graydog

Thanks all....looking back on the day I remain very thankful to the two guys who rescued me and as I was mountain biking in the Lagunas with buddies this morning I just had to shake my head at how dumb the whole event was given my life experiences and knowing better...OK, the other guys did share similar stupidities collectively committed. I guess if we had everything lined up it wouldn't satisfy our adventure needs. The big insight for me is that I just don't do heat at this age like my mind remembers I used to...lessons learned, now back to our regularly scheduled passion for riding...with others, of course. carl

Yesterday I broke just about all the rules for prudent riding and every lesson of the search and rescue training I have gained....while I knew my bike was in good shape and I had prepared for the ride I rode alone, took a bike too big for a small trail, rode in heat that exceeded even what I thought was ample water and simply underestimated that a 65 year old body in good shape is not what it used to be. It was one of those days when I justed wanted to ride and doing the Corral Canyon loop on the KLR650 seemed short of the mark. I have done Wrangler before and didn't see why I couldn't do it again. The north half went well with my hitting up/down berms and drop offs without a hitch. At the Bobcat Meadow intersection I considered calling it a day but decided the south run would make it a full afternoon, especially since family obligations will keep me from riding for a few weeks. About half way thru at a climb with a rock maze I dumped the KLR and used up a lot of energy and water getting upright again....down a drop with more rocks/soft dirt a bit later I slipped sideways and caught a peg on a good sized rock and dumped her again. This time the recovery was more involved and I used up more energy and water getting going...or tried to. I began to realize I was really tired and hot...full ride gear will do that. I couldn't right the KLR and just sunk into exhaustion about a mile or so from the intersection with the loop trail. About this time I had to really re-consider my belief in angels when to young, strong and refreshed mountain bikers came down the trail and got me going again....but not for long. Having gone thru my two litres of water, which should have been plenty for a three mile run, I was slowly losing coordination. Down again....they elected to shadow me until the loop and they got me up....only to drop it again on a loose uphill where I went off the trail and was lucky to catch on the lip rather than slidding a long ways down....at that point one of the bikers who also rides moto off-road offered to ride the KLR to the loop with me riding his MTB....long story short they got me out and rode off letting me rest. I carefully rode to Four Corners and home. I relate this to remind/encourage others not to repeat what I did no matter how tempting the option, how sure you are and how simple the ride may seem. I got very, very lucky and will not do that again....I still want to ride single track, but it will be with a smaller and lighter bike....it will always be with someone else and I will look at the challenge with updated eyes.....if getting older is learning and honoring your limits I found mine and recommend others do so with less risk. Pushing the envelope has its risks and thrills, teasing fate is less wise. Licking my wounds and giving a whole lot of thanks....graydog

Schwinn....check out ADVrider...Bagger is looking for riders to do the mining trails out of Banner tomorrow morning... http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363437 carl

I took the liberty, also, of sending a notice to a local group I ride with and posting the memorial announcement on KLR650.net. carl

I heard about the incident on the way home from Corral Canyon today and put the pieces together when I read the post. Maybe we could put a marker on the Kernan that we sponser....if we do something as a riders group for the family or to honor him is it possible to mass e-mail all members to be sure those who don't read the forum often don't get left out? Maybe we could share the loss with some of the other forums that many of us read. carl

Great write-up...thanks. carl

If it is the same one I saw about that time I think it was Border Patrol....

Happy Birthday Carguy....ride the year into multiple digits.....

Has anyone installed a front hitch on a Jeep YJ (wrangler) to carry a 250cc wieght dirt bike. I saw a set up like that on the freeway going the other way...my YJ is a '95 with stock suspenion. thanks. carl

Welcome to the pack....I ride a KLR 650 also and agree compared to the high performance smaller bikes now the KLR seemed a handful when I started riding more challenging off-road stuff. But I have come to appreciate her sure footedness and "do anything" (within reason) ability. OK, so they are nicknamed "mules"..no problem, we could hook up with a few more big bike riders and call our adventures a 'mule train'. Be safe and look forward to meeting you on the trail. carl

while the KLR650 was a handful at first as my re-entry off-road motorcycle I have really come to appreciate what a great machine she is now that the size and weight have found their place in my aging skills. She is much more flickable and nimble that I had thought....I am slowly selling off my other bikes but will keep the KLR for long distance on the street and modestly challenging trails...OK, I will probably find a plated TT-R 250 to push the envelop a bit...but I just enjoy the feel, ride and ease of working on the KLR, especially the fact that you can get her home with duct tape, gum and a bit of wire....what a deal....hope the new generation of KLR's is as good as my older one. carl

Thanks to those folks who shared there experience registering....a friend of mine up north is actually putting this issue in writing and requesting the DMV respond in writing...let you know if what he finds in worth quoting locally...carl

While the KLR650 and I are fast becoming comfortable with each other on the Corral Canyon single track trails I am still looking for a lighter bike I can share with my sons...probably a XR250 plated. Question: Does California still honor off road bikes plated to dual sport bikes when the registration changes hands. Talking to the DMV was unhelpful...everything from "the plate is invalid..to "the plate expires with the current owner"...to "the state will be recalling the plates..." anyone bought a plated off-road bike and registered it lately...any announcements from the DMV or rider groups on this...thanks. carl

Honda Pilot and the others....my apologies for missing the ride but I endo'd my mountain bike doing single track in the Lagunas last week and decided to stay home and lick my wounds...catch you folks the next time....carl

OK...Sunday. looking forward to it and the details as the date comes nearer...carl