February Club Ride  - Mammoth Bar

 

This month's STD ride was scheduled to be at a local riding area referred to as Georgetown, also known as Rock Creek OHV.  Due to inclement weather coupled with the historically "quick to close" response to rain, we decided that Mammoth Bar OHV would result in a higher probability of getting in some riding.  In addition, Mammoth Bar had a motocross track for those MX junkies that would be joining us (myself included).

 

All started off well with the weather looking like it was going to hold out long enough for us to get some good riding in.  STD members and their friends started showing up just a bit after 8am with most of us getting there by 9am.  After some good morning chit-chat we all put on our gear and some of the early birds did a few warm up laps on the MX track. 

 

Meanwhile, one STD member, a "newbie" (name will be withheld to reduce further embarrassment) decided to let his KTM warm up while he hit the track with his Honda.  The KTM had a knack for requiring a long warm up.  Veteran club members tried to explain that KTM's tend to overheat, however the "newbie" disregarded the sound advice and proceeded to ignite Old Faithful in the parking lot. Guess it's warmed up now!

 

After a few more delays, we got under way for a nice quick loop.  Dave led us up the Hoosier Bar Trail where Johnny tries to makes his move to second place only to take an evasive get off into the brush to avoid a small child.  After helping the child get reacquainted with his parent, we set off to Castle Rock Trail.  After that we went on Chaparral and Ranch Trails looking for more challenging terrain.  We all found it by heading up Murderer's Gulch and down Stonewall.  After getting the group together again we headed back to the staging area and completed our first loop.

 

After getting some water and sharing our latest trail exaggerations we set off for loop 2.  Again, Dave took us back to Hoosier Bar Trail (what a fun little trail!).  This time after making it to the top we set off down Grizzly Bear Trail.  The more advanced riders made the switchbacks look easy.  For us slower, timid riders the switchbacks were a great opportunity to stretch those legs and walk the bike....  After Johnny went back up to make sure everybody could make it down, we proceeded up Kennebeck Trail and came back down Chamise Trail.  Man, that 211 Yamaha guy can go fast! Go Johnny, Go!  We regrouped at the River Bar Trail before heading back to the staging area. 

 

As we started leaving, the 730 Yamaha decided to make an abrupt left into the lane where our KTM "newbie" was.  The hand guards tangled and both riders go down in a cloud of dust.  A few words were exchanged - all in good fun - however the 730 Yamaha rider realized he was the cause of the crash...He promises to be much more careful when riding with others!

 

By this time, most of the riders are back at the staging area getting some water & snacks. Unknown to most of the group, one of the club riders decided to hit the MX track for a few laps before coming in to get some water. Unfortunate choice!  As the rest of the group talks about the latest loop ride, they notice a Forest Ranger go out to the MX track with his lights on.  Somebody got hurt.  We look up to see someone pushing a damaged Yamaha by the bleachers. "Hey! that's #36. Doesn't Dave ride # 36? Hey! where's Dave?"  We all run to the MX track to see if Dave is OK.

 

Apparently,  Dave hit the last little tabletop jump with a bit of speed and landed back on the bike.  A little whiskey throttle and Dave does a Grant Langston Houston style right over the berm.  Not just any berm, mind you, but the one berm that has an access road then creek bed on the other side.  A creek bed with helmet size cobbles!  Dave launches into them after knocking down a 6 inch diameter tree.  Needless to say, Dave is not feeling too well...

 

The Rangers cut off his jersey along with his STD Crabs shirt.  The members discussed that there should be a rule that when the medical attendees cut off your jersey the club gives them a new STD jersey.  Anyways, back to Dave.  They see he is in too much pain to move him and appears to have some difficulty in breathing.  After verifying that he has insurance, the whirlybird is called in.  Dave gets a helicopter ride to Sutter Hospital (not his first helicopter ride from an OHV park by the way).  Dave spends a few days in the hospital and is now recovering from 3 broken ribs, of which one grazed his lung.  He also has a broken shoulder in three places.  Hopefully he'll be back on a bike for the Mystery 250.

 

After Dave's mishap, most of the group helps get Dave and Steve's gear loaded up and heads home to watch the Houston Supercross.  A few members hang out and put some laps in at the MX track.

 

Just another exciting STD club ride...  Hope to see you on the next one!