After posting a proposed ride on the azdaulsport board, six of us decided to explore the areas around Table Mesa, just north of Phoenix.  Now that the temperatures are reaching human levels, we're finally able to explore more of the local trails.  New to the group was Mike, who picked up his brand new KTM 640 Adventure from the dealership the day before the ride.  Directly from the showroom to the trails -- now that's how you break in a bike. 

Table Mesa trail runs from Seven Springs all the way to Lake Pleasant.  There are more than a few stretches where large, loose boulders can make it a rough ride, so it's definitely not recommended for larger bikes like the GS.  However, this is the kind of trail that bikes like the KTM 640 were made for. (I guess that's why we had five of 'em on this trip.)  Given the wide variety of terrain and scenery encountered, this is a fantastic ride that's not too far from the city. 

Meeting up for the ride	Mike's brand spankin' new KTM	Breaking in the new bike	Regrouping at an old abandoned shack
	James on his 640	David heading up the trail	Jamie on tail	Overlooking Table Mesa
	An optional hill climb (can you spot Carl?)	Making it down to Lake Pleasant	What, no cell service?	At the lake

The following is a great sequence of photos.  James was leading the pack, heading down into a dry lakebed area, when he hit some unexpected mud.  The ruts were so deep, they threw his bike well off course...

James heading down the hill	Hitting the softer stuff	And one deep, muddy rut	A nice bit of piloting kept him from getting hurt	Where's the peg?
Cleaning up the bike

After climbing back up out of the lakebed, we continued around the lake until reaching the highway.  Another great day of riding...