The Adventures of Tyson and Hobbes

[av_mech]

It has been a crazy spring and summer all over the country for weather. Idaho had a miserably cold and wet spring. Colorado has had a ton of snow and rain. For the past week and a half here in Denver we have had a storm every afternoon. It has been fantastic. It starts with really cool clouds that build into the flatland from the mountains and then produce some serious downpours with plenty of thunder and lightning. It has been very enjoyable and made for some unbelievable sunsets and sunrises. My girl and I went for a drive the other night and saw this sunset over the Flatirons of Boulder. Her comment was, "It's so pretty it hurts!"





That was the segue into riding. I just needed to illustrate it's been raining a ton. I also work a ton. 18 hour shift on Sunday. That doesn't leave a lot of time to ride. So, when I have the energy, I'm going whether the weather's cooperating or not!

I finished a short 12 hour shift on Thursday of last week. I needed to ride and forget about the previous 12 hours. Sunuvabitch. It's raining. I still don't have my good gear and it still isn't going to stop me. I geared up in my mesh and cotton and headed South. I was on I-25 and doing the time calculations in my head for when I might get home. Hmmm.... It's 7:15 now, three hour-ish loop...yep, it's gonna be dark. Maybe this isn't my best decision of all time, but I need a ride.

I had a close call on the Interstate with an idiot that decided he needed to exit NOW! Emergency maneuver, ADV rider salute, and we continue. The Tiger is pretty damn agile and I'm safe.

It took longer than I thought to get to Monument, CO. The rain is already penetrating into my cotton work clothes. It is a warm rain tonight and actually feels good.

I say sunuvabitch about the rain, but the truth is that I actually have this weird affinity for riding in it. Maybe I just learned to like it when a motorcycle was my only vehicle back in college. I was just thankful to able to get somewhere. I did have to ride in the snow a few times on my 1993 Katana 750, and that wasn't very fun. I didn't miss class though!

I start heading for Mt. Herman Rd and can't find a gas station except for the ten I passed right when I got off the interstate. I had no choice but to turn around, wait for a train at the tracks I just crossed, and go back to get gas. While I was filling up, my room mate texted me to ask if I was ok on my bike.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Cause they had to rescue a few people from I-25 in a flash flood!"
"Oh. I went South. It's only a moderate downpour here. :)"

I probably should check the weather before I head off piste.



No red. All good.

Gassed up and light fading, I head out on my evening ride into the unknown. These dirt roads are all new to me and I can only guess by what the atlas looks like as to how long it will take to get home. My best estimate is I'm 80 miles from home.

The plan is pretty simple. Mt. Herman Rd. to Rampart Range Rd. to 67. Sign says 13 miles to Rampart Range Rd from town. Ok, I know how far that section is at least. It's 7:55 when I get to dirt.

As I get closer to the mountains, the rain lets up.



It is shaping up to be a fun ride. Traction is good and my spirits are up.





As I climb I see these tracks around every turn. I really hope I don't meet some teenager in a WRX going sideways around one of these corners!



I am getting to the top of the ridge now and seeing some very cool rock formations. This is such a cool corner of the world.









I did see that it was a Jeep making those tracks. I passed him doing doughnuts on a side road. Sweet.

I finally made it to Rampart Range Rd. 63 miles to Denver and 8:34. Yeah, it's gonna be a late night.



Rampart is a wide open gravel road, so going is quick. I am still trying to stop and take pictures with my crappy old 3Gs iPhone while I have light. The sun even poked it's head out for a minute.







This is a very popular area for OHV and camping so there are just a ton of offshoot trails that I'll come back to get lost on.

I am doing more time and distance calculations in my head when,

OH SHIT RABBIT!!!



Dammit Hobbes! Oh well. Tigers will be Tigers. Hobbes has his first kill.

We continued on our way and the fog started to set in and the rain started again. Then, I came to this:



Fresh snow on July 7!!! Can't say it's the first time I've seen it, but it's rare.

That was one hell of a storm that rolled though. There are all sorts of tree branches and leaves scattered all over the road. The temp has come back up and the fog is getting thick and the rain harder. The headlight on the Tiger is fantastic! I still could have used some HIDs hanging off the side though.



That's the last picture.

I continued my ride and the road is starting to lose altitude now. Every turn I get a little lower, the temp gets a little higher, and it rains a little harder. I made it off the dirt and back to the pavement of 67. It is almost 930 and completely dark.

85 brings me back into Denver and I'm having a really hard time seeing. Like I said in the start, maybe not my best decision ever, but man, do I feel good! I needed that. I just have to make it home.

