IT'S THE WATER ...

     That is the proclamation of Crystal Crane Hot Springs Owners, Denise and Dan Kryger. They are ABSOLUTELY  RIGHT !
     And after having a few comfortable conversations with Dan, about their vision and goals for the natural hot springs future and future possibilities, I feel good. In todays rat race, it is nice to find someone that recognizes people (including himself) need to unwind and enjoy themselves.
     The hot springs itself is a large natural pond, fed by 2 separate hot springs that range from 150 degrees to 180 degrees. They have a complex but simple water cooling system to bring the temp down some before feeding it into the pond in a couple separate outlets (one through a rock wall with sitting ledges). The water is incredibly good therapy for the body and mind.  The hot springs pond temp. remains between 97 & 100 degrees and has enough healthy minerals to keep a geothermal scientist completely "absorbed".

The panoramic view is amazing.

         Accommodations include 4 rustic cabins, a bunkhouse with mini kitchen and restroom, an apartment that is huge ( and reasonable) with many bedrooms and full kitchen and bathroom, a ranch house, several full hook-up RV sites, and a tent/dry camping area. There are several private soaking tubs you can rent by the hour (which I recommend) and every bathroom, soaking tub room, and shower is spotlessly clean.

RV sites 

     The staff exudes The Kryger's vision of customer service and friendliness, and works very hard to keep everything clean.
     I know ... where is the riding part ? well... that will be another article, after I have done some more research on the area close to crane. There is alot of open single track, and the Alvord Desert is a mere 60 or so miles away, so watch for upcoming reviews on riding the Oregon Outback.
     Crystal Crane Hot Springs is located 25 miles east of Burns, OR., and highway 20 directly on highway 78, and can be reached online at www.cranehotsprings.com .
     If you are anywhere in the area I would strongly recommend you stop in for the day, or more, and visit the therapeutic waters, and friendly staff.

GUIDES CHOICE ?

Spotted this Bobcat 2200s at Wholesale sports warehouse hitched to a guide truck. Pretty cool setup.

GIVING THEM THE BOOT ... Part 2 ... They have arrived !

      Took the ALPINESTARS TECH-2 boot for a test drive the other day. I chose them  based on need, ( I have to wear a brace on my left leg, and a full length boot wont fit over it) fit and comfort. After trying on several brands of lower cut boots, I was impressed with the feel of the inner liner and seriously impressed with the positive locking buckle system.
     The TECH-2 ALPINESTARS share the advanced polymer, positive lock, buckle system with their TECH-10 series, and I can tell you when they are latched and locked, they are LOCKED. The TECH-2 also shares the same structural strength , and double density out sole as their taller brothers, as well as, the anti-bacterial breathable liner. The advantage to the lower cut is it allows greater flexibility for riding ATV 's or Mini's, without sacrificing protection or support (and for me they fit perfect below my DONJOY brace).
     I wore them straight out of the box for a 30 mile test ride without blisters or discomfort. The latches (which I have found on other boots to be a problem) stayed locked and the upper hook and loop closure kept the dust and dirt from entering the boot.
     All in all I am initially very impressed with the TECH-2 boots. ALPINESTARS has done a fantastic job on the fit and comfort level as well as the buckle system. If there was any downfall to the TECH-2 boots I would say it would be the pricing ( at approx. $170.00 USD retail) It does put them at the top of the price range, however, worth it. The old adage holds true here "You get what you pay for". NICE JOB ALPINESTARS !
     This product test is going to be a long term test and further updates on how the ALPINESTARS TECH-2 hold up under many different conditions will follow.

They did it AGAIN !!!

     Yes the R&D and performance team at MUZZYS has done it again. This time with the gen2 PRO Series system for the Brute Force 750i.
     The PRO Series is designed for their 800, 840, 916, and 999 big bore kits, But I can tell you it works incredibly well on a basically stock engine also.
     I have had the base MUZZYS system on my Brute since it was new (they used it for R&D, I had the first one) and there has been some revisions since inception, Which included the whisper core(tm), improving power and torque every step. I do run the MUZZYS DigiTune fuel system controller to fine tune the way I like my machine to run.
     When we added the PRO Series ATV system, we weren't sure of the outcome on a stock engine, but wanted to make sure it would fit all years of the brute.
     Nevermind the fact that the system looks great, the fit and finish is beautiful and it is designed, tested, and hand built right here in the U.S.A. (Oregon to be specific), or that arguably the greatest 4 stroke crew chief ever, Rob Muzzy, supervises the R&D and the performance of every system, This system UNLEASHES the BEAST !
     With the whisper core installed and blowing a sub 99db. @ RPM the tone is still unmatched and adds a noticeable amount of bottom end grunt to the brute, with a quick stab to the throttle the front end will reach for the sky, even at 30+ MPH on the trails. The great thing is the power never stops until you reach top speed. There are no "flat spots", no bogs, no hesitations, Just POWER.
     The MUZZYS Exhaust systems are by far the best built, and in my opinion , biggest power builders on the market. The sound level without the whisper core is much lower than any other system out there, and with the whisper core, still build the power but increase the torque enough to take the holeshot every time.

www.muzzys.com

FIRST RIDE SINCE KNEE SURGERY

     Heading out to East Fort Rock system this morning. We have some new products to test like, the MUZZYS gen2 Pro exhaust system, and the ALPINESTARS TECH-2 boots.
     Watch for reviews on these products as well as the riding area.
     East Fort Rock, OHV system covers about 110,000 acres, with developed ATV and Motorcycle trails  (and some undeveloped). The skill level of the trails ranges from play areas with "training tracks" for the young ones to expert level, aggressive trails  with quick elevation changes and quick terrain changes. You can find any terrain you want from rock crawling to long stretches of sandy whoops. The elevation changes range from 4,400 ft. to over 6,400 ft. There are several staging areas and free camping, with firepits and tables, and public bathrooms (bring you own T.P.) in most staging / camping areas.
     The area is managed, very successfully , by the COHVOPS (Combined Off Highway Vehicle OPerationS).