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

[troy]

I'd like to encourage those of you who regularly enjoy riding the USFS trails in Arkansas to join the Arkansas Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Association. Their website is http://arkansasohv.org/. Individual membership is $10 annual. Membership form is linked at bottom of their home page.

I know that living in Kansas City, I probably can't attend meetings or help on work events, but I do want to at least contribute the membership fee and have my name counted in the roster--the more members the more clout I assume.

The Razorback Riders motorcycle club is associated with the AOCA--these guys, as I understand, are hugely responsible for giving us the trails at Brock Creek including miles of pristine singletrack.

[chadman]

Ok, I have my final list and we have a total of 6.

Chad H
Mark C
Steve B
Jim S
Jim H
Chris H


Thanks, Chad

[troy]

Sean (and others who remember this),

On that first KTMtalk ride (Spring 2006), you had a route that took us down around Shores Lake (beautiful!). There was a 4WD road we were supposed to turn left to start what was supposed to be a long, amazing trail along Hurricane Creek. We were broken up into at least 3 rider groups as I recall. I know that at least 2 groups had difficulty finding that road. We finally did find it, but it was marked "CLOSED". While pondering the legality of riding the trail, a ranger came by. We stopped and asked him, and he confirmed it was closed. So safiri routed my group around on regular forest roads up to White Rock then down what I call PossumCreekTrail to the Combs Cafe.

Now once back at the Lodge, we heard reports from other groups that the road was NOT closed to licensed vehicles (and in fact the other group(s) had that confirmed by a ranger). The reports of the trail were that everyone lost count of all the creek crossings. One group, as I recall, reported having to turn a bike upside down to get the water out. I also remember that Chris Greenhoot got separated from our group and ended up riding that road alone. He came back with big fish stories of that trail.

SO...I don't have any tracks for it--only your original route. In my Ozarks route file, it is called HurricaneCreekTrail and is actually a route that includes some roads and trail.

Two things: Do you or anyone else have actual tracks from this so I can build an accurate route? Based on your memory, is this a gem to hit this time around?

Btw, in my route file is another route named "HurricaneCreek2Trail". This is a 6 mile trail that is basically along and in Hurricane Creek. At least the start of the trail was marked with an official USFS trail marker. It is a known trail that I have GPS tracks for--that is how I built the route. As you can see on the map, you could build quite a Hurricane Creek loop if you connect both these routes. Maybe something for you to look at, Sean.

All, based on notes from past rides and map research, I have SO MUCH STUFF that I want to explore. So I may not actually participate in the main group rides. I'll sure help by providing routes--I've got PLENTY of stuff to make sure everyone has a great ride. I definitely do NOT want to miss out on Sean's new 80 mile Boston Mtn route, though!

[fatburg]

Heck, I got nothing better to do that weekend then to try to kill myself....count me in.

[troy]

I update the first post daily, but I just updated it with some important information regarding the lodging and cost.
http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=533

I'm happy with the price -- it is a really nice place. Put it this way, $38/night in this place is a MUCH better deal than $65/night at the Super 8! Nobody has to make the $50 deposit!

Sean, I am planning for 30 people. More than about 34, and people will have to arrange their own lodging outside what I negotiated. Are you figuring about 30 for the catering? Once you have an estimate for the per rider food cost, let me know. I want to give everybody one lump sum to pay, and make it as hassle free for everybody. Then I'll send you the part to cover catering. Sound good?

[MoRidin]

Troy:

The catering guys are going to be flexible with us and will allow us to send them the headcount a couple days before the event.

We have two options:

Option 1: we can do a big dinner both Friday and Saturday nights for $25 a head total. We will have a mix of pulled pork, beef, ribs and chicken with sides o' plenty.
Option 2: we can do Option 1 PLUS a small dinner Thursday night that is just sandwiches and light sides for $33 a head total. This would also give us plenty of leftovers.

I will go ahead and book us up and we can pick our option after a couple of folks chime in.

[jeb]

I'm thinking about joining in but it's the weekend after our clubs enduro, which is also at White Rock. Not sure how many 3 day weekends in a row I can get away with. I'd be in an RV anyway. How many pads do they have and how late can I slide along if I'm just RVing it?

jeb

[troy]

Troy:
We have two options:

Option 1: we can do a big dinner both Friday and Saturday nights for $25 a head total. We will have a mix of pulled pork, beef, ribs and chicken with sides o' plenty.
Option 2: we can do Option 1 PLUS a small dinner Thursday night that is just sandwiches and light sides for $33 a head total. This would also give us plenty of leftovers.

I will go ahead and book us up and we can pick our option after a couple of folks chime in.

My guess is less than half the folks plan to be there in time for dinner on Thursday. I say this because I'm assuming a lot of people will drive on Thursday--leaving after work perhaps--not arriving to the lodge until late Thursday.

What say all of you? PLEASE do me a favor and PM me to tell me when you think you may arrive. Your plans can change I understand, but as of now, when do you envision you'll arrive?

[troy]

I'm getting reports of people arriving late Thursday and votes for just option 1. Unless a whole lot of you contact me in the next 24 hours or so to tell me otherwise, we'll do option 1 -- no meal provided Thursday evening. Sean, I can't believe you are deployed in active duty yet planning our meals and building routes. That is great!

[MoRidin]

I'm getting reports of people arriving late Thursday and votes for just option 1. Unless a whole lot of you contact me in the next 24 hours or so to tell me otherwise, we'll do option 1 -- no meal provided Thursday evening. Sean, I can't believe you are deployed in active duty yet planning our meals and building routes. That is great!

I am killing time...weapon and gear are done...I am in mandatory decompression time now...ie a free week off.

