2. Motorcycles

[2009.09] Dakar First Rides

09.09.2009 - picked up the Dakar on monday, this was the first time i actually rode it for something other than to and from work... even though this was technically on the way home from work. this was also the Dakar's maiden voyage off-road, my first ride off-road on a bike designed for such, and my second adventure trespassing on the only dirt road i've found in San Jose. 09.19.09 - took the bike for some "real" off-roading to Metcalf Motorcycle park in south san jose. what a trip! $7 to get in, i only lasted about a half hour before being completely sapped of all energy, still shaking from the adrenaline rush, having had the most fun half hour on a bike to date. the park made it clear that i need to get some mods done to the bike to make it comfortable for this type of riding.
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looking back the way i came up. there's a hill-climb just past the stake in the middle of the photo that is one of the "easier" climbs at the park.
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looking back the way i came up. there's a hill-climb just past the stake in the middle of the photo that is one of the "easier" climbs at the park.

dakardirt2568

  • this is a view of the bay that most people will never see, unless they're willing to tresspass 5 miles up a dirt road, like i'm more than willing to do.
  • sunset on the new bike!
  • the hills dissapearing into the horizon.
  • the reason the roads are here... big cell towers. i turned around at this point because i saw an actual building, with a weather vane and such. didn't want to get caught!
  • those are some big radio / cell towers!
  • now, WHY IS IT that this bike likes to go to sleep too? my last bike had the same issue... always lying down on the job.<br /> <br /> hehe. first fall. locked up the rear, and lost hold of the overly heavy bike, gently laying it down. luckily, no damage.
  • to the left... the road i came in on.
  • to the right, a dirt road leading off into the hills.
  • the signpost at the junction. it's supposedly part of some trail!
  • now, on the sv i would have heeded this warning. but, on the dakar, i've been cruising around on this road at about 30, standing on the pegs, just having a blast! this hill was about the same, except i was doing my best to not lock up the rear wheel again.
  • seven iPhont photo stitched w/ autostitch.<br /> <br /> excuse the crappy quality... i'm putting my camera in my bike right now, so i don't forget it again.
  • for the reflections thread... as i rode down the rest of the hill, i was amazed at the sunset in both mirrors. unfortunately, the iPhone sucks in low light, and the pic came out like ass.
  • sunset from one of the highest points of the trail... the first time i stopped.
  • one of the highest points of the trail, showing the actual trails. they're wide, kept in pretty good condition, with lots of choices.
  • looking back the way i came up. there's a hill-climb just past the stake in the middle of the photo that is one of the "easier" climbs at the park.
  • proof that i was actually there.
  • looking out over san jose. it's there, i swear... you just can't see it because of the glare.
  • looking out over san jose. it's there, i swear... you just can't see it because of the glare.
  • again, proof that i was there.<br /> <br /> yes, i know i need knobby tires.
  • this wasn't actually at the park, but on the way home. i seriously saw this thing in the middle of the road while driving about 30 mph around a corner... i thought to myself "was that a damn spider in the road? no it couldn't have been..." so, i turned around check it out, and to take photos of it.<br /> <br /> this thing was seriously about the size of my fist, you can see the yellow line in the photo for scale.
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