Trip to the Chiropractor

I made a trip to the chiropractor trying to figure out why my tail bone hurts so bad when I ride. I was told that possibly I have something out of line that is causing the pain. The chiropractor confirmed that something was out of line, but we'll see if it makes any difference. I put a softer foam on my seat, but within 15 minutes of riding I could hard handle the pain. I admit, I'm more of a 'sitter' than a 'stander' when I ride, old age partly, too tall to stand comfortably as it makes my back tired or with legs bent tires my legs.
I haven't had a chance to get on the bike again, but it seems that just sitting in general seems to be more comfortable. It would be great if that makes a real difference. A bit of discomfort is certainly normal, but excruciating pain totally takes the enjoyment out of the ride. Any one else suffer with this?

Rod

Tested in Moab, Great Decision

Well I took my new ride to Moab, UT for the first ride of the season and decided it was a great choice. Between being about 30 lbs lighter and much more responsive it is a win, win deal. I could really feel the difference in weight and handling in the deep sand we rode in. The kind of sand that you need to get up to about 40 mph to get the bike to stop being so squirrelly.

I'm also really happy with my Acewell 3200 computer. The Vapor/Vector Temperature Sensor works great and so much neater install than what comes with the Acewell. Rather than having to cut the hose and clamp the sensor in line, you just screw it in the top of the radiator air bleed screw. Having a temperature senser made me realized that I needed to pick up the pace on some of my riding. On the second day I was feeling pretty tired and the bike started to over heat in the sand. By picking up speed the temperature dropped almost right away.
Moab was some great riding. I'd highly recommend it for those of you who haven't taken the trek. I am somewhat biased to Idaho mountains, but it was a nice change and great opportunity to ride before trails open in Idaho.

I mapped the rides on my website, check them out: Moab, 7 Mile Rim; Steel Bender and Fins & Things.

Rod

Well, I decided to sell my 06 Suzuki DRZ400S.
It has been a good bike and I had a lot of fun on it. However it was a bit heavy for trail riding and I decided to shed 30 lbs and get the off street version.

A friend of mine decided to buy a new RMX450 and he sold me his 04 DRZ400E. It was in mint condition, looked like it just came off the showroom floor!
I put an Acewell 3200 digital speedometer/tach on it as it only had a trip odometer. I can tell it has quite a bit better power than the street version and I'm looking forward to taking it out for a ride.
I'm really looking forward to ridng again this summer. Let me know where you are planning to ride.

Rod

Time to Hit the Trails Again

It seems like it has been a really long winter and a very slow summer in coming! Been on one ride up Blackrock, but looking for a good single track ride with a bit more elevation. A friend and I are to check out a ride up north in a place called Crooked Creek. Dave from Idaho Trail Riders turned us on to it. You can view his discription at Crooked Creek. Hope to have some good pics and video as well as gps data for you with in a few weeks.
Where are you riding around SE Idaho? What trails are open?

Rod

Seat Findings

Now that I have had a few hours on the new seats here's my verdict: DRZ400 some improvement. V-Strom DL1000, significant improvement! I was able to put about 2300 miles on the V-Strom in July. They say it takes a 2000 to break the Corbin in and I believe it! I purchased a fleece to help the process for the long rides. Long for me is between 450 and 500 miles in a day. It wasn't pretty, but it was much better for me than the stock seat. I still would like a bit more of a cup in the back to take pressure of the tail bone, but like I said, it is a big improvement.
I had a chance to ride up through Yellowstone Park and over the Beartooth/Cook City highway to Roberts Idaho and then back over the Chief Joseph Highway on the way back. Later in the month I rode to Boise and then with my son, Mark, up to Highway 55 & 95 to Lewiston and down the Oregon side of Hells Canyon. EPIC! From Pocatello and back it was about 1300 miles over 4 days.
I rode about 50 miles the day and it did seem to be broke in better, but haven't ridden any long rides since.
On the DRZ400 I had a couple opportunities to ride 25-35 miles. I replaced the foam with a softer foam. (the foam pictured is the original foam) I added some padded bike shorts to the ride and between the two, fared significantly better.
Anybody else have any issue with uncomfortable seats?

New Friends from Indiana

I had a chance to meet some new friends from Indiana. Phil had emailed me earlier in this spring and mentioned that they were coming after seeing my website. Unfortunately I had used up most of my vacation in July and was just coming back from a weekend away doing a wedding for my nephew back in Eastern Montana, so I didn't get a chance to ride with them. I did run up to where they were camping and talked dirt for a while. They also ride V Stroms so we had a lot in common.
I have had others talk about coming, but with the gas prices jumping the way they did Phil and Gary and the crew were the only ones to make it.
Thanks guys, it was great to meet you!

Summer is winding down, but some of the best ridin is yet to come

In Pocatello we are already feeling the effects of Fall, with tempatures dropping to the mid 40's at night from time to time. I haven't gotten on my dirt bike for six weeks, too many distractions, I guess. But I am hoping to do some riding this Fall. With a bit of moisture and cooler tempatures the riding couldn't be much better. I love the spring, but then you have to contend with the snow in higher elevations.

How about you? Did you get any good rides this summer? Was my site of any help to you?

Did anyone get inspired to get a gps and follow a track or just track their own ride? What are your recommendations for a gps. I'm stuck on my Magellan 500 Explorist LE. It is realitively inexpensive, color screen, durable and reasonable battery life when you get the extended LiIon battery, about 7 hours or so. Even though Magellan has a horrible reputation for its customer service, once I got it figured out it seems to work well. However, the Explorist 500 may be discontinued as Magellan has come out with a new line up. (I haven't heard anything good about the Triton Series) I have seen the Explorist 500 as low as $138 without the battery. I think I paid $159 with the MapSend software. I purchased a LiIon battery separately. I got a RAM mount that works well.