Went mudhole "walloring" yesterday after a bunch of rain soaked the Ozarks. Got stuck in mud
up to the axles but was able to get loose after finally getting the hack wheel engaged. It is alot
smarter to put the bike in two wheel drive BEFORE jumping in these mudholes with both feet.

As I headed down a washed out forest backroad I could see a deerhunter in the distance. He was
not amused seeing me headed his way since my arrival was alerting any potential game he had
hopes of spotting. There was a small creek bed that had a fair amount of water running thru it
after all the rain. I had to cross it twice to continue on the backroad past the hunter.

I actually had my brain in gear and decided to stop and put the Gear Up in two wheel drive this
time BEFORE I needed it. This turns out to be a very wise decision. I hit the first creek crossing
and made it with no problems. It was a short 20 or 30 feet to the next one. With the deerhunter
watching and me thinking I would impress him with my 3 wheeled all terrain vehicle, I entered
the second creek crossing. I thought all was well when all of a sudden my front wheel disappeared
and was completely underwater! What I hadn't realized was that the current had churned a sinkhole
in one spot that you could not see. At this point it was too late to back off and I just decided to go
for it and maybe the Ural wouldn't completely sink. Fortunately the sink hole was not too long and
as I gunned it the water shot up over the hack like the bow of a boat in heavy swells. The Ural had
enuf momentum to keep going even though the water was pouring into the tub and threatening to
submerge the motor up to the alternator. As I popped outta the sinkhole the front of the
bike came up like a dolphin catching air! When I realized all was good a shot of adrenaline rushed
through me. The deerhunter got an eyefull and was impressed that the bike made it out.

As a suggestion to other offroad riders you may want to stop and scope out the situation a little
more closely before blindly fording a stream. I was really lucking this time. If the sinkhole had
proved to be any bigger then I would have been pulling the bike out with a cable and maybe
looking at a rebuild.

It was not alot of fun riding in 38 degree air with soaked shoes and pants either. When I got home
I drained what water was still in the sidecar.

Going up the washed out backroad I thought: "Cob ain't got squat on me!" Ha Ha.

Man that sounds like fun.

Made me smile reading your adventure

JFred

It never ceases to amaze me how a bike will continue to run, with exhausts underwater, and water all round 'em. I have had such experiences with a quad, never with the rig though. I was reliving my own experiences whilst reading your post. Thank you.

Maaannnn:

That's fun.

I did the same the other day. Made a mistake, at the back of our farm I took a right instead of a left. 8 inches of water over a foot of mud with two little boys in the sidecar. No choice but to go for it. The Dnepr swam through the mud and the sidecar was a Gleaner to the bramble bushes. We got through but the boys had 5 pounds of stickers in their hair. We stuck the kid with long hair in the shower with a full bottle of cream rinse. I was worried that they wouldn't want to ride again. But they LOVED IT!!!

Can't wait for snow.

Do it again!

They can go through some water if the plug wires are good.
I found that they will take a pretty good soaking and eventually with a bunch of kicking and spark plug removal they are just fine.

Yup, if the plug wires are good then, you're fine until the water hits the airbox or hit's the main electrical box. Then it's lights out and break out the oars! I did ths once on a dirt bike.

Hence the reason why Cob made his "snorkel air box" above the tank.

Mr. Cob,

Thanks for the attaboy! I REALLY WISH I could get someone else around this area to get a Gear Up as well. Then we could take "action photos" like you and your riding buddies. Plus it probably is ALOT MORE FUN sharing these wild moments with a friend. I am glad my wife (hates riding below 60 degrees) was not in the sidecar with me or it would of been her last trip most likely. Ha.

Ed