[tom reiner]

Sean,
How many days of ridding can we count on with you?
I know we rode 4 days in '06, that would make it worth the drive again for us OH boys

The only reason I ask is I see some peeps posting April 3-6th and some only 5-6th, I'm confused (often )

[troy]

Sean will reply of course, but he told me he plans to arrive by "late lunch" on Thursday.

I was originally not planning to arrive until perhaps 10PM Thursday. I am now considering taking Thursday off to arrive late Thur morning. My issue is really coordinating the car-pooling with fellow riders. We can talk off-offline amongst ourselves, but Daryl, Fatburg, Safiri, we need to figure out a plan of attack.

I have so much stuff I want to recon down there and now Sean is threatening to introduce new routes that I don't want to miss, so there is no way I can do it all, but if I get a mostly full Thursday ride in, it will sure help.

Hats off to you Ohio boys--it's a heck of a drive for you guys. Sure enjoyed your antics spring 2006! Craig's helmet cam footage was great! So how is Jonathon's leg? (I hope I got the names correct.)

[MoRidin]

Sean,
How many days of ridding can we count on with you?
I know we rode 4 days in '06, that would make it worth the drive again for us OH boys

The only reason I ask is I see some peeps posting April 3-6th and some only 5-6th, I'm confused (often )

Tom:

I am good for 4 days. Thursday may be a half day and Sunday I may pull up camp by 2 or so...but still 4 days. Could be convinced to add another day. I ahve tons of leave to burn and my wife is acting odd by encouraging me to ride !

I know most folks will ride Fri, Sat, Sun for sure...and we have enough stuff for 4+ days for sure.

Is Craig in too? Jonathon as well?

[tom reiner]

Sean,
How many days of ridding can we count on with you?
I know we rode 4 days in '06, that would make it worth the drive again for us OH boys

The only reason I ask is I see some peeps posting April 3-6th and some only 5-6th, I'm confused (often )

Tom:

I am good for 4 days. Thursday may be a half day and Sunday I may pull up camp by 2 or so...but still 4 days. Could be convinced to add another day. I ahve tons of leave to burn and my wife is acting odd by encouraging me to ride !

I know most folks will ride Fri, Sat, Sun for sure...and we have enough stuff for 4+ days for sure.

Is Craig in too? Jonathon as well?

John a Ton says he's in but only if it's 3-4 days
Craig, I'm sure will want to come too

I'll push everyone to give me a yes answer soon.
No is not an option otherwise they're out of the club, posse, what ever

[Hank Moody]

Sean will reply of course, but he told me he plans to arrive by "late lunch" on Thursday.

I was originally not planning to arrive until perhaps 10PM Thursday. I am now considering taking Thursday off to arrive late Thur morning. My issue is really coordinating the car-pooling with fellow riders. We can talk off-offline amongst ourselves, but Daryl, Fatburg, Safiri, we need to figure out a plan of attack.

I'm planning on taking Thursday and Friday off. In order to do this I will have to take the kids to school so departure time would be 0830ish... Troy I can haul myself or the four of us can go together. Wow, are we itching to ride or what; it's still January and we are talking about travel plans!

TBM

[safiri]

To those in the Kansas City area: Carpooling to AR Th evening/night.

Room for 3 additional people.
Room for 2 more bikes on my trailer.

I will be departing Kansas City Thursday evening around 8 pm from work in southern Overland Park (151st and US69) and driving straight through to AR. ETA Arkansas around 1:00 a.m. Yahoo Maps says 5 hours and I know the way. I will be driving an 07 4Runner so I will have room for 3 people in addition to myself (4 total). If you want to car pool, we can arrange a meeting place (and a place to ditch your car).

My motorcycle trailer can hold 2 bikes in addition to mine (3 total). If you wish to use a space, whether carpooling or not, let me know that. Priority goes to anyone carpooling with me. I prefer to get bikes loaded early ... by Tue evening in Prairie Village ... or you can head to S OP and load it in the parking lot (near 151st and Antioch) while I finish my marathon work day (7 am - 745 pm). I will want to depart (not be loading) at 8 p.m.

There is a chance the trailer will head down with Troy earlier Thursday. If so, you will have to arrange loading your bike either at my house in Prairie Village early in the week or at Troy's in KC North by whenever he decides.

Right now I plan on coming back Sunday late afternoon / early evening after riding a full day.

PM me if interested.

[MoRidin]

I'm planning on taking Thursday and Friday off. In order to do this I will have to take the kids to school so departure time would be 0830ish... Troy I can haul myself or the four of us can go together. Wow, are we itching to ride or what; it's still January and we are talking about travel plans!

TBM

Ditto.

I may try to hook up with Chadman and crew if they have an extra rail...or bring one with me as I only have room for two bikes.

FYI...I wont be bringing the 400 or the 200...but something new !

[Hank Moody]

I'm planning on taking Thursday and Friday off. In order to do this I will have to take the kids to school so departure time would be 0830ish... Troy I can haul myself or the four of us can go together. Wow, are we itching to ride or what; it's still January and we are talking about travel plans!

TBM

Ditto.

I may try to hook up with Chadman and crew if they have an extra rail...or bring one with me as I only have room for two bikes.

FYI...I wont be bringing the 400 or the 200...but something new !

Are you getting a new Husky too

[rxcrider]

I'm in - I need to schedule vacation days soon

Are we leaving on Tuesday night? Ride 1/2 day wednesday, thursday, friday saturday, 1/2 day sunday or what is the plan?

Mike, Tom?

Sean & Troy - see you soon

I've gotta go watch the video from '06 - Schedule the first night in the lodge to watch the '06 video for sure!!!

Jeb? Jeb that used to live in the cold north and likes to take brand new bikes apart Jeb?

[Mike Wowk]

Pretty sure CJ & I are in. Just need to check schedules and see if there are vacation days available. It sucked I had to miss last years ride.