April 3-6, 2008: April Fool's Ride in Arkansas!

[Stu]

Well, downsizing to a 400? Then I will bring my 250 to pull your 400 out of the mud.

Stu

[Harvey Mushman]

Hey XR-Nut, if I just so happen to be sportin' a new "five-two-five" when we head down to Arkansas, can I still ride with you........or will I have to drive myself.......

-Harvey
#75
Colt MKIV Series 80 Gov Model.

[MoRidin]

GAME ON!

Guys...stood down faster than we thought...will be back in time for the ride!

See you all soon!

Sean

[Hank Moody]

GAME ON!

Guys...stood down faster than we thought...will be back in time for the ride!

See you all soon!

Sean

Standing down!!!!!!!!!!! Glad you will be back

[safiri]

Sweeeet

Hayden

(Edit: Tracy [Hayden] forgot to log me off and log himself on ... Doh! But my thoughts exactly.)

[david h]

David Hodges and I are going to join you folks We will probable be riding in the FOF group. Troy let us know if you want money now or when we show up.

[troy]

David Hodges and I are going to join you folks We will probable be riding in the FOF group. Troy let us know if you want money now or when we show up.

I added you both to the list. Our count is up to 33 riders with 30 for the lodging. This makes the lodging almost full unless we start bringing air beds.

Thanks to all who have already sent in your payment. A few of you are left to pay. I prefer the money as soon as possible from all riders. The primary reason for this, other than wanting to blow your money and run away to Mexico leaving you all stranded, is that the money is the only solid indication of your commitment level and thus, the only way we can truly plan the lodging and meals. I know some of you well, and your word is as good as the money, but just keeping it fair for all. So head over to the first post, and pay up using the credit card link or pay by check using my address in the first post.

I'll provide a link to download the "official" routes soon along with a link to download a bunch of additional routes and waypoints for the area.

To figure out how to get to the lodge, just follow the link to the lodge in the first post and use their directions. Also, the route file will have a waypoint for the lodge.

David & David, you lucky guys--getting to do 2 big Arkansas ride weekends back to back! We'll look forward to your ride report to prep us for our big weekend.

[MoRidin]

Thanks Troy for being the point man! Just way too many outside distractions going on for me to focus on trip organizing. I have two kids home with the flue, so I took the day off and may play with the jetting on the new 450 a bit. I cannot decide if I like the blue or red JD needle better.

As for EXTRA riding...I may be going to Moab the following weekend. A bunch of KTMTalkers are going the 9-13. I know it is a LONG drive, but I have sort of shafted myslelf int he ride department lately...and my tow rig gets over 30 mpg on the highway...so I may make the trip. They are doing 2 days in Moab and 2 up in Green River. Should be the weekend after the Safari, so the place is like a ghost town. If any of you KC boys can cut loose...I have an open rail !

[tom reiner]

Troy,
So far only Jonathon and I have paid, but
1350cfm (mike), CJ (Mike's bro) and CAW aka Craig the helmet cam guy from '06 are most likely going to get in at the last minute.

Two years ago, us OH boys were in the big "Star" cabin, We'd be happy to do that again,,,
should we reserve that ourselves or is there still room in the Main lodge?
LMK,

Also, when will we get the trail map/GPS info?
You emailing that out or bringing a Lap top?

p.s.
MoRidin, glad your back in
Are we picking you up again???
LMK

[devro]

Yea, T H A N K S !!! Troy,
So far there are four in "my" group: devro, disco, jeffro, jeb. I am trying to get another from Cincinatti to quit working and join us.

devro

[troy]

Devro, YOUR WELCOME! Looking forward to meeting you and the others.

Two years ago, us OH boys were in the big "Star" cabin, We'd be happy to do that again,,,
should we reserve that ourselves or is there still room in the Main lodge?

I reserved the entire place...with the ability to only pay for what we actually use. If you guys have enough people to fill the beds in the bigger Star place, then have at it. It's kind of first come first serve I guess. We do need to be efficient with the beds--we'll need all of them. By that I mean, if a room has 2 beds in it, we need 2 people in that room. We need to make sure Randy & Sandy get one of the big beds with a room that offers some decent privacy.

Also, when will we get the trail map/GPS info?
You emailing that out or bringing a Lap top?

Sean, any last minute changes you want/need to make to the routes? If not, I'll upload to the site here and post links. Also, I will be bringing my laptop, but I do not plan to spend much time with my computer at the lodge, so if you want to do GPS, please take care of getting the routes loaded before you come.

Anybody feel like riding?!

[MoRidin]

Troy...I am sure we are going to run into "snags" but lets just put em out there...it is half the battle. I will get some large scale maps printed off at work...maybe 3-4 sets so we have at least one in each group.

Dead ends and vanishing trails are part of experience me thinks! I tried to keep them to a minimum, but I know there will be some issues...but that is how we roll.

I will bring my laptop, so we can reload and set folks up on site. If you have a serial or USB Garmin, I should be able to load you up at the cabin. If you have a Magellan, you are on your own. I am pretty sure Troy can stick a GPX out there so you Magellan folks are gtg.