It is raining really hard and there is standing water all over the place. I took the trade off between not being able to see very well due to the road spray of the semi tires and the safety of the puddle-less road they provide. I follow this semi til I get on I-25 North for just a few miles before I'm home. I briefly flipped my visor up and braved the stinging of the pellets on my face to see exactly where the on-ramp was. It was perfect timing to notice the 2 foot plus puddle just to my left. Would have taken me out for sure. With that last obstacle avoided by sheer dumb luck, I'm home. Relaxed and SOAKED!!!

[trailrider383]

Bump. Do you need another KLX? Here is a cheap one: http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/2498672388.html

[Cariboo_kid]

Fabulous report Tyson, great pics. The Tiger 800 must be one of the most versatile bikes of all times.

[av_mech]

Originally Posted by trailrider383

Bump. Do you need another KLX? Here is a cheap one: http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/2498672388.html

That's a great deal!! If it's still available when I get home I might just pick it up. Mine is a project and would make a good back up parts bike since parts are so hard to find.

[av_mech]

Originally Posted by Cariboo_kid

Fabulous report Tyson, great pics. The Tiger 800 must be one of the most versatile bikes of all times.

Thanks for reading! I'm completely in love with this bike. I have another report to post that involves some single track on the big bike. It truly will do anything. The report will be up in the next few days. Worked almost 90 hours last week and and this one isn't looking any better. That seriously cuts into fun time.

[av_mech]

IT'S HERE!! IT'S HERE!! MY KLIM GEAR IS HERE!!



I am a firm believer in ATGATT. I took a little skid on the pavement a year ago and didn't have everything on. Never again!!



If you'll remember from the last episode, my camera is dead. I do take a ton of photo's and my reports will get much better in the near future. Just got this little guy.



Panasonic TS3. It 's a tough camera that's shock proof to 6.6ft, waterproof to 40ft, and dust proof since it doesn't have a zoom that extends from the camera. Perfect for me!!

Well, that aside, I didn't have the camera for this ride, so just a few pics to go along with the story from last week.

Where was I? Ahh yes, the Klim gear!! So I of course have to test the gear and it just so happens that rain is forecast again.



Hobbes and I are off! I'm heading back to Rampart Range to ride some OHV stuff cause I haven't tested the Tiger on anything more than gravel roads at this point. It's lightly raining and it's beading off the gear just as it should. I'm so happy!

I got to Rampart Range Road and turned off the highway. I passed the first parking lot where a bunch of dirt bikers were finishing their day. I wonder what they think when they hear a triple whiz by on the gravel at 70.

The last ride I came through here in the dark. This time it's daylight and I see all the trails right next to the road. This is what I came to do! I was off the graded road and into 250cc territory. I was on the easy trail next to the road and saw and intermediate trail, so I said why not? It quickly dropped off and away from the main road.

Then ,I had a grown up moment. No detailed map, no GPS, by myself, getting late in the day, and raining. I should go back to that parking lot where those guys were finishing their day and see if they have some locals knowledge and maybe an extra map. So, I turned around and headed back in the general direction of the parking lot.

I was on an intermediate trail and the Tiger is handling great! Flickable, still has traction with the street tires on, and sounds great in the woods!

I knew I was close to the parking lot. I came over a rise and saw a climb from hell. Washed out from all the rain, tree roots, and rocks. I'm already committed at this point because of the speed I was carrying. GAS GAS GAS!! The tiger is clawing and swaying in the gully climb. Hobbes is jumping from one side to the other and bouncing from rock to tree root and back to the next rock. I think I was literally laughing in my helmet at this point!!!

I got to the crest of the climb and caught a little air off the lip, landed on my rear tire, rode a wheelie for a few feet and set the front tire down. I was stopped next to a few guys having a beer after riding their 250's and 450's all over.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE DOING WITH THAT BIKE ON THAT CLIMB?!?!"

I calmly answered, "Got a map?"

They were completely blown away I got the bike up that gully. We chatted for a min and they informed me there was a pretty good trail that paralled the road. All their maps were soaked and disintegrating. Good enough for me. Off we go again!

I rode 20 miles of ATV and single track after that. This bike continues to impress me. A front knobbie will help a lot keeping the front tire out of the bottom of ruts and holding a line. But, that is my only complaint. A tire change. That's it.

I can say this with confidence, "I WILL take this bike anywhere the KLR went."







Those are the only pics. Sorry.

