Good Location To Practice Dirt Skills Near Denver?

[imcja]

Sunday? Jarre Canyon, Deckers and over toward Tarryall?

Are you thinking Goose Creek/Matukat from Deckers to 77?

What time are you planning to leave the gas station, and which gas station? I'd be interested in meeting up at Deckers Rd and 67.

It should be dry as a bone on the paved roads.

And dirt + moisture = bigger smiles

 

[Bushyar15]

Hmmm VERY tempting. I'm itching to ride! Hoping it is dry or at least just wet. Had a bad experience with ice on the road and don't want to relive that...

 

[low drag]

Hmmm VERY tempting. I'm itching to ride! Hoping it is dry or at least just wet. Had a bad experience with ice on the road and don't want to relive that...

I'm glad I dropped back into the site! This weekend is going to be too nice to not get out and ride.

The pavement will be fine, last weekend 14er and me ran into wet areas with melt only. The back roads were a bit snow covered but not bad.

So is this Sunday leaving Morrison around 9:30/10:00?

 

[Vanderwho]

Not exactly sure what Paul had in mind ...I'm kinda suggesting he lead this outing, if he's willing, since he's more experienced off-road than I. But I'm gonna guess he was thinking of the Conoco(?) station just off C-470 at Morrison. Hopefully he'll pop back in here...

 

[Paul466]

Yeah I meant ConocoPhillips right off the highway Morrison exit.14kman is a lot more familiar with the Web of trails around than me.

 

[Vanderwho]

OK. Let's say meet at the Conoco station at Morrison off C-470 at 9:45 Sunday; plan to leave there around 10:00.

14kmtnman, you interested in playing "leader"?

 

[Paul466]

I'm in 10am ConocoPhillips Sun.

 

[Bushyar15]

I'm probably not going to go on this one if I change my mind I'll contact 14kmtnman directly...

Have a safe ride and catch you guys on the next one!

 

[14kmtnman]

I'm game. 9:45ish at the Morrison Conoco on Sunday. We could take the curvy back roads up to Buffalo Creek/Foxton try for Wellington Lake & drop down to Cheeseman then back thru Deckers. Or we could turn right at Wellington Lake & go up to Bailey, have lunch there or at Kenosha Inn then go thru the Terryall area, hitting some trails & then coming back over Goose Creek & thru Deckers or back the way we came via 285. All of which is dependent on the roads of course. There are a couple of other areas we could try if we are blocked by snow.

 

[Vanderwho]

As long as I can squeak through with BattleWings and without a skid plate, I'm in.

 

[low drag]

As long as I can squeak through with BattleWings and without a skid plate, I'm in.

The trails in this area are mostly sand/clay, not much rock at all. You'll want to get a skid plate and engine guard for summer though!

I'm bringing my maps so 14er can point out the route! See you guys Sunday.

 

[Bushyar15]

Such a beautiful day riding today.. Going to meet you guys at the Morrison Conoco!!! See how it goes…

Carl is working on fork seals today. So he's a "maybe"….

 

[Vanderwho]

Whoever has the photo of my not-yet two-month old '14 S-10 lying on its side in the mud and snow, please send me a copy.

Thanks Paul, Jeff, Bob, Mark, Carl and... sorry, I'm pathologically bad with names... the sixth of you for the assistance/trailside wrenching/encouragement today. Several lessons learned (including, Navigate Narrow Muddy Ruts Bordered With Snow And Ice S-l-o-w-l-y ... not so slow as to lose momentum, but slowly enough to save it when the bike wants a mud nap -- Yes! Feather the clutch!).

Really, it's remarkable how little damage ensued from the TWO count 'em TWO unintended get-offs...

Truth be told, while I might sneak up the Dalton and back some day, I'm really more of an asphalt guy. Oh... and my ride report from my SS1000 -- I think one of you were going to do Omaha and back? -- can be seen at http://www.ironbutt.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8632.

Thanks again & be safe...

 

[Bushyar15]

Glad the get-offs weren't too bad and the damage was minimal!

This is the only photo I have once it was back up on two wheels;

 

[Bushyar15]

Oh and if anyone has pictures and would allow to use them on the FB page I'd appreciate it! Let me know if you do and I may! And I'll forward my email addy…

TIA

 

[Paul466]

That was a great ride to welcome spring!! Thx Everyone!!That road when it's dry opens a door to lots more fun dirt.Got to do this again.Ltr!

 

[snakebitten]

A couple of slow speed naps in those conditions with STREET tires is nothing to worry about.

As you stack on the hours of riding like that, this bike will become smaller and more confidence inspiring.
And if you DO mount some tires designed for offroad conditions, the results are a much improved handling bike. I promise.

 

[imcja]

What was today's route?

 

[low drag]

It sure was a fun day. I still can't get over how warm it was and how HOT I got on the bike. I'm glad I brought some extra water.

I also learned that K60s are not that great in mud.

 

[Bushyar15]

Darn it, I wiped my GPS before downloading our route to my computer so I don't know what route we took... I'm sure 14kmtnman will join in and recap the route...

Yeah I couldn't believe how warm it was up there. I had Paul help me open all the vents on my jacket and I was still warm....

I will have to say that the Mitas Dakars seemed to do well in the Mud/snow areas. Not that I've had any other off-roadish tire on my bike. But I think having the center line portion of the tire still have "channels" might have helped it in the mud unlike the K60s...

Now thats not to say I didn't have a few "Oh Crap" moments on that stuff, but it seemed to do okay....