Unexpected Time Off, What Should I DO? - Page 4

klaviator · 10-27-2010, 04:25 PM

We get a fairly late start today. It's a much smaller group today, six total. Chuck will be leading us again today. Out of the Campground we ride some really nice, twisty roads. Then it's down a dead end dirt road. We take a break at the end.

Then back to pavement and down more dirt roads.

I'm not the only one on a small bike today. Sean is riding a KLX250. I had a chance to ride it before the ride. I'll post my riding impressions later.

The second set of dirt roads started off easy (1.0 rating on Chucks 1-5 scale) and then started to get rougher.

And narrower and more overgrown.

And rougher.
.
.
.
And steeper
.
.
.

Maybe a little too rough and steep? as I take the above pic I hear another crash, turn around and take this pic.

klaviator · 10-28-2010, 05:02 AM

At this point two of the guys decided to turn back. Their KLRs where heavily loaded with all their gear and they had street oriented tires. Chuck went back with then. Sean, Greg and I went on.

This trail was the highlight of the day and one of the highlights of my trip. It was rutted out and had low branches everywhere. We had to constantly duck our heads. Vines caught my mirrors and rotated them. At one time it was probably in better condition and more heavily traveled.

Some one had built this fire pit.

Another angle.

The trail ended just past this point so we turned around.

klaviator · 10-28-2010, 06:09 AM

I went ahead so I could get some action pics. What better place than the rough hill where two bikes fell on the way in?

The hill was no problem for Sean.

Here comes Greg.

Oops

Greg has become very proficient at picking up his bike

So off we go.

We stop at a small clearing to take a break and to let Greg bend his brake pedal back into a useable position.

As we take off, Greg tells me to have my camera ready, he'll probably fall again.

We make it out of the tough part of the trail, down the mountain, and we're now on an easy forest service road, and.................
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Greg's prediction was right.

He's probably thinking how much easier it would be to pick up my XT

kamakaziozzy · 10-28-2010, 12:45 PM

Great RR!!! I headed on down to Florida, I think I'm gonna head down to the Keys!
Later
Kamakaziozzy

Gentri in GA · 10-28-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klaviator

It's still open but the closing of the ORV area has really hurt their business. It is a great place to dual sport out of. There were four organized dual sport rides there this year (that I know of) The Screamin Beaver, Sweaty Beaver, and Fuzzy Beaver are all on ADV and the Hanging Dog on KLR650.net. Danny, the owner, rides a KTM and knows where to ride. It wouln't be a bad place for a street bike either, the roads leading to the campground are seriously twisty and don't have all the traffic that Deal's Gap has. This was my first time there but I will be going back.

+1 Participated in both the Sweaty and Fuzzy this year. Great time and awesome trails/roads/FS/twistys and Danny knows them all. Will be going again.

Nice RR Klaviator.

klaviator · 10-28-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamakaziozzy

Great RR!!! I headed on down to Florida, I think I'm gonna head down to the Keys!
Later
Kamakaziozzy

Ty, it was an amazing experience riding with you. You totally changed my perception and opinions of side hacks. I was in awe of how you rode that thing

Enjoy the rest of your trip. Hope to get the chance to ride with you again.

klaviator · 10-28-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentri in GA

+1 Participated in both the Sweaty and Fuzzy this year. Great time and awesome trails/roads/FS/twistys and Danny knows them all. Will be going again.

Nice RR Klaviator.

My work schedule makes it difficult to make it to weekend rallies but I'll go to one of the beavers next year if I can. Looked at the Fuzzy Beaver thread, it looked like a great time although I doubt I'll be doing some of the really hard trails Danny led some of the riders through

klaviator · 10-28-2010, 04:19 PM

Sean took the lead and headed back to the Camp ground. With Sean's racing background I'm not surprised that he is much faster than I am in the dirt. What does surprise me is when we get back onto the pavement I have to run the XT pretty hard to stay with him

Much harder than all the Big KLRs I had ridden with the last two days.

As I mentioned earlier, I had taken the KLX for a short ride that morning. I really liked it but it did seem underpowered. It had way less torque than my XT and even felt less powerful than my old DR250. I thought that part of that underpowered feeling might be perception since when I looked down at the speedometer, I was going faster than I thought. Chasing Sean on these twisty roads, that little KLX did not seem so underpowered.

When we got back we hung out for awhile. Greg took the KLX for a ride. He liked it too.

