#pnwma

[dirtyboy315]

Chuwels Challenge was more like survival. I loved every minute of it. On Saturday we rode the AA loop including the Pro Zone. I've always wanted to ride that trail. It's no joke! After at least 4 of us dehydrated our selves the thunder storms started. Rain dumped down to take care of the dust. 🌩🌩 I had a great first half of the race where I was actually racing. Senior experts don't allow for any mistakes. Eventually about half way by the gas stop I started to gas out. My heart rate would not recover so I struggled the second half just to finish the race. I ended up 11 th place. There was a big line up on the start line (photos). @gkmamoto #gmka did a great job of the race course and the event. I've never been started by a guy @quintinraasch 100 feet up on the air before 👍 Thanks to @cycleworkscalgary my 2020 250 XC TPI worked flawless. @spyoptic goggles were perfect @RynoPower and @klimmotorcycle gear were awesome too #pnwma #dirtyboy250 #KTM #250XCTPI #kamloops #singletrack #racing #racingforfun (at Chuwhels Mountain) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2N9ZNpgy06/?igshid=1xxnha2tpo6p7

[burningbaal]

Extra rock

I'm planning to add about 150lb of rock to the 60-ish pounds I have now, but I only want about 100 pounds in the display, maybe 125. I was planning to put the extra rock in the fuge, around the surge overflow, on the dark side of an aquamesh wall.

However, an experienced reefer on PNWMAS (thanks pdxmonkeyboy ) pointed out this will collect detritus, and I realized the elevated fuge will be hard to clean, so it needs to be easy. Swapping out the aquamesh for a good hosing outside and trimming the macro is all I want to do up there, not cleaning rock and the detritus underneath it.

The good new is: I was expecting to have unused space on the sump, and it won't have lights. So I can put the rocks there and keep the detritus out of the fuge. But what to do about cleaning the sump...

I am planning to have capacity for 3-5 gallon water changes without turning the returns off, and plan to start those nearly day #1, probably 3x per week. I am hoping to ramp them down as the tank and testing shows they are unecessary, but I’ll start assuming they are needed. But those don't really help detritus. I can position the pump for old tank water in whatever spot tends to collect detritus, but it probably won't do much.

So, a change to the manifold will help.

Make sure the tube from the end of the manifold (which is primarily sent to the floor drain for bigger manual water changes) is flexible and long enough I can reach the whole sump easily, from different angles.

Get a temporary filter sock hanger I can hang over the sump wall. Probably with two or three sock holders, one a few inches above the other. I plan to put a mesh sock in the upper, and a fleece sock in the lower, getting a 2-stage filter. Maybe even 3 stage if I do a 300 micron mesh, 200 micron felt, then fine felt (maybe even 10 micron)

Put a ball valve on the manifold input so I can suck through a long hose instead of just the open intake. Read tomorrow for a way to screen debris out of the pump intake.

Large water changes process:

1. Ramp the powerheads and return pump as high as the tank can handle for a while to wash debris out of the display and fuge. Probably takes no effort, but I may do some turkey basting or blast with an MJ pump if there’s some hard-to-move detrtitus

2. Run a surge to get an extra 50g in the sump, turn off the returns, skimmer, and reactors. So far, it’s probably just been a few clicks on my phone, maybe some manual blasting, but hopefully not much. Make sure the powerheads stay on!

3. Open the manifold end and blast off all the sump's rock, probably sticking it on the ground or in a bucket temporarily. This is probably 20 minutes of work. Spray just stays in the sump, no big deal.

4. Hang the temporary filter socks, put the manifold output hose in the sock. Change manifold input valve to suck through the hose.

5. Suck detritus off the sump’s floor, walls, etc. Leave hose loose to run all the sump water through the socks, should turn over the ~125 gallons of sump water in about 10 minutes, but I might leave it for 30-60 minutes making sure the sump water gets well filtered. This is probably 5-10 minutes of intentional work, then just leave it alone for 30-60.

6. Move output hose to floor drain and dump 30-50 gallons of water to the sewer, toss or clean socks. Draining 50g should only take about 3-4 minutes.

