Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey...

     After last year's crash, I made a vow to develop a new habit during my recovery. I grew up seeing the pleasure my Dad gained from reading, but had never experienced it. During school it was strictly business, and I fell into years of the excuse "I don't have time to read". However, I was able to make time, and have since rolled through an average of two books per month, and zero cable bills. I get it now, and find myself often scheduling my day around getting to read. The only downfall is a lack of friends that read, so I find myself with these elaborate conversations, quotes, and ideas that remain internalized.

     And then I remembered that I run this blog, and how under-utilized it has been in the past. It's been a great outlet for some gear reviews, event recaps, and short rants, but I believe I'll had some depth here with a few book reviews. As a self proclaimed adventurer and notorious soloist, I've connected well with authors such as Edward Abbey, Aron Ralston, and Jack London. I definitely enjoy the classics as well as modern novels, but there's a certain vein running in me that enjoys the Science Fiction-esque qualities of older pieces. 

     Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire has hit my buttons on several levels. I found myself throughout the novel making notes of passages I just couldn't wait to go back and explore. 

     Released in 1968, Desert Solitaire is a collection of writings from Abbey's years as a park ranger on the backside of Canyonlands National Park in Utah. He was known for being a very surly, zero f*cks given environmentalist that would much rather spend his time alone in the wilderness than with the company of a society he liked less and less each day. The particular area he was stationed for these writings also happens to hold a dear place in my heart. Canyonlands NP is the area that contains Moab, Arches NP, Green River, and a number of hidden treasures in the desert of Utah. Rather than go into a full synopsis, I'd like to share a few of the parts that really hit home with me in hopes that it will inspire you to step away from the idiot box and pick up a book!

"Where all think alike there is little danger of innovation."

"An economic system which can only expand or expire must be false to all that is human."

"Has joy any survival value in the operations of evolution? I suspect that it does; I suspect that the morose and fearful are doomed to quick extinction. Where there is no joy there can be no courage; and without courage all other virtues are useless."

"Too late for arguments now and as usual not enough time for panic."

"Looking out to this panorama of light, space, rock and silence I am inclined to congratulate the dead man on his choice of jumping off place; he had good taste. He had good luck- I envy him the manner of his going: to die alone, on rock under sun at the brink of the unknown, like a wolf, like a great bird, seems to me very good fortune indeed. To die in the open, under the sky, far from insolent interference of leech and priest, before this desert vastness opening like a window into eternity- that surely was an overwhelming stroke of rare good luck."

"Gaze not too long into the abyss, lest the abyss gaze into thee."

     But above all, the section that raised off the page and screamed at me was the chapter that Abbey explained the value of wilderness as "a base for resistance to centralized domination." Released in 1968, and read in the light of 2013, this passage absolutely dominated my mind for several days. He even explains that his thoughts came from even earlier poets. This was an era before Internet, Monsanto, the War on Terror, and many of the other commonalities we have grown tolerant of. Without further ado, here it is:

"How does this theory apply to the present and future of the famous United States of North America? Suppose we were planning to impose a dictatorial regime upon the American People- the following preparations would be essential:

1. Concentrate the populace in megalopolitan masses so that they can be kept under close surveillance and where, in case of trouble, they can be bombed, burned, gassed, or machine-gunned with a minimum of expense and waste. 

2. Mechanize agriculture to the highest degree of refinement, thus forcing most of the scattered farm and ranching population into the cities. Such a policy is desirable because farmers, woodsmen, cowboys, Indians, fisherman and other relatively self-sufficient types are difficult to manage unless displaced from their natural environment. 

3. Restrict the possession of firearms to the police and the regular military organizations.

4. Encourage or at least fail to discourage population growth. Large masses of people are more easily manipulated and dominated than scattered individuals. 

5. Continue military conscription. Nothing excels military training for creating in young men an attitude of prompt, cheerful obedience to officially constituted authority. 

6. Divert attention from deep conflicts within the society by engaging in foreign wars; make support of these wars a test of loyalty, thereby exposing and isolating potential opposition to the new order.

7. Overlay the nation with a finely reticulated network of communications, airlines and interstate autobahns. 

8. Raze the wilderness. Dam the rivers, flood the canyons, drain the swamps, log the forests, strip-mine the hills, bulldoze the mountains, irrigate the deserts and improve the national parks into national parking lots."