Five weeks? Sweet!!!

[Nobiman]

(By that I mean, if a room has 2 beds in it, we need 2 people in that room. We need to make sure Randy & Sandy get one of the big beds with a room that offers some decent privacy.)

Wow! I checked this thread for weeks with no activity, so I laid off for a while and whamo, 2 more pages! Good to see some excitment getting built up.

Troy this is just an idea, If you need more beds I can just bring my camping rig and save the room that we (me & Sandy) were gonna use for someone else. Let me know if you like this suggestion, I can just spend my lodging money on fuel for the big V-10 so it makes me no difference at all to us.

Man, I'm ready to put some time on the 5-2-5 and put that new Recluse Pro to work!

Sean, glad ya made it back safely my brudda!

Randy.

[MoRidin]

Man, I'm ready to put some time on the 5-2-5 and put that new Recluse Pro to work!

Sean, glad ya made it back safely my brudda!

Randy - I really need to swap off for a few mins with you and try the Rekluse Pro out. I have been on the fence if I should put one on the 450. I was going to do it no questions..but after my first shakedown ride, I was stunned at how well the 450 lugged it out. I added the G2 throttle cam and it got even better. After having the 400 and now the 450, I can certainly see major differences. The 400 is the ticket in the woods for sure...but the 450 seems like it will really lug low and seems REALLY strong in the middle. Up top, they feel pretty similar.

I loved the Rekluse on my 200...but was thinking it would be wasted on the RFS. Sounds like folks REALLY like the new Pro model...that may be for me.

And...I am really glad to be back myself! One more gig and I am done. Already have orders for February 2009...so no April 2009 for me !

After Arkansas, I am heading to UT...wife gave the nod to a 4-5 day Moab ride, so I am jumping on it now!

[chadman]

A lot of the guys I ride with all have zstarts on their bike, including myself. I have also have the left hand rear brake and love it. I was not sure if I would get used to the left hand brake and now I hardly ever use my foot brake. I know it would be hard for me to buy another bike without adding an auto-clutch. Chad

[troy]

The "official" routes have been posted for download in the first post!

We are basically full at the lodge. We have 35 riders signed up with 32 of them claiming a bed. (3 are providing their own lodging) What I have reserved right now is every property except 2 tiny options. What we have now offers 34 beds at full capacity, so technically, we still have room for a couple people.

Randy & Sandy, I planned for you guys--there is a Queen size bed for you somewhere in the mix--no problem. So really, whatever you WANT to do is fine. If you WANT to bring your RV/trailer, you are welcome to--it will not mess up my numbers. Weren't you guys in the "Sears House" last time? You would be welcome to claim that place again. (I'm assuming you want to sleep together! Heck, if you want to be in different houses, we can make that work, too! )

Speaking of where EXACTLY everybody will be...I've not organized that other than the total number of beds. There is a bit of unfairness in that some properties are fancier than others. All are very nice and very clean, but some are better. Part of me says, first come, first serve. Some planning may be nice to help keep buddies together. In any case, you'll have a bed and a GREAT ride!

We've had several new riders sign up in the last week. Let me take this opportunity to remind everyone to PLEASE READ the first post again..a lot of important details in there. I have $500.00 riding on all of you obeying the rules on the lodge's property. DO NOT speed on the property. DO NOT spin your tires. DO NOT pop wheelies. If you do something stupid that makes me lose the $500.00 deposit, you will owe me $500.00.

[Stu]

I understand $500. That is, you can swagger about smoking Cuban cigars, martini in hand, accept gifts from lesser riders, whatever, but to tear up the property will land you in Troy's personal hell which is deportation to a Chinese jail Got it.

Stu

[electrician]

Troy, I would really like to go, but I am not 100% sure I can. I will know in about a week. I hope that is not too late for you, the group, and the lodging arrangments. My 650R is un corked and ready to rip ass. Hopefully I will have the 110 Watt lighting kit and the 200 Watt stator, and will try a little night ridin' maybe....

http://www.rickystator.com/catalog/prod ... ucts_id=65
http://www.rickystator.com/catalog/prod ... cts_id=104

[MoRidin]

I am actually up for a 25-30 mile night loop...I am running stock setup on the KTM, but I run a double bulb, so it is pretty darn bright. If we had a night with some decent moonlight, it may be worth a go.

[safiri]

I understand $500. That is, you can swagger about smoking Cuban cigars, martini in hand, accept gifts from lesser riders, whatever, but to tear up the property will land you in Troy's personal hell which is deportation to a Chinese jail Got it.

Stu

Last time we stayed at the lodge, each of us had to put down a $50 deposit (cash or credit card). That would have been lost had any one individual broken the rules of the lodge. The PITA was that before leaving each of us had to either get our cash back or get our credit card charge cancelled. That entailed waiting (after hoping that someone would be there on Sunday afternoon to process this) for each to get processed.

The lodge is beautiful, looking out over a small pasture and hills in the distance. Worth the effort. Troy has just made it easier for all of us by covering that deposit.