7. Replace from new salt water, make sure SG, dKH, temp match. Turn on returns and reactors, then turn on skimmer. Should be pretty fast and easy if the new salt water barrel has a decent pump.

8. If I want to do a larger change all at once, I can easily dump up to about 100g (about 30%), I just need to put extra work into making the NSW because I'm planning to just have one 55g drum for saltwater. I could make up the rodi drum as salt, then clean it well, or maybe I can have a spare drum that I can bring in for these occasions. I could also pull about 100 more gallons from the fuge with a simple siphon, so I could do about a 66% water change without touching the display water :D

The hope is that the auto water changes will manage the chemistry, and this is really just to clear detritus and such, or deal with a surprise. It should take a few hours, but only about one hour of real work blowing off the rocks and sucking detritus. The point is making it EASY to clear the sump. Even though I will only only do it a few times a year. The reefer’s mantra:  if it's easy: I'll do it.

Pending question for tomorrow: how do keep suction on the hose while clearing detritus and protect the motor from the debris? Some kind of screen? I'm trying to get inspired by gutter downspout screens, but they are kinda specific to gravity flow...any ideas?

[rivercitycyclerace-blog]

@blakewatkinson17 #lookingfly in his @husqvarnacanada @rockstar_racing #duds #pnwma #happynewyearfolks #lookingtomakeitbetter #rivercitycycles @tootrickaldyck @fmf73 @spyoptic @motovancorp @orongeboardshop

[dirtyboy315]

NVDRA Bar Bender race report⠀ I had a ton of fun being challenged to the max. I'm in the Senior Expert class and got to start on the 5th line. I was really happy to be able to get 2 laps through the A loop relatively unscathed. I did tag a tree lightly and it popped off the number plate which I stopped to put in my backpack before I lost it. 👌 Most of the B riders were very polite to move over for us since the A loop put us behind the B riders about 10km into the loop. I stopped twice to drink an extra bottle of water from the Checkers and a wonderful fan at the gas stop. Helmet off, chugging water 😄 plus my hydration pack. I'm really surprised that I didn't fall over more.⠀ I went for a start this time and got the holeshot but Wayne passed me in the first corner and then another in the second. I went off track and that's when I saw Damian and another rider turning and I spun a u-turn. So now I'm in 5th? That's the last time I knew what place I was running in until the lap was over. I didn't think I wanted to do a second lap. So, I stopped at the timeout party place and discovered I had 20 minutes to wait. Next move? #Braap I'm racing forward to that 2nd lap.⠀ The only place that I made passes was on the A loop or on some gnar in the B loop. At one point on the first lap I got past a boat load of riders on a gnarly hill and then I had clean air for 30 minutes 🙌 Second lap saw a lot of stopped riders and many stops to see if they were injured or to get details on what they needed.⠀ If it wasn't for a badass KTM 250XC from @cycleworks, a great mix in the drink system from @rynopower_canada that really helped stave off the cramping, @spyoptic googles to see and some @klimmotorcycle Mojave gear that was like AC when I was rolling I wouldn't have been able to get through the first lap let alone 2.⠀ In the end I'm very proud of my 4th place finish and rising to the challenge. I don't feel that I'm into "race shape".......yet, but I'll get there. It just takes a little longer these days. 😂⠀ #PNWMA #offroadracing #KTM #husqvarna #dirtyboy250 #2stroke #seniorexpert #toooldforfast (at Merritt, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/By0SqD0AReO/?igshid=k2ejnfo28k72

[dirtyboy315]

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A post shared by Enduro Rider | dirtbike racer (@dirtyboy250)

The monkey wrench 100 was on some big mountains. This video gives it some perspective. It really felt like some long climbs and descents and you can see it on the vid. #dirtyboy250 #KTM #250XCTPI #monkeywrench #PNWMA #enduro #singletrack #lifebehindbars #whataview (at Lytton, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzijcmCAy3x/?igshid=f9gsy0vywu6t

[dirtyboy315]

