Adventure Bike Rider

Had a great day out yesterday, good to see so many new faces on the trails…especially as it was a miserable day. Rained virtually all day.

Large group of riders on a variety of bikes…

Me 950 ADV
Griffo Yam 250
Nibby 950 ADV
CharlieW XT 600
Minkyhead XTZ 660
Coops Pegaso 660
JimmyShin XR 400
Barnman 650 Dakar
Husabang XRV 650
Snowdog GSA 1200
SuddyKTM KTM 690
XTRider XTZ 660

Met Nibby and Griffo at J23 services at 0820 then the short blast up the motorway to meet the rest at the designated meet point.

Then using the 2nd man drop off we made our way to the start of the first trail 25 miles away. The long Salter Fell.

I had been informed the Salter Fell is an easy trail, and as the group consisted of a novice or two, and a trail virgin I thought it would be a great introduction to trail riding. Maybe I should have scouted the route first myself as part of the Salter Fell is not really suitable for beginners! Short 150 meter uphill section with lots of loose rocks on a sandy base. Not that easy. Lots of bouncing around. Unfortunately a few lost momentum and once this happened its hard to get going again.

Great effort by Coops on his shiny Pegaso, probably not the introduction to trail riding you were hoping for. But at least you were not the only one to go down on this section. You did well considering it was your first time. And you made the right decision missing the last trail as it was very slippy and not suited to your tyres.

Unfortunately this part of Salter Fell claimed the first victim of the day. After a lot of pushing and sweating we managed to get Snowdogs GSA to the top. But in doing so the clutch was burnt out. We only found this out once most of the group had set off.

I rode ahead to let the tail end of the group know what was going on. Me and Barnman set off back to help Snowdog and told the 2 remaining riders (Charlie and Husabang) the others would wait at the end of the trail so off they set. Luckily the GSA managed to get moving slowly and rode off the trail before packing in completely. A bit of pushing before a quick tow and we left Snowdog at a pub for AA recovery. Really feel for you mate, long wait for the AA and probably a big repair bill.

A quick blast on some nice roads and a good trail before we met the others at Settle…..minus Charlie and Husabang. Really sorry you got left behind lads. First time this has happened in a couple years of trail riding. But I will ensure this does not happen again in the future on anything I organise. No ones fault, just hard to know whats going on when a large group gets split.

The rest of the trails were great. Hard going in the wet conditions and a lot of riders went down. Infact only 2 managed to stay up right all day. Lots of damage to bikes, apart from the broke GSA, wing mirrors smashed, broke clutch lever, broke footpegs, smashed screens, broke hand guards, fuel pump packing in.

Great effort lads, and I hope to see you out on the trails in the future.

BIG thanks to Minkyhead for leading the way, couldn’t have done it without you.

Good effort chaps, not a nice day weather wise. looks like a few good trails up there.
See you in the Summer

A quick report from me of the day. Firstly thanks to Mike and Minky for organising and leading the ride, also thanks to everyone for making me welcome and encouraging me on what was my first ever attempt at trail riding on a bike I really bought as a run about second bike but to which I have become quite attached!!

For me the day was one of those cocktails of feelings; nerves, aprehension, excitment and eventually adrenelin and a great sense of achievement actually. I was sure I'd struggle due to no experience and wasnt sure how the aprilia would cope, particularly with the road tyres on but on the basis people had suggested the trails were easy I thought why not!

Well, after intro's and a nice ride to Salter fell I looked at the rocky slope and thought - shit!! I had listened to advice about momentum and standing up so after watching a couple go up and poor Snowdog get stuck I thought, balls, go for it. I set off behind CharlieW who was making it look easy and for first bit I was ok, even if only partially in control of where I was going being honest! It got gradually more rocky/out of control so I just thought they said 'momentum' and kept the throttle on which then resulted in bike going sideways the fliping on its side! As I hit the deck I saw my lovely carbon handguard break in slow motion!! funny the things you notice/contemplate in the middle of things going pear-shaped!! The guys helped me to the top and then it was a nervous but enjoyable ride over rest of the fell. By the end I was feeling more confident and was starting to get the hang of the 'loose' feeling from the bike....and I STOOD UP ALL THE WAY!! which started to make sense.