     Let that sink in a bit as you read it through the eyes of today. He's a brilliant author, rough and unapologetic. It doesn't get much better than this!

Moto Tassinari VForce4 Reeds Review...

http://www.mototassinari.com/
seattime.co

Seat Time scores a big one YET AGAIN! Huge Thanks to SeatTime.co for the hookup with Moto Tassinari, and huge thanks to Moto Tassinari for coming through with an absolutely sick product!

I rode four strokes and only four strokes up until this year. And not just 4 strokes, BIG 4 strokes. I love the open class bikes- 450's, 505's, etc. "Overkill is underrated" my friends, and my bike collection as well as gun collection speak that truth. Two strokes confused me, and the thought of pre-mix and that strange magical ju-ju that happens somewhere inside a 2 stroke did not appeal to me at all. That was up until this year when I saw and felt how much lighter the 2 strokes are, and it peaked my curiosity. With the same overkill theme in mind, enter my beloved 2009 KTM 300 XC-W. I've only started my 450 enough to keep the oil circulated since I got this beauty. I call her Alice, and we have a strange bond. My 300 is a phenomenal machine in that it is such a simple build, easy to maintain, light, and will still rip your arms out of socket with a fist full of gas.

The KTM smokers come stock with VForce 3 Reeds, so I would by no means say that I was weak in the reed cage department. After all, they're carbon fiber, and anyone that has something bad to say about carbon fiber is full of crap. It's the end all solution to all things fast. But when I got on the phone with Moto Tassinari, I learned some more about the new VForce4 Reeds, and read about them on their site some more. They took their design, modified it to do its job even easier and more bulletproof, then made it specifically for my bike, the KTM 300. Lovely.

I get very excited when these kinds of things show up!

The install didn't take long at all, especially since I already had the rear shock off. Everything I needed was there, except a hand to hold when I put a perfectly good VForce3 reed cage on the shelf for inactive duty. I really liked the design. Just in your hand and on the work bench, the 4 seemed more prepared for the evils that an off-road bike sees.

I fired the bike up and let it warm up, then stood for a listen to see if I heard any jetting issues. Strangely enough, the engine already sounded different before i threw my leg over it. A little more throaty, a lot smoother, even at idle. Off we go... My practice trail starts with a drop off the parking lot, then a small booter out of the ditch. Immediately penciled it and almost came off the back! I just wasn't ready for the power to come on that quick. Into a turn, drift out with total control. Down the hill, weave the first tree line, open it up. WOW. If you're unfamiliar with the KTM 300, it's the unicorn of motorcycles except there's a chainsaw instead of a horn, and it's covered in scars with a strange look in it's one good eye. This thing is notoriously sweet from the showroom floor. Power comes on hard, but lasts long enough that it's spread out more than the smaller screamers. It's so torquey, you find yourself a gear low at all times, just looking for the times you get to light it up. Add the VForce4 cage, and it turns this bike into a whole new beast. It comes on smoother, stays strong longer, and gives the bike an even more capable feeling! I couldn't believe the change! I've ridden bikes with big bore kits, cams, all kinds of mods, and have never in my life felt anything that offered more improvement than this reed cage. I can't wait to ride this thing on some better terrain than my back yard, it feels so much more responsive and predictable. I even caught myself playing around with some trials moves on my big bike. It doesn't just add power like some may think. It completely modifies the kind of power you get from the bike. No more trying to predict the power curve since the power comes on so much sooner. My clutch feathering is minimal now, even a gear or two higher. With the change in the torque, I can just roll it on and it pulls great. Wheelies snap up quicker and more controlled, turns get riled up immediately without losing control or slipping, and the bike just generally has a more relaxed sound and feel to it. I absolutely love the feeling of capability it has now. This is a very cool part, and it really shows that Moto Tassinari is hard at work helping you get even more smiles out of riding! Thanks for an excellent product, and thank you very much to Seat Time for the hookup!

Woody of Seat Time repping the MT shirt, and yours truly dispatching a beer in the background- From the Moto Tassinari Newsletter!

Alpinestars Tech 7 Boot Review...

Alpinestars Tech 7 Boots! Time for a review!

There's not much out there on these boots yet, so I thought I'd chip in. Aside from a little paragraph in Dirt Bike Magazine, I couldn't find a thing on these when it was time to replace my trusty old Tech 8's. If you're anything like me, you want to make sure everything you buy is worth it, especially when it comes to something as vital as boots!

