Zubb

Friday... Woke up. Loaded up. And did a few minutes of full lock turns just to keep "tuned up". Adam is fully tuned up on these. He can stop the bike in the circle at 3, 6, 9 and 12 oclock, and track stand, then switch to full lock the other direction and do the same, without ever putting a foot down. For kicks he does it on a slope. Show off! We headed down the front side of Black Bear towards Idyllwild this morning planning to camp overnight near Bombay and do a little hot springing. The road as you know is spectacular. Traffic was mercifully light so got to enjoy the bikes a bit. We were riding in cold but crystal clear air with the sun shine down on the top of the clouds that had filled in the valleys below. It's one of those moments that you slow down for a bit and just drink in the beauty and wonder of flying between the clouds and the sun. Layer after layer of mountains stretched to the horizon separated by the soft white cottony clouds in between. We sat and stared for quite awhile. Crossing the 10, we rode back up to Idyllwild for a coffee and donut .... 'cause, why not. I couldn't think of a better spot to do that. After chatting with the locals for a bit, I thought I'd show Adam the view from the parking lot at Humber Park. The view of Tahquitz Rock is pretty awesome. There were lots of climbers there of course all loading up their packs and gear and hitting the trail. Brought back our memories of doing the same when he was a teenager. Those were good days and fun memories. A couple women on road bicycles stopped to talk with us and of course were asking about where we ride these things. They almost insisted we go ride Black Mountain trail up to Boulder Creek campground and the Black Mtn group campground. So I agreed to tempt fate and risk the battered hoof. I'd always wanted to explore this road and campsites but had never taken the time when I was in the area. The dirt road up there is just wonderful! Plenty of ruts and embedded rock, a few ledges and some mud here and there, but nothing that a Zubb level 1 rider couldn't do with a little focus on a big bike. It is on my absolutely must do moto-camping list now! We rolled back down to the pavement and headed back through Idyllwild to Borrego for lunch. Neither of us knowing about the excitement we would encounter just before we hit Warner Springs.... To be continued again...

I think the reason you are such a fantastic mechanic is because you have to be. 🤷‍♂️😁😱😉

Yes. Right after we crossed the 10. But rolled past it to a legit small business coffee shop for something a little more organic and less …. You know….. GS’ey. 🤣

There are two kinds of off road riders. Ones that carry JB Kwik weld, and ones that eventually will. A question for the peanut gallery, has anyone used JB "Steel Stick" on the trail? I think carrying the Steel Stick is less "messy" or vulnerable to a grotesque accident in my tool kit, but don't know if it's as bombproof after application as Kwik Weld. I also started to wonder if it was losing power being exposed to air even though it hadn't been mashed or kneaded together. I carried it for years but never got to use it, eventually pitched it for some fresh JB Kwik Weld. We all know the little tubes of 2 part epoxy Kwik Weld work like magic, but I can't remember seeing or hearing any one here using the stick. For reference, this vid has me wondering ...

I guess if you have it a little squeeze once in a while to see if it was soft, you'ld be good to go. Then again, it’s only about the cost of 1 or 2 PBRs for some fresh stuff

Dude you are so right. In almost a half million miles and lord knows how many of that in dirt and Baja …. It was always for someone else’s bike. ….. I probably shouldn’t have said that out loud.

Awesome pics! Just spent 3 days railing the 2020. But have been thinking about something just a little dirtier. You know what I’m thinking … Let’s get together when you get home.

Cool. Thanks guys. I think tape wrapping the end caps on the stick tube is probably a good idea.

Sounds like a great day.... +1 on being prepared with the JB Quickweld (it was the quick version right?). @hawkins can probably just run that little badge of honor forever it he so chooses. +1 on @Hawkins crash bars. I love the fact that he's out riding and the bars show it. +1 on the drone shots. Well done!

Didn’t you “cycle through” one of those Sweeds in your shop just a year or two ago?

I think that’s a great idea. We can tweak them as we go also to keep things fresh and fun. Getting together with our club members is something that is ALWAYS a good time.

Thanks for including pics! Looks like a great loop. Would you say the snow level is about 8k' then?

Was she cute?

Paybacks a bitch. 🤣

That’s why I’m doing all the tougher stuff while I still have a low drop count. Will cross that bridge when I come to it. On my back wheel please.

… ride with more and younger friends.

I just wanna Fahrvergnügen.

We know you want one.

That's a slick looking setup.

There are other ways to deal with that.

Dang it. Would love to hang out with you's and show off my 1250 that has some dirt on it. Could even install the Sbux coffee cup holder with a Vente Americano, and a Starbux coffee box full of fuel strapped to the rear plate. But I'll be throttling around CDA Idaho on that day instead.

I carry a siphon hose in my guide kit. Only time I ever used it was when I ran the truck out of gas on the way to Montana. Siphoned 5 gals from the bike into a roadside antifreeze jug, then back into the truck. Got me to a little nowhere town for resupply. Sometimes fortune smiles on the stupid!

I've had this dromedary bag for 20 years or so. Never put fuel in it. Only carried water in it. It works 100% and tough as nails. The lash straps are critical. Don't get a bag without them.

Yep. I carry a black one with oil, and the red was for fuel. Even 1 Liter of fuel represents a helluva long walk in the burning desert sun.