Oh wait... this one too. Got this one outta the way. A little too much gas getting on the gravel from the single track. I had to pick up the Tiger for the first time. The Happy Trails guards worked well. I bent the brake pedal a bit, but it's steel. Easy to bend back. And I'll also say this; It's easier to pick up than a 990!!!



I jumped back on the gravel and took 502 to Jackson Creek Rd. It's been raining pretty good this whole time and my gear is working as advertised. I made it back to the pavement and was gawking at all the mansions sitting on 10+ acres. I looked over and thought, "That's a weird place for an elk statue. Wouldn't you put it by your driveway? Holy fuck it's real!!!" This was leaps and bounds way bigger than any bull I've ever seen. Magnificent!!! It was a real highlight of the evening to see something like that less than 50 yards away.

Now it's getting dark and raining harder. I make it back to Denver and it's raining twice as hard as the other night. Can't see shit. I stop for the light at Alameda and Sante Fe. Water is coming over the top of my boot! There was easily two and a half feet of water in the intersection!! There were two cuties in an Escape next to me giving me the thumbs up. I opened my face shield to make eye contact and blew them a kiss. That's how I roll. The light turned green and I got on the pegs and the gas.

Who knew Hobbes' first stream crossing was going to be in Denver city limits?!



The gear is still doing great through the torrent of water. Some is running off the helmet down my back. I'll come up with a fix for that. The feet and hands are soaked, so I do feel wet.

I turned up Alameda and the there is literally a river running down the road. On the pegs and on the gas!! People must really think I'm crazy. Now I'm getting water down the front of my jacket. Oh well, I'm going back to the BIG puddle!

I went back to Sante Fe and Alameda and crossed it like 10 times. At it's deepest, I'd guess over three feet. The Tiger will cross some rivers!! There were all sorts of people stalled out in the intersection, and I'm out playing.



Sunuvabitch. I'm wet now. Gore Tex can't keep you dry when it comes in the openings. Time to go home. Til next time.....

[av_mech]

This addition of "Tyson and Hobbes" will be an entertaining one.It will also include some lessons that I learned. Really, they are lessons that I learned in the past but chose to ignore. Enough foreshadowing...

I have been working a ton. To be exact, this was my third day off in July and I've AVERAGED 11 hours per shift. So what do I want to do with my day off? RIDE!

My ride started just like any other to get out of Denver. It sure makes me appreciate my home in Boise because I can be on the dirt in 15 minutes there.
Today I am headed for the 4wd drive roads around Cedar Mountain to the Northwest of Woodland Park. I began heading for the hills on 285 and left the city and smog behind. I turned South on 97 and followed Kennedy Gulch. Nothing to special to report. Just a nice leisurely drive on the pavement.





When I got to Westcreek on 67, I turned off the highway and ventured onto the dirt. I came to the first major intersection an pulled over as it was time to plan the route. I can only plan about three turns ahead before I forget what the plan was. This was actually a few more than that from Denver, so I did well today!

From here the plan was to take CR 68 to FR 360. 360 is labeled 4WD in the Benchmark and is what I always look for to get off the beaten path. I saw the sign for "4WD High Clearance Required" and knew it was the turn off. The road was fantastic and I was in a great mood enjoying my freedom for a day from my indentured servitude.








I've been doing a fair amount of dirt on the Tiger and have been wanting to hit some more challenging terrain. I finally got my wish. There were a few sections like this and the Tiger just claws right up it.





I am at the South end of the Hayman fire burn area. It'll come back some day. It has been a good number of years and the process is slow at high altitude.



The wildflowers were out in full force!





Now it was time to make another decision. I pulled out my map again and looked at what the next turn could be. I see that 221 drops down into the canyon and crosses the South Platte River. It then climbs the other side as 540 and meets up with 211. From there I can jump back on the pavement and head 'er home. I pass through the OPEN gate and take off down 221.





The scenery is spectacular!! I can't hardly ride for a minute with out wanting to stop and take photos. One of the nice things about riding by myself is, I can do just that. Plus it is the first day with my new camera. It reminds me a lot of the road into Artillery Dome in Idaho. It follows a knife edge ridge and is definitely a challenging ride.







There are a number of these ascents and descents on the road. The dirt is interesting. It is broken down granite with no soil to hold it together. Like a bunch a ball bearings. The ass of the bike is all over the place when I get on the gas. Plus, with all the rain we've had, there are plenty of runoff ruts to negotiate.











Ok, the trail is getting pretty tough at this point for a 500lb bike with 93 hp and street tires. Yes, I still have the Death Wings on. The TKCs are sitting in the garage not mounted. Who wants to change two tires after 14 12-hour days in a row? Hmmmm...more foreshadowing perhaps?



