I came, I rode, today I feel conquered! 1st trail ride!

[Tony.OK]

Did the Puketapu School ride yesterday, today I feel like I got hit by a bus in my sleep.

Picked up the old tank (XR400) a few weeks ago and have been busy tidying up the worn bits on her, each new bit put on got me a bit more excited in looking forward to the upcoming trail ride.
Been riding bike for a long time but off road is pretty new to me, thought I'd prepared with a few rides down the river.............hahaa......WRONG!!

Was a beaut HB day (finally) and was a tad nervous setting off into the unknown..........1st obstacle was the river, get down there to see 4 stalled bikes and a Nissan terrano near submerged......eek!
Oh well just go.......boots fill up and I just keep it pinned in 1st.......job done, bike must be watertight.......EASY this off road lark!

The ride is in 2 sections, morning loop then an afternoon loop. Both having A & B tracks, I opt for the easy B option. Fuck me I'm thinking half way round the morning loop, my arms are stuffed and some of the climbs have me feeling a bit more than nervous, but the 400 chugs up anything with me being the limiting factor.
Am enjoying things (in a nervous way) sometimes over riding my abilities a little, gotta have a go though eh? Am taking turns leading with a mate and whip past on a wee climb, then we go down through a gate and I'm about a foot of line coming out....................."that looks like mud!" , shit shit yep deep mud! Gas it and drive through! Thud! Mud ends with sharp stop haha. Squished the old boys a little but no drama's, I'll just lift the front to the side and gas it out............NOT!! Turns out I am very unfit, I layed the bike over and tried to drag it out (all of 3 feet), got hot and puffed very fast. Someone stopped to help fortunately and we lugged her out. By this time I was close to puking from exhaustion haha, and the bike had flooded and I couldn't catch my breath to start it......................so I had a wee time out layin down for a bit, all the while being roosted by passers by haha. Was cool that a few stopped to check if ok.
Finally got the old beast going, thought to myself "this is enough for me, home time". But once underway again I cooled off and thought I'd see how I felt after lunch.

After a breather and some fuel I carried on in the PM, the PM ride was much more enjoyable for a novice muppet like me, pretty much gentle rolling farmland with a few good climbs and fast bits. Only bits I found unsettling were cresting the hills not know whats up there, luckily the new brakes were working well

So I made it through the day with no injuries and kept most of my dignity haha. Am seriously considering needing a start button after the mud bog though, age seems to have caught up with me somewhere. A lighter more modern bike may help too, pity there's not much around as reliable as the old XR's.

Lucky for me i don't go back to work till Wed, need some recovery time!!

Thanks to the organisers for a great day out, well done!!

[mit5u]

This was also my first official trail ride, what an epic day! Huge turnout and perfect weather..

I was a touch apprehensive about my ability looking around at some of the competition when I arrived, but decided to go the A track in the morning anyway as I was interested in the forestry section. Managed to get through in 90mins without damaging myself or the bike, and I was pretty glad the trusty 450 battled through the river at the end. I wouldn't have wanted to be on anything smaller though! Maybe I took a bad line but that shit was deep..

Mixed up the PM with a combination of the A & B tracks, avoiding too many more of the river crossings after seeing one guy drop his bike, and him and his bike both disappearing completely underwater..

Definitely feeling it today - shoulders, wrists & lower back all took a beating, but thoroughly enjoyed the day and rapt to make it through unscathed!

[Zamiam]

A few years ago went out and bought myself a new KDX220 thinking I'd get back into trail riding. Used to do a hell of a lot when much younger, lighter and fitter including roping bike down drop offs to get across rivers etc. After a few easy rides I came to the conclusion that being fat, unfit, having two stuffed ankles and thinking too much about my responsibilities (self employed with staff) meant it was time to become a HOG rider. The rest is history.

[thecharmed01]

haha well done! Sounds like you had a good day!

You going to keep going?

[Tony.OK]

haha well done! Sounds like you had a good day!

You going to keep going?

For sure, soreness has gone and already looking at newer bikes lol.
Am liking the looks of the 400exc, not too grunty and pretty low maintenance but with good kit on it (especially push button start haha)

[Jay GTI]

Am liking the looks of the 400exc, not too grunty and pretty low maintenance but with good kit on it (especially push button start haha)

Ah yes, having a 'leccy leg on the 350 has converted me, I'll never buy a kickstart only bike again. I used to waste soooo much energy kickstarting my old RM, even though it was a 1-2 kick bike. But fall off, get stuck or stall enough times over a ride and it catches up on you...

[oldguy]

For sure, soreness has gone and already looking at newer bikes lol.
Am liking the looks of the 400exc, not too grunty and pretty low maintenance but with good kit on it (especially push button start haha)

a 400exc and xr400 are worlds apart, goods stuff sound like you enjoyed yourself, and you didn't break either yourself or the bike, they are always the best rides.

[D3ALN]

you hit the toughest hakws bay oine first. and dosnt sound like you went too bad you will be sweet on the others. unfortunately at my current job I work weekends on hunt for a new job so will hopefullyt get some riding in soon.