I'm really proud to announce that I'll be repping the Spy brand of goggles this season. These are the Jeremy McGrath model Foundation goggles. Black on gold polarised lens. 🌟 Super comfortable 🌟 No fog 🌟 Peripheral vision and clarity 🌟 Nose guard 🌟 Fits in helmet really well Thanks @spyoptic 👌👍😊 @cycleworkscalgary @klimmotorcycle @rynopower_canada #spyoptics #goggles #jeremymcgrath #foundation #bcorcs #PNWMA #amsaoffroad #dirtyboy250 #250XC #KTM #enduro #vision (at Training Ground) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvE28abBVMj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1k1raw2ic02zq

[dirtyboy315]

I managed to pick up a 5th overall in the PNWMA / BCORCS off-road series in 2018. I want to thank the PN volunteers, and the club's for some great races last year. The PN scoring was the best because it was accurate with no discrepancies and to top it off they cheer for you when you go by. Very motivating. Thank you. Great awards event on Saturday. I'm looking forward to racing this year with my 2019 sponsors - @cycleworkscalgary @klimmotorcycle @rynopower_canada I just have to decide what class would be most fun. 👊✊👍😎 #dirtyboy250 #PNWMA #SuperSenior #SeniorExpert #KTM #250XC #enduro #motolife #fullsend #dirtbiking #dirtbikelife #motorcycles #motorlife #twostroke #2stroke #motocrosslifestyle #braap (at Kamloops, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtOVuC5hsQT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qv8am8niagzd

[dirtyboy315]

This is his home for a while. 😎 #pistonrun #harescramble #pnwma #dirtyboy250 #cycleworkscalgary #ridedunlop #rynoarmy #KLIMLife #racetrailer (at Kamloops, British Columbia)

[dirtyboy315]

The 70th annual Piston Run race report. Thanks to the #gvmc for a race that was fun flawless and awards done by 4 pm. That was the toughest race of the year for me! HS format. Cut off 1h45m for us. 31 km loop mostly single track. Got off to good start in 3rd right behind the fast guys. 😀 Messed up a turn and missed a bridge. 😭 Back to 8th, made cut off, then moved up to 6th. Another 315 bike fell off a bridge so I thought this 315 should drop the rear wheel over the edge. 👊 Pushed across and finished strong. My old age max heart rate is 164bpm but I hit 191bpm and burnt 2200 calories. The course was slick and rocky so it was difficult to go fast enough to smooth out the trails. @cycleworkscalgary 250XC was great with the @ridedunlop AT81EX tire and @klimmotorcycle gear but the @rynopower_canada kept me going until the end. 👍 #pnwma #dirtyboy250 #KLIMLife #rynoarmy #250XC #harescrambleracing #RMDRA #CycleWorksCalgary #chipmunk (at Chilliwack, British Columbia)

[dirtyboy315]

Race Report from the Bar Bender #pnwma race in Merritt BC. Very interesting area. Some sandy areas and some with loam and rock. The rock makes the trails very rough in areas so it was a tough race. I had my gas turned off while I warmed up my bike on the line and shut it down for start. I guess I used all of the fuel up because it would not start for the race. Turned the gas on and off I went in last place. It was so dusty that it took only a few seconds to catch up to the back of the pack. Passing was tough but I seemed to find a way. After moving up a few positions @j_whata came up started making a bunch of noise so I let him by but the guys in front didn't. It was fun pressing forward all together like that. I diced with @kdrace29 for a bit until he gapped me. I actually chased him the whole race (in my mind) but he had fallen over and I asked if he was ok when I passed without recognising him. 👀 A few more passes were made and then I rode by myself for quite a while. Caught up to @j_whata near the end of the loop and that seemed to light a fire under his butt. 😀 Finished up the race and ended up on the podium. 🏁 There were 19 racers in Super Senior so I was pretty happy with the result. The Nicola Valley Dirt Riders Association sure know how to put on a great event. Thank you! Highly recommended race! Thanks to the organizations that help me out. @cycleworkscalgary @ridedunlop @klimmotorcycle @rynopower_canada #cycleworkscalgary #dirtyboy250 #ridedunlop #klimmotorcycle #rynoarmy #315 #NVDRA #AT81EX #250XC #harescrambleracing #endurolife #offroadmoto @2stroke #braap #dirtbike (at Merritt, British Columbia)

