Two day getaway - DS trail ride and camping

[Reserector]

(I posted this last spring, and I hope to do a trip like this again soon.  Enjoy!)

I have vacation days to use, and the weather has been great.  I decided to use two of them mid-week to do some riding and camping.

My original plan was to ride down to DeSoto National Forest in southern Mississippi, and set up camp at Airey Lake Rec area, which is along the Tuxachanie Trail.  From there, I would head out to the Bethel ATV Trail, and Bethel Motorcycle trail.  There is about 37 miles of ATV trail, and maybe another 20 of single track enduro trail.

It was dark and foggy when I left, so I took the highway to Richton.  Had breakfast at Ward's.  I sat and enjoyed my coffee while the fog cleared a bit.



From here, I will took Old Augusta road  to 29 South.

Rattlesnake Bay trail (about ten miles of good enduro trail) was not far off of my planned route, so I swung by there to have a look.  I checked out the trail, and decided to come back another time, without gear strapped on, when I can enjoy it.  The little bit that I rode took a toll on my saddle bags.





I decided to stick to the plan, and head south to Airey Lake.  But along the way was Flint Creek water park, so I stopped in did a ride through.  That took a little while, because the place is BIG.  Really nice, well kept, and seemingly unlimited.  From day use to cabins.  Water skiing and all that.






From there, I headed south through Wiggins, and back into the forest, to Airey Lake.  It is a pretty little spot, with free camping, a vault toilet, and fresh water.
When I got there, I was surprised to see others already there, because it was Tuesday.  They had a couple of small tents set up, so I figured they were staying.  They had a german shepard that was barking at EVERYTHING, so I decided to adjust my plan.  Not that I don't like people, or dogs for that matter.  I just had it im my mind that I would have a quiet, peaceful experience.

I decided to stay and eat lunch there.  Good thing I did, because the heat from the muffler had melted the side cover, and took a toll on the right saddlebag.  I already knew I had to fix a broken strap, so this became a repair stop as well.

The bike, sans gear, after I got her patched up.


The lake and grounds:


When I got there I saw smoke coming from a side panel that was melting to the muffler.  Also, one of the saddlebags had lost a strap connection and had to be repaired.





I repaired the strap with a piece of tent cord that I found on the ground.

I needed something to use as a heat shield, so I used pine bark to fix that problem





I ate my lunch, took some pictures, repaired the bike, then packed up and moved on to Bethel ATV trail.



The bethel trail head was a ghost town.  So I decided to camp there.  I set up my tent, paid my fee, and hit the trails.  The fee was ten dollars, not five, as advertised.



The ATV trails were fun, actually.  The motorcycle trail was even  better, even though it took me down hard.  I was edging a rut, when the front wheel found an embedded stump that had other plans for me.
A chest protector is the only thing I didn't have.  Before that moment, I did not know i could adjust mirrors with my ribs.  

My reaction was to cry out "Lord!". (Not the four-letter word I USED to use.) I got up, righted the bike with the engine still running, and He took the pain away.  It hurt when I hit, but there is not even a mark, now.  I am grateful.

Some pictures of the trails:  ATV









Motorcycle trail:





On both types of trail, there were ruts, berms, and deep whoops in places.  I didn't stop to take pics of those features because that is where I was on the throttle.


And finally, my home for the evening.



It was a peaceful night, and temps were perfect.
There were still some good coals, so I cooked some corned beef hash in some foil while my coffee heated on the alcohol stove.
It is foggy, but clear.  I hear woodpeckers all around.  I find myself standing still at times, just listening.





The hash can became my new heat shield.  Now, the only trash I have to take with me are the ends.







I'm going to take my time packing.  Giving the ashes time to cool.

No real plan for the return trip.  Basically head north, and keep my eyes open.



This is how left camp.  Just a layer of cold ashes on an established fire spot.



On the way back north on 29, I paid another visit to the Janice canoe Landing on the Black Creek.  It is free.  Has several numbered sites with tent pads, and fresh water.  The bathroom has a flush toilet and sink.
This would be a nice day camp location.







Some men were there, carrying canoes to the bottom of the ramp.



Found an interesting fungus there.





I've already ordered some black header wrap, and a new pair of yellow Acerbis side covers.  

[Reserector]

As a follow-up, I have since built a new exhaust that does not get so hot. I refurbished an FMF Q4. It is quieter than stock, also.

The header wrap helped, but was not the cure:


So I made this:


I also built a large rear rack to eliminate the need for saddlebags altogether.




I have some vacation days to use, and I plan to do a mid-week getaway like this again this spring if I can.

[gharshman]

Very nice. I need to go riding down there.

[EnduroRdr]

Great Ride Report! Makes me want to go camping - but then its already too hot for that chit! Maybe late sept or Oct.

[Reserector]

Great Ride Report! Makes me want to go camping - but then its already too hot for that chit! Maybe late sept or Oct.

Definitely need to put one together when it cools off a bit.  Riding trails in this heat would be downright dangerous for us old farts.