Colby Emergency Valve Stem – in use
Posted: May 21, 2021 Filed under: Travel | Tags: colby, tire Leave a commentEveryone should carry one or more of these on your rig.
I touted these in the past when they first hit the market. See link below. That was 5-years ago and until the other day, I hadn’t needed one.
Colby Emergency Tire Valve | The ‘Other’ Rubicon (theotherrubicon.com)
Well, it had to happen sooner or later. I tore a valve stem on my Jeep. I knew immediately it had happened. You can’t miss the sound of air rushing out. I’d love to tell you a story of the difficult terrain I was in that resulted in a rock reaching in to my wheel and ripping off my valve stem. The truth is, I was in my driveway washing my Jeep.
So, yes, the valve stems were probably ten years old. Yes, the tires are almost ten years old. New ones are on order but 2-months out. I actually hit the valve stem with the brush I was using and tore it at the base.
I tried to pull off the torn valve stem and the whole thing came out. The usual procedure is to push the remaining bits in to the wheel.
Since I heard it immediately, I threw a jack stand under the axle and finished washing the Jeep.
In comes the Colby Valve stem. Nothing like an unsolicited trail by fire.
The Colby valve stem slipped right in. This is the “emergency” version so it doesn’t require tools. The wingnut is turned to tighten the stem in to place.
Once tightened, is works like a normal valve stem.
After tightening it up, since I was in my driveway, I ran the hose from my air compressor reel out to the rig and filled it up. Now I have to wait for my tires to come in so I can retrieve my emergency valve stem!
Again, everyone should carry one of these. If not for you, then for the guy you’re wheeling with or the guy who broke in front of you.
Available everywhere, here’s a link to Amazon. I was not compensated in any way by Colby or Amazon.
AmazonSmile: Colby Valve Emergency Valve Stem Replacement (Black): Automotive
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Rubicon Ronin
The Rubicon is WET!
Posted: May 18, 2021 Filed under: Access, Maintenance, Travel | Tags: melt, snow, water Leave a commentA small group of Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo’s and a few others, ventured out on to the Rubicon last weekend (5/15-16) and it was still very wet. Our objective was make sure the Long Lake Trail, at the base of Cadillac Hill, was clear of dead fall and was safe to travel. It’s now clear. Please remember the trail ends at the 0.91 mile mark from the Rubicon and that camp ground is NOT a drive through loop.
So, yes, we are at the height of the snow melt. But with the amount of water on the trail, we need to Tread Lightly!
The word from those who are supposed to be maintaining the trail is that no work will be done on the Tahoe National Forest this year (2021) to prevent future water holes on the trial. The 2021 focus will be paving the staging area and rebuilding the rolling dips within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
On the way out, we documented the current trail conditions.
There were a few spots that we had to drive over snow. One spot was a large berm in a pool of water. A couple of people with a few shovels and it could be knocked down rather quickly.
Again, please Tread Lightly!
Stay on the trail.
Drive slowly through all water.
Be safe.
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Rubicon Ronin
A very fast Jeep added to the fleet…
Posted: April 28, 2021 Filed under: Travel | Tags: SRT Leave a comment
For those who are counting, this makes the fourth Jeep I currently own and that only ties a previous record. But this time, all four run, drive and are registered &insured.
The latest is a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. Metallic Steel, black and tan interior. 475 horse power!
All of my other vehicles are basically two seaters even though I have back seats for all the Jeeps (TJ, TJ & CJ) and the Chevy Colorado is an extended cab with back seats, only suitable for kids. This one qualifies for date night and I can even take another couple along.
Those three letters on the lower right corner of the hatch are all that really matter: SRT!
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Rubicon Ronin
Trouble with Placer, RTF and the Tahoma Trailhead
Posted: April 18, 2021 Filed under: Access, Maintenance Leave a commentFor years there has been an ongoing issue with snow being piled up at the Tahoma trailhead. During low snow years, like this year, it is much less an issue. During high snow years, a twelve foot wall can block the entrance.
Placer County started their discussion by denying they were dumping snow at the entrance. A few years later, they admitted they placed snow there that was plowed from the intersection.
Most recently, RTF, FOTR, El Dorado County and some users met on sight with Placer County. Placer didn’t have a clue as to what the users wanted or the trail needed. All we were asking for was that Placer not pile snow in a way that would block the trail.
Many suggestions were offered, Placer wasn’t listening and RTF dropped the ball by never following through.
On a recent trip past the trail head, I found issues I knew would happen if nothing was done. Although it’s easy to blame the users, I blame RTF for not do a thing!
Let me explain. Since Placer decided to push snow off the intersection to the south (left) side of the entrance, and did not install snow stakes designating the trail, the users drove on the north (right) edge to get around the snow pile. Placer was informed there was a ditch on the north side but didn’t seem to care.
The users drove too far to the north and drove through the ditch and over a corrugated pipe. Not a big issue unless some anti-OHV tree-hugger files a complaint about OHV users driving off trail.
Three years ago, RTF promised to get with Placer County and solve this issue. It never happened. RTF is again promising to get with Placer. I’m not holding my breath.
After that face-to-face meeting on sight, Placer held a public Zoom meeting. Placer stated that they would continue to prioritize clearing the residential streets over maintaining access to the Rubicon Trail and our public lands. An RTF director said he thought the meeting went very well! That RTF director has been put in charge of working with Placer.
RTF needs to held accountable for maintaining access to the Rubicon Trail, via all entrances.
Placer County needs to be pressured to stop piling snow at the entrance.
I suggest you contact both Placer and RTF and let them know.
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Rubicon Ronin
The Tahoma Market is OPEN!
Posted: January 22, 2021 Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: food, market, sandwiches, supplies Leave a commentAfter several years of being closed, the Tahoma Market and Deli reopened earlier this week with a ‘soft’ opening. There’s not even an “open” sign displayed. No date set for any kind of ‘Grand Opening’.
Below, new product finally being restocked at the market. And workers still putting on the finishing touches.
The entire building has been remodeled. I think they took it back to the studs and started over. It has a very cllen, modern look and feel inside. The Deli is ready to start serving what I call the best sandwiches in the Lake Tahoe Basin. They make their own bread and it just melts in your mouth.
Stopping here on your way to or from the Rubicon is a no-brainer. They do hot breakfast items ready to grab and go. I mentioned the sandwiches. And plenty of last minutes items on your way in, as it is a fully supplied grocery store.
This was the look back in 2018!
Their website is quite basic right now but it has the basic contact info:
This store has been a go to place for West Shore locals for a very long time. Let’s keep them busy.
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Rubicon Ronin
The 'Other' Rubicon 