2013 - Strawberry Narrows trail, Central Utah
Content links below: click the pics
A Little Experiment to Resurrect My Old XR200R . . . New Legs
So, it starts like this. . . In 1982, June, I worked out a deal with the owners of Newgate Honda. I was to build an add-on garage to an existing home. . . they would furish materials and I would provide all the labor and expertise in trade for a brand new 1982 XR200R, right out of the crate. So on the weekend of July 4th, I took possession of my new toy.
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Fast forward thru 33 yrs. of play riding, desert racing, pit bike and finally about a ten yr. stint of sitting in my garage. All the while, I took good care of this little baby and never had many problems keeping this thing in top shape. Up until a few yrs. ago, I start taking it with me to Southern Utah to play and use as my camp bike. Found out it was really a blast. But the new gas w/ethanol ate up my carb and I had to rebuild that recently.
This year, after riding a few times with friends who have more modern bikes . . . 2006-7 dirt bikes. Needless to say my poor little XR was out matched in the suspension dept. The motor still ran great, but it needed some help. . . BAD! I started researching and found out I could put a CR set of front forks which would up my front travel from around 9.5" to 12" plus. Also, I would gain a front disc brake. Found a usable complete CR500 setup on ebay for $400 used. Front wheel, disc brake, hose & Forks. Of course everything was used and needed help. New fork kit, bushings, seals, oil and boots and cleaning. Had to get about 3 large washers to accommodate the difference in the triple tree stack height.
But now with the longer travel in the front, the bike was way out of whack. Researched and found an XR250R rear shock for $75 off KSL classifieds. Longer travel as well as adjustable compression and rebound. Bolted right up. . . went from stock 9" travel to 10.5". Balanced the bike out perfectly. Gained about 3" seat height, which it handled no problem as the stock bike sat very low in the saddle. I now have about 15" of ground clearance.
After the complete bolt up and changeover, I needed to dial it in. I went on a local ride from No. Odgen divide to Ben Lomond Peak. Lots of switchbacks and rocks. . . an actual world class dirt bike ride. Found out the new triple tree fork stops configured differently and my steering radius increased considerably. . . enough to screw me royal on all the tight switches. Came home after that ride and tore the front end back off and proceeded to file about 3/16's of an inch off each side of the frame stop. Had to be careful not to remove too much or the fork tubes could hit the tank. After getting it all back together, I decided to hit Ben Lomond again, but this time from a different route. Up out of Avon, over to Mantua/Inspiration Point rd. over to B.L. and then back. A faster and just as rocky route, but great for testing out the suspension.
Holy cow!! Turning radius is now tolerable and the suspension is a good 3 times sweeter than stock was. I can now keep up and it doesn't beat the s__t out of me. In other words: I Love It!! It has given my Old XR a new lease on riding. I actually love riding this thing now!! Worth every dollar and hour spent.
The next project? Probably a medium cam to give it a little more beans & speed. I've just got to come up with another $200 for the cam. . . (disregard the date on the photo - forgot to set it.)
This year, after riding a few times with friends who have more modern bikes . . . 2006-7 dirt bikes. Needless to say my poor little XR was out matched in the suspension dept. The motor still ran great, but it needed some help. . . BAD! I started researching and found out I could put a CR set of front forks which would up my front travel from around 9.5" to 12" plus. Also, I would gain a front disc brake. Found a usable complete CR500 setup on ebay for $400 used. Front wheel, disc brake, hose & Forks. Of course everything was used and needed help. New fork kit, bushings, seals, oil and boots and cleaning. Had to get about 3 large washers to accommodate the difference in the triple tree stack height.
But now with the longer travel in the front, the bike was way out of whack. Researched and found an XR250R rear shock for $75 off KSL classifieds. Longer travel as well as adjustable compression and rebound. Bolted right up. . . went from stock 9" travel to 10.5". Balanced the bike out perfectly. Gained about 3" seat height, which it handled no problem as the stock bike sat very low in the saddle. I now have about 15" of ground clearance.