Here Sean loads up his "garage"

While we were talking I saw someone walking up. It was my old friend Louis! We met about 18-19 years ago at Two Wheels Only and keep running into each other. Louis, if you find this thread

We spent some time talking. Sean and Greg are both new to dual sport riding but I think they're both hooked. Greg posted earlier about being a dual sport newb but I think he was being modest about his riding skills. His falls were caused by a combination of maybe a little too much enthusiasm combined with too little grip from the stock Dunlop tires.

Sean and Greg, it was a real pleasure. Hope to ride with you again.

Then it was time to pack up and head home. The adventure however, was not over. At least not for Sean. he had to get his big trailer out of here on some tight twisty roads. I decided to escort him. The most challenging part was probably a bridge with only one narrow lane followed by a tight turn.

I like the reflection in my window in this next pic.

That ends the Hanging Dog portion of my ride. I headed home due to bad weather moving in. Also, both bikes need some maintenance. The KLR needs a rear tube, the XT probably needs new steering head bearings as well as a new front tire. Both bikes need their air filters cleaned.

I do still have some time off. Going back early means I still have some unexpected time off. That brings me back to my original question; What should I do?

WNC Greg · 10-28-2010, 08:19 PM

Been trying to come up with a pithy retort to the gentle skewering you did of my many flops, but I'm laughing way too hard right now.

And, truth be told, I deserved far more than you gave.

You got off some great shots and your RR is terrific, so much I've sent the link to all my friends and family. There are a lot of us, so pray we don't crash the site.

In all honesty, I couldn't have enjoyed the trip as much without you and the rest of the maniacs. It was more fun than should be legal. Next time, though, have a helmet cam and follow me. It's likely to make you internet-famous.

Cheers,

gt

klaviator · 10-29-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNC Greg

In all honesty, I couldn't have enjoyed the trip as much without you and the rest of the maniacs. It was more fun than should be legal.
gt

Greg,
I feel the same way. First, it was way more fun that should be legal. Second, the great people I met on this trip were what made it so much fun. And that includes you. You have an incredible enthusiasm for riding and it shows. We are both sport bike riders who discovered how much fun dual sport riding is. I am looking forward to the next time we ride together. I suspect that with some decent tires on your bike, I won't get nearly as many "photographic opportunities"

Win

trblmkr · 11-11-2010, 02:38 PM

A little late,but here is some Hanging Dog pictures. Here is Win.

Greg

Greg bending back out his brake pedal.

trblmkr · 11-11-2010, 04:53 PM

trblmkr · 11-11-2010, 04:59 PM

Win and Greg taking a break.

WNC Greg · 11-11-2010, 06:06 PM

Great pictures, Sean!

It was a blast trying to keep up with you. I've never seen anybody go that fast on dirt who looked like he was riding a bicycle in the park. All I could think was, "Dang...I gotta work on some skills."

klaviator · 11-12-2010, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trblmkr

Greg bending back out his brake pedal.

Greg, I just noticed you had the stock plastic skid plate. You might want to replace that or you may be needing a repair bigger than you want to do at the side of a trail

. Not that I'm questioning your Magyver repair skills.

10-27-2010, 04:25 PM	#46
klaviator ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Oddometer: 4,100	We get a fairly late start today. It's a much smaller group today, six total. Chuck will be leading us again today. Out of the Campground we ride some really nice, twisty roads. Then it's down a dead end dirt road. We take a break at the end. Then back to pavement and down more dirt roads. I'm not the only one on a small bike today. Sean is riding a KLX250. I had a chance to ride it before the ride. I'll post my riding impressions later. The second set of dirt roads started off easy (1.0 rating on Chucks 1-5 scale) and then started to get rougher. And narrower and more overgrown. And rougher. . . . And steeper . . . Maybe a little too rough and steep? as I take the above pic I hear another crash, turn around and take this pic. __________________ Still trying to figure out what I wanna be when I grow up! If I ever grow up! klaviator screwed with this post 10-27-2010 at 05:31 PM

10-28-2010, 05:02 AM	#47
klaviator ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Oddometer: 4,100	At this point two of the guys decided to turn back. Their KLRs where heavily loaded with all their gear and they had street oriented tires. Chuck went back with then. Sean, Greg and I went on. This trail was the highlight of the day and one of the highlights of my trip. It was rutted out and had low branches everywhere. We had to constantly duck our heads. Vines caught my mirrors and rotated them. At one time it was probably in better condition and more heavily traveled. Some one had built this fire pit. Another angle. The trail ended just past this point so we turned around. __________________ Still trying to figure out what I wanna be when I grow up! If I ever grow up! klaviator screwed with this post 11-11-2010 at 01:19 PM

