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Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 21:18
by troy
This 1st post will always be updated to include the current, important information you need to know regarding this ride.

Link, the proprietor of Link's Freeman Off-Road Resort, sent me an email today to invite us to a dualsport ride he is leading on Saturday, September 22, 2012.

Link normally leads gnarly off-road rides, but he is branching out into dualsport rides as well. He picked up an old KLR, fixed it up, and is ready to show folks the great forest roads, old logging roads, and many creek crossings in the Mark Twain forest where he lives near Bunker, MO in Reynold's County. If I know Link, he might show us a cave or 2 or a herd of Elk.

Link's place is a little more than 5 hours from Kansas City, so you'd want to go out the night before. Link has cabins we can stay in for about $20/person. He also has a nice shower & toilet house. Link normally has a guide fee of $20/person/day, but on this ride, Link is waiving the guide fee if we will give him honest feedback on the ride experience at the end of the day. He is working to develop a few great dualsport routes to use in the future, and wants our help.

PLAN
The plan is to haul the bikes to Link's place. We will leave the KC metro as early as possible on Friday after work. Folks need to coordinate how they are getting there. We'll wake up Sat morning ready to follow Link as he leads us on a great dualsport ride in the Mark Twain. The route will go deeper than easy gravel roads, but should be suitable for larger dualsport bikes and even large adventure bikes. I don't expect the miles to be all that long, so really, any street-legal, off-pavement worthy motorcycle will work.

It takes a little more than 5 hours to drive from the metro to Link's place. This leaves time on Sunday morning to go for a half day ride and still return home by 7pm. Anyone hauling out with me can expect to ride Sun and hit the road for home between 1 and 2pm.

Lodging
Link has 3 cabins. In total, there are 17 beds/bunks. There is some limited bedding provided, but bring your own sleeping bag & pillow. Link has a very nice shower/toilet house with separate men & women's sides. He also has a full motorcycle repair shop on site--that's what he does.

Cost
$40 Lodging Fri & Sat night ($20/night/person)
$0 Guide fee for Sat (waived--read above)
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$40 PLUS whatever you spend on food and gas. If you plan to use the lodging, bring $40 cash for Link.

Food
The closest "town" is Bunker, MO. It has a restaurant where we usually have dinner. Let's just say Anthony Bourdain ain't featuring this place on his show. Actually, the burger aint bad. It is the only place I've ever seen a buffet where almost every item was fried. I'm not joking. The vegetables, the meats--everything breaded and deep-fried.

Link probably has plans to hit a cafe or sandwich place for lunch on Sat during the ride. I'll let you know for sure. I do recommend you pack some trail bars for the ride.

Breakfast -- if we have enough folks, we can all pitch in about $5 each to have a lady come to Link's and make a hot breakfast for us on Sat. Another $5 if we want it on Sun, too. We need to know a few days ahead of time, though, as Link needs to pick up groceries and arrange for the cook. So let me know your thoughts.

Misc
From experience riding the area and particularly in following Link, I can tell you there will be creek crossings--some of which can be daunting on a big bike depending on the water levels. NO WORRIES! TO DATE, we've never actually lost a bike or rider on these rides! Remember, there is ALWAYS the option to backtrack, go around, bail, etc. This part of the Mark Twain and the forest roads, old logging roads, and creeks are incredibly scenic. You won't regret the trip.

With my truck and safiri's trailer, I can haul 4 people and up to 6 bikes depending on how big the bikes are. Who else can volunteer a rig to get more folks out there?

Also, if anyone has the time to ride to Link's, by all means, do so! Just get to Link's by 9AM Sat for the ride--and make sure we know you are coming. Come ride all day Saturday then hang out at the bonfire Saturday night! :)

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 21:38
by ozarksrider
This sounds like fun, but I can't commit for sure yet.

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 22:14
by troy
ozarksrider wrote:This sounds like fun, but I can't commit for sure yet.
It will definitely be fun. I can't commit quite yet, either, but am trying to make it work. I've ridden with Link many times, and it's always great. The last time I went out there, I took my F800 and my KTM 450. I had a great time on both.

It normally takes me about 5.5 hours in my truck to get down there, and that is taking 70 out to Columbia then going down through Jefferson City. If we ride out there, we could make it an all day ride if we wanted--and really enjoy it. We'd have to take Fri off or at least 1/2 day to make it work. Ride out Fri, ride Sat with Link, ride home on Sun. Stay in Link's cabins Fri & Sat nights.

If folks simply can't take Fri off (and I might not be able to), hauling is an option--I don't mind driving late into the night, but I won't plan a motorcycle ride that has me on the roads after dark. The last time reddof and I drove to Link's place, the last hour was pitch black out and we came across 6 deer in the road in the last 10 miles! NO EXAGGERATION! That area of the forest is infested with deer.