Now we're starting to lose some altitude and head to the valley floor.








I'm riding down some of these steep descents thinking, "Man, I'm glad I'm going DOWN this instead of UP cause I don't know if I can get UP this!" Then I come to a 4WD obstacle. It's an off camber chunk of granite. There's no major drop off, just a goofy angled slope. "OK. No problem." And it wasn't.

I continued on my way towards the valley floor for all of 400 yards and..."THE ROAD IS CLOSED?! YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!! THE GODDAMN ROAD IS CLOSED!!!" We aren't talking about a friendly sign or plastic road barrier. We're talking metal posts and iron rope with no way around. And even if I could get around, I'm in a burn area where nobody would be traveling down the road to clear the fallen tees! In my brief moment of panic, I neglected to take a picture.

I immediately turn around and head back up the mountain toward the obstacle. My mind is racing. I get back to it and this is what it looks like from where I stand.



I got off and had a walk around. Only one way up. Period. No easy way or bypass. I'm not gonna lie. I set up the camera and took a video. My first attempt was complete amateur hour. I couldn't get traction in the gravel and gained no speed. I should have aborted and taken a bigger run. I will humor you with a still shot of me coming off the bike about halfway through the fall.



Right mirror destroyed. I picked the bike up and turned around. I grabbed the camera cause I was done taking pictures at this point. I had a job to do! This time I got a running start. There wasn't a smooth transition onto the rock and it threw me for a loop. I lost my momentum and had to grab the brake. I kept it upright this time and rolled back off the rock but dropped it at the bottom.

At this point I have another moment of panic set in. "What if I can't get up this? I'm by myself!"

I quickly quashed that thought. I have way too much experience in uncomfortable situations in the great outdoors to panic this early. I got the bike back to the starting line and shut it off. I walked up and kicked the loose gravel into the hole to make a smooth run on. Third times the charm!!

EDIT: I've had some issues posting a video. Click the squished picture of the bike directly below.







You can tell I'm pretty stoked at this point. Hootin' and hollerin' stoked! That would be short lived. Did you notice the climb I have to make it up next when I talking about the rain coming? Yeah, me neither.





I put the back pack on and thought "Shit. Here we go! On the gas and kickin' ass!" I was carrying quite a bit of confidence after making it up that slab of granite. Then, I made my next mistake.

I'm booking it up the hill, but I'm in second. Buzz...too late. Try again. I'm 35 ft from the top and the front tire climbs the wall and I go down again. I'm a bit frustrated. I get the bike vertical and it goes over center and falls the other way. FUCK!!! I drag it around and pick it up again. This is getting old. I tried one time to start going up hill and walk it the rest of the way. ZERO traction. I take back everything I've said previously about the Death Wings being decent off road. They blow and I can't wait for knobbies.

I begin to get the bike pointed down the mountain to make another run. Guess what? Dropped it again. I'm getting tired. I finally get it pointed down hill and ride alllllllll the way back to the bottom.

Now I know where my failure was. The Tiger has a very tall first gear and this is the one time you'd hope for that off road. Rev'd up in first and off we go again! I'm out of breath and my heart is pounding. I can tell I am getting better at horsing the bike around. I'm feeling good. I'm approaching the first crash site and I have my line picked out. Missed it! FAIL. This time the left hand guard splinters into pieces and the clutch lever has a bit of a new shape. A bit of a side note...the Cycra bark busters were in the shopping cart but not bought yet.

I have to pick up the bike three more times because I am completely exhausted at this point. I am going back down to the bottom and I fall in a nasty rut and I just don't have the energy to keep the bike up. We go down again.

Once I finally get back to the flat ground, it's time to take a break. I take off my helmet and turtle suit to cool down. Now the panic is setting in a bit again. The first thing I did was check my cell phone. Service!! All is not lost. Just knowing that made things much better. I also ride with a Spot tracker, so I am never with out a life line. It still didn't change the fact that I have tried and failed twice to get up this monster of a hill climb.

I actually took an inventory of snacks and checked my water level. I may be walking or spending the night. I'm kind of prepared and I won't die. It may not be fun, but I'll make it. I'm 25 miles at the most from civilization.

I laid down for a minute and found my center again. I felt calm. I got up, gathered my things, and put the safety gear back on. I have a good feeling about this. Redlined in first and I'm screaming, "C'mon Hobbes!! We got this!!" We are clawing from one side of the rutted trail to the other and making progress quick. I missed my line for the third time. These tires just won't hold a line in this loose gravel. I jammed my foot into the bank and yelled, "Not this time!" I changed the direction of travel with my foot and WE MADE IT!! I stopped at the top and gave a Hobbes a hug. Easy peasy from here!

