Today was the last hurrah on the mountain for a little while. A family member called dibs on the cabin for some kind of bash—which, apparently, involves the kind of friends who don’t think a rear brake pedal adjustment qualifies as a good time. That meant I had to play responsible adult and get the place cleaned up before the invasion.
See, the last time I was up here, I spent the “cleaning day” out riding instead. Whoops. This time I did it right. Dishes done. Laundry folded. Bathrooms scrubbed. All the glamorous parts of mountain life. Once the chores were checked off, it was time to move on to something that actually brings peace to the soul: garage therapy.
Step one: mount the new Wallmaster Spray Can Holder. The fact that I now have an organized place for all those cans somehow made me feel like a high-functioning adult. Next on the list: fiddling with the rear brake pedal height on the FE 501s. I had lowered the pedal to make braking easier. But I’m beginning to think the rear brake overheating might’ve had more to do with me using the pedal as a footrest.
With tools down, the mountain was calling. I filled the CamelBak bladder, zipped up the MSR Voyager Adventure Jacket and pants, zipped open every vent I could find, and rolled out under a bright blue sky. Skipped the new Tech 5 moto boots and went with my trusty Propet Ridge Walker hiking boots. Not exactly CE-rated armor, but they do shift and brake like a dream, and my ankles appreciated the freedom.
After an hour and a half of winding through forest roads and enjoying the pine-scented air, I hit a familiar fork: one direction led to a steep, rutted single-track hill climb with who-knows-what on the other side; the other led back the way I came. Solo, light on protection, no tool bag, and running out of daylight, I gave in to my better judgment and turned around. Boring? Maybe. Smart? Definitely. I still managed to snap a few photos and soak in the ride.
Creek
Back at the cabin, I nestled the FE 501s back into the garage, alongside the two XR600s and the Zero DS, packed up, and pointed the truck toward the valley. The FE 501s now has nearly 500 miles under its belt. We’re not at XR600 trust levels yet—that’s a high bar—but I can feel us getting there. A few more hill climbs, a couple creek crossings, and one or two “oh crap” moments, and we’ll be bonded for life.
Until next time, mountain trails. Don’t get too comfy—the next ride’s already brewing.