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 08:53
by stimmer6253472
Doubt I would go that weekend for a dual sport ride but I would like to do a dirt bike ride at Link's sometime. If anyone ever sets that up I would be interested.
jim

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 09:56
by troy
stimmer6253472 wrote:Doubt I would go that weekend for a dual sport ride but I would like to do a dirt bike ride at Link's sometime. If anyone ever sets that up I would be interested.
jim
Bring your 990 and have a blast. Why do you own that bike?! :D

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 10:45
by jasoomian
I've got some friends from Seattle coming in that weekend, or, I'd be down at least for part of it. But, since I can't - whoever can bring me the most WhiteCastle, there is one in Columbia, shall have my undying gratitude. You will have to deliver it to Tulsa, but, really, whats 300 miles out of your way to bring a little happiness to a fellow rider?

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 10 Sep 2012 08:59
by troy
SO WHAT DO WE DO?! Three options as I see it:

OPTION #1
Take Friday off and do an ALL DAY dualsport from Kansas City to the Freeman Off-road Resort (near Bunker, MO). Sat, we follow Link as he leads us on his dualsport in the Mark Twain--GOOD STUFF! Sun, we dualsport ALL DAY back to Kansas City. I figure getting from here to there on minor roads will be more than 300 miles. This is very doable on a large dualsport or adventure bike and all day to do it.

OPTION #2
Haul down Fri night. Sat, we follow Link as he leads us on his dualsport in the Mark Twain--GOOD STUFF! Sun, we haul back home. Plenty of time to do 1/2 day ride before loading up and coming home.

OPTION #3
Stay home to wash our panties. Maybe work on our scrapbooks.

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 10 Sep 2012 16:35
by allkidd
Options one and two sound good but I'm afraid that I have to stay home for option three that weekend...out of town relatives are in town that weekend. I pretty much have the green light to be gone every weekend except for Sept. 22 because of relatives and the next weekend, Sept. 29 because of my wife's b-day.

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 10 Sep 2012 19:54
by Rusty Jug
I wish I could vote, but that's the state 4-H speaking contest at MU, so I will be there supporting my daughter! The 29th I'm the head bbq judge at seven springs winery BBQ cook off:(

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 15:54
by Stu
Hm. Option 2 sounds good to me if I get my new KTM 500 EXC completely sorted out. There is only one matter left and that is a tendency to flame out at 600~700 RPM when pulling out of a tight turn on an uphill with a rut or ledge.

I can see why KTM is already sold out and having difficulty filling orders for this bike world wide. It handles as well as my very quick and light 300 XC-W in the woods, albeit with a slightly top heavy feel compared to the 300 (220 lbs vs. 251 lbs). Sling around a corner and nail it and the 300 does not have a chance. The 500 digs in and rockets. Time to be up on the tank. (Now I know medical advice is contrary to this sort of behavior on my part but, hey, that 500 just calls to me ... "WooHoo! Let's Rock!") At 45~65 MPH on the street it is smoother than my former KTM 950. Just incredible. I don't know how KTM pulled this off. I think if you are going to just have 1 bike that would do it all this would be candidate #1.

Stu

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 16:15
by troy
But overall, Stu, do you like the new bike? :wink:

If safiri lets me borrow his trailer, and he usually does, with my truck, I can take 4 bikes and 4 guys and gear. The largest expense on these trips anymore is the gas to get there and back. If we can split it 4 ways, it helps a lot.

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 12 Sep 2012 06:34
by Stu
"But overall, Stu, do you like the new bike?"

Ha-Ha, Troy. I can't let you ride it or you would have "lust in your heart".

Stu

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 12 Sep 2012 08:20
by troy

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 12 Sep 2012 08:33
by Rusty Jug
I'm sad :( this would be a fun ride!

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 12 Sep 2012 08:56
by stimmer6253472
troy wrote:
stimmer6253472 wrote:Doubt I would go that weekend for a dual sport ride but I would like to do a dirt bike ride at Link's sometime. If anyone ever sets that up I would be interested.
jim
Bring your 990 and have a blast. Why do you own that bike?! :D
I would be happy to take my big bike but that weekend is my boy's birthday so I would be a heal for leaving town. That being said I have heard good things about Link's trail rides and I have always wanted to try that some time.
Jim

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 17 Sep 2012 09:58
by troy
The ride is this coming Saturday--just 5 days away. Am I driving across Missouri by myself?! :shock:

I can make this REALLY easy for somebody. If you have a dualsport motorcycle, and can get away from family and work this weekend (5 pm Fri to about 7pm Sun), and can come up with about $100 to spend, you can haul out with me in my truck.

Any questions, just post here, PM, email, or call. Don't tweet it, because I don't follow you. Don't post it on your wall because I'm not a member of the club. Smoke signals aren't going to work either. :)

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 17 Sep 2012 10:20
by ajayhawkfan
Are you telepathic?

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 17 Sep 2012 10:31
by troy
ajayhawkfan wrote:Are you telepathic?
Yes, and you should be ashamed for having those thoughts. PLEASE see a psychiatrist--you are one twisted dude. :shock:

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 18 Sep 2012 12:52
by Andy
If I can get someone to watch my cat, and get my new tire on by then...I think I'd be up for it.

Re: Sep 22, 2012: Mark Twain Dualsport

Posted: 18 Sep 2012 13:11
by troy
Andy wrote:...If I can get someone to watch my cat,...
Reason #422 NOT to own a cat or most any pet. (Yes, I have a damn cat. :evil: )