The Off Road Lie

Four wheel trails and lies are really the same thing. The further you drive down that lie the harder it gets to turn back.

There is of course the initial muddy or steep entrance. With a tiny bit of skill you are over the initial barrier to entry.

From there it’s some ups and downs. Maybe a little more mud, a steep incline, a rutted trail. However overall the ride is easy.

Then comes the part that drops off a little more. It’s not so much different than the rest of the trail. It’s still dirt and there are still ruts. However that slight change in grade and terrain makes all the difference.

Soon you are down deeper than you expected. Often the easiest way is to follow the trail further down. The problem is at a certain point you’ll have to come back up again.

There I was today. No mud, thankfully. Just a steep grade, loose gravel, and a few obstacles were all that stood above.

I could hear it. The crashing ocean, the end of the trail; it was so close. Likely could have made it. Then again where I was now was going to make getting out a challenge. To add to that, I was working with a nearly worn out street tire on the back.

After turning the bike around on its kickstand and walking out the run, I went for it. It was not a good start. No traction, a fishtailing back end, and a steep grade. This was going to either work or end in a mess.

Feather the clutch, keep on the throttle, and keep on the line.

Ohhhh buddy too much clutch and the back end stuck just enough to try and throw me. Ease it up. Keep on the throttle. Sweat, fear, and an overriding eye at the top of the trail.

Back on the easy stuff.

Then back on the road.

You can always have more. Trick is knowing when you’ve had enough.