First Dirt Ride!!!!

[myhrdly]

I had today off (May 23 08) so I decided to take my new to me DS bike out for a spin in the dirt!!! I started off riding to Placerville via Green Valley Rd. I wanted to go by the Forest Station to pick up some maps!! After looking at the maps for a bit, totally confused on how to read them, I took off and ended up going down Marshal Rd. I ended up going through Geogetown and then found a small Forest road, and decided to explore it!!

Here is a map of the Forest Trail I went on!


Here is a map of the whole route I rode today!!


This first pic I stopped along Marshal Rd. to see if I could figure out the map again! Gave up and went on my way to Georgtown!


Now I am on the dirt road and looking at a one lane bridge!!


Nice road!!!

I finally figured out where I was on the "free" map the Forest Station gave me!! The dirt roads are marked with numbers and I was able to now know where I was heading!! Look how dirty my bike is!!!!



Continued...................

[myhrdly]

A view from the control center!!

Mirror shot!!!


Another mirror shot!

What's up ahead?


I found this car and decided to jump over it!!! NOT!!!!!!!!!


Continued................

[myhrdly]

Continuing on, I find another sign like I saw when I first came onto the dirt road! I figured I was coming to the end, not!!! LOL

Look at all the dirt!!!!!


I found this next clearing and it had some spectacular views!!! The pics don't do it justice!!!



I parked in front of this hill, people must run there dirt bikes up this thing!!! I defenitly didn't!! There were alot of shot gun shells in this spot!!!


Continued.............

[myhrdly]

It was about 12.30 while I was in the spot with the view, so I decided to head for home! I hit the "go home" button on the Zumo and it directed me out of the dirt!!!! I love that feature of the Zumo and I was really suprised it could get me out of these dirt roads!!!!!

Finally, pavement!!!


I went back through Georgetown and then found my way to Pilot Hill, where I stopped at the little store and had a sandwich made. I then took off down Salmon Falls Road. I stopped on a 15MPH corner in the shade to eat my lunch and to take some pics of bikes coming down the road!
Here is the one bike I saw!


Here is the food shot!!!

doesn't that sandwich look yummy? I was eating the other half while I was taking pics and I walked away from the bike and I heard a light thump. Well, my other half of sandwich had become a dirtwich!!! So I learned to not put anything on the seat!!!

Last pic of the road ahead.


I can say that I really enjoy riding in the dirt and exploring the wilderness!!! Although, I think the whole time I was riding in the dirt, I may have hit second gear a couple of times. Other then that I was in first!!!! I bet most everyone else is in 3rd or 4th!!!

I think I will try to hit another dirt road next Friday!!!!!

[myhrdly]

Oh, I did find one thing that sucks about dirt riding!!!!!


Cleaning the chain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I stopped at GoodTimes Kawasaki and bought me some chain cleaner and lube!! Got home and did the deed, and now I am all ready to go again!!!!!

[Law Dawg (ret)]

Now your bike looks the way it was made to look....dirty!

First gear is good enough while you get your dirty legs, just enjoy the exploring and learn. Soon enough you will know when to shift to 3rd and when not to. Right now you might want to try playing with the traction a bit. You know... spin that rear tire and correct.

[myhrdly]

Originally Posted by Law Dawg

Now your bike looks the way it was made to look....dirty!

First gear is good enough while you get your dirty legs, just enjoy the exploring and learn. Soon enough you will know when to shift to 3rd and when not to. Right now you might want to try playing with the traction a bit. You know... spin that rear tire and correct.

Thanks, but it is already clean again!!!!!

I actually played with the rear break a bit. I would lock it up in the dirt and release the bike started to go to the side!! It was kinda fun!!! I'm not quite ready to actually do any spinning of the rear tire!!! LOL

[Loki]

Great photos. Congratulations on the KLR. It's perty. We're gaining more dual sport riders on Pashnit. It's all 2on2off and motorrad's fault.

[Law Dawg (ret)]

Originally Posted by myhrdly

Thanks, but it is already clean again!!!!!

I'm not quite ready to actually do any spinning of the rear tire!!! LOL

Should have left it dirty for a bit...sort of a badge of honor don't ya know. Saying spin the rear tire does not mean burn outs. It means just a smidge more throttle than you need on a turn or start off (you are so ready for this...it's a hoot ). Take it easy but play with that friction zone a bit...you will find it addictive and VERY instructive. Slide your weight forward and backward on the seat even stand up on the pegs and get a feel for it. Your street skills are about to improve a bunch.

[Sbyllek]

Looks like fun Kim!!!
I'm just gonna live vicariously through you for awhile...until we can afford to outfit our little family with a few dirt bikes.