Saturday May 7, 2011 3 From the valley of the sun and 2 from The Old Pueblo set out to rediscover many of the mines surrounding Crown King, AZ in the Bradshaw Mountains. The five were: YBRacing KTM XC 450 4Play KTM XC 450 hybrid Refokus KTM 450 EXC Fastphil38 Honda CRF 450 X Hoosiertrailmaster KTM 450 EXC Staging area off the road to Bumble Bee YBRacing telling 4Play about the time he kicked Malcolm Smith's butt. Refokus trying to figure the exact oil level for a partially loaded 450 EXC with 18 lbs. tire pressure. 4Play wondering how dusty will it be today? Refokus showing he is a "stand-up" rider. Our first mine, Swastika Mine, taken about 200 yards in. YBRAcing says, "Let's go where your mother likes it...rough". YBRacing discussing with Refokus how rough will we go. Refokus trying to focus. FastPhil38 was his usual self..."whatever dude". As always, photos don't do justice, this had several steep step-ups with a 3 footer at the end. Everyone made it without a glitch which pretty much summed up the day..."No Problem". Next stop, Crown King Mill for some lunch...FastPhil38 liked his. YBracing has a time figuring out what he wanted from the menu, as it is massive..."should I have the hamburger...or should I have the cheeseburger?" What a great heart stopper special they have. What next? 4Play played LoneStarTrailmaster this day. Massive fire destroyed a lot of the trees up the mountain. Back in Indiana, we call this a pond...but it is a lake in Arizona. 4Play is doing really well after last year's attack by a javelina. Refokus getting "mini air". YBRacing always with the perfect form. Refokus coming up a tricky little step-up in Turkey Creek. I missed a whole lot of good photo opps going up and down Turkey Creek. Lots of powdered sugar sand, baby heads and deeper water. Hopefully some of the group can add to this.
What an awesome group/day/ride! We covered, gnarly rocks, steep loose hill climbs with bonus ledges, water crossings, bottomless sand traps & more rocks. Zero issues all day with the exception of the deep sand & gravity moments. Nothing serious, looked more like the guy on the tricycle from "Laugh In" HTM exploring a mine FastPhil38 Cleaning my goggles thinking maybe I'd ride faster if I could see better YBR & Refokus Chilling
Yesterdays ride through Turkey Creek and up the back side of Desoto was a blast. I took this ride last year with Nightstalker, goner, javalina and Alex so I was the only one that kind of knew the way. Actually, it's the first time that I had to use the GPS tracks that I recorded so I was a little nervous in getting everyone lost. But as you can see, it worked out and we made it back to the staging area. Great group to ride with and the weather was perfect with the slight breeze keeping the dust down and the temps cooler. Here are a few pics that I took along the way; HTM heading up the hill on the way to Turkey Creek
Fastphil38 right behind him ybracing 4Play HTM was the first victim of the day in the sand Getting to the hill climbs this is 4Play heading up the first one. These climbs were a little harder this year it seems like but everyone made them without incident, but a few close calls.... 4Play and Fastphil38 right behind him HTM getting a run and making his way up the hill... ybracing making tracks up the hill 4Play heading up the nasty little hill with Fastphil38 looking on and getting ready to go and there goes Fastphil38 Here are a few more photos that I took from the top of one of the climbs. I did not get good shots or angles so I am not too happy with myself. Fastphil38 pulling a wheelie up the last steep climb but as you can see I was in the wrong position and so you see more of the bush. It was a cool pop a wheelie though ybracing making it all look smooth and easy. 4Play on the little short chute from one of the mines. I can't remember the name of this one That is it for the photos, I didn't get too many. I am going to try to do a better job next time. What a great day and ride, I do enjoy this route.
Great RR, It was nice to ride with you guys, you valley guys can ride Motos! I look forward to doing some flag ride soon! I slept like a baby sat night ,I thought since I have a scotts now onboard I would not be tired. We will ride again Thanks. Ride On! Phil
Sorry for the delay in posting. I rode 275 miles today and took my wife to a movie. We saw Thor, pretty good flick. Great ride with a great group of guys. The whole group flowed down the trails with ease so we burned through Turkey Creek in no time and then Desoto Mine and found our selves at Crown king at 11:30, right on time for lunch. Buddy was the only one of the group that been up to Horse Thief Lake (pond?) so we decided to motor up there after lunch and see what it looked like. What views we had on the way up. I just wish I had taken some pictures. We took Turkey Creek back to the trucks. I did manage to take a few pictures and one video so, on with the show. I think this is Phil doing what he does best (riding fast) Refocus making tracks Here is HTM trying to hide behind a bush after his crash in the sand. HTM hauling a$$. HTM playing in the above mentioned sand. It looks like fun! Refocus on the gas. Refocus trying to play in the sand like HTM only without the falling thing. This would be Phil. He is like pig pen from the peanuts cartoon. Every time you see him he is stirring up the dust. See what I mean! Buddy making that old sand look easy. Show off! Buddy on the rock. I'm not sure but I think they were racing. Buddy always picking the perfect line. Here is a link for a video of one of the bad hill climbs. http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r43/ybracing/05-07-11 Ride/?action=view¤t=M4H00338.mp4 That's about it for the pictures. I have a tendency to focus on riding and not crashing and forget to take pictures. I did go down 1 time on this ride. It was a loose rock under my front on a turn but, no one got pictures so I guess it did not really happen. Thanks everyone for a great ride and Allyn & Phil for making the journey up here and, I am looking forward to going to Tucson in a couple of weeks if that develops. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge.
Hey YB, That was a fun ride,thanks for the report. It was nice to meet and ride with you and the guys. We will keep you posted on the rug road ride, have a great week, Ride On! Phil
Looked fun but I bailed last minute 'cause you weren't gettin' me in those mine shafts. I think I made the right call, even the pictures give me the willies.