The Wall

#33, Recon and Big Ed Build a Wall

Since it was the first Monday after the Presidential Inauguration and it fell on a Taco Monday ride, we decided to honor Trump.  So we built a wall!!

A crew of riders usually rides each Monday to a small restaurant/bar about 45 miles away through the desert to have tacos, drinks or whatever each rider likes for lunch.  Well this was the new President’s first official work day in office so we finished our ride to lunch and back, then got started on a symbolic wall build.  Actually it was a property line demarcation that got rid of a slippery slope and provided more footing and usable space.

But since it fell on the first Monday of Trump in office we dedicated it to him, lol.

Incredibly, we did not even get back from the ride until somewhere around 3pm.  We got started and quit only when it was necessary to use flashlights to read the tape measure. None of us could believe we had completed more than ¾ of a 65ft, two tier high wall.

Big Ed was the brains since he was the one with experience, so he did most of the leveling and placement, plus it was his bat, glove and ball, I mean leveling tools.  Recon provided the muscle moving a lot of heavy cinder blocks and shoveling dirt.  #33 filled in as the helper and did whatever he was told!

Now remember these two rode 95 miles in about 4 or 5 hours and then busted out most of this project!  Trump would have been proud!  If anyone needs a good construction crew (2 man) let me know and I can hook you up.  #33 may come along in a supervisory role…………………………...

#33

‘Ability is what you’re capable of doing, Motivation determines what you do, Attitude determines how well you do it’

Friday the 13th Ride

 I had an out of town visitor who picked Friday the 13^th as the day he wanted to meet up for an off road ride day. So I rounded up a couple of buddies, Ed and Jason and we headed off on our merry way to meet up with Frank.

When Ed and Jason showed up I reminded them that it was Friday the 13^th and they both stopped for a moment and then said, “how about if we just ride easy today and explore a bit with no crazy stuff!”   Meaning of course none of the normal exploring down canyons that lead to large boulders and waterfall climbs.

I agreed and we were on our way out to pick up Frank. We met up with Frank and all the introductions were made since they had never met. In just a few short minutes we were on our way. It turned out to be one of the best days riding in the desert in quite some time. The sand washes had been washed mostly flat with just a bit of moisture underneath to keep everyone riding pretty much dust free. The single-track sections with some fantastic views were just damp enough to provide perfect traction.

The day ended up being one of the best days of riding in quite some time with weather and traction both being nearly perfect!  Not a single mishap, injury or even a flat tire in about 80 miles.  I can hardly wait for the next Friday the 13^th ride!

#33

‘Many an opportunity is lost because a man is out looking for four-leaf clovers’

Ride "maggie wash" with #33

When does a ride go from ‘exploring’ to an Adventure?

For me it is when my low fuel light comes on while riding my 500 XCW with an oversize tank. The light came on at 152 miles and I was still about 20 miles from gas!

I backed off the throttle a bit and took the most direct route to where I could find gas. I have never liked pushing in the sand much.  When I pulled into the station and filled my tank the pump showed it took 3.5 gals. That’s odd, the manufacturer says it is a 3.4 gal tank. Maybe I need a bigger tank!

#33

‘Success is a journey, not a destination’

Typical Trail Ride With #33

Reconning with Recon!

I recently had a visit from my riding and shooting buddy, Recon Don. So after our initial run out to the shooting range to blow a few things up, well just paper and metal gong targets, we prepped our bikes for a day of riding and exploring or Reconning as I like to call it when Recon goes.

We covered a pretty fair amount of ground and in one section I had Recon looking for the trail which wasn’t very well established after a year or so of weather and non-use. That is how Recon became a movie star as I followed and recorded his navigational skills on my Liquid Image goggles. The goggles give a very good picture quality and the ability to narrate while riding is a bonus. Recon kept it on two wheels the whole way and kept me entertained!

#33

To follow #33 and Recon on the way up the trail use this link.

https://youtu.be/KaqodSiVwaE

Geezer Rehab #33 Style!

 #33 takes his buddy on a geezer trail ride as part of his rehab program and this is how he treats people he likes.

“Recon” recently met up with #33 for a day of desert trail riding in the Nevada desert near Laughlin.  We explored an area most riders would only describe as ‘Disneyland on a motorcycle’.  The terrain included sand, rocks, steep climbs and descents, rock outcroppings, negotiating rock waterfalls that were obviously dry and a few ridges on single-track that required we get our feet off the pegs to clear ledges.

We made about half of our intended ride and were in some very steep terrain when Recon’s bike began to stall and stumble intermittently. I looked around and figured there was no way in hell we were going to tow or push his bike out of there if it died. It was too steep to ride double and I was not sure if I would find him today if I had to come back later with help, I thought we should get our butts out of there. I kind of like Recon and my list of able bodied riding buddies seems to grow shorter by the day, So we cut the ride short and headed for flatter terrain then made a bee line for our truck. 

We spent the next couple of hours removing and cleaning the carb on Recon’s WR 450 and finished just in time for him to take off for the Las Vegas airport to meet a flight. This was not all bad because it means there is a bunch of stuff we never had time to see and explore. That only leaves one solution to that little problem, we have to go back!

I can’t wait for part 2 when I get to go back to Recon with Recon!

#33

“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it”