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I just rode Wabaunsee county two weekends in a row. I never get enough of the low maintenance roads in the flint hills. I figure maybe it's time for another group ride. I have a route I enhanced from a year ago with more low maintenance section - about a 100 mile loop beginning and returning to Maple Hill.

To get your attention here is a couple videos from last weekend and this last Friday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4t3TwCynJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNyiVshHoPs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3P6iYOXro4

Hopefully I can find a weekend with lower temps. and after a little rain to make it more fun.

Count me in! I'm heading out on Tuesday for week in the Rockies, but if I'm back in time.......................

I'm game.

I really like riding Wabaunsee Co, and last year MacWildcat led us on a great ride. So great I've reridden it twice since.

I'm looking forward to the 100 mile version. Lunch at Puffy's?

Mac, at the 2:30 minute mark of the 2nd video, is that a woman, standing all buy herself, next to the road, in the middle of nowhere???

-Harv

Harvey Mushman wrote:Mac, at the 2:30 minute mark of the 2nd video, is that a woman, standing all buy herself, next to the road, in the middle of nowhere???

-Harv

It definitely is, and they wave to each other. So do you stop and say "hi" or assume that if someone is walking out there they might be looking to get away from any social interaction for awhile? I notice Mac slowed down to a nice, quiet pace rather than roosting her as he flipped her the bird.

I had to slow down so she could give a me a good look see. It amazes me the remote low maintenance roads that I have encountered women walking alone. Jeez at least have a big friendly black lab tagging along.
The week before I crested a hill and had a 5 horseback riders about 100 yards in front of me. A couple minutes later and we would have met right on the crest. It was a wake up call to expect anything anywhere anytime. I got the bike shut down and up against the border fence. The horses still had issues passing by a motorcycle.

Mac I suspect you have waypointed all these locations where you have "encountered women walking alone" out in the middle of nowhere and were going to include those roads in your upcoming ride,.... right?

Let's plan on a day next weekend July 20/21. Due to the high temps., we will want to get a start earlier in the morning. Long range forecast shows a chance for a t-storm in the afternoon Sunday, hopefully that storm moves through earlier to add some moisture to the roads. Right now the ground is so hard it's slick.

I would consider this a route for moderate to experienced riders. Also not a good route for big bikes, unless we were planning to trundle along at 5 mph.

Let me know your preferences.

Meeting place would be the 24/7 truck stop at Maple Hill - I70 exit. Depending on what time we could get started we have several lunch options. If we can get away at a decent time, we could finish the ride with a meal at Puffy Ice and steakhouse.

Just got back from a ride this morning...perfect temps and road conditions after the 1/4 inch of rain early am.

Mac leads a great ride! Kyle & I will be hitting the road for Taylor Park, CO early that weekend.

I wouldn't be able to make it next weekend either.

I thought that was you I saw in Westy this morning.

The next two weekends, I could make it on Sunday. Once into August, Sat or Sun is OK. An early AM start time is fine.

You got room for an older "distinguished" gentleman? Its sad to say but I have only been on the Dr once to the grocery store since the hillbilly ride. Mostly I have just been monitoring the battery tender on it. I have added 4000 miles to the speedo on the wing though

I will try to make this ride, David H

MacWildcat wrote:Also not a good route for big bikes, unless we were planning to trundle along at 5 mph.

I'd be in, but need some clarification on what you mean by this. I would be on my 990, so if there would be work-arounds in any areas that might be not big bike-friendly I'd still be interested.

kendall_smith wrote:

MacWildcat wrote:Also not a good route for big bikes, unless we were planning to trundle along at 5 mph.

I'd be in, but need some clarification on what you mean by this. I would be on my 990, so if there would be work-arounds in any areas that might be not big bike-friendly I'd still be interested.

Kendall, I don't know Mac's entire route, but with your riding skills and the capabilities of the 990, I think you got it covered. No worries. If I was coming, I'd bring my F800GS.

Now if it's muddy....that's another story.

troy wrote:Kendall, I don't know Mac's entire route, but with your riding skills and the capabilities of the 990, I think you got it covered. No worries. If I was coming, I'd bring my F800GS.

Now if it's muddy....that's another story.

I don't know....... I guess I better play it safe and join you in Taylor Park instead. Do you have room for another bike/rider?

I'm with you on the mud thing- those minimum maintenance roads could be pretty greasy on the big bike when muddy.

Mud would definitely make it an adventure on any bike, but pretty unpleasant on a big adventure bike. Let me put it this way....even a KLR could do this route dry...with a competent rider...with life insurance...with an obvious death wish.

Box Turtle would be the worst, and there is a work around now. There is another two mile stretch that is a little more technical for a novice rider. A lot of elevation change and off camber surfaces interesting if it was slick.

Are you still thinking about this weekend or another?

How about this Sunday, July 21st. If the weather holds up we could get some nice moisture Saturday.

Is 8:30 am too early. I am trying to make sure we can get back to Maple Hill - Puffy's not long after the noon hour. We should mix in well with the Sunday school crowd!

Meeting location will be Maple Hill exit 341 on Interstate I-70 at the 24/7 travel plaza parking lot.

Right now the route works out to about 100 miles. There is one fuel stop part way through.