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I found a KTM!

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mikesmith:
Tuesdays my first day off(I work weekend nights)and I got up late but headed out for a ride knowing I'd finish up in the dark.I picked a trail I haven't ridden in 5 months thats like riding on softball size or a little bigger rocks in the Mtns and through the woods.Half way through and the sun is setting, I climb out of a canyon up the mountain and were it levels off it goes around a blind corner and dips through a little stream.At the last minute I duck to the side as 2 pine trees about 10" in diameter that were laying across the trail about head high are sticking out into the edge of the trail(they were cut off with a chain saw from laying across the trail).Thats when I find a KTM525 down in a 50' ravine,but it got hung up on the first 10' because of some branches grabbing the foot pegs.I called out and no answer or sighn of them untill I see there helmet sitting up the trail.So I figure they hiked out and I continued on up when I ran into the owner 1/8mile up.Nice guy,he was just stopping by for a ride as he headed home to the Bay area from Oregon.What happened was he came the same direction I did and hit his head on that pine tree and that threw him over the edge.But he couldnt get his bike so he started to hike out untill he heard me comming his way.I told him he was lucky because I never run into any one out there when I ride on a week day.It took a while but we got his bike out a few inches at a time up the cliff (new fourstrokes may be light,but it sure felt heavy)the clutch must of got air in the line because it wasn't working,but we rode out together to the parking area.The sun was setting at the time,he wasn't familer with the area and it was a 25 or 30 mile loop.Thats a long walk in the dark!I'm just glad I was at the right place at the right time.

Paul:
Lucky for that guy you came along. I try to never ride alone but it happens, on those days I just take it easy and don't push it. Anyways, glad to hear your rode ended up with all parties safe and hopefully he won't ride unfamiliar areas alone anymore.

rhinogrrrl:
No kidding! Nice save! :wink:

Rick:
That guy is lucky you came along.  When I usually find someone along the trail, they are in bad shape, and several have needed life flight.  Finding the injured has become common enough that I started to carry several sets of rubber gloves in my fanny pack.  Don't want any of those nasty illnesses that are becoming more common.

I am always surprised at the reaction of folks when an injury occurs.  Most will real at the sight of blood or bone, at a time when someone needs help the most.  Even friends go the other way.  Fortunately, those who back away from the injury are all too willing to go get a truck for transport, or ride out to make the call for life flight.

Over the years, my sons and I have attended to enough injuries on the trail that the boys are past their apprehension at the site of blood and bone, and have been of great assistance when everyone else didn't want involved.

All we have is each other out there in the woods and desert.  It's great to see folks helping one another.

Rick

John:
On the subject, a friend of mine who is a doctor always brings all kinds of stuff with him out in the forest when we go riding, plaster and all. Anyway, it?s a good idea to at least have a first aid kit with you. You never know what could happen...

Different subject: I once tossed my bike (gaining too much confidence when practicing wheelies and shifting gears) in a flooded stream. The only part of the bike above the water was the left handlebar. Luckily enough, I didn?t hurt myself and nobody was around to see me strip naked and drag the bike up to dry land...

Lesson learned: always bring tools with you so you can dismount and drain the water from your exhaust system. And the most important thing off all ? do not forget mosquito repellant!

A good advice is to never ride alone (except when you have to strip naked that is).

/John

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