Knife to a Gun Fight

Went up to Nesquehoning for some dirt bike riding today.

Yes. That’s my under-powered, under-suspended 35 year old bike in the middle of the modern day trail behemoths.

Despite the technological differences, I actually did pretty well I think. Would I do it again? Yes. Should I? Probably not.

The suspension was the biggest limiting factor. Where the other bikes soaked up the bumps and kept motoring at faster speeds, I had to slow down and take the hits hoping I didn’t break something.

But it was still A LOT of fun.

Now I just have to figure out:

1. How to get a newer/more appropriate bike
2. Get the time to actually ride it
3. What exactly is the newer/more appropriate bike for me

The group I rode with had as many different options as there were riders.

1. Was a dual sport 250 4 stroke Honda
2. Was a dual sport 250 4 stroke KTM modified significantly for trail
3. Was a 450 4 stroke KTM modified for trail
4. Was a 450 4 stroke Honda motocross racer

I’d lean somewhere around #2, though I don’t need something that can also ride the road. Something pure enduro, 250, and 4 stroke sounds perfect. I love the 2 stroke and all it’s “character”, but I’m getting too old for that and probably don’t have enough time to perfect it.

Whatever. It’s all fantasy anyway. Too many other “wants” are piled up as it is.

– b