abandoned railroad bed with the tracks and wooden ties removed, leaving the trail meandering through the woods.
This trail is all that's left of the old railroad line without the steel rails and wooden ties, so that's where the name comes from.
Geddit?
Good.
The rail trail is the former New Haven railroad line going through the towns of Oneco and Sterling, and the land beside it that we rode on is privately owned by a friend of a friend of one of the people there today.
Works for me just as long as I don't get shot or arrested or fined for trespassing.
In actuality, it wasn't 100% new to me because one of my olden days riding buddies and I went out to this very same spot back around 1986 once or twice (twice, if I recall), but since the last time I was there was 26 years ago, it was the next best thing to a new spot.
How was it?
It was about how I thought it would be:
Short sections of wooded trails going around the hilly terrain with a sand pit thrown in for good measure.
That's how I remembered the place.
We didn't actually do a whole lot of riding in the 2-or-so hours we were out there (10 miles in total), but that was what I expected, as well, since me going riding with others I've never ridden with before means anything can happen.
So, I'm not disappointed about the low mileage for two hours at a riding spot considering I wasn't familiar with the lay of the land and didn't know where I was going to a great degree.
It wasn't my land to begin with and I was basically a guest there, and we all did a lot of resting and talking and making jokes.
That's OK.
If I lived there and had unlimited access to the place, I probably would spend time out there and get to know the lay of the land pretty well and put together some kind of a trail loop that's to my liking.
That would be fun.
Aaahhh, to have a spot for dirt bike riding where you live, anytime you feel like it right outside your front door.
To me, that's a form of heaven on Earth.
And, convenient.
The WR-250FP, by the way, performed very well and felt good.
When you get out of your usual riding spot and go someplace different, the potential is there that the bike which feels good at your old stomping ground may feel a bit funny at a new spot.
Today, the bike felt just fine and ran pretty strongly, I'm happy to say.
Out on the new-to-me trails, there were numerous hill climbs that loomed unexpectedly around sharp corners, and the bike pulled up them without trouble and made the ride go pretty smoothly.
I still have the Michelin AC10 rear tire mounted, and I'm glad because there was plenty of soft dirt out there that suits this tire.
The balance of the suspension was good, too.
I could feel that when riding across the open sand pit, the front fork was a little soft when backing off the throttle (due to the 5mm lower oil level to achieve a more supple fork action on the rocky Pachaug loop), but not enough to cause a major imbalance that would make the bike feel bad.
Minor, yet noticeable, and it was acceptable.
Here's more news that's about new:
Tomorrow, I'm meeting the same crew and going to another one of the crew's riding spots around the Putnam area.
Never been riding at this place, so it will be 100% new and uncharted by this guy.
I just hope I remain in good health and that no arrests are made. ;)
-John
Monday, October 15, 2012
401 Bum Weather Forecasts
Yeah, that's right:
Another weekend without riding the WR-250FP because of worrying about hunting season in the Pachaug state forest on Saturday and another rainy Sunday morning that wasn't even in the weather forecast right up until I went to bed Saturday night.
Why don't I just say, "Fuck it.", and ride anyway?
As I wrote not long ago, this ain't my first rodeo, but more like my millionth-and-first rodeo, so I'm inclined to be a lot more picky than how I was when I was 17 years old, Lenny.
Back then, I'd basically ride anytime I could.
Now, I don't feel like potentially getting in some hunter's way on Saturday (even though I feel I also have a right to ride that official state of CT. motorcycle trail (but, we have to use the same land)), and I was turned off by having the thought of just tip-toeing around over the slippery (take it from me) wet leaves and wet rocks and wet tree roots on the ground.
Sure, I could have ridden over them, but it wouldn't have been in the conditions that are fun for me.
That's the whole enchilada right there, and if I'm loading the bike, my gear, and myself up and driving out there, I'm doing it if I feel it will be worth it.
So, how did I get my exercise for the weekend?
I went out with my trusty bow saw and moved several pesky trees out of the way that were laying across the trail, ones that were big enough to make riders find a detour around them.
They've been there for a year or more, so, I felt it was high time somebody made the hike out there and got that clutter out of the way and dragged off into the woods where it belongs.
Mission accomplished, and that was good for about three hours of physical exertion.
