[admiral]

We get our fair share of hot weather in the summer, and right now we been getting around/above 100 degree's. So, if I'm gonna squeeze in a ride, I'll have to head for the hills to stay cool. (I don't know how you folks who live in the desert SW and south deal with all the heat and/or humidity, my hats off to you all).



In order to ride in some shade, I headed to a familiar place I've ridden before, (Adams Creek/Mineral/Sturgill area), which is one of the closest area's with tree's, at a little over an hour away. It was a 100 degrees where I parked at, but I know it had to be in the 70's and 80's up higher. Much nicer than this forest fire smoke filled, heat inferno valley I live in. Cough, Cough, rub itchy eyes now!



Anyway, my objectives for the day:



1. Relaxing ride in the coolness of the mountain air. Result-Check.

2. Find some geocaches. Result-Not so check!

3. Exploring some roads/trails I haven't ridden yet. Result-Check, (Ron in Boise, I was thinking of Lewis Black in one area)!



The route: Start up Adams Creek f.s. road, ride the ridge, explore the back way into Mineral from up top, and explore some other roads.

No picture, but once on top of the ridge, it was a no-go for finding the first cache. I was right there and couldn't find it. Maybe it's gone, but I'll put the blame on me for not finding it. 0 for 1.



Next, I wanted to take another try at a cache one of my daughters and I couldn't find last year.



Wait, what!!! I'm growling now as the F.S. has closed the way into it, on motorized transport anyway. Wonder if this is permanent or just temporary closing to mitigate fire hazards. I see lots of ATV's and motorcycle's are ignoring the sign as I see plenty of tracks in the road, but my riding partner and I decide to turn around and look for another way to this cache. Legally.

I find another f.s. road only for it to dead end. Shucks, I'm 0 for 2!

Punch in cache #3 into the GPS and head that direction, only to find . . . wait for it . . . you guessed it, trail closed, 0 for 3. Looks like they mean it on this one.

Looks like the f.s. has/is trying to keep the internal combustion's out from exploring the west side of the ridge. They were open last year, boo hoo, but I'll abide by their decisions and not risk a fight with the man!



With the geocaches a bust, I decided to do some exploring and find the back way into Mineral. (By-the-way, just cause it looks like you can make it by looking at the maps and google earth, doesn't mean you should try it. Just throwing that out there!)



So off I go. Yee-haw!



Spot an old cabin/line shack/house along the road I'm trying to find. It's nothing spectacular or anything, but I am amazed at what good condition it's in.

Throw in some new window's and you'd have a nice fixer upper place

Wonderful mountain views

and your own corral during the fall roundup

Not sure if these come with the place, guessing not, but I think they're a little peeved at me for disturbing their afternoon nap!

Continued

 

[admiral]

Escape the heat - head for the hills continued.



I finally find the old back road to Mineral. It's in extremely poor shape!! It's very steep (in a downward direction), and has some ruts 3-4 feet deep in some places. I had to walk the TW in a couple places they were so bad. Looked good in google earth, but here, not so much. I would not recommend anyone try this road, to dangerous. An ATV would not make it for sure! I had almost no choice as going back up would have proved more challenging than continuing down.



This is the good part!

After a very cautious decent, I make it down the draw, only to find what could be a dangerous obstacle. I know I shouldn't cross it, but after some debate with my riding partner, who is thirsty, I go anyway and make it.

From here it was clear sailing (except for all the thistle bushes) and I make it too and through Mineral. I didn't take any new photo's of Mineral as I've posted some

in a couple previous RR's from last winter and spring, but I did take one on my way up out of Mineral, on the nice road. In the far distance is Oregon and Hell's Canyon, and some of the old mining roads just above Mineral which is in the valley below the roads. Oh, and the haze is from all the fire smoke we've been enjoying. Not!

All-in-all, I had a pretty good ride and can't complain. At least I was able to squeeze in another TW ride. Hope you enjoy!

 

[evan]

that does look like a tough crossing but I'd go for it too after getting off and checking it out. You mentioned your riding partner was thirsty. Hope you bring plenty of extra water for both of you when riding. I always bring some snacks and lunch and way more water then I'll need. Just in case of a break down. looks like fun ride. I'm itching to go riding again with Mr. Gizmo again but were waiting for this heatwave to pass and cool down abit (were old....LOL).

 

[B-dub]

Too bad about the closed trails/missed caches. Looks like you had quite a fun adventure nonetheless. We've also have a bunch of fires this year. The big fires in our area are mostly taken care of, but yesterday on the way home from work a car was off to the side of the freeway totally burned and firefighters were trying to control the resulting brush fire. I did enjoy your ride report, thanks for taking us along!

 

[AFISHALBIZ]

Escape the heat - head for the hills continued.



I finally find the old back road to Mineral. It's in extremely poor shape!! It's very steep (in a downward direction), and has some ruts 3-4 feet deep in some places. I had to walk the TW in a couple places they were so bad. Looked good in goggle earth, but here, not so much. I would not recommend anyone try this road, to dangerous. An ATV would not make it for sure! I had almost no choice as going back up would have proved more challenging than continuing down.



This is the good part!

