Dan Diego

Thanks, folks. We plan to get the ride out of the way the first few hours we're there as...well, there might be drinkin' and shenanigans. Some of the guys are coming from far away on their bikes and wanted to see BB. Your suggestions are much appreciated.

One of Arnie's first SDAR posts--maybe the first. See you on the trials, Arnie,

When I first met Arnie he had a KLR. I had the obligatory post-LWR BMW GS and told him I was looking for a KLR. He pointed me to other bikes, namely a KTM. Super generous with his bike knowledge and time. It makes me happy to see folks posting about his smile and his laugh, because they were everpresent.

Very, very sad news. Anyone who's met, ridden or otherwise interacted with Armie knows what a great guy he was. He loved riding and the riders who he associated with. He would bend over backwards for a fellow rider. A huge loss for the SDAR community.

I'll be a bit south of town but can drop by Cal's for a beer and to say hey.

Wonderful! I just may take you up on that! Like Crawdaddy mentioned above, that would be a good bike to look at.

I'm heading south early on Saturday but I have a tight agenda so I can't join you. Let me know if I can help in any other way. Will be in Erendira if you need anything there.

BTW, Tom, Dee got an awful lot just from speaking with Teresa. Having another woman's perspective on riding does wonders for her confidence. Huge thanks for your help.

Ha ha. No fence kisses yet. Yet. Absolutely. One of the reasons she's so eager is that I've completely removed myself from the equation. This is all her. I had a friend show her the ropes, clutch-wise, specifically to stay out of the process And it pleases me to no end that she would prefer to ride dirt and stay off the pavement. She talks of exploring the desert, getting out to Superstition and Ocotillo. Yeah baby! She passed the MSF written portion yesterday and completes the 2nd and final day of riding today (on a mean, mean Rebel 250). She's still all over the page on what bike to buy. She's leaning toward a DS only to be able to ride it all. But we'll see... Your suggestions, input and experience are greatly appreciated.

So many choices. And some of us have several different ones.

Good stuff, Tom! Camp the entire time? How'd the bike do?

In! Hey....wait....

She's out of control. None of this is my doing. She signed up for the MSF course on her own. She's talking bikes with Ted on her own. Her girlfriends are all telling her to GO, GO, GO! Especially the ones who ride. I can only provide input and recommendations. Your suggestions are welcomed, especially those of you who have significant others who ride. We are doing the desert thing next month so maybe she'll stick with dirt for now... It doesn't worry me that she's already asking tire and oil questions. It doesn't worry me that she asked how far away Sturgis was. It DOES worry me that she asked where The Kug was riding next weekend! She's drinking the Kool Aid, boys...I'm helpless to stand in her way.

Very, very cool. And exactly what I'd expect from SDAR types. Why fly when you can ride? Well done, sir!

Hey! Who's that youngster?!?!

Happy bday, my friend. And it should come as no surprise that we were doing the same thing yesterday as we did the year before..and the year before that. Looking forward to more adventures.

Just got a pair. Thanks, everyone. Especially to Tom and his better half, Teresa. Much appreciated!

By any chance, does anyone have a pair of women's size 9.5 or 10 MX boots I can borrow for a day? My wife is learning to use the clutch on a MC and will be at Pala on Tuesday. All she has is street boots with no protection. She has elbow/knee pads (thanks, Danrider), a helmet, gloves and a jacket. And a somewhat decent coach... Thanks in advance.

Thanks, brother. I did get a pair of men's size 10 boots but they were too big for my wife's dainty feet. http://m.shoesize.com/women-to-men-converter/

Go, baby! IMG_7929.MOV

I quasi-enjoy installing ADV tires myself. It's easy, saves money and keeps me in practice for the inevitable flat on the trail. I do like that Kauritmoto tire thing; even the Baja No-pinch looks good. But I'm still spooning it!

Yeah, I know...this issue has been beaten to death. I'm mainly venting. For a long time I've purchased tires online and had them installed locally. (For my big street bike; I still install my own DS tires). Every time I do, the guys at the shops say, "Hey, I can get you tires at a great price." And I always say, "Great. How much?" So I need tires for my big girl. I called the 3 shops I regularly use and they're all over $100 more than I'd pay online. One place was closer to $150 over. I want to buy local, but how much of a hit can a guy take? Revzilla and RMATV are just two of the online places You know the local places I'm talking about so I won't mention the shops. Signed: Frugal and Frustrated in East County

Ended up going with Coyote in Alpine. Happy with the Price, tire selection and install/balance. Thats' a helmet...

A couple of photos of GEORGE...then and now. Happy bday!

So there is justice somewhere. It appears WR250rrrrrrrrrrrr (pirate) just needs to ride with you more often.