Sep 28-30th Arkansas Ozarks Trail Ride

[david h]

Carl, you would be way in over your head. I don't say that to be mean or anything like that. Last year One KLR 650 rode the routes with a darn good rider aboard and he went home with a broken bike. I would not try this ride on anything bigger than a klx or drz 400 with a darn good rider.


I might try to do a ride in the same area and stay at the same place at the same time for us old farts on big bikes. I need to check out lots of roads in that area for next years ride at Eureka.

I am not trying to encroach on this ride' so if I am let me know, We could do it a different weekend. I just might try to keep up with you young farts again, who knows.

David H

[troy]

Dave, I really liked having you along last year. No doubt we got into some gnarly stuff. I don't know that we technically did any singletrack, but we did do some ATV trails that had not been touched in what seemed months or even years in a few cases. The ride is mostly ATV trails---RUGGED ATV trails connected by forest roads. By the way, the KLR rider went down on a road--not a tough trail section. It was just a goof-up on a curve and he slid the bike down breaking off the rear-brake lever. (classic KLR break, btw)

I totally agree with Dave's assessment. I like Dave's idea--there is no reason there can't be more than one set of routes being ridden by the groups. A less-technical route would be good for anyone who either lacks the skills or the machine or the desire to ride the hairy stuff. OR...if like me...you keep getting injured, you could opt to do the easier routes.

Btw, Dave, I should have done your Hillbilly Dualsport ride instead of Chadwick. With my sprained ankle, trying to tackle Chadwick while keeping up with a group of racers was a bad idea.

Carl (and all), the Mulberry Mountain Lodge is a wonderful place.
http://www.mulberrymountainlodge.com/index.htm
It has a number of cabins, barns, and a house all converted into living accommodations for groups. The place was VERY clean and modern and rather luxurious for a bunch of dirty bikers. It costs a bit more than some other options, but we try to make a nice vacation out of it. Last spring, MoRidin was able to swing us a good deal on the place and arranged catering 3 nights. FANTASTIC!

[carlrf]

I think I could do this ride on a smaller bike based on my previous experience, but I doubt I am going to buy another bike geared toward this ride before it happens. However I have done stranger things! I was itching to follow on the Hero ride but I knew better than to do it on the KLR. We will see what happens. If there is a seperate ride for the less adventurous, I will probably be interested in that too.

So where is the info on the " fall colors tour" I have heard about and how does it compare?

[troy]

R.L. Lemke's Fall Color Tour
http://www.ozarkdualsport.com/

You'll hear some people say that he doesn't do it anymore. Not true. He now puts the event on with a lot less fanfare. He basically is trying to keep it from appearing as a big, organized event in order to prevent the National Forest Service hassles. As I understand, this is not out of some sort of evil "screw the forest service" attitude, but just that it really has become a problem getting the proper permits.

From looking at the photos of the Hillbilly Dualsport, I think the FCT "Adventure Loop" is probably very similar. R. L. puts out 2 routes for each day. The "Main" and the "Adventure" loops. The Main loop is the more difficult and incorporates a lot of difficult ATV trails. The Adventure loop is aimed at the larger Adventure bikes and those wanting to avoid the tricky stuff. The 2 routes overlap a lot.

There are usually a couple of organized meals--one lunch on the trail and a Saturday night meal at a local winery. It's a great ride, but Hemphill gets you the same stuff--maybe better.

[MacWildcat]

Like your idea David. I would love to tackle the tamer ATV trails by Turners Bend. The stuff we rode last fall didn't set off my "Danger Will Robinson" alarm too often. I would really love to go on this ride. Unfortunately a DR650 is way too heavy to throw around on technical ATV trails. I'm hoping a 250-300 cc woods bike is somewhere in my future. Dropping a 340 lbs. bike and dropping a 240 lbs. bike can do alot less damage to a body.
I was also wondering if a ride based out of Harrison, Ark. might get us closer to some of the great back roads in the Jasper-Mt. Judea area. Might be another good alternative for us big-bike challenged folks.