After a very cautious decent, I make it down the draw, only to find what could be a dangerous obstacle. I know I shouldn't cross it, but after some debate with my riding partner, who is thirsty, I go anyway and make it.

From here it was clear sailing (except for all the thistle bushes) and I make it too and through Mineral. I didn't take any new photo's of Mineral as I've posted some

in a couple previous RR's from last winter and spring, but I did take one on my way up out of Mineral, on the nice road. In the far distance is Oregon and Hell's Canyon, and some of the old mining roads just above Mineral which is in the valley below the roads. Oh, and the haze is from all the fire smoke we've been enjoying. Not!

All-in-all, I had a pretty good ride and can't complain. At least I was able to squeeze in another TW ride. Hope you enjoy!

WoW ~ thanks for sharing. Great pics.. Maybe you already covered this question ~ BUT ~how did you get that pup to ride? I just lost mine on the forth of July and am looking to get a couple more.Like to train one to have MC fun.. Thanks in advance ~ Eric

 

[Joemama]

Mike,

When you and Gerry plan a ride, mind if I tag along. The last ride I went on my riding buddy took a spill on his DRZ and is not ready to try again, yet. I don't care where, I just want to ride.



Joe

 

[admiral]

You mentioned your riding partner was thirsty. Hope you bring plenty of extra water for both of you when riding. I always bring some snacks and lunch and way more water then I'll need.

I always have plenty of water on-board, even when it's cooler. In this area there are plenty of streams still running this time of year, plus at the old cabin there is a water spring, so water wasn't a problem. Additionally, I'm wearing a 2 liter CamelBak and 2 liter bottles and collapsible bowl (looks like a disk on my tank bag seen in the cow photo) for Georgie. Funny you mention it, though I don't always, I have snacks on this ride just in case I have an unexpected overnighter!

I also make sure to let everyone in the family know where I'm riding. I'm starting to see the value in a Spot, and may spring for one next year.



Guess I'll have to wait for the heatwave to see you guys (Mr G), on another ride, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it when you do!

 

[admiral]

Too bad about the closed trails/missed caches. Looks like you had quite a fun adventure nonetheless.

I was suprised by the trail closures, especially the first one I encountered. I've been on it before, and just a few hundred yards further is an intersection with some other well used trails. They're actually more than just trails and have (had) some good riding and lead to some old mines and what not. There's also about 3-4 caches on the western(ish) side of this ridge, and with the closure, won't get much action anymore. Hopefully this is just temporary, but I can see some of the trails will be closed "forever" to the internal combustion beasts. Guess I'll have to haul our mules up here in the future, which ain't all bad either!

 

[admiral]

WoW ~ thanks for sharing. Great pics.. Maybe you already covered this question ~ BUT ~how did you get that pup to ride? I just lost mine on the forth of July and am looking to get a couple more.Like to train one to have MC fun.. Thanks in advance ~ Eric

First let me say I'm sorry for the loss of your pet. Whether we like it or not, we tend to get pretty darn attached to our pets.



As far as training Georgie to ride, no training involved, per se. At some point in the past, (I'm getting older and can't remember when), she just jumped on the back of the TW. I noticed she had a little trouble staying on with just the cyclerack, so I strapped a piece of carpet on so she had a nice place to sit/stand. I started out just going up to the mailbox and back with her on, then some rides, the rest is history. Normally, I don't take here on rides I anticipate being rougher than normal or where the speeds will be much over 20-25 mph.



I should mention she pouts like the dickens if I leave her at home!

 

[AFISHALBIZ]

Thanks for the info and your condolences. Perhaps Ill ride past the shelter and see who gets excited... cept I dont know what I would do if that method turned up a a cat. I guess most anyone who likes to ride is all right in my book.



( Im sorry my original question to you got repeated all over your posts numerous times. Im sure I pressed the wrong button? )

 

[DonBenito]

I wish I could get my Boxweiler baby to hop on the back of the bike, but at 1.5 years old and 120 lbs even if she was smart enough her weight might present some challenging physics.

Her older brother, a 75lb Bullboxer is definitely smart enough, but he'll be manning the handlebars himself before he gets on the back of my bike! He basically considers me an inconvenient aspect of cohabiting with my wife (his one and only true love.)



I might not be able to ride with them, but at least they're watching over things while I'm gone and they're always happy to see me when I make it back!

 

[admiral]

( Im sorry my original question to you got repeated all over your posts numerous times. Im sure I pressed the wrong button? )

Not a problem at all, I don't mind answering no matter how many times asked.



Our cat runs away when I start the TW, so I'm guessing a shelter cat won't be so loyal as to want to ride either. Giggle!

 

[admiral]

I wish I could get my Boxweiler baby to hop on the back of the bike, but at 1.5 years old and 120 lbs even if she was smart enough her weight might present some challenging physics.



Her older brother, a 75lb Bullboxer is definitely smart enough, but he'll be manning the handlebars himself before he gets on the back of my bike! He basically considers me an inconvenient aspect of cohabiting with my wife (his one and only true love.)



I might not be able to ride with them, but at least they're watching over things while I'm gone and they're always happy to see me when I make it back!

I can see where your large dogs may present a problem riding. But I'd bet they'd love it!