[dirtyboy315]

Volunteering at the Bar Bender race. This is the A loop! Or what I saw of it. The last picture is the trail out. There was write a few there helping for the race June 16 near Merritt. Check out the videos, they are entertaining. #dirtyboy250 #PNWMA #KTM #husqvarna #250XC #chainsaw #tophandleclub (at Nicola Valley Wild) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx6K5rlA23X/?igshid=1h0dq5fahls9s

[dirtyboy315]

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A post shared by Enduro Rider | dirtbike racer (@dirtyboy250)

I managed to get some video of @malcolm_hett from the Masters class when he lapped me. I'm pumped that I was sort of able to keep him in sight for a few turns. #builttoride It was great to meet him after the race. Nice guy! ⠀ ⠀ Any feedback on the videos? Do you like them natural like this one? With music? Writing? What can i do to make them better? Let me know what you think.⠀ ⠀ #pnwma #cycleworkscalgary #dirtyboy250 #ridedunlop #klimmotorcycle #rynoarmy⠀ @cycleworkscalgary @ridedunlop @klimmotorcycle @rynopower_canada⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #offroadcanada #250XC #ktm250xc #endurocanada #offroadmoto⠀ #mxcanada #dirtbiker #dirtbikerider #harescrambleracing #motocrossrider #singletrack⠀ #brap #twostroke #endurocross #dirtbikes #motolife #braap #2stroke (at Vernon, British Columbia)

[dirtyboy315]

I had a great time at the #pnwma Squeling Pig race! Met some fun people and had some good racing. Thanks to the Hett family and everyone else who helped put on the event. I started 9th and was impatient on the first lap which got me into a bit of trouble but once the traffic cleared I had a great couple of laps. It got a bit chaotic at the end and i managed to pull off a 2nd place in the super senior class. The #CycleWorksCalgary #ktm #250XC was perfect for the trails. #ridedunlop #AT81 running on Tubliss was amazing in the roots and rocks. #klimmotorcycle XC lite gear kept me cool and finally I was part of the #rynoarmy #chargelife and their products kept me going to the end. Thank you for the support. Before and after pics of the bike. 👊✊👍 #offroadmoto #vernon #dirtyboy250 (at Vernon, British Columbia)

[dirtyboy315]

It was new outfit night for the beast from @LimeNine graphics. Ready to race both #AMSA #Porkies and #PNWMA #SquelingPig this weekend. Should be some of the best races of the season. 👍⠀ ⠀ I'm very grateful to my 2018 sponsors who help make this happen:💥⠀ @CycleWorksCalgary #cycleworkscalgary #bestshopever⠀ @Klimmotorcycle #KlimLife⠀ @RideDunlop #RideDunlop⠀ @RynoPower_Canada #rynoarmy⠀ ⠀ #250XC #offroadracing #oldguys #dirtbiker #racing #maylong2018 (at Calgary, Alberta)

[dirtyboy315]

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A post shared by Enduro Rider | dirtbike racer (@dirtyboy250)

Sunday highlights - practicing for the races coming up. It's going to be a great weekend! 😀 🙌⠀ 😎 Who is racing on the long weekend?⠀ I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends and making some new ones. Long weekends are the best!⠀ .⠀ #dirtyboy250 #fmfgnarly #pnwma #amsa #logjump #dirtbiker #throttletherapy #hardenduro #twostroke #motolife #250XC #offroadmoto @ridedunlop @cycleworkscalgary @rynopower_canada @klimmotorcycle (at Calgary, Alberta)

[dirtyboy315]

@kdrace29 slaying the log in Merritt BC. I've been fortunate to meet so many friends racing PNWMA series this year. I can't wait to line up with these boys at the next one. #dirtyboy250 #offroadmoto #350xcf #enduro #twostroke #4stroke #endurolife #canaltarides #harescrambleracing #singletrack #ktm #2t #hardenduro #dirtbikelife #cycleworkscalgary #klimotorcycle #ktm #throttletherapy #moto #motorcycle #chargelife (at Merritt, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmnzmfOBstc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=q5nzgv881o9l