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Solo is not my preference but we have such an odd schedule and don't set many firm plans. That makes is hard to coordinate with other riders. That and I have to take into consideration leaving the dog or wife alone all day so I wind up doing these short 30 mile or 2-3 hour rides. I like to take off after breakfast and be back at the van around lunch or early afternoon. I need to strike that balance and with 8 weeks traveling I don't need to ride like a crack head like I did in the past. But I like the Idea and perhaps will talk about my risk mitigation techniques as a voice over in my next seven min of single track vid. But in a nut shell I make sure my machine is in top working order, I avoid the double black diamond trails or real hard trails. I study the nav like a map geek run both the GPS, paper maps, and pre trip Goggle earth study sessions are a must. I always tell someone my exact track (and avoid the temptation to veer off that intended track) and have a solid network of locals I can lean on if I need to text or sos with the InReach. I do carry survival supplies if I have to spend the night out on the trail (space blanket, fire starter, pocket 9mm, snacks, tow trap kind of stuff). I also have no shame, if it's sketch I don't mind turning around. I'm fully aware of my ability and toleration for risk. You can see in this link that I know my threshold! Thanks for watchin and great question! th-cam.com/video/edAPp5jvvUE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LLlKyQ6DFrtGYmXh

In fact I've turned around in that same sketch spot three summers now! Defiantly need a battle broski for this one! One day I'll make it to Custer Look out! th-cam.com/video/5BaVHvaxzXU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=3jQh9oldYlS5pgav

Thanks Frank I appreciate ya watchin, it was one of my favorite rides of the summer! I could spend an entire week exploring this area. Just an unlimited amount of exploration potential!

Thanks buddy, I feel like I'm starting to sort this editing stuff out some. I try to apply some the tricks I like in other vids I watch here on YT. Glad ya enjoyed it!

Snows already flyin up high out there and it ain't got below 70' here at the beach! Chris, we've yet to commit to next summer. I'd really want to go back to Alaska again. If not I'll pick less Idaho base camps and stay at each longer. I really enjoyed immersing myself in an areas like Smokey Bar or the area in this vid.

@mikecolesvids if the economy holds up, we hope to go out to the mining claim and set up a base camp and ride some. Hopefully take the family. July 4th around then maybe.

There's a huge risk with solo running that I don't take for granted. I mitigate risk as much as possible and that need for self-reliance is what really makes me feel alive. I appreciate ya taking the time to watch. Next weeks vid is an 80 mile section of the IDBDR to the Salmon River that ya might enjoy? And I run that sticker for my late father who was a massive Jonny fan. He not only instilled the love of Johnny in me but also some solid blue collar work ethic. Thanks pops, miss ya a ton! I found it at a JC theme restaurant in Lewiston Colorado called the Waterloo.

@@mikecolesvids I might pack some walking shoes in my tool kit!

@@dznnf7 I hope it never comes to that! I do carry enough survival equipment to spend the night out in the bush. I also run and InReach and maintain a solid network or riders I could reach out to for assistance if a mechanical does occur. All part of my mitigation plan. But when I get about 30 - 40 miles from the van I feel my stomach get a little tight.

Thank for the pronunciation guidance, I'm such a hayseed sometimes. And I thought there was another way from the lake to that other side of the bridge but when I ventured down the trail to the left of the lake it was pure downfall? I was also surprised to see a little bit of a community along the road outside the campground. I'd like to spend a entire week there next visit, so much exploration potential! I appreciate ya watchin, thanks!

@@mikecolesvids i know of a killer loop up there that you'd probably love if you like a challenge.

@@j.h.adventure2748 Thanks for watchin and yea let's hear it? I wanted to enter that river trail closer to the lake but could not locate it. I don't even remember looking to the right as I crossed the bridge but that's what I was lookin for.

Back at ya and thanks for watching, glad ya enjoyed the content!

@@rclouse79 thanks for watching and if you’re not subscribed please consider following along! And nope ya sure don’t need to forge the river as there’s a bridge at the entrance of the campground. But I do remember seeing a porting of single to the east that required a river crossing but no way it would be forgeable in the summer.

No but we saw two deer swimming across the river right by the trail head - that was pretty cool. The only place we've seen elk is Smiley Creek. I'll link the vid but there was a real big boy that came right through camp. Trophy size according to the folks at the lodge who I showed the pix to. And last summer we could hear em calling off in the distance but did didn't see any. Thanks for watchin! th-cam.com/video/kMEOOwoQlLs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=bX21ZI21fGip_RbK

@@mikecolesvids ever go down slade mill or hollman creek trails

?