Well, not quite. There were two more climbs after that one. Not as steep but a few turns to make and bigger rocks to negotiate. My confidence in my ability to handle this bike is brimming and there's no way we are going down again today.

I came out to 360 and pulled out the map. I'm exhausted, but I hate going back the way I came. I continue on towards Woodland Park. Grateful for some easier terrain at this point of the day.

The next road to the right had this sign. I won't be going down there today! Kinda wish 221 would have had one of these signs.



Here's a great view of Pike's Peak. I've never seen it from this side before.





I got on CR 51 and headed for the pavement. It was the smoothest gravel I've ever been on. Sure wish I had knobbies on. It just rained a bit and the traction was great even with the slicks!



I hit the highway to Woodland Park. Man I miss having mirrors. 67 back to the North to Deckers. A very nice gentleman flashed me and I gave him a thumbs up. I was haulin ass on the pavement. Two turns later...speed trap. People still warn of cops and today it saved my bacon. That's totally what I would have needed to top today off. A fricken speeding ticket. I rolled past doing the speed limit.

I'm not done riding dirt so I take Sugar Creek Road to cut over to Sedalia. Back to people, traffic, and HOME!!!



The total on the day was two mirrors, bent clutch lever, and two destroyed plastic hand guards. I have to say I am VERY impressed with the Happy Trails guards and racks. My first fall today was HARD! Just a few scratches and nothing bent. They completely spared the bike of any damage to things they were designed to protect.







Home sweet home. My thoughts about lessons learned and relearned tomorrow.

[6USMC6]

Tyson -
If you haven't bought new hand guards yet, take a look at Highway Dirt Bikes guards. Stronger than Cycra or Acerbis and they have an option for mirrors that fold in out of the way behind the handguards.

http://www.highwaydirtbikes.com/HDB_Shop/

[jerdog53]

Tyson!

Great report, lots of good pictures and trails and looks like a lot of fun!

Good talking to you the other day in the office, we'll have to go ride soon!!

[Jason Abbott]

Originally Posted by av_mech

I'm out of breath and my heart is pounding. I can tell I am getting better at horsing the bike around.

Wow, what a ride. It's great to face a challenge and get through it. Big bikes off road are always good cardio.

[ryanwilliamcantrell]

That was painful to read ~ I know that feeling of being over-biked for a trail... I had it several time on the 950. As you're figuring out, once the momentum is gone... it's ALL OVER. Gotta turn around and try again. That's what happened on the Louie Lake trail, and what happened at Big Windy when I smoked my clutch.

You'll like the TKC's, they'll give you considerably more traction. Can you put full knobbies on it? That was the saving grace of the aftermarket rims on my KTM, was that I could run the full-on dirt knobbies on it, which made a significant difference.

[av_mech]

Originally Posted by 6USMC6

Tyson -
If you haven't bought new hand guards yet, take a look at Highway Dirt Bikes guards. Stronger than Cycra or Acerbis and they have an option for mirrors that fold in out of the way behind the handguards.

http://www.highwaydirtbikes.com/HDB_Shop/

That looks like a hell of a product. I'm gonna hold off on the Cycras until I can see these in person. Thanks!

[av_mech]

Originally Posted by jerdog53

Tyson!

Great report, lots of good pictures and trails and looks like a lot of fun!

Good talking to you the other day in the office, we'll have to go ride soon!!

Nice chattin with ya. Can't wait to see that unique bike in action!

[av_mech]

Originally Posted by ryanwilliamcantrell

That was painful to read ~ I know that feeling of being over-biked for a trail... I had it several time on the 950. As you're figuring out, once the momentum is gone... it's ALL OVER. Gotta turn around and try again. That's what happened on the Louie Lake trail, and what happened at Big Windy when I smoked my clutch.

You'll like the TKC's, they'll give you considerably more traction. Can you put full knobbies on it? That was the saving grace of the aftermarket rims on my KTM, was that I could run the full-on dirt knobbies on it, which made a significant difference.

Yeah, I remember helping you pick that 950 up like four times going into Louie Lake! Not sure about full knobbies. Weren't you running a 130 D606 for awhile? I think there will be a lot of new tires coming out in a 150 size the next year or two. It's getting really popular with these middle weight adv bikes. Kenda has the Big Block out and I think that may just be the beginning.

[airmech]

Loving the ride reports. Looks like some great times. Nothing like taking a streetbike off road right? I can definitely relate.