The time went by quicker than I thought out there, so I must have enjoyed it. ;)
You can be sure I'll be watching this weekend's forecast, just as I did last one and the ones before.
And, crossing my fingers.
I even have two brandy-new Bridgestone M22/M23 tires waiting here in the house to be mounted.
It would be so nice to have a good ride more than once a month, you know? :)
Lately, it ain't been happening, but I'm hoping for this coming one.
-John
Another weekend without riding the WR-250FP because of worrying about hunting season in the Pachaug state forest on Saturday and another rainy Sunday morning that wasn't even in the weather forecast right up until I went to bed Saturday night.
Why don't I just say, "Fuck it.", and ride anyway?
As I wrote not long ago, this ain't my first rodeo, but more like my millionth-and-first rodeo, so I'm inclined to be a lot more picky than how I was when I was 17 years old, Lenny.
Back then, I'd basically ride anytime I could.
Now, I don't feel like potentially getting in some hunter's way on Saturday (even though I feel I also have a right to ride that official state of CT. motorcycle trail (but, we have to use the same land)), and I was turned off by having the thought of just tip-toeing around over the slippery (take it from me) wet leaves and wet rocks and wet tree roots on the ground.
Sure, I could have ridden over them, but it wouldn't have been in the conditions that are fun for me.
That's the whole enchilada right there, and if I'm loading the bike, my gear, and myself up and driving out there, I'm doing it if I feel it will be worth it.
So, how did I get my exercise for the weekend?
I went out with my trusty bow saw and moved several pesky trees out of the way that were laying across the trail, ones that were big enough to make riders find a detour around them.
They've been there for a year or more, so, I felt it was high time somebody made the hike out there and got that clutter out of the way and dragged off into the woods where it belongs.
Mission accomplished, and that was good for about three hours of physical exertion.
The time went by quicker than I thought out there, so I must have enjoyed it. ;)
You can be sure I'll be watching this weekend's forecast, just as I did last one and the ones before.
And, crossing my fingers.
I even have two brandy-new Bridgestone M22/M23 tires waiting here in the house to be mounted.
It would be so nice to have a good ride more than once a month, you know? :)
Lately, it ain't been happening, but I'm hoping for this coming one.
-John
Sunday, October 7, 2012
400 Drops of Oil in the Bucket
Time for another post-ride oil change.
The sad thing (for them) is that more than a few riders on Internet forums make this job sound like it's such a pain in the ass, that they'd rather be doing something else, like cutting off a couple fingers.
"High maintenance", is what they call it.
Little do that know that no matter what dirt bike they choose to ride off-road, this has to be done regularly, as in fairly often, not once in a blue moon, son.
Same for the air filter maintenance, another often-overlooked (intentionally neglected out of ignorance and/or laziness, more like) thing that gets put under that heading of, "high maintenance".
Chumps. ;)
It's Sunday afternoon, and I just got back from another Pachaug rock n' roll pile ride on the ol' WR-250FP.
How was it?
Pretty dang good, I'm very happy to say.
Although the ground was covered with wet leaves in spots due to overnight rain, the sky was mostly cloudy, allowing me to see without squinting like a mad man.
That means a whole lot.
I simply took it cautiously over the slippery rocks and tree roots sticking out of the ground, and actually had a decent ride.
Temperature was around 60 degrees, the air felt reasonably dry and crisp, I felt good, I could see well (for me, anyway), the bike felt good and the suspension had a good balance to it, and I felt like I rode in an acceptable manner.
God, I can only imagine how great I'd feel right now if the ground were dry.
I'd probably be on cloud 9.
All-in-all, things seemed much better than the last ride two weeks ago when the bright sun seemed to bother me more than usual.
I once again feel good about riding the WR-250FP on the Pachaug enduro loop.
All it takes is the proper conditions. ;)
About the only thing I need to change on the bike is the rear tire, as the Michelin AC10 - which I just HAD to try out of curiosity - really needs to come off of there.
Why?
It is wearing pretty well, but it just doesn't have the same feel or grip on harder terrain as the Bridgestone M22.
It feels very much like an intermediate terrain tire, where it feels at it's best when you can actually sink a knob into the ground.
There is not a whole lot of dirt out there like that, where the M22 excells on the vast majority of what is out on the Pachaug loop.
