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If the weather is agreeable, some of us are riding our more street-oriented machines to Cassoday this Sunday.

WHAT
Cassoday Biker Event
Occurs first Sunday of every month. Thousands of motorcycles along with food vendors, etc converge in the tiny cowtown of Cassoday, KS. We'll enjoy the ride down, walk around enjoying all bikes, maybe get something to eat, then head back home.

WHEN
Sunday, August 3rd

MEET
8:00 AM
Baldwin, KS
McDonalds (you can't miss it--the town aint that big)

ROUTE
Hwy 56 to Hwy 177 then down to Cassoday
http://www.marengo-ltd.com/map2/index.php?route=5053
Route home is whatever you want. If you are pressed for time, pound back up I-35. I may join some other to ride some gravel back home.

Lawrence & KC-based riders can easily meet in Baldwin. If Topeka riders want to join but not backtrack to the East to Baldwin, make your best guess when and where to meet us along the way on Hwy 56. Good luck!

Manhattan riders could meet us in Council Grove. Again, look at the route map and make your own time estimate.

I plan to keep a relaxed pace without a schedule. I'll be riding my V-Strom 650 and probably run the speed limit mostly.

Troy, I don't think I will make it. I think I'm going to head east towards Hermann this weekend. If anything changes, I'll let you know.

Eddie

I guess I am a tag along if you hold the speed to under 70 mph I have a dr 650 that needs a workout! The bike will do more speed, but my insurance guy thinks a little different. See you in Baldwin.

I do plan to keep the speed under 70. I assume the speed limit on those non-interstate highways are 55 to 65 at best. I don't plan on speeding.

It is forecast to be 99....HOT! I had thought about backing out, but a fellow rider shamed me into going regardless.

I might make this ride. Gravel on the way down? I considered riding at the ranch this weekend but I think it is just too hot.

jsherm01 wrote:I might make this ride. Gravel on the way down? I considered riding at the ranch this weekend but I think it is just too hot.

As mentioned, the guys I'll be with will be pavement. Got a sweet Buell Firebolt and a chromed Harley along on this one. I'll be on my new-to-me 2006 red V-Strom 650.

I have considered hooking up with some other riders for some gravel on the way home, but that may not happen. Did I mention it will be sweltering?

Btw, I plan to sit (in A/C) and enjoy a McGriddle and a cup of coffee at the McD's in Baldwin when I arrive.

Just a thought, but hows about we move the start up a bunch, like 6am . I know some will say " are you nuts" and yes quite frankly I am. Its going to be a darn hot day and we could be home before the heat index goes thru the roof.
It's your ride Troy so I'm just tossing out an idea for you to consider. I like riding much more when its below 90 degrees

David H

So is 177 a fun and curvy road to take a ride down? Lots of bikes to look at? Too hot this Sunday, but maybe another in the future.

Savage wrote:So is 177 a fun and curvy road to take a ride down? Lots of bikes to look at? Too hot this Sunday, but maybe another in the future.

I have driven highway 177 from the turnpike to Manhattan literally 100 times or more. It is very scenic and has a few good curvy spots from highway 50 South to Cassoday, escpecially the area around Matfield Green. North of highway 50 to Manhattan is somewhat boring. There is a county highway that heads South from I70 West of Manhattan that is popular w/ motorcyclists but I have never ridden it...have to look at a map for the road #, surely somebody here knows what road I am talking about? Anyway, it is a good way to link up w/ 177 from the Manhattan area. As far as "Lots of bikes to look at" , on a good day there is almost every kind of bike ever built there! The town of Cassaday is only about 4 or 5 city blocks in size but every single street is usually completely lined with motorcycles. Not bad for "little" get-together.

BTW: Hey you Wichita area riders: If the K.C guys say the ride is a go, I will be riding up to Cassoday from Kechi/Wichita if anybody wants to meet somewhere.

david h wrote:Just a thought, but hows about we move the start up a bunch, like 6am . I know some will say " are you nuts" and yes quite frankly I am. Its going to be a darn hot day and we could be home before the heat index goes thru the roof.
It's your ride Troy so I'm just tossing out an idea for you to consider. I like riding much more when its below 90 degrees

I'm with you, David. Seriously, I love to get out on the bike just before the sun rises and actually be on the ride as the sun makes it's debut. However, I figure 8am is a better common denominator. Also consider that some people have a good distance just to get to Baldwin. One rider has about 70 miles from his house to Baldwin.

This same rider also asked me what color panties my V-Strom came with when I suggested perhaps it would be too hot to enjoy the ride. I'm not going to name names, but his rhymes with Nichael.

Besides--a heat index of 104 never killed anyone. Oh wait, I guess lots of people have died in that situation. Nevermind.

troy wrote:This same rider also asked me what color panties my V-Strom came with when I suggested perhaps it would be too hot to enjoy the ride. I'm not going to name names, but his rhymes with Nichael.

Besides--a heat index of 104 never killed anyone. Oh wait, I guess lots of people have died in that situation. Nevermind.

I'm going to wear a jacket, gloves, and maybe even scarf just to make you feel a little worse

Well...I'm not going to say what color of panties my V-strom came with, but I will tell you that I am NOT riding tomorrow. I did ride about 70 miles today and the only part I really enjoyed was the ride home...after dark...when it was cool. I've been pretty active so far this weekend and have been out in the heat a lot, so I am opting to hibernate in the cool basement for most of tomorrow.

