LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2-DAY!

[troy]

Gosh, I haven't really destroyed anything on my bike since easter, I might have to give this one some thought.

Andy, it's definitely time to break more stuff on the KLR! Besides, maybe Link has more parts for you! Haul down with us.

[stimmer6253472]

In order to help folks organize rides, let us know what bike(s) you plan to bring--especially those not planning to follow Link on the singletrack. Thanks!

I was planning on one of my 300's. Unless everyone was only bringing big bikes.
Jim

[Foster]

I am hoping to attend. Just waiting on a few things to fall in place. I would love to carpool if someone had room and needed some extra gas money

I would most likely bring out my DRZ400 and/or kdx. Not sure which one is more appropriate.

[troy]

5-star accommodations. 5-star dining. Easy gravel roads and well groomed trails.

In full disclosure (I don't want anyone feeling lied to), MoRidin is being a bit sarcastic in his statement! For rustic cabins in the forest the accommodations including the shower house are quite nice actually, and the gravel roads are, in fact, mostly easy to ride. However, the trails are not "well groomed", and in fact, there are times we may be on what does not even look like a trail! We call that "Link-track"! As for the dining....Koy's Restaurant in Bunker, MO is an experience all in itself. 5 star on perhaps a 100 star scale. OK, so the burger aint too bad.

[MacWildcat]

Sounds like fun....but I'm proud of myself making it almost two years without a major surgery. I suspect trying to follow you yahoos through the woods would "break" my streak.

[Rick]

Troy, I'm torn. Really enjoyed Arkansas both times I was there but Kim and I have reservations in Springfield that weekend to take in the Springfield Mile. Anybody on here going to Springfield? If it looks like a rain out, we COULD turn South.

Rick

[Lone*Star]

I hate to sign on as a "Maybe" but I gots to be that kinda guy. I am very interested. Either riding down on the 950 with the the tent and camping gear or towing some "small" bikes down with the kid. I'm assuming plenty of trials for non-plated bikes?

I will keep you posted

[KC]

Two weeks from now and we will be riding at the Freeman Off-road Resort

I am just ecstatic about having the pleasure of riding with EDDIE again, and as figure skating's number 1 super-fan, it will be an honor to finally have the opportunity to meet his wife. So glad you guys are both definitely coming.

[troy]

Regarding "do I need a plated bike", and "which bike to bring". My original post tries to make this clear, but I have to be careful in what I post. If you want to ride in the forest and sleep peacefully at night knowing that you rode only legally allowed trails, you should click this link, read, and understand.

If you'd rather enjoy some great single-track, follow Link. Link will take us down county and forest gravel roads, abandoned logging roads, lots of singe-track, and short bits of state highway to connect things. Do you need a plated bike to do this? Technically yes. Do folks do it without a street-legal bike? Yes, some do. Have we previously run into enforcement? No. Is it possible? Yes. You are responsible for your own actions and where you ride.

The Sutton Bluff OHV area is a great option for those that prefer a marked trail system. Don't forget to buy your permit.

I am hoping to attend. Just waiting on a few things to fall in place. I would love to carpool if someone had room and needed some extra gas money

I would most likely bring out my DRZ400 and/or kdx. Not sure which one is more appropriate.

I think Kyle & I still have 1 spot left in the truck. We'll keep in touch. I'd say if you follow Link, bring the DRZ400 because it is road legal. If you figure to hit Sutton Bluff OHV area instead, the KDX would bring bigger grins.

Sounds like fun....but I'm proud of myself making it almost two years without a major surgery. I suspect trying to follow you yahoos through the woods would "break" my streak.

Mac, you should come dualsport the area. The network of abandoned logging roads is amazing. I know you'd have a great time and there is a decent chance you won't break anything.

Troy, I'm torn. Really enjoyed Arkansas both times I was there but Kim and I have reservations in Springfield that weekend to take in the Springfield Mile. Anybody on here going to Springfield? If it looks like a rain out, we COULD turn South.

LOVE to have you or you & Kim along, Rick. Actually, just send Kim. Glad that you have really enjoyed Arkansas. Too bad this ride is in Missouri! The Freeman Off-Road Resort is in Missouri's Mark Twain about an hour SE of Rolla, MO.

I hate to sign on as a "Maybe" but I gots to be that kinda guy. I am very interested. Either riding down on the 950 with the the tent and camping gear or towing some "small" bikes down with the kid. I'm assuming plenty of trials for non-plated bikes?

Hope you can make it! Bring the small bikes and hit Sutton Bluff OHV area with the kid. Or bring the 950 and you'll have a blast on the great forest roads and abandoned logging roads. Hopefully there will be at least a couple folks bringing big bikes, though, so we don't have someone out there alone.