And I mean: It feels great.
So, since nothing else does perform like the venerable M22 (although I would settle for a Bridgestone M604 if I had to if an M22 were not available, as I have done in the past with the WR-250FY and the CRF-450X9), I'm gonna remove the AC10 before it's worn out and go back to the proven winner for me.
I did 47.6 miles, about 10 less than what I've been doing lately because I skipped the southern portion of the loop that goes near Wyassup Lake in the town of North Stonington.
Why skip it?
I really didn't feel like dealing with the dozen-or-so brown water holes that are out there after it rains.
And you know what?
I'm OK with that, as 47.6 miles was just right for today, Lenny.
I can wait until things are drier down that a'way.
At about the 30 mile mark, I met a pair of riders stopped for a break.
One guy was on a KTM 4-stroke, and I'm guessing it was around a 2006 model and between 400 and 500cc.
I know little about KTMs, so that's all I can reckon.
Oh, it was orange, too.
The other was on a 2005 (so I was told) Honda CRF-250X, the 250cc version of the CRF-450X9 I used to ride, and the Honda version of the WR-250FP I now ride.
We chatted a few minutes about where we're from, where we're going, and how the trails were on the day.
As mentioned above, the suspension seemed to work well, and front-to-rear balance feels good.
I'm expecting the bike to feel even better next time out once I change the rear tire.
I'm also crossing my fingers for similar weather conditions as today, but without the rain the night before and dry ground. ;)
I wore a piece of clothing today that goes well with the fact that Connecticut is now in hunting season:
A blaze orange vest, like you see the hunters wear.
It is just a cheap one that sold for $4.95 at Walmart, and I wear it over my riding jacket.
Even though it is illegal to hunt in Connecticut on state land on Sunday, my conscience told me it's a good idea in case I run across somebody that claims they're out there on the Pachaug loop "just target shooting".
-John
Monday, October 1, 2012
399 Drops of Rain
Not much news for this past weekend since I did not ride the WR-250FP this time around, the first weekend I've skipped in quite some time.
Why?
I'm a bit down from having the past several rides in a row with shitty conditions, be it bright sun ruining my vision and making me slow down, or, like this past weekend, rain spoiling the traction and leaving big puddles of water all over the place.
The ground never dried.
I am to the point, after all, that being super-eager to ride in any conditions at any time is unfortunately in my past, back when I was a teenager with big dirt bike starts in my eyes, back when this was new to me.
I mean, after 32 years of this, I'm much more choosy about what feels right to me, and it is, after all, a good feel from the bike I'm after.
I couldn't imagine it any other way.
Unless you're brain-dead.
So, I decided to take the weekend off from Pachaug riding and wait for next weekend.
With any luck, the ground will be dry and maybe even with a sky that's a little cloudy.
Now, that's a nice thought.
So, what did I do?
Watched old Charles Bronson movies on YouTube.
Charles Bronson, along with Clint Eastwood, stared in some kick-ass movies in their prime, and even though I haven't seen one in at least 10 years, it was fun to watch one for a change.
I like those movies from that era, the late 1960s through about 1975.
I grew up watching stuff from back then.
-John
Why?
I'm a bit down from having the past several rides in a row with shitty conditions, be it bright sun ruining my vision and making me slow down, or, like this past weekend, rain spoiling the traction and leaving big puddles of water all over the place.
The ground never dried.
I am to the point, after all, that being super-eager to ride in any conditions at any time is unfortunately in my past, back when I was a teenager with big dirt bike starts in my eyes, back when this was new to me.
I mean, after 32 years of this, I'm much more choosy about what feels right to me, and it is, after all, a good feel from the bike I'm after.
I couldn't imagine it any other way.
Unless you're brain-dead.
So, I decided to take the weekend off from Pachaug riding and wait for next weekend.
With any luck, the ground will be dry and maybe even with a sky that's a little cloudy.
Now, that's a nice thought.
So, what did I do?
Watched old Charles Bronson movies on YouTube.
Charles Bronson, along with Clint Eastwood, stared in some kick-ass movies in their prime, and even though I haven't seen one in at least 10 years, it was fun to watch one for a change.
I like those movies from that era, the late 1960s through about 1975.
I grew up watching stuff from back then.
-John
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