After lunch at Settle we then headed off to a local trail or two. This next one was quite muddy with ruts and grass and the front felt like it was floating but again I thought I was doing ok until I got into a muddy rut and then thought why is my front wheel doing its own thing! next thing im doing an impression of a mud wrestler/dying fly! with some words of encouragment from Mike I got to the end ok and, again, got some confidence back. The next trail looked horrendous and, to me, it was...slippy slippy slippy! so I adopted the waddle technique which was working fine but i was stalling the bike none stop and started worrying about my Italian bikes suitability...but...I then stopped thought it through and had a look at my clutch to find the cable adjuster had come lose so the clutch hadnt been working properly!!! Plonker! After I nipped it up it ws so much better and I really enjoyed the rest of that trail, superb, wished it could have gone on longer As we reached the end it started sleeting/wet snow and I felt every bit a ABR!!! Daft I know but I did feel a real sense of acheivment that me and my Pegaso had made it!!

The bike actually performed well so I am chuffed and seeing as I dropped it twice the damage is minimal and the Pegaso got me home speedily without skipping a beat in horrendous conditions and in comfort...Not everyones choice but the bike did what its supposed to do, cant ask more than that!! Im happy. On that basis the bike will be made shiny again with a few extras added and defo some proper tyres!!! Scorpions do not work on slippy trails!! :/ even I know that now!!!!!!!!!!

I will defo be up for more of this type of riding and I know the 'waddle' technique combined with my long legs will get me up the Salter 'hill from hell' Fell next time....waddling with momentum!!! its the future!!!

Blimey Mike,
Another grand report, sounds like it was an expensive soiree for one or two, but everyone got home safely via alternative ways.
The weather here in N Wales was pants ALL day big rain & gale force winds, my thoughts were with you all as I was with the family for Miss Stubbs's birthday, would have loved to partake BUT family comes first in this instance.
Fab pics & feedback reports from the ABR'rs.
Nice one troops, Mr Ackackflak will be now inundated with requests for his BBRR stickers !

what a wet old day
i should sue mike bedoows for smashing me screen with that orange moped he rides round on grrrrr
nothing to do with me dicking about above me own skillset of course

i took a fair bit of yorkshire home with me after that ..
fitted me spare screen this morning found the sticker ont it a little ironioc
sorry the weather made things so difficult but inspite of the thrills and spills it was agood day out ..so thanks everyone
sorry to here snowdogs clutch went bummer
well done to coops what a day to start trail riding it can only get better get better
happy new year

By minkyhead at 2011-12-31

By minkyhead at 2011-12-31


By minkyhead at 2011-12-31


By minkyhead at 2011-12-31


By minkyhead at 2011-12-31

liars


By minkyhead at 2011-12-31

By minkyhead at 2011-12-31

minkyhead wrote:




What a moment, trying to keep the KTM going in a straight line with rear fish tailing a bit, and all I heard way a large shout....then whack as Minky tries head butting my rear wheel. The explanation. "I was trying to speed past you to spray you with mud"

Just glad you were not hurt....and more glad you didnt take me with you.

[quote="beddowsm" post=92647]minkyhead wrote:


no chance getting hurt as luckily i landed on me head which at that time was completly empty

next time i want to spray anyone with mud ill hide behind a wall an chuck it at them

Well done everyone but especially when you are new to it... What a day to start.

I couldn't make it as I was working buit didn't spot me from being involved
Got a missed call from Husabang And subsequently a voice mail saying that he had lost contact with the others - I called the coastguard but when I described the mob that they would be looking for they suggested mountain rescue and a few straight jackets.

I do believe Mike there are a few that deserve BBRR stickers that that run.

AckAckFlack wrote:


Yup, all who havent yet had the BBRR sticker drop AckAckFlack a PM with your address and say you were on the ride. And you will be the proud owners of a cracking designed sticker (see AckAckFlacks signature at the bottom of his posts). Display it on your bike with pride. You earnt it!

Oh, and you may want to actually join the group.

www.adventurebikerider.com/hello/groups/...ough+Road+Group.html

minkyhead wrote:

Come on guys .....STOP IT !!!!!! i'm starting to miss England !!!!! can't belive i just said that, anyway great R un R
Cheers Phil

PHILinFRANCE wrote:




Really must come and dirty your back yard Phil

AckAckFlack wrote:


You wanna re-phrase that Gary?

Busy day out on the trails again

Well done to the newbees, commiseration to Snowdog

AckAckFlack wrote:


OW ERRRRR !