WV Spring Fling '09 Communal Ride Report

Kay & Mike are probably napping now, but while he was still awake, Mike asked me if I would start a communal ride report where folks could post pics and comments.

And this is it.

Thanks once again to Kaylr and KLRMike for their hospitality. Their generosity is surpassed by no one in the motorcycling world.

Amazing after the first two years, they continue to invite dozens of folks to come and visit their amazing little slice of heaven outside of St. Mary's, WV. Their efforts, and those of their family, including Bri, Corey, and Mac combine to host an incredible event.

They also prey on the kindness of friends like Nightster (John) and WFOHillbilly (Ryan) to scout and lay out the routes, cook, and get everything set up. Thanks a million to Ryan for riding sweep on "road" ride and Ohioroadrat (Larry) for playing crossing guard.

And Meredith - your biscuits were quite tasty

No, really, I can't lie. It sucks really bad. If you are reading this and have not attended. Nothing to see. Move along. The riding sucks, the food is terrible, there's better scenery in the Kansas flatlands.


OK - now that those people have left. I only have a couple shots to share from the pre-ride, but I'm sure others have a lot more. Like DENNY!

Here are the three bears of water crossings:

WFOHillbilly


Me


And Nightster - the biggest water dog of them all


Great seeing all the Fling alumni and meeting the Fling n00bs.

Same time next year, Mike?

Riding pics later

+1.....and insert as many zeros after that +1 as you can count!

Now I'm hot, dirty and tired. I'm going to go take a shower, eat several Advils and rest a little. But I'll be back, Dave.

It was great seeing everyone again and meeting some new faces. A big thanks to Mike and Kay.

My wife and I had an awesome time this weekend. A big thank you to everyone involved especially Mike and Kay, who were nice beyond belief.

The riding was great. We did the road ride. It was my wife's first dual-sport experience and she is hooked.

We can't wait for next year!

Chris (f800gs)

KLRMIKE was a great leader and took us on some outstanding trails. Sure wish we had that kind of open area near us.

BTW, Thanks for the 5:35am alarm this am. The farm is aptly named....













Couple of "Rider Down" pictures. Rick ( bigrigger ) has a KLR that got hot so it layed down in a big mud puddle. Rick was hot too so he just rode it down with it. ( yea it hurt...)



The second one is when the bike just strayed off course and he had to try to wrestle it back onto the road. He was unsuccessful....




It was on the warmesh side.... Nothing that a cool spring fed creek could not handle.



Think he can ride this creek?? You be the judge...









The wannabe waterdog...

We're home, the dogs are home, and the toy hauler is cleaned out and parked. Photo and video processing has begun. Photos only ...... for now!


Eric and Abby


Me making trouble

The result of my trouble making

Byron survives another Birthday

working on the bikes


Both the GF and I say thanks to Mike, Kay, their family and everyone else for a great weekend.

I can't agree with you more Dave, it really sucked. The weekend started off well enough, pull in to a high rise fresh off of slab Friday night. A gaggle of Harleys just off of stage right, one low rider truck with the thumper sounding off, and the sweet sound of Jake brakes to sooth you to sleep. Bliss I tell ya, bliss.



Then, you put in a little better than half a day of sweepers, and rolls, and off cambers, just so you can pitch in a mowed pasture.



You are surrounded by knobbly neighbors, acting as if they have known you from another time and place.



The lighting system seems archaic, it flickers and requires constant maintenance.



The light commanded a vexing power, lies were a dime a dozen.



Pork fat fueled this endeavor, descending from some strange star ship.



I lay my head beside of a local, something I had traveled miles to avoid.



I am awakened by some bird singing it's own name.

Upon departure, I must pick up debris, evidently left by this tribe of misfits.



Sleep well all, I know I will tonight.