10-28-2010, 06:09 AM	#48
klaviator ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Oddometer: 4,100	I went ahead so I could get some action pics. What better place than the rough hill where two bikes fell on the way in? The hill was no problem for Sean. Here comes Greg. Oops Greg has become very proficient at picking up his bike So off we go. We stop at a small clearing to take a break and to let Greg bend his brake pedal back into a useable position. As we take off, Greg tells me to have my camera ready, he'll probably fall again. We make it out of the tough part of the trail, down the mountain, and we're now on an easy forest service road, and................. . . . . . . . . Greg's prediction was right. He's probably thinking how much easier it would be to pick up my XT __________________ Still trying to figure out what I wanna be when I grow up! If I ever grow up! klaviator screwed with this post 11-01-2010 at 06:40 PM

10-28-2010, 04:19 PM	#53
klaviator ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Oddometer: 4,100	Sean took the lead and headed back to the Camp ground. With Sean's racing background I'm not surprised that he is much faster than I am in the dirt. What does surprise me is when we get back onto the pavement I have to run the XT pretty hard to stay with him Much harder than all the Big KLRs I had ridden with the last two days. As I mentioned earlier, I had taken the KLX for a short ride that morning. I really liked it but it did seem underpowered. It had way less torque than my XT and even felt less powerful than my old DR250. I thought that part of that underpowered feeling might be perception since when I looked down at the speedometer, I was going faster than I thought. Chasing Sean on these twisty roads, that little KLX did not seem so underpowered. When we got back we hung out for awhile. Greg took the KLX for a ride. He liked it too. Here Sean loads up his "garage" While we were talking I saw someone walking up. It was my old friend Louis! We met about 18-19 years ago at Two Wheels Only and keep running into each other. Louis, if you find this thread We spent some time talking. Sean and Greg are both new to dual sport riding but I think they're both hooked. Greg posted earlier about being a dual sport newb but I think he was being modest about his riding skills. His falls were caused by a combination of maybe a little too much enthusiasm combined with too little grip from the stock Dunlop tires. Sean and Greg, it was a real pleasure. Hope to ride with you again. Then it was time to pack up and head home. The adventure however, was not over. At least not for Sean. he had to get his big trailer out of here on some tight twisty roads. I decided to escort him. The most challenging part was probably a bridge with only one narrow lane followed by a tight turn. I like the reflection in my window in this next pic. That ends the Hanging Dog portion of my ride. I headed home due to bad weather moving in. Also, both bikes need some maintenance. The KLR needs a rear tube, the XT probably needs new steering head bearings as well as a new front tire. Both bikes need their air filters cleaned. I do still have some time off. Going back early means I still have some unexpected time off. That brings me back to my original question; What should I do? __________________ Still trying to figure out what I wanna be when I grow up! If I ever grow up!

10-28-2010, 08:19 PM	#54
WNC Greg n00b Joined: Oct 2010 Location: Asheville, NC - Dirt Central Oddometer: 5	Damn Been trying to come up with a pithy retort to the gentle skewering you did of my many flops, but I'm laughing way too hard right now. And, truth be told, I deserved far more than you gave. You got off some great shots and your RR is terrific, so much I've sent the link to all my friends and family. There are a lot of us, so pray we don't crash the site. In all honesty, I couldn't have enjoyed the trip as much without you and the rest of the maniacs. It was more fun than should be legal. Next time, though, have a helmet cam and follow me. It's likely to make you internet-famous. Cheers, gt

10-28-2010, 12:45 PM	#49
kamakaziozzy 3rd Wheel Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Bloomington Indiana Oddometer: 505	Great RR!!! I headed on down to Florida, I think I'm gonna head down to the Keys! Later Kamakaziozzy

11-11-2010, 02:38 PM	#56
trblmkr Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Comer,GA NE from Athens Oddometer: 234	A little late,but here is some Hanging Dog pictures. Here is Win. Greg Greg bending back out his brake pedal. trblmkr screwed with this post 11-11-2010 at 04:47 PM

11-11-2010, 04:53 PM	#57
trblmkr Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Comer,GA NE from Athens Oddometer: 234	Greg navigating his line.

11-11-2010, 04:59 PM	#58
trblmkr Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Comer,GA NE from Athens Oddometer: 234	Win and Greg taking a break.

11-11-2010, 06:06 PM	#59
WNC Greg n00b Joined: Oct 2010 Location: Asheville, NC - Dirt Central Oddometer: 5	Oh man, good times. Great pictures, Sean! It was a blast trying to keep up with you. I've never seen anybody go that fast on dirt who looked like he was riding a bicycle in the park. All I could think was, "Dang...I gotta work on some skills."

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