@@joelhamilton7300 nope not familiar with either of those. Tried lookin em up but came up empty (I’m a research geek). There was one with a slightly different spelling - Holman?

One of my all time favorite rides and yet to revisit. Solid camp ride package. That and Melvins is one heck of a brewery! Thanks for watching, please consider subscribing if ya dig the content!

@@tomasz-z9w here’s a link to the manufacturer. www.gopowersports.com/frame-kits/mini-bike-kits/rascal-minibike-kits/?campaignid=15361704457&adgroupid=&adid=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrp-3BhDgARIsAEWJ6Sx-lKjQSgKCM5P2WXgdwIWG1Q5PzuYm2T1dzWvO2tK3Rdv5Z3mT-C0aAmVpEALw_wcB

@@shawnh2590 I wish, this was from late June.

Well, I’m glad you had a good time, buddy! I’m definitely going to have to head over there and check out some of these trails. Did you already head back to Florida?

Also, you poached that last mile of trail, but I’ve done it myself too. 😅

@@travass100 🤫 tried to disguise it in post production. Wasn’t well marked but did see the designation on the BD map.

@@travass100 well played dad, you not only planted the seed but fertilized it too with that trail! You’re makin great memories Trav and riding can teach all the core values and success skills. Thanks for watchin and appreciate ya sharing, very cool in fact. If you or your boy are on Instagram pm me your address and I’ll send a channel sticker package. IG @ Mikecolespix

Wow thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate that and ya takin the time to watch! I try to make em like the ones I enjoy watching. And yea add Idaho to your list. We skipped Utah this summer but the past 3 have spend a few days in Diamond Fork/Strawberry Ridge area. I was shocked what a contrast it was from Moab. Have you ever ridden there? th-cam.com/video/9FKjAG1e4N8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=M53y2prhjJMBFGY1

Yea got sloppy on that one, clearly not my best effort - fair play. Thanks for watchin and here's a link to some of my better work. I hope you're enjoying the content! th-cam.com/video/OZfGUm9Btjs/w-d-xo.html

WOW that sucks. Such a fun area. I found the chunk at the top to be much easier going down than up? I also like how you can link a mix of single track either coming or going. Heal up and thanks for watchin!

Great feedback thanks and yea super annoying when that happens in other vids I watch on YT. I'll make a point to turn the volume down a little. Thanks for watchin that's on of my all time favorite trails! Next week will be the return via a vastly different type of trail - much slower, chunky, and crazy Idaho exposure high above the Secesh River!

Thanks for watching and yea it was at the end of June 2024. I could honestly spend a week there and stay entertained. So much stoke potential!

@@PSBEadventures thanks for watching and yea it’s sneaky little trail. It pretty much cuts the corner and intersects with the road twice. The higher portion was full of down trees one summer and I had to cut my way to the top. It will connect roads that lead to both War Eagle and Carey Dome Lookouts. Like a lot of Idaho trails it didn’t feel like it got a lot of use? The hot spring is a good one and they even rents little cabins but no van camping (or we’d post up right next to it).

Dang would I love to be out there right now. We're at that time of the year in Florida where it does not get below 80', daily afternoon thunder storms, and 100% humidity. It's like an absolute jungle here till mid October!

They don't allow OHV's in that specific campground. She was checking to see if I was street legal. My machine has a tag so I'm in compliance. I even put the mirror on just for optics. Fair play and every time we've camped there they have visited to confirm, always very friendly and just doin their job. That camp is right by some really good riding (both single track and quad trails) and they don't want it over run by off roaders. There is plenty of dispersed camping available just outside the campground. Thanks for watching and appreciate the kind words!

@@340MAGNUM8 how bout I just move there for the summers? As a native Floridian, I couldn’t handle those frozen winters. Thanks for watching and hope ya enjoy the content!

@@mikecolesvids It's fine just seeing if I could detour some people from coming here. HA!

@@UnknownUser81888 thanks buddy, I sure do enjoy spending my summers out west. Hope ya enjoy the content!

@@mikecolesvids YES SIR!!!!

@@PSBEadventures love the suggestion. My boss might not cause I’ll spend half my day studying the maps today. Always appreciate it pal, thanks for watching!

@mikecolesvids enjoyed it man!

@@dznnf7 I would only guess that those erosion sections got worse as the summer use increased. But I honestly enjoy that part of the game. Makes me feel alive. Thanks for watchin!