A KLR Fork brace is being offered on KLRforum.com to the thread with the most posts. I had this crazy idea that if some folks who visit the site would reply and post there too we could have a fork brace for someone who needs one or a prize for next year? (I already have a fork brace so, no, it's not for me )

Link to the thread = http://www.klrforum.com/showthread.php?t=6254

Well, Matt and I made it home.....His bike is packed away safely awaiting parts and he GREATLY enjoyed the ride home on my R.....Said he didn't know a bike could be that fast and smooth....

Ended up doing some trailers loading/swapping/etc...Then replaced the battery in my dad's LT and the low beam on my mom's car while consuming a crap-load of Miller High Life.....

Didn't really take any pictures since my camera is still in FL....

Regardless, GREAT time....GREAT People....And a LOT of FUN.....Already looking forward to next year....

OK - it's officially been 89 hours now since my last shower....I think it's time....

My pictures suck, but all I had was the cellphone, so here we go -













Above: Chris and Susan, who got me into this ride - Thanks! Susan was bad ass considering it was her first time even riding in gravel...fine job!!!





When Meredith (SP?) said We were going to the "Mall" after the ride, I was just going with the flow - I didn't know this was the Mall!! Great little shop - and they had had Snickers drumsticks...holy crap....

Very cool post. And a well deserved certificate for Mike and Kay.

Here are some snaps from the trip over, the camp, and one surprise I found on the way home. See the final two pics for details!

Here is a link to the larger originals.




That is my photo summary of the non-riding portion of Spring Fling.
I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did!

Thank you, I always wondered how short people saw the world.

Nice find, good price!



Oh, and for those who care, I was able to repair the reverse angle camera mount. Videos are looking good as I review them too.

This sucks.....no more good food....I have been spoiled by Kay....I am stuck at work all night and all I have to eat is this:

Hi honey, don't feel bad, I'm eating Combos right now. The official cheese filled snack of Nascar.

And yes, by comparison to SF, work sucks. Although there are less drunks here...

It would be pointless to even put words to what the experience was for this year's Spring Fling. The entire weekend was priceless. Kay and Mike....where can I even begin to give my thanks and appreciation for your kindness! I will forever be your biscut girl as long as I can come for Spring Fling! Put me on the form for next year!

Well, I will just let the pictures tell the story of our "road ride" because words can not even describe the fun and adventure!

Bumblebike Matt waiting at the house to go



and we're off:



last stop before spring fling!



after a long day!



thank god Scott wasn't injured too badly....(I hope you got that looked at Scott!)



Don't hate him because he is so cut and muscular!



there were even bugs! (but I survived!)



and the road ride takes off!



leave it to me to hold up the crew with the broken clutch cable! thank goodness for the guys...AND DUCT TAPE!!!!



and there were creek crossings.......MY FAVORITE!



Dox...were you a little water logged?



just waiting:



the stop off at the abandoned house!



dejavu.....didn't we do this last year Connie???





our fearless leaders!



other spectators:



the "Mall"





Larry....do I need to say anymore???





The roads were EXCELLENT!!!



Connie knows what she is doing!



Byron....you're birthday present is an ice pack this year (again!)



Kay's creation! Happy Birthday Flagger....errr...Crash!




the smores were to die for.....





the only picture I have of Kay....(sorry Mike, I didn't get any of yoou!) Breakfast was to die for....the sticky buns.....I am putting in a pre-order for next year!



We took the Sisterville Ferry accross the river and some windy roads home. Mark was kind enough to let me ride the KLX while he rode the girly stickered KLR! (I didn't have to kick start it!)



All in all it was an excellent time that is priceless and indescribable. Thanks to everyone, it was so great meeting new people and seeing old friends again.

See y'all there next year!

You know it!

Now I know where my other bag of those went.

Hey, good report Meredith. I see you got a new avatar, too.

You should have quoted me:

"Hey, uhhh, how you doin'? Which way to the weight room?"

I didn't take a single pic :huh

thanks for picking up the slack guys!