Fuzzygalore.com
Today I got my first taste of what the TE 310 feels like. Kenny’s KTM is waiting to have its fork seals replaced so he opted to ride the DRZ. The new and the old.
My ride today can only be described as eye opening. Full post to follow~
This is Roman Levin’s Suzuki DRZ Cafe. You can find more of his work at Full of Hate Cycle Fabrication.
Your thoughts?
I was busy looking at something else when Kenny came sauntering up behind me and said, “Rach, come look at this. Don’t look at the card. Tell me what you think it is.”
“A DRZ?”
Of course, Kenny was amazed at my knowledge. But the truth is, I just looked at the single and the first thing that popped into my head was – why would he ask me to guess? Because it would be something relevant to my world. And that is the only thumper in my world.
Don’t worry. I’m not getting all smart on you guys 
Yeah, yeah. So I may have gotten my bike slightly stuck in a mud hole on Saturday during the Hammer Run in Jersey.
The trails were dry with a few small spots of water scattered throughout. But, when 500 guys have already been through the soup before you it can get pretty nasty.
This particular mud hole was thick and goopy. I rode in and only made it halfway across before my momentum slowed and I began to sink in. I got off the bike to try to start working it out and my boots got stuck because the slime created immediate suction. Thankfully Kenny and someone else on the trail helped to pry my bike loose and get me going forward again.
I sprayed muddy pinwheels into Kenny’s face as a reward for his patient help. His skin looks absolutely fabulous this morning. You’re welcome, dear.
Dual sport rides are really a great exercise in problem solving, patience and camaraderie. There are always people willing to give you a hand (and laugh with you when you do something stupid).
Oh, and – apparently my bike liked the mud. See? My tailbag is smiling:
Hey, did you hear? The east coast experienced apocalyptic Armageddon this week. Earthquake, hurricane Irene, flood, pestilence – you know, typical mushroom-cloud layin’ MFer stuff.
As the winds and rain of the hurricane decided to mosey their way north off of Long Island to New England, we saw a quick return to normalcy. Mostly.
Chloe was busy doing stuff with her dad, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to go take a look around and see what the state of our world was.
I first ventured around our immediate neighborhood on my bicycle. There was something eery about the silence. No planes, no cars, no birds – just the occasional rustling of the leaves overhead.
After my loop around the neighborhood, I figured things would be okay for me to head out on the DRZ. Incidentally, it will be my escape vehicle of choice in the event of a large scale zombie attack.
There were lots of branches down, not as many trees down as I expected (thank goodness) and some flooding along the low laying shore areas.
I made a new friend whom I decided to call Swanson. He (she?) was just hanging around in the middle of the road directing traffic. I stood next to him (and the No Standing sign) for a couple minutes. He just stayed there looking back at me like, “what up, girlfriend?” I feel like we had a moment. But it could just be that I was loopy from being in the house all day.
For you fashionistas who are going to call me out for wearing cheetah and plaid… whatevs. My other white jersey was in the laundry 
There were some really fun puddles to play in:
We had a good time monkeying around on our bikes in the water like a bunch of school kids. Somewhere there is video of me sending a nice 8-foot spray in my wake cruising through there.
So, all in all – I’m thankful to say that we weathered the storm just fine.
Were you affected by the storm?
On Saturday, GL, Kenny and I spent the day riding doing some trail and woods riding. It was, in a word… fabulous.
The morning started off a bit cold and windy. My un-gloved hands were stinging as I tried to buckle my boots before heading off on our ride. It’s amazing how quickly you warm up once you get moving and get into the woods. I was able to peel off my windbreaker and enjoy the sunshine even though it never crested 45 degrees all day.
I’ve been pretty open about my feelings regarding my progress or lack thereof transitioning from street to dirt riding. Someone I know jokingly tossed out that maybe taking up dirt riding now that I’m a lot closer to 40 than 30 isn’t the best idea. At first I just laughed it off because he likes to bag on me that I’m getting old. But, I think that in some ways there may be something to it. I’ve got decades of learning to be afraid under my belt 
Thinking back now about what it was like when I first started street riding, I don’t recall having the same general trepidation that I do now. Giving myself over to the process, allowing the bike to float, avoiding the front brake; it all seems so different. So much to unlearn and re-learn.
There is a vagueness in feel of the rear brake pedal through the sole of my boot that I just can’t seem to completely come to terms with yet. I keep expecting the feedback that I get from the soles of my street boots and it just isn’t there. But even as the day wore on it became less of an issue. I guess I began to get used to or understand the sliding better.
Simply put, I just need more practice.
I had some personal breakthroughs that helped me better manage my shortcomings. One being that I have found it helpful to think only of the obstacle at hand and work on tackling it and it alone. I’m working on not thinking about the next thing until I find myself at the next thing. Narrowing my focus and not looking at the bigger picture has been helpful.
While talking with our friend F’n Hal, he mentioned something so simple but easily overlooked depending on your general mental outlook. The basic premise was – If you say I can’t do this, you won’t be able to do it. You can’t go in defeated because it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. You have to say okay, how do I do this… and figure it out!
I know, this may all sounds like new-agey mumbo jumbo to some of you but, it’s what carries me through to the other side. I’m one of those annoyingly “thinky” people.
Being able to watch and ride with people who are patient and understanding helps a lot. That said, I’m still having a hard time getting over the feeling that I’m holding everyone up because I’m not moving as fast as they are. But, I’ll get there.
Hands down – This was the best day of off-road riding that I’ve had to date. I came home buzzing with excitement. I can hardly wait to be able to go again.
And on an entirely girlie and (hideously kitschy,) superficial note… my leopard print Shift jersey is awesome. To spice it up a little more, do you think anyone makes goggles that look like the frames of Dame Edna‘s glasses? I would totally get those.
