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I'm itching for a local DS ride this weekend. Anyone have a place they would like to ride? I keep hearing about a river road between Topeka and Lawrence, maybe this is a option? Not looking for anything fancy, just a chance to get out and do some riding.

The river road is between Topeka and Lawrence is very scenic.

There was two gnarly unmaintained roads between Topeka and Lecompton on 2nd street (River Road). They graded part of one a couple years ago, the other one is still there. If you do this ride I'd go from Topeka to Lecompton with you. The road from Lecompton to Lawrence is pretty good but alot is paved. It has some good sweeping turns that's fun on a DS from what I remember. I'd suggest a lap at the Oakland trails but alot of it's overgrown right now.

-Harvey
'04 EXC450
'06 XCW300
'89 FXRS

River road sounds like a good time. What works best for folks, Saturday or Sunday?

weather permitting I just might be up for a ride. I could show you a few scenic roads between Topeka and Lawrence. I would probably meet up with you in Topeka. You name a place to meet and a time and I'll be there.

David H

Either day works fine for me, maybe do the better weather day, whichever that would be. I'm flexible on start time as well. If you were going to start in Topeka and do the river road first, I'd suggest meeting at 6th and Croco road at the convenience store there. You can get gas, etc if you need it. I think there are some parking options if someone hauled their bike in. I'll defer to Dave here as he may have a better idea if he's formulating a route.

-Harvey

Harvey, thats a great idea for a start. Now we just need a day and a time. Larry it was your idea so you do the picking. I just have a few ideas off of the river road around Lecompton. if wanted I could get us to the southern edge of Lawrence for a few roads back toward Topeka. Larry and anyone else who want a longer ride could head toward Eskridge, as we will be south of Topeka a few miles and it's a straight shot on gravel west to the flint hills.

Hope you can make it Harvey since you know Oakland so well , David H

Looking at the weather forecasts from here, it looks like good possibility of rain late Friday night into Saturday morning. Might be a better bet to try something Sunday. I'm planning to ride in so pointing me down some good roads back towards Manhattan would be great. I have never ridden roads between Topeka and the Flint Hills so it's virgin country to me.

Does 9 a.m. sound like a good meet time Sunday? Looks like I will have a good full day 200+ miles.

Mac, I have a breakfast thing I have to do Sun AM. I could be at the 6th & Croco (?) meeting point I'm sure no later than 9;45 AM, maybe a bit earlier if I'm rude and excuse myself by telling the group I need to go ride a dirt bike.

-Harvey

Larry, I will be there when ever you say, anytime works for me. Most of the roads are quick , starting at 9:30 or so would be fine with me. We could meet at the earlier time and ride the Oakland trails till Harvey shows up, then take off for the dual sport ride. I don't know the trails very well, but we can't get too lost can we ?

David h

9:30 - 9:45 works for me....more time to sleep in! Haven't heard anything about the Oakland trails before, what are we in for?

I rode from Topeka to Lecompton today ont he river road. The one unmaintained road was a little greasy since it doesn't get much sun but I made it OK. My 70% worn rear tire didn't help any. Just watch out for the Buick sized boulders, the off camber switchbacks, and the hidden wet logs that try to wipe your front end out. A few big rock ledges to negotiate too. It dead ends at the top so we'll go up and down both. Should be perfect tomorrow. The other one has a low water bridge in it but it was dry. I also found a short section of 2 track where somone had built a wooden deck and set a self contained camper back in the woods overlooking the river. Pretty neat. There was a sign board posted at the entrance but whatever it said fell off long ago so I took a chance and rode up into it. I'm pretty sure it was private property. Good thing I never heard any shotgun blasts or Deliverence music. I can show you a lap of the still rideable main trail at Oakland if you want. Your call, I can go eother way on that. See you between 9;30/9;45 tomorrow.

-Harvey
'04 EXC450
'06 300XCW
'89 FXRS

Had a great ride today. Three of us met in Topeka and rode the scenic river road to Lawrence. Then headed south past Clinton Lake towards Lone Star Lake. With rain this year, everything is still lush green, made for some beautiful day. We rode some good low maintenance roads including a creek crossing with a non-existent bridge (Rock Creek?). David and Terry peeled off for home near Overbrook, while I headed west on a route David created for me. Some interesting low maintenance sections between Harveyville and Eskridge. I headed north from Eskridge on the great low maintenance lower section of Snokomo Road. Had a total of 220 miles for today.

Eastern Wabaunsee is in prime shape for a group ride. I haven't seen the roads in this bad of shape in a long time. Good sections right now will be lower Snokomo, Rockton, Boothill, and Dawson Hill. Pretty sure it's been more than a year since some of these roads have been graded. Many chances for the Oh shit factor when you top a hill and hit a completely destroyed downhill section. I might try putting something together later this month.

I need to read this more often! I would have road with you guys! Terry, call me if you want somebody to go riding with. I'm getting tired of riding by myself.