Spring Flinging the Fat Bikes / Tale of 2 Springs / Mud and Snow

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Good clean fun is to be had in the Minnesota River Bottoms during the Spring thaw... Still running the studded tires in February, plenty of ice along with the river mud. Compared to the old days of the 90s, these fat tire bikes are in their element. Mud, water, ice, snow, it is a joy to have this big fat tire to churn through.

Back in the day with the 2.1 x 26 tires it was a real slog through the conditions that I encountered this day in February.  

 It is a good day when you are getting back to the trailhead after dark.

 Bright color in the drab Spring.

 With the warm temps in February I was able to experience different conditions and access some secluded swamps by following the deer trails. Cool to take in the solitude of the area.

 Mud is the color of choice in the Spring...

 Gotta have a good pack. This is a 16 year old Burton Snowboard Pack that has seen used as a mountain backcountry snowboard, snowmobile pack. Carried a snowboard as we explored the mountains.

The only backpacks that I use for my activities are Snowboard Packs. Dakine and Burton, are the 2 brands. They are tough as an ole oak tree, water resistant and have good exterior straps that I can use to strap on snowboards and any thing else I might need.  

More recently the old Burton pack has become my mountain bike / off-road motorcycle pack. It is loaded with gear for the woods... A light weight vest, a wind jacket, headlamp, rain pants, extra gloves, small am/fm radio, packet of tools, crescent wrench, allen wrenches, pliers, fire starting kit, cliff bars, 2 bike lights, foldable wood saw, small hatchet, bug spray, zip ties, knife, a multi-tool, first aid splint and cravat, ibuprofen, extra bottle water, thermos of Rock Star and a few other items I happen to throw in at the last minute.     

 Another sunset over the Minnesota River.

Back into Winter Mode in March

 Spring means snow in this State. March brought a couple sweet snow storms that I was able to be out during the storms. Making fresh tracks a couple times is a real treat. 

 The Geese just take the weather in stride and don't get too rattled.

 Living for the adventure...

 Spring also brings the barges back up the River for the new season.

 A Gal has to have a big tire bike...for her adventure.

This is 6 years ago with Jeff Hall and his kids, my Grandkids...Ride On!!

Spring Flinging the Dirt / BMW F800 GS / Yamaha WR450 F

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I want to share a few of my rides that started early this season of 2017. We had some warm days in February that I couldn't resist rolling the Motos out. Good to start them and shoot some fresh gas in them every month or so if possible. Good enough reason for me to roll them out...

 Rolling on the gravel gets me into some cool little areas that I can bushwack into and have a lunch off the box. Like to get back off the road and duck into the trees.

Still had a bit of snow and ice along  the fields and creeks. The key is having the right clothing when the temps are 32 - 49 degrees. Much of my clothing is also the gear that I use in the mountains when backcountry snowmobiling and snowboarding. The key is to cut the wind and stay dry. I wear the same layers under my motorcycle outerwear that I use under my snowboard jackets and pants. The outer layer is the key to the different sports. I like the protective padding and windproof aspect of moto gear. A bit different with the mountain gear, it is lighter weight, breathable and waterproof.

May choice of helmets these days are of a dirt bike design. The new adventure helmets have the visor and face shield with option of using goggles. My other choice in the cold weather is my mountain snowmobile helmet, has the breath box and I use goggles with it. 

Finding some places to park and wander around the fields...

Trailer is geared up for a trip up North for a good day of riding the backwoods roads and trails.

Swamping is required in the spring with the high water levels.

Up North

Spring riding rivals the woods riding in the Fall, I like the ability to see into the woods as I am exploring.

Gotta like a full day of motorcycle adventure... This was a day with 350 miles traveled in the truck and 40 miles of backroads and trails on the Yamaha WR450 F.

Lunch off the box on a farm trail.

Get back in the woods Whitetail!

Adventure is what you make of it...

Ride On

Chris Birch KTM1190 R Adventure Out Takes

This is how to ride a 520 pound dirt bike...

Ride on!