I was dune riding today at Florence Oregon and i went off a 9-10 foot sheer drop in 2nd gear at a pretty good rate of speed and to my surprise my suspension and more importantly my back held up to it.This was not a planned event and i am not bragging in fact just the opposite i am just reminding everyone to always read the terrain ahead.I usually am very aware of what is coming up and i react to it accordingly but just one quick look behind me to check on another rider in our group was all it took.I have a small piece of plexiglass mirror sewn into the back of my left glove that i usually use to check behind me and today was a reminder of why i should use it instead of turning back and looking.I would never try something like that intentionally and thankfully i came out of it with nothing more than some sore back muscles but it could have been much worse.I also got to see just what my triple buffed tires and my +4"swingarm could stand up to but that is not the way i wanted to find out.This is mostly just a reminder to stay alert and ride safe.The small piece of plexiglas mirror sewn into the back of the glove works very well and some of you may want to try it,it works.Well i should say it works when you use it.

 

Right on dude. Sounds like awesome suspension.

Keep it vertical man...

 

Hey you better be careful. We would like to keep ya around awhile longer. Better make sure you can see clear infront of you before you turn around or use your mirror in the glove. Pretty cool idea by the way.

 

Thanks cynick.We had 1 rider with us that was doing very well for their first time out and another who was lagging way behind so i was having to look back way too much to check on her.As you probably know sand changes drastically from day to day and this particular drop off has never been created at this location so i was feeling a little too comfortable about flying over the top of the hill.I dont mind admitting a mistake on here if it could possibly help someone by reminding them of the importance of reading the terrain.I have been riding the dunes for over 25 years and still sometimes i make a mistake like i did yesterday but that is and will always be a part of duning.I just wish i would have been wearing my helmet camera set up because that would have been good footage but the language would not have been PG.

 

Your right...on the part where riding on the dunes is nothing like riding on dirt. Dirt seems to last forever in it's shape unless there's a lot of rain to cause it to wash away. Sand on the other hand changes with the slightest wind. One day the sand will be fine and you think you know all the terrain, then there's a good wind [just over night] and it changes everything. It's always been a good thing to check the area you plan to ride so there's no surprises.

As an example, my son and I were riding in an area at Sand Lakes. It's along the upper right off the first paved camping area. Anyway...we rode in that particular area because we liked the trails. Well...we went and had some lunch, then after awhile we headed back for the same spot. While we were gone, other quads were having fun where we had been. No offense to them, but they cut a deep trough around a clump of grass. My son was riding there earlier jumping his quad off that same clump of grass. He learned quickly how things change in the sand, as he endoed his quad and went over the bars on his landing. His head hit the handlebars [helmet was on] and got a few bruises from that mishap. He learned a good lesson for the future ........this time.

 

Floorit that is another good example of what can happen at any time to anyone.A post like this may at least remind another rider to stay alert on their next ride and that is a good thing.

 

Yeah I do understand the way sand is which is another reason I love it so much. It is always something new and exciting. But I have to admit I am usually not the one in the lead and that saves me most of the time. My hubby can tell ya stories about not remembering the terrain he didn't land well though. I one time came off of a little dune it luckily was only about 4ft drop I knew it was there but sometimes they all look the same I thought it was the next dune I hit hard didn't come off but I jambed my wrist pretty bad it hurt for a couple months.

I agree it is just another good reminder to never get to comfortable with your terrain especially sand because it changes by the minute. So it is a good idea to remind people.

I am still glad you are ok.