The Oil Fields

Chad(12bridn) and I met in the Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone National Forest for some exploring today, down in the Oil Fields. We took Hwy 11 to 1036 to Big Ridge Rd. We had nearly started the ride at the other end of BigRidge but thankfully we went on as you will see later, going down is easier than going up...

Let me preface our story with an admission, that last night I really did consider Hari Kari while attempting to change my first tire . No pinched tubes but I scratched the rim - and I don't give a damn either :huh .
I put the ED78-79's on that Bigdog ran on part of the TAT ride and I must say I was very pleased with them. The bike felt planted in everything we rode today which included dirt, rock, sandstone, creeks, sandwashes, and pavement - the gamut.

Gear Night at the Dan house...







PMB rack is solid and nice to grab when manuvering bike on foot, Cyrca's came in real handy with many low branches, did a few log crossing and Utah Plate did its thing, thankgod I didn't need lever and tube, wish I had put the rollbook so I could have used it for notes per Bigdog, couldn't use duffels today as I was worried about the exaust issue, but will put em to use soon.

I also broke in some new riding gear today and everything worked well especially the EVS kneebraces b/c they gave me a greater comfort level knowing I could take a fall more safely.

A guy on a cruiser asked me at the Shell Station if I was planning on falling down with all that gear on, little did he know what he was missing ...


















Chad was leading as we explored the ridges that for the most part were simple trails to get to oil rigs no longer in use, a few of these ridges were really fun and a good length but most were short and sweet little cul de sacs...

And then,



We drop into this, Chad had stopped to warn me and I almost lost it trying to brake, I have a bad habit of pulling in the clutch,:eek1 , saying to myself :huh Remember don't pull lever...I slowly rolled down the ravine behind Chad in the above pic and we decided Chad would investigate after saying some famous last words, ...




How's the finger Chad?

We both take shots of this momentous occasion,






Chad's expedition was to see if what lie below was worse than what faced us here...



Go onward and down or climb out, Chad hiked up to see this was indeed the Main trail so there was no choice but to go on sore finger and all...

Chad studied the map while I shot some bike porn...









After the spill I got this shot of Chad turning the Kawi around...there was much discussion on what line to use if we were to exit vertical...



Unfortunatly we have no proof we rode down this as it was so technical neither of us stopped to get pics, I actually took very few pics today ...

More later...

I'm hot for your Husky

I believe my words were, "I'm confident I can make it back up that if we have to turn around"..

For the record, I crashed on the way back up. Stalled after hopping up a ledge. Got it started, but as soon as I began releasing the clutch, the tire slipped backwards off the ledge and pulled me with it. My left ring finger got caught between the lever and barkbuster. I thought I had maybe busted it, but the pain went away. I have just a few bruises from this one, as I never really hit the ground, I just followed the bike down the hill, trying to stay upright. I'm sure Dan was entertained though.

My ride started the day before. I left Manchester, IN around 2, rode 40 miles to my apartment in Cincinnati, and got on the road to Red River around 4ish. I took 27 out of Alexandria to Paris, and then a 30 mile mistake almost to Lexington. Wasn't a bad mistake though, as the road was nothing but thoroughbred farms. Had to stop for this pic, because, well, it's Kentucky, and this is ADV.

I arrived at Slade nearing dusk. I was to meet a few of my brother's friends who just so happened to be riding down and camping there the same night. I was treated to metts and beers and slept under the pines next to my bike. I awoke early to meet Dan, and was greeted by this view.



If it looks familiar, see here.

Dan and I rode south to try and find the northern intersection of 11 and Big Bend Ridge Rd. As you saw, lucky for us we missed it. That road is one of the gnarliest I've ever been on, and there is no way I would have attempted to ascend that climb knowing I had a new dirt rider along. This was no place for mistakes.

The rest of teh road before that rocky descent was nice, though. Plenty of spurs to explore, and we found what we thought may be an arch you can ride across, though we couldn't be sure. The ground on either side of this section of road drops off in sheer, undercut cliffs.

After that section, we ate at Miguels. Everyone should eat at Miguels at least once. It's a cool place, with great pizza and an assortment of climbing gear for sale.

Back on the trail, we encountered a fallen tree. Using my awesome scouting skills, I looked for a way around, and I discovered we'd have to lift the bikes over. After wrestling my KLX up and over, I noticed a small quad path to the right. Whoops.



These jeepers arrived shortly after and attempted to clear it with a winch. When we left, they were still trying, even after dragging the jeep a foot or so.



Onward, we found a long and somewhat deep water crossing.



The sound of the water and the cool, moist air made a refeshing spot for a break.





The sand in these creekbeds was a hoot.

A few more miles of pavement and we made our last stop, as I wanted to get home. We passed this dam many times, and curiosity got the best of me. Looks like a nice lake to fish.



I parted ways with Dan here and turned home, stopping to pick up some 2-liters for my Sweet Cheeks. This thing saved my butt again on the long buzz home.



Took 11 all the way to the AA (9). That was a much nicer route than 27, less traffic and less towns and stoplights.

All in all, another short but great ride.

I didn't realize you had fallen on the way up the ledge :huh, I think I was a little in shock of what might lay ahead :eek1, but knowing you attempted upping the ledge makes the fall so more impressive , no way would I have attempted to pop up that...It was good to meet you Chad and I really enjoyed the riding, looking forward to more.

Dan

P.S. got some more tips from James(Boejangles) on riding that sand and I think I will go back again this weekend to practice...

Great pics! Everytime I ride down there I find new trails.

Wow,thanks for sharing... You were south of where my family is and it was neat seeing everything I'm missing but scared to tackle it on the strom and ALONE anyway haha

Great pics and story

Looks like fun. Loved the pics.

Thanks everyone for you compliments, here is another ride report from Sept.2nd with additional pics of the route we had taken...


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164381

Awesome pics.

I love the pizza at Miguels. Great climbing scene there and cheap camping but they supposedly only allow camping for climbers, but who knows. I've always wanted to take a bike down there since there is so many cool roads. We rode one road in a loaded down Mercury Mystique that would be great for DS bikes.
thanks for the pics!!

nice pics. good ride.

Miguels Pizza, Slade Kentucky


The camping at Miguels. My tent was the red and silver one, the 3 blue ones behind it were all hot polish girls, not too bad of a weekend!


WOW






Sorry for the hijack.

Such an amazing part of the country that really gets ignored by alot of people. I'm hoping to come down next spring and explore around on the dual sport bike.

Roklyn make sure you pm me and we can get a group ride together if you want. Thanks for posting, btw where is the overhang? I know I have been there...

Dan

nice limestone eh?

No, Actually Corbin Sandstone of the Cumberland Plateau region. It seems like it would be a limestone area though.