Well, Lets try this again.. Hate it when you write something up and then accidentally hit the X to close out the tab!! Anyway I digress
I am posting this in the Adventure section cause it is not just a one day event but a timeline of sorts leading up to my day spent at Sam Houston National Forest.
This past June I picked up a very clean 2010 WR250x. I had been looking for a WR for quite a while and although there were a few of the R's around me they were all in need of much tlc. So when this WRx came available at a great $ I had to pick her up. Bike had 1100 miles to date had never been off road and I am pretty sure the guy waxed it after every use. haha
Day of Purchase: Owner had installed the GTYR Tail rack, Acerbis Skid Plate, and a set of Avon Distanzia's
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After Taking the obligatory "Ohh look at my pretty bike" pictures I took her over to a buddy's house for a shakedown ride
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My Buddy Found a Mud Pit on his old atv
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Although I do like the Supermoto setup and the bike is a blast. I really wanted a dual sport. So just after a month of ownership I got on the phone with Forrest from wheeling cycles and ordered up a full set of SMPro rims with all the goodies. Not ready to give up the fun of the Supermoto just yet. And this way I can switch back and forth within an hour or so. Plus I already have a fun street bike in the form of an 08' SVn
Installation of the SMPro setup was straight forward and simple although putting the Pirelli MT-21's and hd tube on the rims was a PITA!!! Maybe after some use and a few more tire changing sessions it will be easier or else I am screwed!
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After installation I was itching to get going and do some dirt riding. My go to area was closed for hunting season (Uncle has 175 acres an hour west of houston) Apparently we dont want to scare away any of the food that roams around there. ;-)
Since that was not an option and 95% of Texas is privately owned there are very few options for dirt riding. My nearest option was Sam Houston National Forest. According to the park service: "The Sam Houston National Forest offers 85 miles of multiple-use trails designated and developed for hiking, biking, horses, and registered Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs)." Sounded promising. After obtaining my OHV sticker from Cycle Shack North (only dealer in the area that carried them) and paid my $5 forest entry fee, I was good to go. Through a few basic reviews and the trail map provided from the park service I decided to explore the west Section. i figured most reviews said ATVs congregated in the east so I would ride west. Once I got there I figured out why. The trails are open to all forms of OHV but I have no idea how an ATV would get through there short of running over a few small trees.
Spent all my time in the circle. The pipeline that runs NW to SE was all open and had a great trail. Lots of fun and was able to get up some speed.
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All in all it was an eye opening experience. I have been riding street bikes for years but the last time I was on a dirt bike was 12 years ago. I had every intention of spending the entire day crisscrossing the trails. After the first 30min I knew that was never going to happen. haha One of the first thing i realized is although I can tiptoe the bike, I need to lower it. Within 5 min I stopped to adjust and putting my left foot down on the ground, yet it turned out to be a bit further than expected so over I went and broke my left mirror and clamp. Luckily i could still ride fine with the broken piece.
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After a few more spills and tons more fun I am hooked. I do need to get out there some more and like everyone else I need to get into better shape. haha But this coming year is going to be one playing in the dirt!!
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Anyone that is in the area and is looking for some fun riding, look no further than Sam Houston National Forest. Just be ready for some sandy soil.
Enjoy!
-MG
Also on a side note I convinced the Father in Law (A Lifelong motorcyclist) he needed to return to the dirt....
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