A quick ride report from todays trail ride. What an eventful day, so fecking hard, but so much fun.
I headed off at around 9AM from my place. Thinking I'd start the day off right I decided to take a shorter but more back road route. This was my first mistake!
Though the morning was beatuiful I hadnt figured on the frost that might still be lingering, and between the villages of Tempo and Kilskeery on the way to Kesh I came over a small hill to be greeted by a sheet of ice on the road. Trying not to panic I tried to slow the bike, but she locked up and the back end stepped out to the right. I got control again but this time the left end stepped out, and I then went up onto the verge sideways. Somehow I got it undercontrol again and coasted off the last of the ice. PHEW!!
I had a few more slidey episodes, nothing like the last one though, and finally made it to our meet up point at around 10. I met Dakar, and another fella Alan, and we waited for Brian, Erneman, to arrive. A nice coffee helped warm the hands up. When Brian arrived he gave us a few tips and an idea of what lay ahead, and at around 10:30 we set off, heading North towards Pettigo. I was on my F650GS, Dakar on his KTM 640 Adventure, Alan on a Honda 250 and Brian on a KTM 450EX.
The bikes ready for their trip :
We hit a trail somewhere around Lough Derg and so started the days antics. Brian had mentioned to myself and Dakar that we should try and ride standing on the Pegs, I personally found this hard at the start but sorta got the hang of it. The first trail was on hardcore gravel, and my bike was fine on it, no major issues there.
Soon we turned off the gravel onto a more disused track, covered in mud and moss etc. Here the panic started, as soon as I hit it my bike took a life of its own and I lost control. Now the bike has Metzler Tourances so I felt that it should be fine, however I was so wrong. The bike jumped sideways again and as I corrected it swung to the other side, I lost my balance and off the track I went. Thank god the ground was soft :
Brian and Alan, who were ahead of us turned around and came back, and much merryment was made of how I'd got the bike where it was. Between the four of us we got it up and onto the track. I was fine, no issues there, however the left front indicator was pulled off and the gear lever was bent 90 degrees. Some gaffer tape sorted the indicator, and Brians boot sorted the gear lever. When I got on again I was then told that the track was blocked by a tree just 100 yards ahead, typical!!
We proceeded on to the west on hardpack trails and the riding was class. Some amazing views :
After a few hours we reached Belleek and we stopped for a well earned rest and petrol etc. The guys filled up and myself and Dakar felt we had enough petrol, I had already told the guys how frugal the F650GS was (remember I said this!)
We then headed for Sligo and more mishaps. Dakar had similar tyres to mine, Metzlers as well, however as soon as we ventured off the hardcore and onto the dirt his bike was all over the place as well. We are both novices so it could have been that as well.
As soon as we hit the first pice of boggy track Dakar lost his and I lost mine not 10 yards behind him. We got his bike lifted and sorted and went back to mine. I noticed straight away my petrol cap was open and the petrol had poured out!!! I had quickly looked into it at the filling station, and decided I would have enough and hadnt closed it right!!! FFS!!! We headed to the nearest rode and I doubled back and refilled.
Then we started into HELL!!! I have never worked so hard on a bike in my life. I ended up simply in first gear using the clutch to get down these tracks. My poor clutch even started complaining. I think Dakar had another off somewhere in HELL but I managed to stay upright, using my legs as extra stabilizers! They are so sore now. Pics of what HELL now looks like for Dakar and myself below.
Dakar powering through :
My bike mid HELL :
And the lads bikes :
After this Brian relented on us noobs and we hit the tarmac for some sightseeing. Brian as well as knowing the roads knows the folklore etc and was able to tell us loads about the area. After this we all headed home, dakar and myself parted ways in Derrylin and I headed home for the good hot shower.
Had a fecking amazing day out. Found the gravel tracks great but had no confidence on the dirt and found it nerve wrecking. Alan watched me on a section and nearly pissed himself laughing at the bike all over the place and me holding on for dear life!!
Guys if you havent done this, and your bike is capable, then do give it a go, you wont regret it!!!
dMac
again, thanks for organising this Brian! Hopefully we can do it again 
