Day 3 had us going anyway BUT directly to Mojave from Barstow. Drew laid some fantastic tracks for us to enjoy this day. From fast sandy two track, whoops... whoops... and more whoops, single track climbs up spines, sandy washes, and rocky trails. It had it all and was thoroughly enjoyed!
Big highlight was making it out to the Husky Memorial. A living memory of those who lived for motorcycles who pass on but are not forgotten.
After the memorial we found ourselves a bit ahead of schedule to reach Kramer Junction for a late lunch due to the good clip we had been traveling without mishaps. What do you do with some extra time? Sandy hill climbs, what else!
Good climbs always make for some stories, smack talk, and even heckling. This one didn't disappoint. Some folks made it, some took multiple attempts, some didn't make it, some looped their bike, and some just watched and kept their dignity intact at the bottom of the hill. :ride
At the top we treated to amazing views of the desert and dry lake bed below. We weren't far from Bart's Broke Rack Mountain from last years trip. Some nice rocky track on top following the spine, good riding.
Our progress was quickly and abruptly halted when a rider went missing. Perplexing and slightly worrying as the group was not stretched out at this point, well within visual distance, feet mostly.
Most of the group decamped and a small subset went out with com's to find our missing rider. We hadn't gone even a mile from our climbing entertainment. Eventually the rider was found, but it took a bit of time. A short while later, it was communicated there was a mechanical too. Albeit a self inflicted mechanical by the same rider.
A tailbag and fuel bladder were not properly attached to a bike.. and the bladder had come loose, lodging itself firmly into the rear rotor and caliper of the bike. Some folks might think no big deal, just rotate wheel backwards and unwind what was stuck. No, nope, not even close. It was so jammed and wound in that the rear wheel, caliper, and rotor couldn't even be removed.
So as not to add too many cooks to the recipe, folks just relaxed, ate snacks, and I took a nap while a smaller group attacked the problem. After an hour an a half, there were rumblings, or should I say suggestions, of just burning the bladder off. Others of burning the bike and the rider at the stake, but thankfully for the rider there were no trees to stake him too. :laughing
Eventually it was all hands on deck, though Daniel (our lead technician on this project) shooed me away when I arrived with a large rock and lighter. :gsxrgrl Rotor, caliper, pads, and even the wheel were painstakingly cut clear..... 2.5 hours later.
So near Bart's Broke Rack Mountain is now..... Fuel Bladder Hill.
We were thrilled to be riding again and enjoyed some nicely spaced sandy whoops for a number of sections on our way to Kramer Junction. Thanks Drew! He knows I like both.
At our late 3:30 lunch in Kramer Junction, a wise decision was made to skip the last 48 miles of track back to Majave due to daylight worries and just ride 30 minutes down the pavement back to our trucks.
Daniel and I were treated to Drews DJ skills all the way back to the city. Just as impressive as his huge music collection was his encyclopedic memory of every lyric.. he sang along and it kept us awake, no complaints. Fantastic trip, thanks to all who made it. :thumbup