< more recent | 1-8 July 2018 | older >
8 July 2018: More intensive skills building during DC Dirt Camp today, as we were challenged to push it up to the next level with a series of increasingly difficult drills before a follow-the-leader style ride through the maze that let us practice what we’d learned thus far. As we progressed BJ Hessler moved us on to emergency-stopping-at-speed and failing-the-hill scenarios and even a bit of off-camber side hill riding. By the end of Day Two we were exhausted but very glad with the progress we’d made in such a short time frame …
7 July 2018: Great day learning some basic dirt bike skills at DC Dirt Camp along the banks of the Potomac near Dahlgren, VA. The program, taught by BJ Hessler, builds on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation curriculum adding some fun into the mix with an onsite maze trail and an end-of-day dip in the river. Day One of the two-day intensive introduction to riding focused on getting new riders comfortable with the bikes and teaching us control at slow speeds around the purpose built course. A beachfront bonfire at the end of the day offered the opportunity to unwind as we mentally processed all the new learning…
6 July 2018: A quick visit to Caledon State Park in Dahlgren, VA for a late afternoon kayak trip on the Potomac. It was overcast and threatening storms all day, but we were able to get out on the river for a relaxing paddle just before sunset. While on the Potomac we got to see some Bald Eagles hunting along the river bank. There were a few younger birds and we also spotted a nest in one of the trees as we passed. We paddled out beyond the marsh and to the area of an old shipwreck as the sun was beginning to reach the horizon below the cloud cover making for a gorgeous sunset full of color. The return paddle was a bit more strenuous as we were going against the river’s current and the tide was moving in making it a bit choppier. Was still pretty fun to be running the river “in the dark” and we only made it back to the launch as the last light of twilight transitioned to night. On the drive back we had a deer encounter on the trail (all well, no accident for truck or deer). All in all a very nice start to the weekend in VA …
3 July 2018: Taking a break to relax a bit on Long Island where the local wildlife is always amusing. Some time for nice easy walks by the lake where a new loop trail is being completed making it finally possible to circle the lake right along the shore. A few new trails are now being managed in the marshy area nearby, too, making for some variety in our local “outdoors” terrain choices…
THIS MONTH:
Heading to DC Dirt Camp for a chance to learn how to ride the trails on two-wheels in July. DC Dirt Camp is a Dirt Bike School sponsored by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation offering training at two locations outside Washington, DC, to prepare riders to hit the trails on small displacement, off-road bikes, as well as larger street-legal, dual sport and adventure bikes…
COMING UP SOON:
Attending Woman and Machine New England, a unique educational event for women interested in the automotive industry, near Boston, 15 July 2018. This one day event hosted by Crossroads Collision and Auto Repair is in the picturesque landscape of Massachusetts and offers beginner and intermediate automotive classes as well as a morning Meet & Greet for women in the industry. The day is about bringing together women who are interested in learning, being encouraged to tackle things they may find intimidating, and developing community.
Woman and Machine New England is brought to you by …
Headed back to Moab for some Jeep fun and red rock exploration. Hitting a few trails and working on desert navigation in a very favorite place…
Participating in the Ladies Offroad Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, 2-5 August 2018. The Ladies Offroad Convention is an action-packed, interactive 4-day weekend educating, motivating, and guiding for ladies involved in all aspects of the offroad world. Presented by Charlene Bower and the Ladies Offroad Network, the event creates a space to learn more about offroad activities and share experiences with like-minded women from around the country…
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation® is an internationally recognized not-for-profit foundation, supported by motorcycle manufacturers, that provides leadership to the motorcycle safety community through its expertise, tools, and partnerships. The MSF is the internationally recognized developer of the comprehensive, research-based, Rider Education and Training System (RETS). RETS curricula promotes lifelong-learning for motorcyclists and continuous professional development for certified RiderCoaches and other trainers. MSF also actively participates in government relations, safety research, public awareness campaigns and the provision of technical assistance to state training and licensing programs. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a national, not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Indian Motorcycle, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha….
CALEDON STATE PARK
Caledon State Park is a 2,579-acre park located in northern Virgina’s King George county. A National Natural Landmark known for its old growth forest and summer home to many American bald eagles, Caledon attracts bird watchers of all ages. The property was initially owned by the Alexander brothers, founders of the city of Alexandria, and was established in 1659 as Caledon Plantation. Ownership passed, in 1974, to the Commonwealth of Virginia. There are ten hiking and four multi-use trails that take park visitors through environmentally sensitive marshlands and picturesque wooded areas of the park. The 2-mile Boyd’s Hole Trail leading to the Potomac River is the most popular of the trails. All the trails are open year-round. The park also includes the Smoot House visitor center featuring exhibits on the bald eagle and on the park’s history. The exhibits depicting representative habitats of Caledon and covering the park’s ongoing resource management activities are free to the public. Adjacent to the park is the Chotank Creek Natural Area Preserve, a state-designated private conservation area that further protects bald eagle habitat, in addition to wetlands and other significant communities …
Nesconset | Paris | Dahlgren | Salt Lake City | Moab | Grand Junction | Belgrade
MORE NOTES FROM THE ROAD:
25-30 June – Orienteering
1-24 June – Paris
7-10 June – Bantam Jeep Festival
1-6 June – Roadtrip to Bantam JeepFest
May – Wheelers Overland
16-30 April – New York
4-15 April – Sudan
29 March – 3 April – Egypt
22-28 March – Paris
16-21 March – Paris
1-15 March – New York
February – Coal Country
January – Vegas to Glamis Roadtrip
December – East Coast Roadtrip
16-30 November – Paris
1-15 November – Florida
October – Rausch Creek
18-30 September – Kyrgyzstan
1-17 September – Rebelle U
15-31 August – Arizona
8-14 August – TFT9
1-7 August – Serbia
July – NY and Serbia
Archive
REFLECTIONS
A quick overview of impressions from a stop in Cairo during our recent scouting mission in Egypt and Sudan … [read]
SPECIAL REPORT
A look into south-eastern Algeria on the border with Libya and Niger: overlanding with the Tuareg in one of the most remote corners of the Sahara … [read]