[ajayhawkfan]

Two weeks from now and we will be riding at the Freeman Off-road Resort

I am just ecstatic about having the pleasure of riding with EDDIE again, and as figure skating's number 1 super-fan, it will be an honor to finally have the opportunity to meet his wife. So glad you guys are both definitely coming.

I'm so sorry to disappoint so many. I know the thrill it is to be in my glow but alas I won't be going.

As for Ann, if you could provide her 4 star + lodging, gourmet dining, message along with a pedicure and manicure she would still say "Hell No".

[HanesAnizer]

We FINALLY got our plans figured out....I'm now in for this ride and I'm really looking forward to it. It will be the maiden voyage for the Berg, but if you're going to cut your teeth why not on something gnarly.

I don't know that I will be staying at the resort though. I will likely have to stay at my in-laws in Salem to have at least some family time. I will drive to Salem Friday night and get up early and head down to Freeman's.

Really looking forward to it, just hope I can keep up with the group!

[Hank Moody]

I really wish I was going on this ride, but do to family obligations and orthopedic issues I will not be going. Links is one of the best if not the best off road experiences I have ever had period. Link is a wonderful guy and don’t get his exterior fool you…

Troy described well the type of terrain you will encounter, but he left out creek crossings. I do not fear creek crossing any longer since my first ride at Links. As Richard Pryor once said “The water is cold; it’s deep too!” I strongly suggest bringing a boot dryer.

The accommodations are great for motorcycle riding and heck Link might even tell you a story or two around the camp fire if you are lucky. Check out the website, detail tab, for pictures. The cabins are on the left, the shop is next and finally the shower house. http://www.freemanoffroad.com/index.html

I did a quick interweb search and here is a video of the wonderful single track you will ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pslerdvNNG0

If you are really lucky Link might even take to the lead mine! My first time there I felt like I was in the movie “On Any Sunday” riding up the dunes with my buds (Mo Riding was Malcolm Smith and Troy was Steve McQueen).

Can you tell I like the place Tell Link I said Hi and I will try to make it next time!

[allkidd]

I had thought about participating in this ride despite a previously arranged family obligation, and then my logical side said I better pass. You guys will have a great time!

[stimmer6253472]

I am stoked about riding. My boy is playing football for the first time this year and games start on the 7th. So not sure how many free weekend's I'll get this fall.

Thinking of taking the trials tire off the bike and putting on a dirt tire. Good call for Freemans?
Jim

[troy]

I am stoked about riding. My boy is playing football for the first time this year and games start on the 7th. So not sure how many free weekend's I'll get this fall.

Thinking of taking the trials tire off the bike and putting on a dirt tire. Good call for Freemans?
Jim

For the last 2 years when I show up at any off-road ride, I'm usually one of the only bikes without a trials tire. People continue to claim love for the trials tire for all kinds of off-road conditions. I used one for a year and decided I like my knobbies a lot better for most of the conditions I ride in. So either way you go I guess!

[stimmer6253472]

yeah I have been running a trials tire for about a year now and I am not sold beyond the longevity. They do seem to last much longer. Sometimes I think they are better sometimes I think they are worse. So the difference for me is knobbies look cooler.
Jim

[kendall_smith]

Not another knobby vs. trials tire debate!

Jim, for what it's worth, I prefer to run a trials tire in the rocky stuff (i.e. Chadwick) and if I were able to make this ride at Link's I would probably run it based on the terrain that I saw when Troy and I rode there last spring. That being said, I would take my knobby along with me too and change it if I needed to. Luckily, I have a spare set of wheels that I keep my trials tire set-up on, so a swap would be easy.

I can't speak for the trails at Link's since we only rode the jeep roads around there on the big bikes, but the terrain is pretty rocky and Ozark-y.

Hope that helps.

[kendall_smith]

On a related side note- several tire manufacturers are coming out with "hybrid" style tires to split the gap between having to choose a trials tire or knobby. They are using soft trials rubber compounds, but the tread patterns of a knobby. The demand is being created by riders who compete in Endurocross, since running trials tires is against the rules in those competitions.

I'd like to give one a try, but unfortunately they are new technology which means they are big $$ right now. Hopefully they will go down in price in the future when more people start buying them and we can give them a try. The biggest downside besides the price is that they don't last very long with the softer compounds.

[troy]

At my level, I should probably remove the tire and ride on the bare rim just to even the playing field with all you amateurs. Yeah, I'm that good.

[Andy]

Gosh, I haven't really destroyed anything on my bike since easter, I might have to give this one some thought.

Andy, it's definitely time to break more stuff on the KLR! Besides, maybe Link has more parts for you! Haul down with us.

I would love to. However, I'm moving to Texas and my last day of work is going to be Sept 13, so it's starting to look like I'm going to be pretty booked :/ It's not a definite no yet, but it isn't looking good.