Baldy Mesa 11/8/2010

SRAD97750

Moderator
Staff member
8AM, Baldy Mesa monday morning. Rain patters down on small freshly formed puddles and the soaked sand. Running off downward washes, the acrid smell of rain. The truck steams off rain as it strikes the hood, sending up steam signals twords the clearing sky. I clear my throat and put out my cigarette. The moment has come.

Gear up, fuel up, here comes the sunshine. Kick stands up. 9AM blast to the western hillclimbs via 3N24. Traction was epic. Nothing like fresh rain in the deep sand. Baldy mesa has been one my favorites for a while now. The added control really made me happy and our confidence levels were through the roof.

The Western Hillclimbs are about 10 miles (via fireroad) from 3N21 (staging trail). About 8 miles if you rock the quadtrack crest trails. It's a great place to check out, as it has 400+ft altitude climbs with more than a 100% grade (where vertical motion is greater than horizontal). Challenging when dry, almost cheating after the rain. We didn't record much at the hillclimbs, as my GoPro kept auto-saving due to low batteries. Mike did get one failure on video, as he hit a rock 1/3rd of the way up and lost all momentum. Good fun on the WR500.

Headed back to run the entire length of 3N24 via quad track. Mike had a chain tension issue and ended up breaking 3 teeth on his counter sprocket. Oh well. We tightened it up and headed back to the truck.
30 miles covered in 2 hours moving time. Some of that time was hillclimb nonsense. Had a great time. Will be going back ALL winter. This place is going to really be beautiful when the snow gently tints the landscape. Can't wait. See you on the trails!

THESE VIDEOS DO NOT REPRESENT THE BEST/WORST OF BALDY MESA.
YOU MUST COME RIDING WITH BIG DAN TO EXPERIENCE THE FULL EFFECT.
Watch in 480p!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwrIJaPs8aI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZEBkzQ70Ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XffVyD_G0A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geyB74kGm7M

-BIG DAN:thumb:
 
so awesome. You just added another spot to my check list. That looks like a lot of fun. Also really great to see another big boy out there scooting along pretty good. :thumb: when i get the chance i will be hitting you up to show me around this place.
 

SRAD97750

Moderator
Staff member
Anytime. Open Invitation to anyone interested in baldy mesa.
Also, there is much more to baldy than shown in the videos. All the great stuff is for IN PERSON experience. Please come check it out!

I am a big fellow that scoots with great vigor.:thumb:
-BIG DAN:thumb:
 
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