Ride safe, pack LOTS of water and enjoy

Four riders and what a strange mix of machines! We had a Suzuki 650 V-Strom (adventure bike), a Suzuki DR650 (dualsport), a Buell Firebolt (sport), and a big Harley!

It was downright cool in the morning and the cool breeze was enjoyed until about Council Grove. We pretty much melted from then on. We arrived kind of late to the Cassoday thing at about 11:20. Most riders had cleared out, but there was still a crowd around the dyno and plenty of people selling BBQ, burgers, brats, dogs, and limeades.

A fun (and hot) time was had by all.

Most riders I saw wore only a t-shirt on top. I had on my mesh jacket over a t-shirt. I definitely stood out in my jacket and at a gas station, some other riders yelled, "man, you've got to be hot in that". Halfway through the ride home, I decided to shed the jacket, and to be honest, I don't think I was any cooler. The sun beating directly on my arms made my arms hotter than they were in the mesh jacket. I think my chest and back may have been slightly cooler without the jacket, but it was kind of a wash.

troy wrote:Most riders I saw wore only a t-shirt on top. I had on my mesh jacket over a t-shirt. I definitely stood out in my jacket and at a gas station, some other riders yelled, "man, you've got to be hot in that". Halfway through the ride home, I decided to shed the jacket, and to be honest, I don't think I was any cooler. The sun beating directly on my arms made my arms hotter than they were in the mesh jacket. I think my chest and back may have been slightly cooler without the jacket, but it was kind of a wash.

That has been my experience with a mesh jacket. Looks hot ( ) but actually not.

Glad you guys had a good ride.

OK, so today I rode without a helmet for the first time in years. I grew up riding for years and years and never owned a helmet. Much like my cars didn't even have seat belts. Today, I was stuck on the highway in a traffic jam for about 30 minutes in 101 degree sun plus the radiant heat off the pavement plus all the cars kicking out heat around me plus the heat index. My head was almost as wet as if I had just stepped out of the shower. First shade I found I pulled over and the helmet came off. It is a case of finding that balance between safety, convenience, comfort, and reality. Collapsing from heat exhaustion is not "safe" either, so I made the safer decision and took the helmet off. Gee the wind felt good blowing through my hair.

I knew it was going to be triple digit hot, but the commute is normally about 35 minutes at 60+ MPH. No problem. I had not planned to be stuck in traffic slipping the clutch in first gear for 30 minutes. I'm glad the V-Strom didn't overheat.

troy wrote:Four riders and what a strange mix of machines! We had a Suzuki 650 V-Strom (adventure bike), a Suzuki DR650 (dualsport), a Buell Firebolt (sport), and a big Harley!

It was downright cool in the morning and the cool breeze was enjoyed until about Council Grove. We pretty much melted from then on. We arrived kind of late to the Cassoday thing at about 11:20. Most riders had cleared out, but there was still a crowd around the dyno and plenty of people selling BBQ, burgers, brats, dogs, and limeades.

A fun (and hot) time was had by all.

Most riders I saw wore only a t-shirt on top. I had on my mesh jacket over a t-shirt. I definitely stood out in my jacket and at a gas station, some other riders yelled, "man, you've got to be hot in that". Halfway through the ride home, I decided to shed the jacket, and to be honest, I don't think I was any cooler. The sun beating directly on my arms made my arms hotter than they were in the mesh jacket. I think my chest and back may have been slightly cooler without the jacket, but it was kind of a wash.

Sounds like a nice mix of bikes and a good time. Did you take any pictures?

ajayhawkfan wrote:Sounds like a nice mix of bikes and a good time. Did you take any pictures?

I took a couple shots while in Cassoday, but nothing really worthy of posting. It was an eclectic mix of machines for sure, but we really got along well. The Harley rider & I did notice that once the Buell peeled away to head home it hit speeds that were most likely triple digits. I suspect my leading at 60mph was a bit boring for him. His Buell must have come with manly sandpaper panties.

safiri wrote:

troy wrote:Most riders I saw wore only a t-shirt on top. I had on my mesh jacket over a t-shirt. I definitely stood out in my jacket and at a gas station, some other riders yelled, "man, you've got to be hot in that". Halfway through the ride home, I decided to shed the jacket, and to be honest, I don't think I was any cooler. The sun beating directly on my arms made my arms hotter than they were in the mesh jacket. I think my chest and back may have been slightly cooler without the jacket, but it was kind of a wash.

That has been my experience with a mesh jacket. Looks hot ( ) but actually not.

I agree. I find it more comfortable riding with the jacket than without, but I get strange looks walking into a store wearing a jacket in 100 degree weather.

troy wrote:It was an eclectic mix of machines for sure, but we really got along well.

All bikes are great, the trick is to realize they are built for different purposes. Great excuse to own more than one.

troy wrote:The Harley rider & I did notice that once the Buell peeled away to head home it hit speeds that were most likely triple digits. I suspect my leading at 60mph was a bit boring for him. His Buell must have come with manly sandpaper panties.

60mph isn't boring if you have the right road. KDOT owns a few too many straight edges though.