[Harvey Mushman]

Myself and a handful of other riders have done the Fall Color Tour for the last three years. The single track can get fairly challenging especially in the rocky sections but it's not a threat to a good rider on the right bike. Alot of it depends on how fast you want to ride it.
There are some creek crossings with Big-ass rocks in them that will make you pucker abit. It's not bad when it's dry but there was about two feet of water in the creeks last year and you couldn't see the rocks underneath.
XR-Nut had the GPS route files which was a good thing as we'd still be up in the hills somewhere without them. The longer 150ish mile loop has some absolutely fantastic paved roads going up and down the mountains that you won't see in Kansas. Kick-ass fun on a dual sport. I think the name of the town we stayed in was Clarksville, right off the interstate. I hope to ride the same routes or something similar next fall. I'll watch and see what you guys put together.

-Harvey
#77 FMHS
'98 RXCe400
'98 RXCe620
'02 EXC300
'89 FXRS-1340

[david h]

My wallet is tighter that my ass going into a sharp curve way to hot. With that in mind, and what a thought that is, we have reserved the river retreat at Turners Bend. 4 out of 12 beds are spoken for. We would be located about 5 miles from the other group staying at Mulberry Mountain. I don't do this to make anyone unhappy, but this should cost about $24 a night as compared to a whole lot more. It also is not nearly as nice a place. we will need to work out meals also. Let me know if you are interested. Most of the ride I will do is true dual sport as compared to off road dirt bike stuff. We will do some stuff that will be quite a challenge for a big 650. so please make sure you are up for this before you sign on. Since my credit card is paying the bill, you will need to prepay by check several weeks before the ride.

David H

[troy]

Take the ball and run, David! As you know, something Byrd's River Retreat offers that the Mulberry Mountain Lodge does not is that river!

Seriously, good idea reserving that. Better to do that than all of us end with no place to stay because we wait too long to get our stuff together.

[MoRidin]

David....it will be great to have you all down there.

I think we will do the atering again and it may be cheaper for you all to just join us for dinners. I think I wound up getting the full meal for $8 a head per meal last year. That was everything including dessert.

I know at a minimum we will grab the big lodge. If we dont have enough guys, we can use the Star 1&2 as an alternative. They are very nice plus have that hugs attached barn. We still get a nice big area with fireplace etc...just not as swanky as the lodge.

Sean

[carlrf]

Most of the ride I will do is true dual sport as compared to off road dirt bike stuff. We will do some stuff that will be quite a challenge for a big 650. so please make sure you are up for this before you sign on. Since my credit card is paying the bill, you will need to prepay by check several weeks before the ride.

David H

I would like to do this, I wish I had a better feel for the time I may spend on the ground with the KLR.

[KC]

Most of the ride I will do is true dual sport as compared to off road dirt bike stuff. We will do some stuff that will be quite a challenge for a big 650. so please make sure you are up for this before you sign on. Since my credit card is paying the bill, you will need to prepay by check several weeks before the ride.

David H

I would like to do this, I wish I had a better feel for the time I may spend on the ground with the KLR.

My brother Troy and I took our KLR 650s to the Fall Color Tour a couple years ago. We rode the entire first day without a hitch and had a blast. During the first hour of the second day, I came to the bottom of the first challenging hill climb. It was steep and very rocky! I went charging up the hill in 1st gear with the engine roaring. I felt myself getting more out of control with every melon sized rock I bounced over. Just when I thought I might make it to the top, my front end slid off of my chosen line and my back wheel caught a large rock protruding from the valley of the trail. The rock launched the rear of the KLR up the hill, the bike did a face plant before crashing on it's right side into the rocks. I was fine, but the impact completely broke the rear brake pedal and linkage off! Now I'm not trying to scare you out of riding your KLR down there at all, in fact I would do it again on one now that I have a lot more experience on this kind of terrain.

Here is what I learned from my first Ozarks ride:

1. Knobbies are required!!
I was running brand new Perrelli MT21s but my air pressure was way too high. I had 22 or more psi on my rear....BOING!!

2. I would recommend gearing down from stock. I ran stock gears and therefore found myself at higher RPMs and higher speeds than I was comfortable with in order to keep from stalling on the steep hill climbs.

3. Take time to pick your line! We all rode non-stop from our lodging to the trailhead, took a short break to re-group, then charged into the woods. It is a good 15 minutes of tiresome riding before arriving at the hill that has become my "Mt. Everest". I should have stopped at the base of that, as of yet, unconquered hill for few deep breaths and some good recon of the terrain I was about to tackle. Big mistake on my part.