After the complete bolt up and changeover, I needed to dial it in. I went on a local ride from No. Odgen divide to Ben Lomond Peak. Lots of switchbacks and rocks. . . an actual world class dirt bike ride. Found out the new triple tree fork stops configured differently and my steering radius increased considerably. . . enough to screw me royal on all the tight switches. Came home after that ride and tore the front end back off and proceeded to file about 3/16's of an inch off each side of the frame stop. Had to be careful not to remove too much or the fork tubes could hit the tank. After getting it all back together, I decided to hit Ben Lomond again, but this time from a different route. Up out of Avon, over to Mantua/Inspiration Point rd. over to B.L. and then back. A faster and just as rocky route, but great for testing out the suspension.
Holy cow!! Turning radius is now tolerable and the suspension is a good 3 times sweeter than stock was. I can now keep up and it doesn't beat the s__t out of me. In other words: I Love It!! It has given my Old XR a new lease on riding. I actually love riding this thing now!! Worth every dollar and hour spent.
The next project? Probably a medium cam to give it a little more beans & speed. I've just got to come up with another $200 for the cam. . . (disregard the date on the photo - forgot to set it.)
The image above is the track overlay of our actual ride to 'splore and connect the complete Rattlesnake trail. This is a very obscure and unknown trail that runs above the newly constructed Pleasant View section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). This runs along the southern base of Ben Lomond peak.
This is not a trail for the inexperienced rider. Sometimes only 18 inches wide in spots, with steep sidehill looming just a twerk away from going airborne or definately crashing & only 3.6 miles in length one way, this trail is so demanding that you will get pumped up gong downhill! That is how technical it is. Can you say: "Singletrack to the max"?
We started @ the Pleasant View trailhead that is located high on the bench above North Ogden. We headed East after climbing from the TH to the BST. We then rode/H-a-B (hike-a-biked) up an old 2-track left over from probably the 30's. This is Steep! In the one-way ride, we chalked up a whopping 1600 vertical climb in just 3.6 miles!! But boy howdy, is this a fun and challenging trail. We did determine that when doing it as a loop, you should start @ the North Ogden TH. . . heading north out of the TH on the BST, ridng until it turns basically west, following the powerline there.
A mention of the BST here. . . The trailbuilders have done a fantastic job creating an outstanding ride above the city, with views to die for. The BST is a blast to ride in itself. . . but this was not our goal of the day. Follow the BST until it gets close to the Pleasant View TH where you'll find the old 2-trk. on the right. Rattlesnake will take off from the old 2-trk. Very very obscure.
I'm really not sure who is responsible for the construction of this trail, but it is well thought out and constructed. But, like I said, Expert riding. . . IMO, it is the best bang for your buck if it is ridden west to east. Switchbacks galore and skinny skinny trail. It is NOT a high speed trail, but slow and technical. If you find this gem, take care of it, it is fragile. Experience it. . . don't try to race on it. . . enjoy it and ride responsibly so you leave it for others to enjoy. Peace and Just Ride Already!! REA
This is not a trail for the inexperienced rider. Sometimes only 18 inches wide in spots, with steep sidehill looming just a twerk away from going airborne or definately crashing & only 3.6 miles in length one way, this trail is so demanding that you will get pumped up gong downhill! That is how technical it is. Can you say: "Singletrack to the max"?
We started @ the Pleasant View trailhead that is located high on the bench above North Ogden. We headed East after climbing from the TH to the BST. We then rode/H-a-B (hike-a-biked) up an old 2-track left over from probably the 30's. This is Steep! In the one-way ride, we chalked up a whopping 1600 vertical climb in just 3.6 miles!! But boy howdy, is this a fun and challenging trail. We did determine that when doing it as a loop, you should start @ the North Ogden TH. . . heading north out of the TH on the BST, ridng until it turns basically west, following the powerline there.
A mention of the BST here. . . The trailbuilders have done a fantastic job creating an outstanding ride above the city, with views to die for. The BST is a blast to ride in itself. . . but this was not our goal of the day. Follow the BST until it gets close to the Pleasant View TH where you'll find the old 2-trk. on the right. Rattlesnake will take off from the old 2-trk. Very very obscure.
