Northwest Fall Gathering Round 2 - China Hat / Bend Oregon Oct 2011

can't commit, yet,and dont want to say anything, but would really like to get a chance to meet/ride with you all.

Last year I found one straight along a fence line that was open and long with minor whoops. Managed to get the 360 tapped out in 6th with 15x46 gearing=~85-90mph. Took me about 10 minutes to stop shaking and couldn't stop smiling when I got to the end(way fun). I think you could have seen that dust cloud from space.

I think I remember that one.. pretty sandy...

There's a few long straight sections out there. If that's the trail I'm thinking of be careful, the sharp corners come up unexpectedly when you're going that fast.

Love the twisty

I agree Kelly, but we were there and I think there was a wild hair poking up somewhere that needed attention. The corner and trees came up real sudden at the end......OK, I was doing like mach 12. I am gearing the 360 down a bit this year just so that speed isn't available.

What would be proper gearing for the 510 up there? I need to buy an new chain for the 18 rear to work on the SMR. I have a 13,14,15 counter and 40,42,50 rear ??? 14/42 is where I am at and I like it . This is my SM gearing at this time....

The stock 13/47 should be fine unless you are testing baja and beyond.... 510 is pretty universal until things really open up.

The trails at china hat are pretty open, I've run the stock gearing on my TE610 over there without problems, work the clutch a bit in the woods but overall not an issue.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5299502.pdf

Thanks, I guess I should have asked " What is stock gearing on a TE". I have just finished" the beer getter build" TE/SMR 250. Next up, Bad Ass 510 with Knobbies, nice to have 2 bikes to work with....

Wow! Central OR has their shit together!
Nice report.

I'm excited for this trip. I haven't been there since last year and I'm already doing rain dances.

That is a pretty cool link to hang on to. I didn't know about trails near Big Lake.

I know, me too, the way this fall is starting I hope pray for no snow dances aren't needed.

I don't know, a few inches of snow there would probably make for epic riding all day as it slowly melted.

But it makes tent camping a messy experience. I was there last April and we brought home enough sand to fill a sand box. But you are right - the snow and hail melting made riding fun.