I'm coming off a pair of Tech 8's that I've had since 2005. They were great boots. I did a LOT of MX, broke my leg in them, started racing enduros, kicked my way in to supermoto, and just absolutely mistreated them through a couple more seasons of enduros and hare scrambles. Absolutely no gripes with the 8's, just the price and knowing what kind of beating they'll take in our enduros and scrambles. I wanted something a little simpler with a different sole and much lower price tag for when I finally destroy them. I also went through a pair of Sidi Crossfires that felt great, but only held up for a year of supermoto racing, then retired.

The tech 7's look great! Good style to them, just like all the Astars goodies. I'm indifferent about the color change on the soles (went from black to white on the white boots). I opted for the white to help alleviate some of the heat here in Texas. The cool thing is Astars knows this and actually makes the white model a vented model! It's got some little screen vents on the side!

I love the buckles! They work great! I usually find myself half pissed by the time i get my boots all snapped up, but these go right in to place, are easy to grab and leverage, and adjust very easily. Also, they're beefy and seem like they'll stand up fine. Great construction and very user friendly, I haven't cussed a single time getting them on/ off.

Watch the sizing! Go somewhere you can try them on if possible. There's no bootie and they run a touch big. I went down a full size from my shoe size, and they're still a touch roomy. Hopefully when the weather breaks and my thicker socks go on, it'll get even more dialed! I actually intend to put some kind of comfy footbed in them also. I was spoiled by the bootie in my 8's before and miss the extra cushion for those hard dabs and the foot vibration my 300 gives.

Overall, Great boot! I loved them coming out of the box- so clean! Too bad they won't stay like that forever. I have a feeling they'll take their beatings well and give me a good lifespan. I like the fit, feel, and look very much, and the sole design doesn't look like it will come apart any time soon like some of the MX designs. This should be a great offroad boot!

If you have any questions, hit me up on VB's Facebook page! Go to FB and "Like" Vita Brevis Clothing!

Train Robbers National and the nightmare following...

Whoof. Take a race that is usually good for a 50% dnf rate in good conditions, and add nearly 2 feet of rain. My personal first DNF since I started racing enduros. Saturday started well with a nice drive to Bismarck, Arkansas with Bloody J on board and picking up Kiwi a little east of home. We rolled in early to catch the 1st ever Awesomeness Competition that Seat Time was putting on. Absolutely loved how easy the new campground was to get to, and it set a great stage for the crowd that a National Enduro brings. As soon as we got camp set up, we rolled over to registration and the Seat Time setup for some Awesomeness...

The competition was a 100m sprint aboard the Concept2 rower, as well as a tire changing race. I was all over the rower, but it took some convincing before I jumped on the tire changing (one of my least favorite tasks). Glad I did, because I managed to get top three in both events! Highlight video quick edit with some Beasties tunes- Candice even jumped on board and showed her stuff on the rower!

Seat Time Awesomeness Competition from woodybepierced on Vimeo.

Saturday evening got a bit warm, but we had a great camp setup and the box fan proved once again to be worth it's weight in gold. Steaks were grilled (fully paleo legit!), and then Candice and I rolled over to check out the church service they put on before races.
About that time, the sun was going down and the lightning show began. We had a clear view of the sky, and this storm rolled in like a scene from a sci-fi movie. I actually had to say the prayer asking to please not be struck by lightning in a porta potty. Thankfully, I made it out ok and in time to see some more of the show before the rain started in. Soonafter, the perfect Saturday conditions were hurricaned away by yet another brutal storm. Total rainfall for the event was 22". 22 freakin inches. We laughed it off in the camper all night, then racked out thinking the next day would be ok.

Sunday morning was muddy, rainy, and showed no signs of improvement. Kiwi and I were on row 54, just in time to sit and wait through a downpour. Gear was soaked, grips were slippery, and goggles were useless- and the race hadn't even started. Knowing then what I know now, I would have turned around, gone to the trailer, and spent the day listening to the radio and snacking. But that just isn't my M.O., so off we went. It was miserable, so I'll keep it brief- Mud is an understatement, zero visibility, zero traction, brakes went out, and never think you know how deep a mudhole really is.