I'm really not sure who is responsible for the construction of this trail, but it is well thought out and constructed. But, like I said, Expert riding. . . IMO, it is the best bang for your buck if it is ridden west to east. Switchbacks galore and skinny skinny trail. It is NOT a high speed trail, but slow and technical. If you find this gem, take care of it, it is fragile. Experience it. . . don't try to race on it. . . enjoy it and ride responsibly so you leave it for others to enjoy. Peace and Just Ride Already!! REA
One Horse to Coldwater 5/3/2015
So, Sunday morning came around and I was hankerin' for something new. . . maybe an adventure . . . one close by that I didn't have to travel forever to get to. I have been getting wind thru the 'ride' grapevine of a new trail somewhere in No. Ogden/Coldwater. . . I was hearing. . . I have been following the trail development north of 12th St. since forever. We used to ride dirt bikes up here in the late 70's, so a lot of the trails they are building use sections of & cross many of the older existing trails.
I have been riding north from 12th St out of Ogden, all the way out past the end of the canal access road, past Garner Canyon to where the trail ended just short of some private property, just north of One Horse Canyon, for a few years now. From my house out and back used to be about a 17 miler with about 2000+ vert climb. I had always wondered when and if they were ever going to continue with the BST further north. This ties in with the rumors that I'd been hearing about a new trail section 'they' had cut or were cutting.
So with all this in mind, I decided to go do some 'splorin' and rectumnoitering and see what I could find out for myself firsthand. I headed up to the Nature Park off Mtn. Rd. in No.Ogden. Parked and jumped on the bike from there and headed up. I stayed on the lower trail in the park, continuing N.E. There is actually some pretty good little technical sections in the nature park itself...fun, fun, fun. On the very north end is an old concrete holding pit that all the local kids have graffitied the hell out of. Soon, I connect to the canal rd again and after a short steep climb, connect with the BSTrail @ Garner Canyon.
It is right in this section where this new trail starts. It's definitely a machine cut trail. The switches are all shaped with nice berms and wide. As a matter of fact, most of the trail is really wide. . . probably 4 ft wide at least. It uses most of the section almost up to One Horse Canyon, where it veers off and starts climbing . . . all brand new . . . And it climbs and climbs . . . with one section having about 7 or 8 back to back switchbacks, gaining altitude fast. The trail itself isn't very technical, it's technical in it's steepness. I'd venture to say it climbs a good 1000' from the beginning @ Garner. Right now the trail dead ends in a really steep area on the south side of Coldwater canyon. From the apex where I was standing, I could see the other half of this trail, coming up from the horse corrals and heading south towards Coldwater to eventually connect with the section I was standing on. Looks like they've got another good 1/2 mile of some of the toughest section to yet cut in. I can't believe they got a trail machine up there.
All I can say is that the adventure of discovery hit the nail on just what I needed for a ride. Coming down was scary fast as the trail is still new and chattery. Man, I'm amazed at where they have taken this trail. The views from anywhere on trail are spectacular and the trail is cut into a steep enough sidehill to give you the gee willies. I'll do it again, just so I can track it (my gps battery died). Kept seeing handwritten signs on the posts that said 'Citizen trail' with an arrow... could this be it's name...this noname bonzaii Trail . . . It does what is was meant to . . . circumnavigate a section of uncooperative private propery. Very Cool!! Thankyou to the trail gods. REA
I have been riding north from 12th St out of Ogden, all the way out past the end of the canal access road, past Garner Canyon to where the trail ended just short of some private property, just north of One Horse Canyon, for a few years now. From my house out and back used to be about a 17 miler with about 2000+ vert climb. I had always wondered when and if they were ever going to continue with the BST further north. This ties in with the rumors that I'd been hearing about a new trail section 'they' had cut or were cutting.
