Oh crap DogT, downhill on a drum brake, yikes. I'm so pensive with you my groin hurts 'cause I know its just a mater of time THE Gravel will get ya, 'cause until it does - a few times - there is No other way to understand just how close limits you are - if slightest need for more control input than almost a free flight down to the bottom. It'd be fine if it had as nice a run off at top or bottom as them hillc limber events, but no such luxury for us, shear nerves and faith to maneuver your way out to stable sane surface. I'd sure recommend taking the easy way in/out until your reflexes get more 2nd nature. I had 6 splat downs before I ever made it to tarmac intact the 1st time, the 1st week on a Combat, ugh. Trouble with the drum is its rather weak at first then suddenly tends to grab, splat. ABSOLUTE RULE on THE Grit, Never EVER Apply ANY Brakes If Even Slightest Degree of lean or fork turn, AT ALL > especially on that last 2-3 mph or SPLAT! If ya get to dicing fast tarmac turns, same rule applies > Trail brake leaning at you own damn risk and don't say I didn't warn ya.
I forced myself to endure inhaling insects and ignore the scratchy big one on my bare back in the heat as long as they didn't sting bite or try to lay eggs in me... to get Trixie roadworthy for Empire event.
Stealing post a bit on 'bugs, I had to bend a sidestand or peg support for Trixie and used the tow ring on 5 ton trailer in shed for leverage anchor, with clouds of various bugs all around, then started the bending and noticed a thicker cloud, then gave a heave ho on the part to suddenly get two instant stings only then realized Yellow Jackets! Swatted as I ran a few yards away, the cloud followed me, 2-3 more stings, then sprinted 40 ft away to far end of shed and caught breath to get swarmed even thicker, so ran 70 yd to house deck and looked back at shed at first thinking I'd gotten away, only to see a spiraling tornado like cloud of them following my scent, after a short double take I ducked into house and only one in my hair that stung. Later found they'd made next in a bucket of dry cement mix, poured gas on them after dark and that was that. Saddle riders mule/horse, do not ride till after first hard freeze and last good frost of the year...
What seems so secure to tarmac only riders is just asking for repeat letdowns on THE Gravel. Make mental note that some day some intermittent running that may shut ya down can come from the broken frail tail light bulb housing Earth lead under lens. I wanted to test Trixie's Frankenstein silencers just up/dn my driveway, but ain't yet solved the idle return, suspect worn slides now, so just chickened out giving THE Gravel Demon extra odds to get me again, though I know for sure no way it won't, again.
Better get and extra signal and mirror and foot peg bolt on hand. DAMHIK.
Damn it Man if you ain't let air out to say 26 rear and 24 front to learn THE Gravel, you are just plain asking for it and new side pipes to boot. Oh yeah, just wait till you encounter a bit of mud, ugh, always an immediate crisis.
Jim