When my race ended, I was 23 miles in, and nearly 4 feet deep in water. The seat height on my bike is about 40 inches, and it was underwater. Not that nice clean water you see on TV, but the kind of shit you'd expect to stay in the cup if it were turned upside down. Down and out after that notorious gulping sound. I worked on the bike, wrestled it, and tried to make it do something for over 3 hours until the sweepers got there. Then had to get the sweepers un-stuck a couple times and we wrestled the bikes together for nearly two more hours before I was back to camp. Good news is by then I was so exhausted that my cussing fit had subdued to defeated grunts, and I was trying to get my head wrapped around the rebuild.

Which brings us to now...
FULL rebuild time. I need to restore this bike's badassness in time to get back on the horse training for the 24 race, so it's been a steady process of wrenching and bleeding both my knuckles and my wallet. Good news is she'll be like new by the time I'm done, and I'll have a much greater understanding of the inner workings of a KTM 300. Poor girl makes me want to cry every time I see her like this, but I know it's for the greater good.

First Night Session...

Tuesday night was the night! My helmet lights finally came in last week, and I hadn't had the chance to really set them up and try a lap around Mullet Mountain yet. (Mullet Mountain is my trail here at the compound- business in the front, party in the back!) Tuesday night was coming together nicely as my to-do list was light, I was feeling strong again after the beat down from the Red River Enduro and my MTB ride, and the one and only Bob Ross was on the property! With Jesse, Chris, and Candice's help/ supervision, it was time to test it all out!

Lighting Equipment:
- Trail Tech X2 Halogen Headlight for the bike
- Trail Tech Dual LED Helmet Light Kit

My review of the lights is great. The X2 is nothing to take to Baja, but at a price point under $100, it exceeded my expectations. It has two bulbs, kind of a spot & flood combo. I can cruise around problem free, but these are more for auxiliary/ backup while I rely on the helmet lights. The X2 was easy to wire and includes everything you need. I really like the fact that you don't need to upgrade the stator to run it. That was the biggest turnoff for the larger race lights and HID's.

The helmet lights were a HUGE surprise. I've been digging around for more info on the Dual LED's, but couldn't find much real world experience. I finally decided to just take the plunge and give them a try. The price was good, and if they work I'm in fat city. If not, eBay them and take the HID plunge. And I'm very glad I did. I think they'll be perfect for the night riding/ racing that I'm looking to do. I chose this setup mostly for battery life. I was afraid to try the higher output lights and then burn through too batteries in one night. At $100 per battery, this isn't an option! The LED's have three settings, and should be able to run both lights for about 3 hours on the highest setting. This way, I should only need 3 total batteries for an entire night, which I'm comfortable with. The kit came with one, and I can steadily order the other two as the money is available. It's a lot less of a sucker punch to spend one bill at a time than several!
All that aside, the color of the lights is bright, clear, and crisp. The weight isn't enough to be concerned with, and their "toughness factor" is there. I don't feel like I run the risk of tearing them up. The throw isn't very far. I found myself really outrunning this setup somewhere on the upper end of third and into fourth gear on my 300. Luckily, my night rides will be in tighter woods where this isn't a problem. The kit included everything you need, as well as the wire to connect the lights directly to the battery. I'm going to set this up as a precaution, just in case it becomes necessary.

Riding with the lights:

The helmet lights completely trump the headlight. Once they're on, the headlight doesn't really matter. I opted with the jaw mount and a "boob" focus where both spots are side by side like a nice pair. I may try running them high/ low at some point just to see what it's like.
I was nervous about this first run since I'd never run lights before. My plan all along was to get used to them on the mtb, then graduate to the slower pit bike, then steadily try slow slow laps on the big bike. Nope. Straight on the 300 and full pace by the second corner! My trail is tight and has awkward corners that can be pretty tricky. It's a potent mix of tight woods with quick run outs, hard turns, and then more woods with creek crossings, rocks, etc. It blew me away how comfortable the riding really was. The helmet lights were amazing and gave me so much confidence. I could see the ground, through the turns, and the low branches just fine. It was only the high speed sections that left me wanting more light!
The only problem I can really foresee is the same as any other ride: eating it. Point fixation is much more intense, so you have to really pay attention and look where you want to go. I came out of the creek, tangled up the front end on a tree, and went over the bars pretty good. It took one of the helmet mounts right off. I'll be doing something about this soon. The mounts are strong, but I definitely want some safeguards (and probably extra mounts) for race day.

Overall, I love it. I can only imagine what kind of output the HID's and race lights can do. But for me, this setup should work great!