So with all this in mind, I decided to go do some 'splorin' and rectumnoitering and see what I could find out for myself firsthand. I headed up to the Nature Park off Mtn. Rd. in No.Ogden. Parked and jumped on the bike from there and headed up. I stayed on the lower trail in the park, continuing N.E. There is actually some pretty good little technical sections in the nature park itself...fun, fun, fun. On the very north end is an old concrete holding pit that all the local kids have graffitied the hell out of. Soon, I connect to the canal rd again and after a short steep climb, connect with the BSTrail @ Garner Canyon.
It is right in this section where this new trail starts. It's definitely a machine cut trail. The switches are all shaped with nice berms and wide. As a matter of fact, most of the trail is really wide. . . probably 4 ft wide at least. It uses most of the section almost up to One Horse Canyon, where it veers off and starts climbing . . . all brand new . . . And it climbs and climbs . . . with one section having about 7 or 8 back to back switchbacks, gaining altitude fast. The trail itself isn't very technical, it's technical in it's steepness. I'd venture to say it climbs a good 1000' from the beginning @ Garner. Right now the trail dead ends in a really steep area on the south side of Coldwater canyon. From the apex where I was standing, I could see the other half of this trail, coming up from the horse corrals and heading south towards Coldwater to eventually connect with the section I was standing on. Looks like they've got another good 1/2 mile of some of the toughest section to yet cut in. I can't believe they got a trail machine up there.
All I can say is that the adventure of discovery hit the nail on just what I needed for a ride. Coming down was scary fast as the trail is still new and chattery. Man, I'm amazed at where they have taken this trail. The views from anywhere on trail are spectacular and the trail is cut into a steep enough sidehill to give you the gee willies. I'll do it again, just so I can track it (my gps battery died). Kept seeing handwritten signs on the posts that said 'Citizen trail' with an arrow... could this be it's name...this noname bonzaii Trail . . . It does what is was meant to . . . circumnavigate a section of uncooperative private propery. Very Cool!! Thankyou to the trail gods. REA
Rattlesnake - 2015
Spyder & I have hooked up again this new 2015 season. which is upon us quick because of the low, almost non-existant winter. I've been in Ut. for over 37 yrs., and I never ever saw a winter like this past one...if it really is over already. Pffft....and it's gone. I've been spinning on the east bench since the end of January. The trails were great then, but are already turning sketchy... as in dry... really dry.
All of you participating in the outdoor thing this year, be vewy vewy careful with speed when the trails are this dry ... hard to stop quickly without skidding. Heed the warning... We headed up today to do the north section, above No. Ogden of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail ... BST for short. This northern section of the BST is relatively new compared to a lot of the Ogden trails. It loops NW from No. Ogden divide rd, basically following the old power lines up. The climb up isn't anything real hard, oh it has some climbing to it, but the trail is in awesome shape and they did an excellent job in building it. |
After climbing to the foothills just below Ben Lomond, the trail heads directly west and somewhere past that point, we find it... If you know... I won't say much, but ... Rattlesnake ... they have finally reconnected it since it was severed in half when they built those new holding ponds up there for all the damned NEW houses. We rode all the way thru... All I can say is "Wahoo!" What a hoot that trail is. Not meant to be fast, but meant to test your actual riding skills... can you say English, brake control, body control and not getting your bean brained...lol!! It definately has a flow to it and built with great thought and physical exertion.
If you happen upon it, take care of it. Don't trash it... as a matter of fact, help fix it when it needs fixin'. Rattlesnake is the epitome of singletrack. You know it's good singletrack when your whole body gets pumped up . . . and that's coming downhill. That's from all the 'Squigglin' 'n' Giigglin' Take care of this trail . . . I'm not sure as to it's legal status, but it sure is fun & well built. Right now my computer is fritzed as to my printer or I'd post pics. I will when I get er fixed. Peace and : Just Ride Already !! |
Check out the newest portion of my new site . . . T. Haruo guitars. This is a continuation of my old Yahoo website ... Kritmon.com. Financial and health issues forced me to close down the original site, shortly after we (Dee Tatum & I (Richard A.)) had uncovered the real history about these fabulous guitars. If you or someone you know owns a T.Haruo, then send them here to learn all about them, where made, by whom and when. If you'd like to comment or send more info not included here, I'll set up a contact form below. Enjoy . . .