I decided top hit the mountains before the weekend crush of visitors clogged up the mountainside campgrounds and town. It was decidedly quiet, and the weather was delightful. I parked in my usual spot where nobody else does, right across from the campground where I use their bathroom before I head out on the trail. The campground was only sparsely occupied on the pre-holiday Thursday, and I didn't see any other trail riders while I was out on the route, though I did come across several 4X4s. The older I get, the less enthusiasm I have for riding by myself. Partly my own fault for carrying more and more gear and tools with me each time I go out. Got my satphone, Spot, jumper pack for my modern no-kickstart KTM...er I mean Husqvarna....and enough tools to tear practically my whole bike apart on the trail. Sigh...I remember the good old days, when all I carried was a sparkplug and wrench, and one of those canteens that strapped to the crossbar of the handle bars. Now I have snackies, and cameras, Gopro, first aid kit. Oof....I practically fall over before I get on my bike! On the rare occasion that I decide to fish one of the creeks, then I have tackle as well. Anyway, you get the picture. So I took off from the staging area and headed for the road to Onyx Peak, because the campground host told me the gate was open. It has been closed since a big forest fire back in 2013 or so, and I have been waiting to be able to get back to the top. It hadn't been open the last time I was up there, but some of trails still weren't open from winter closures then. Sadly, the gate was still closed, even though there were car tire tracks that trampled the brush and went around it. I wasn't going to do the same, and headed for a rocky long downhill trail that would intersect with the loop I wanted to ride. I guess lonesomeness and boredom set in, and I became sort of impatient for the ride to be over with, but I still managed to put in a solid 70 miles during the course of the day, and all without mishap. I was pretty sore and tired as I pulled back in to where my Jeep was parked....and appalled to find a giant 5th wheeler complete with pullouts and a canopy, parked just down the road about 50 feet from my spot. Never seen that before, but I am guessing that they didn't feel like pulling in across the way and paying campground fees...so well...there ya go. Driving home, I managed to catch the end of the rush hour traffic jam, so the going was slow. I need to get back in shape, but not sure if I can or not. I sat idle too long during the pandemic lockdown, and at my age, I just don't bounce right back from anything (plus I gained about ten pounds)....so I have my work cut out for me, and work it seems to be. The best part of the ride was that tired and peaceful feeling that I get afterwards, coupled with a few aches and pains. This lets me know that I will be sleeping well later in the evening.
Nice photo, Mimi! I hear you on the riding alone thing. For about 5 years my days off were Wednesday and Thursday. I put a trailer hitch on my Toyota MR2 and rode alone. I stuck to the OHV parks instead of riding the public lands which I prefer (USFS, BLM) just because it felt safer to me. I lack your mechanical ability, and my serious patience deficit keeps me from learning. Anyway, riding alone isn't the greatest. I'm glad you carry all that crap with you, though, even if it is a pain in the butt.
I used to enjoy riding by myself...but that was back in the days when I had plenty of riding partners, and a few solo days here and there was always a nice change. But the older I got, the less riding buddies there were. A lot of people seem to give up trail riding when they hit their mid 50s. Meanwhile the youngsters are riding too hard core for me. I literally have nothing left to prove, and don't want to hold anybody back, waiting on me.
The conifers sure look healthy. I've ridden up there a couple times in past decades and don't recall the trees being so green, was probably to lame to appreciate the scenery then . In my book 70 miles isn't to shabby. If I'd attempt a ride like that today I'd have to recover in the hospital lol, damn health anyways. Heres a shot of a two day Mammoth ride I did around 2005 with a buddy. Got the tool bag hanging off my waist and the jacket pockets full of, like WoodsChick said, crap. My health was declining even then. Sure loved that 600 Berg. Man, how I miss riding....
Holly crap, no kidding! I'm afraid if I saw you on the trail I'd have to stop and ask where you're going to skydive. Looks like you packed a parachute. Seriously though I bet you can deal with just about any misfortune from mechanical to bodily injury, nothing wrong with that.
that is a pretty place I ride alone fairly often, not because it's my first choice, but because most of my "friends" flake out at the last minute at my age I ride when I can knowing this won't last indefinitely
Same! This is how I was geared up to do the Dusy-Ershim Trail. We knew Jeeps were supposed to take 3 days to complete the trail and we had no idea what to expect. I packed for spending the night at 10,000' elevation just in case
Dirtdame, Thanks for sharing your rides! Regarding looking like a skydiver - I grew tired of the heavy pack while riding and sore shoulders! I have put a Kreiga pack on my rear fender and a small tank bag to take most of the weight off my shoulders. I don’t ride with the spare gas container often, but it rides well and only hits your backside in rare cases (at least for me)! No drilling or mounting of any hardware, just altered what came with the bag and straps for the gas container. It makes for a very convertible setup.
