OldTLSDoug
Forum Supporter
Well, Mitch and I got out to Time 2 Ride this morning. We ran around about an hours worth. Met the owner, John. A great guy, he has built a fantastic facility. Mitch and I were sort of wondering if the whole dirt bike thing is for us.
So, right off the bat about 2 minutes in, Mitch slid down on his XR650L. No harm, no foul. We ran around a lot and had some great fun. We went down a green arrow (supposed to be easy) trail. There was about a 10 foot straight down portion. I made it to the bottom, tried to figure out where to go and ended up falling down the hill. Mitch=1, Doug+1. So off we go, somewhere I tossed myself on the ground again, same reason, short legs, low speed. I am seeing a trend here.
We got back to the parking area, I thought I would die at that point. But, funny thing, the smiles could not be wiped off of our faces. Wow, we had fun. So, a little break to hydrate and we were off again. I made it a short way in (wearing my GoPro) and fell in a creek bed. Beautiful video of all the oofs and hard breathing. Well documented struggle to pick up the bike, then up the muddy climb and all was good. I caught Mitch, and said, "You left me!" It was pretty funny that every time I lost track of him I fell off. (again, I am thinking it may not be Mitch's fault, but I hate to admit it.)
Then I was going down a pretty simple hill, got my foot hung in a Lantana bush, and the other hung in the shifter. So I am stuck with the bike trying to break my right knee, and I can't move my left leg to take weight off. So, I screamed to Mitch, who tossed his scooter (while laughing an appropriate amount) and rescued me. I believe I used a little bit of my Sailor-Speak when discussing my knee pain while Mitch extricated my right foot. Then I got down the hill, let Mitch by and went on.
Of course, about 14-15 min later Mitch ran me down that 10 foot drop, then he stopped, so I was yelling "GO!!" and he did, then we both made it safely. What a great time, Mitch and I were pretty giggly, we will be back.
Things I learned:
1. Commit when climbing or descending, pausing makes you choose poorly.
2. Get a helmet with Goggles, first on the list.
3. Get some proper clothing as well. We were pretty hot and I could have avoided a fall or two if my jeans hadn't slipped a bit (hazard for short fat guys.)
4. We might have a little too much scooter for beginners (we figured that not seriously ridning in the dirt for almost 40 + yrs makes us beginners) Considering a smaller AND much LIGHTER scooter.
5. I can't wait to get back. The folks there are awesome, the trails are well laid out and at $25.00 a day, I don't think there is a better motorcycling value to be had.
Loved it, I think Mitch and I are hooked on dirt, I did the track this past Thursday. I was sore when I started, but now I am really sore. Also, I am still grinning. Thanks for the invite, Mitch and breakfast.
Now off to impact the DR-Z crank plug off.
So, right off the bat about 2 minutes in, Mitch slid down on his XR650L. No harm, no foul. We ran around a lot and had some great fun. We went down a green arrow (supposed to be easy) trail. There was about a 10 foot straight down portion. I made it to the bottom, tried to figure out where to go and ended up falling down the hill. Mitch=1, Doug+1. So off we go, somewhere I tossed myself on the ground again, same reason, short legs, low speed. I am seeing a trend here.
We got back to the parking area, I thought I would die at that point. But, funny thing, the smiles could not be wiped off of our faces. Wow, we had fun. So, a little break to hydrate and we were off again. I made it a short way in (wearing my GoPro) and fell in a creek bed. Beautiful video of all the oofs and hard breathing. Well documented struggle to pick up the bike, then up the muddy climb and all was good. I caught Mitch, and said, "You left me!" It was pretty funny that every time I lost track of him I fell off. (again, I am thinking it may not be Mitch's fault, but I hate to admit it.)
Then I was going down a pretty simple hill, got my foot hung in a Lantana bush, and the other hung in the shifter. So I am stuck with the bike trying to break my right knee, and I can't move my left leg to take weight off. So, I screamed to Mitch, who tossed his scooter (while laughing an appropriate amount) and rescued me. I believe I used a little bit of my Sailor-Speak when discussing my knee pain while Mitch extricated my right foot. Then I got down the hill, let Mitch by and went on.
Of course, about 14-15 min later Mitch ran me down that 10 foot drop, then he stopped, so I was yelling "GO!!" and he did, then we both made it safely. What a great time, Mitch and I were pretty giggly, we will be back.
Things I learned:
1. Commit when climbing or descending, pausing makes you choose poorly.
2. Get a helmet with Goggles, first on the list.
3. Get some proper clothing as well. We were pretty hot and I could have avoided a fall or two if my jeans hadn't slipped a bit (hazard for short fat guys.)
4. We might have a little too much scooter for beginners (we figured that not seriously ridning in the dirt for almost 40 + yrs makes us beginners) Considering a smaller AND much LIGHTER scooter.
5. I can't wait to get back. The folks there are awesome, the trails are well laid out and at $25.00 a day, I don't think there is a better motorcycling value to be had.
Loved it, I think Mitch and I are hooked on dirt, I did the track this past Thursday. I was sore when I started, but now I am really sore. Also, I am still grinning. Thanks for the invite, Mitch and breakfast.
Now off to impact the DR-Z crank plug off.