Up the Hellevator to DeCosmos and the Gold Mine

Andy on his blog, The REAL Motorcycle Diaries , has just blogged our latest jaunt.  And it was a good great one.  I am not going to repeat the excellent job he has done - his maps and graphics are amazing - but am going to add some pictures and Vids to illustrate his description.  I have borrowed his map below to reference the pictures from the Coleman Conquest camera I am using.  It is set to take pictures every 30s, unfortunately, I need to remember to clean the damn lens before I head out.  

Above: Starting at Phantom, heading past Boomerang, Cottle and joining the hydrolines.  The Hellevator starts from there...

Above - 9.  This is the junction. Take the Left off of the power lines trail to meet with connector trail leading to Nanaimo Lakes area:    

Above and Below: This is the type of terrain you can expect along much of the connector to the Hellevator...

 

Above: 10.  This is the entrance to "The Hellevator" - a technical trail joining power lines area to the Nanaimo Lakes roads.  At this point you have a choice, right or left...they both join back up within a few metres, but the choice is yours.  We chose the right... This is an essential local trail to know if you want to get out to the Nanaimo Lakes area easily. Hellevator because it is a challenge and it climbs - big time.

Above: The right fork...?  Well it's the one we went with.  And it worked for us.

The left fork...A trials bike seems to have "enjoyed" this one.  

And  a video of the Hellevator...

Above: Between #10 and #11 en route up DeCosmos...Great roads and rides.

#11: The gate in the background was open...and the views below were spectacular.  iPhones don't do it justice.

#13 The gaping Maw of the Deadhorse Creek Gold Mine...Cool even on a 30+C day.  Wet, bug ridden but intriguing...

This working looks new...in the distance looks like a new excavation since we were here last...

Above: Getting down to the mine is courtesy of two nylon ropes.

The only spoiler...2nd Lake gate shut on a Sunday.  Again.  Has it been open this year?  No problem.  We have several routes back. 

Husaberg FE390 - Sweet Cheeks -Extending the Fuel Range

Since selling the big thumper and getting the svelte Berg, the one thing I have missed is the security of a huge IMS tank and a range of 300+km.  After several dirt rides with the Berg, I have calculated that she gets at least 20 km per litre of gas on the dirt.  Sunday's ride to the gold mine and De Cosmos was a 124 km ride, and the reserve light did NOT come on.  The Berg's reserve is set at the factory to 2.8L, but it can be adjusted to 1.8L.  The overall tank capacity is 8.5L. 

All of which means I have burned less than 5.7L getting 124 km, so I'm getting at least 21.75 km per litre on a long dirt ride.  That would give a range of a little more than 180 km per tank.  This seems very optimistic given what I have read, but, nevertheless, is what my numbers tell me right now.  

But that's still not enough, so if you look at the picture above you will note a pair of 1.5L fuel bottles bought on line and a "Sweet Cheeks" seat cover with cylindrical sleeves to slip the bottles and their foam covers in.  They seem to work well and were completely stable, didn't leak and, with a bit more finagling, the Sweet Cheeks cover should fit perfectly.  The added 3L of fuel should give me an extra 60+km bringing the theoretical range to 240 km. 

Now that's respectable! 

BTW: Cycle Analyst is the producer of Sweet Cheeks.  It was custom made, for little more than $35.  It's good quality and well worth the money.  As you can see below, there's plenty of room to sit and ride.