I had my chance for revenge last year on our April Fool's ride. I had just purchased my DRZ400 a few months before the ride and didn't have any time to make it "Ozark worthy". Nevertheless, I was feeling pretty confident on my lighter, more peppy mount. I arrived at the base of "Mt. Everest" with great anticipation. My knobbies were brand new. My air pressure was in the low teens. I took a few moments to carefully pick my line....I could see the very rock that incapacitated my KLR looming ominously about 3/4 up the hill...aahh well, maybe I'll make it up this year.
(I got within 3 feet of the rock and slid off the trail, dumping my DRZ on its right side.)

Come on down, you'll have a great time no matter what you ride. That first year with our KLR's Troy and I watched a 50 ish couple on a lowered KLR tractor right up the same hill without missing a beat!! That's right...two up!!

[carlrf]

Thanks, that's input I can use!

[safiri]

This is not a bag on the KLR, but rather the bracket that holds the rear brake lever (all of our bikes have some sort of weakness) ...

Kyle broke his (read his post) and last year we had a guy break his in a slide on a gravel (not rock) road. I don't know if anybody makes an aftermarket, stronger bracket, but would be high on my list if I had a KLR.

The bracket is cast so when it gets struck it snaps; it doesn't bend. If it bent, you could bend it back or ride with it bent and still have some rear braking.

(For instance, I replaced the cast shifter on my LC4 for the same reasons listed above ... I bent it on a trail in Moab and barely got it straight enough to be able to shift to get back. The steel shift lever I have now will bend much easier, but it will also bend back. And it shouldn't snap in two.)

[troy]

KC has broken that part twice on his KLR! Ask him about the time his KLR basically fell over in soft dirt at Milford and his rear brake lever broke off! That part is definitely a vulnerability on the KLR650.

Dual-Star makes an upgraded brake bracket. You want it.
http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Brand/K ... racket.htm

[safiri]

this is what I remember from AR:

[carlrf]

this is what I remember from AR:

I have the "Eagle" Mike bracket sitting on the bench ready to put on!

[Hank Moody]

I was looking at my schedule and was wondering if this ride is still on given that Mo Riding has been called up to defend our country

I hope work doesn't interfer with this because it is at the end of the fiscal year.

[troy]

Sean has commanded us to do this ride with or without him! He does require a full ride report with photos!

The dates are Fri - Sun, September 28 - 30. Usually some guys show up Thursday to enjoy some extra riding. Some people leave Sun morning and miss out on Sunday's ride. Do what you want.

This is the weekend after the Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival
http://www.mulberrymountainmusic.com/

Which is hosted at the Mulberry Mountain Lodge - a beautiful place and an excellent place to stay.
http://mulberrymountainlodge.com/

Our own Hayden will be attending the music festival the weekend prior to our ride, staying all week, then riding with us. (This is after he returns from almost a month riding around Nova Scotia!)

David H has already reserved Byrd's River Retreat -- a "rustic" cabin that sleeps 12.
http://www.byrdsadventurecenter.com/retreat.htm
At time of his post, 4 beds were already spoken for.
http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?p=1307#p1307

At time of this post, no other lodging has been reserved. Considering we are only 7 weeks out now, we should get on the ball!

If you read through this entire thread, you'll learn that we may have multiple rides going on. One group may ride the gnarlier ATV trails and another group may do more forest roads and tamer trails--possibly led by David H as he scouts around for his next Hillbilly Dualsport.

If you want to know what kind of beautiful, gnarly stuff is down there, just check out all four days of photos from last year!
http://picasaweb.google.com/wolf.troy/O ... ll2006Day1
http://picasaweb.google.com/wolf.troy/O ... ll2006Day2
http://picasaweb.google.com/wolf.troy/O ... ll2006Day3
http://picasaweb.google.com/wolf.troy/O ... ll2006Day4

I think it has been made clear in this thread, but let me restate that all dualsport bikes are welcome. There is so much great stuff down there, that rides can be tailored according to the bikes and riders that show up. Please try to indicate your commitment and riding preference as soon as possible so routes can be pre-determined as much as possible, but just know that nobody will be forced to ride stuff they don't want to.

So the big question is...how many riders think they will attend? Will Byrd's be enough lodging? Or do we need more?

[Hank Moody]

I would say that I'm 95% in and might consider staying at the Byrds. I would also do the more aggresive ATV trails. Remember if you stay at Byrds bring your own water and the stream is great for cooling off after the rides. Plus the locals are a value added entertainment!

[carlrf]

I don't know about the ride, as the Harley may not be together by then, but that is the coolest avatar I have yet to see!