MAGPUL X FIELDCRAFT MOBILITY
MAGPUL X FIELDCRAFT MOBILITY
Give us an unlimited supply of guns and ammo and we can do some strong work. If you put us on dirt bikes, it’s a different story. That is why we teamed up with Fieldcraft Mobility, the training division from Fieldcraft Survival that specializes in overland mobility.
Last fall, a few of our Magpul riders met up with Fieldcraft in Ouray, Colorado to learn how to better utilize dirt bikes as mobility platforms and do a shakeout for their upcoming bug-out course where they would operate different platforms to navigate across the Pacific Northwest.
View of the San Juan mountains
As we approached Ouray with our YZF 450s in tow, you couldn’t help but be inspired by the San Juan range that surrounds the town. Arriving mid-afternoon afforded us an opportunity to make a “warm-up” ride in preparation for the next day. The Fieldcraft Mobility folks apparently have a different definition of warmup because it went from zero to varsity pretty fast. Jumping on our bikes, we started an easy climb on a dirt road that turned into an unimproved road and then a single track with boulder fields, creek crossings, and several other obstacles. Pretty challenging, but a good shakeout that allowed us to make some adjustments, swap some riding tips and get a little on-site education on everything that goes into running bikes at elevation.
The next day we hit the same trail but climbed the well-known Imogene Pass. This traverse took us across paved roads, loose, gravel, and more boulder fields. Although a much harder climb than the previous day, the lessons learned along the way were starting to flatten the learning curve and things started to come together. With a successful summit under our belt, we were excited to see what kind of terrain the next several days would bring us.
Jared recalling the last cookie he ate
Husqvarna 250FE
Unloading the bike
Taking in the mountain view
Strapping up the bike
One taco and two bikes please
All-terrain setup
Letting loose on the throttle
A PMAG break from the trails
Good times on two wheels
Just guys being guys
Terrain change
Testing the suspension
Bike maintenance
Riding down a chute
Crossing the river
During the four-day ride, plenty of learning opportunities and equipment failures conveniently– and inconveniently—presented themselves. From exchanging pack out tips and discussing the ever-surprising utility of the fanny-pack, to working through mid-ride flat tire fixes, the group gained a well-rounded experience of what might be encountered riding through this sort of terrain and what skills and knowledge are needed to successfully navigate in and out of the trail. Notably, on day two of the trip, Jared’s brake lever snapped off the bike, which would normally signal the end to the ride. However, Jake was able to get smart with some steel epoxy and temporarily patch the lever back into one piece – allowing the bike to make it through the rest of the trip.
Following the trip, our team has made dirt biking one of our primary hobbies, often spending weekends on practice rides, running the National Hare and Hound series, or hanging with the family at the track. One thing is for sure, it doesn’t quite matter how many wheels you have, but if you can get them spinning on top of some mountain dirt, it’s sure to be a good time.
AWESOME,AWESOME. REALLY AWESOME..Gota love it
Awesome. Fun day at the range followed by more fun around it. That’s the spirit. I foresee riding equipment evolving from these adventures…!
What about ATVS and UTVs ? Some of us are a little long in the tooth for a 2 wheeler!
I am officially jealous!
Right up my alley! I live on a bike for months at a time. Gear selection is constantly changing and evolving.
Good article. I’ve spent a week riding the same area they were, it takes planning and preparation, learning to rest when you can so you have the energy to make it through the tough spots up ahead, and riding at high altitudes. I’d like to see these guys address carrying weapons on their body as well as on the bikes, a hard shell rifle case will be very awkward on a dirt bike when you have to get off quickly to negotiate a really tight spot, and falling with a rifle slung on your back could really hurt you, and damage the weapon. Then there will be carrying survival gear, ammo, gasoline, tools and spare parts, the major items needed to survive and keep moving in the scenario they are depicting. ATV/UTV are better suited for carrying gear and non-riders, but these vehicles cannot fit through the really rough/tight places that a bike can breeze through. Hey guys, you never go on a long ride like that without spare levers and throttle/clutch cables, and a tow strap to pull your buddy back home. Thanks again.
I read this story with interest and it brought back memories of years ago.
The mountains motorcycles and good friends. Trout fishing or buck hunting were the best times of my life.
I understand that with the passage of time things change.
And now at almost 70 years old I can’t do that stuff anymore. And if I could I probably would not do it in these times.
I don’t really want to get political here so I will have to stop.
However everything starts at the top and there is so much government it is impossible to do anything what’s out days of paperwork licenses permits and unlimited regulations.
Due to my wife’s cancer we are stuck in KALIFORNIA. And EVERYTHING IS ILLEGAL…
What a way to enjoy a day outside!!