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biglou
Let's see, pre-DW ride at Cooperland with DRN'ers-How could I resist?! I had four folding tables for DW that I could bring down and save that trouble for the actual DW pilgrimage, too. Then, Stan and I are dealing on the kTm. I get to thinking, "How 'bout I bring down and you ride it for the day. If you like it. Take it with you? Leave that cute 600 with the streamers and bell at Thump's?" The plan is in place. It took some creative packing, to say the least, to get both the 426 and the kTm loaded along with four 30x72 tables that fold in the middle, but I managed. The good thing was, that with any luck, the load would be about 400 lbs. lighter on the return trip. So I pull up to the gate about 945 or so, Milky rides over and shows me the "Secret Entrance" into Casa del Brownie", and I am in. Wow, it's hot already: mid-90's. I was listening to Car Talk on the local OSU station out of Stillwater, and it was calling for 103 for the high. Ouch. Add to that the fact that KC has been breaking heat records left and right, with only one day in the 90's in the past eight days. The rest were inthe 104-107 range. Anywho, I hear rumblings that Thump isn't going to make it. "Please tell me you're joking?" "Nope". Well dang. Looks like the punkin is going home with me. That means dragging a trailer to DW despite my best efforts to purge the inventory prior to that. Then, a white GMC is at the main gate, and Milk goes off again to show the way to the secret entrance. It's Taraker! And he has Stan in the cab with him. At this point, I begin to question Grady's judgement-Letting stan go out of state with Matt and all... Now, to the riding: The track was shortened considerably, with the back section cut off-the "woods" turn, into the back corner that twists around and eventually leads to the step-up. Other than that, it was all there. One problem-Things are hardpacked and very dry. Not any fault of Brownie's, mind you. He has made some huge improvements to the place. I also noticed there are now signs directing you in starting at Hwy51 and Coyle Rd. Kudos. Well, after working up a serious sweat unloading bikes, tables, gear, EZ-up, etc. We headed out. The biggest change to the parts we could ride was the rythm section. The tabletop that was in the middle of it is gone, and the first two jumps leading into the section have been built up considerably. I was going to do a helmetcam lap, but couldn't find the velcro I bought at Radio Shack to attach the cam to the helmet. Oh well, it was so freakin' hot that I wasn't too disappointed about that. We rode, 4-7 laps at a shot, then came in to pant like old men, drink water, tell stories, etc. Days like this just prove one thing to me-Even under less than ideal conditions, I always have a great time hanging with the DRN crowd. 103 degree heat, dry, hardpacked track, 300+ mile drive, and I still had an exellent time! Can't wait for DW! Five more weeks! On the drive back, through northern OK and southeast KS, the temp reading in the truck actually hit 107 for a time, and held steady at 106 for about an hour. It was almost 7:00 before the temp dropped to 99, and at 8:00, when I got home, it was still a balmy 90-something. Unreal. No end in sight either. Oh well, watcha gonna do? We tried taking pictures, but it was just miserable to stand around in your gear in the heat waiting for the photo op. I managed to get a few good shots of Milky and Yardraker, though. Stan was busting big on the kTm, whipping it sideways like RC and tripling in and out of the rythm section, but he wouldn't do it for the camera... ;)
Just one question for you all: Can you even imagine what it's like hanging out with Milk and Taraker together?:scream: Factor in the heat exhaustion factor and it's quite the show! :laugh:
Here's some pics of the dynamic duo in action: Click1, Click2, Click3
Just one question for you all: Can you even imagine what it's like hanging out with Milk and Taraker together?:scream: Factor in the heat exhaustion factor and it's quite the show! :laugh:
Here's some pics of the dynamic duo in action: Click1, Click2, Click3
