Well, last Sunday I rode a motorcycle “up north” for the first time ever. I rode the Geels south trail, and for someone who has lived most of his life in southeast Michigan (Taylor), it was fun to ride a true “trail”. I had a 1973 Suzuki TS100 and 1976 RM125 in my teens, and rode a mile away from my house on a large chunk of undeveloped land--once the building started in the late seventies, well, you know . . . Never raced the RM125, but used to ride/train very hard and could ride at a good clip--then went some 25 years without a motorcycle (what was I thinking?). Well, several years ago, knowing that there are virtually no legal off-road riding areas nearby, I purchased a 2002 Yamaha XT225 (dual sport) so I could legally putt-putt around on side streets and get in a little bit of riding.
Inspired by the trail reports of Terry Nestrick, Woodsy, 2TrakR, and others, I decided to try one of the trails, and selected Geels south. Due to time constraints, this was an “up and back in one day” trip. I planned on being on the road by 8:00 am , but it was closer to 9:00 am by the time I got everything loaded, etc. Started getting anxious to get on the road. Pretty much remembered to take everything except a supply of CDs (just had to make do with the Herb Albert CD already in the player). No adventures during the three hour drive except for some guy in a minivan. There were a few short construction areas where traffic stopped momentarily, and I am stopped in the right lane, and this guy comes flying up in the left lane (where traffic has also stopped), and at the very last second he swerves to avoid the vehicle in front of him and swerves into the right lane ahead of me. A few miles later, he pulled the same maneuver up ahead with another set of vehicles, and then once past the construction area, I noticed him periodically drifting about three feet over the right line of the freeway. Well, suffice it to say that I when I finally passed this guy, I gave him a wide berth and got by as quickly as possible. Some miles later, after a rest stop, I had to pass him again, and each time I would watch in my rear view mirror and make sure that he was dropping behind (kind of like Dennis Weaver in that old movie, Duel). By the time I got to St. Helens, purchased gas and a local map, and had lunch, it was about 1:00 when I was unloading my bike in the parking lot--only a few other people were there. It would be a large understatement to say that conditions were very dusty. Based upon the behavior of riders when I arrived and when I left, there must be some unwritten rule that once you start your motorcycle or quad you must race around the parking lot kicking up a huge dust cloud.
I started my bike and crossed old 76, and I ran into a fellow XT225 rider heading back to the parking lot. He told me that the sand is a real bear, and says that since my bike is plated, I should consider taking the seasonal road to the trail. Well, here is where I got a bit turned around. I started off on a dirt (sand) road to the left, and after about 3 -4 miles ended up at a campground. I head back to the starting area and, this time head down the right road. At this point, I should note that if there is any doubt in anyone‘s mind, stock OEM street legal knobbies are not the hot set-up for a very sandy road, especially a 2.75 front tire. Now keep in mind, it has been some 27 years since I have ridden a motorcycle on sand. Fortunately, some of the old balance and reactions still remained in my 44 year old body, and I was doing OK on the sand road. Just trying to keep my weight back and the power on, but not trying not to go beyond second or third gear, because at times, the front wheel inexplicably starts to wander as though yanked by some malevolent sand monster. By the way, it is strange how a ride on a sandy road can make you so excited when a patch of gravel occurs (some gravel is coming up in the road--goody!). Well, I am now on the right road and more or less tracking along on a straight line (have to give my motorcycle its head once in a while and move off to the right or left), when all of a sudden, a little dark gray critter is wandering down the road toward me on the right side. Really not sure what he was (not a gray squirrel or a possum), but he had a roundish body and a stubby tail. I am waiting for him to do the usual wild animal thing and scurry off into the brush, but he is a particularly earnest little fellow and he is just looking up at me and trotting along toward me. My first thought is, you are not really going to make me try an “intentional” turn in this sand, are you Mr. Forest Creature? Alas, that is exactly what I had to do, and suffice it to say the maneuver involved some use of my legs as outriggers (not the first or last time on these roads), but both myself and Mr. FC went on our separate ways.
Once I finally got on the “official” trail, I was rewarded for all my sand road riding with . . . more sand, except now, it has the additional challenge of deep whoops. Now, 2TrakR had kindly given me a heads up about the sand at Geels south and even suggested that I might want to take the seasonal roads to avoid the worst of it (I think that was his polite way of saying, “you are going to ride a stock dual sport 225 trail bike on a sandy, whooped out trail? Are you kidding?” The problem was, although I have a very good sense of direction on paved roads, the lack of a detailed map and any kind of road markings did not give me any confidence that I could hop on a seasonal road and then hop back on the trail, and have any idea of where I was actually at (I did not want my first trail ride to involve tracking dogs and helicopters with search lights--Woodsy, you will never hear me tease you about trail directions). There was another factor, though, and it was that I was a bit stubborn and wanted to ride the complete distance of the trail. There are times when this type of stubbornness is a good thing, and times when it is not. This time, not so good (more about that later). I am riding along, and I am thinking about Terry’s trail report from last spring that involved a lot of water crossings. I have the opposite problem. The trail is SO dry, that it is mostly deep sand and deep whoops. I get my weight back and keep the power on, and my little XT225 is gamely handling the challenge. The XT does not, of course, have motocross suspension, so I am in first and second gear, and not trying to skim the tops of the whoops as in my RM125 days. I am standing on the pegs motoring up and down the whoops, and wondering how long the sand is going to last. As it turned out, I would guess that about 2/3 to 3/4 of the trail length was deep sand, and at least half of it was deep whoops. It was such fun when a hard packed section through the woods would come along. Third gear, weaving around obstacles, and even better was the occasional hill. I have to say that the hills were a treat, and one of the reasons that I selected Geels south.
After some two hours of non stop riding, I am getting tired, but did not stop and take a break partly because I did not want to be driving home late at night. Remember, I cannot blast down the trail and skim the tops of the whoops, but also I do not want this to turn into a five hour trail ride. I should add that I work at a desk, and am not proud to say that I have been leading a largely sedentary life style. I am starting to have my right foot pulled down and under by an occasional stump or rock. I believe the first time was when the trail was heading gradually down hill, and I did not realize it and picked up some extra speed. After that first episode, I started to get better at anticipating a gradual downhill. I also had my left foot come off the peg and then the peg hit the front of my left leg. It finally happened, however, and after almost two hours of riding the deep sand/whoops, I came to an abrupt stop with the bars locked to the right or left, and just . . . fell over. It kind of surprised and irritated me. There was no damage to my myself or my bike (not even the mirrors or turn signals). I kept going and a short time later, it happened again. It happened again as I was heading up a long, sandy hill. I picked up the XT, started it back up, shifted in to first, and it gamely scampered up the rest of the hill. Can’t remember if it happened before or after the hill, but I was riding on relatively flat, sandy ground when I again came to an abrupt, bars-locked stop and fell over to the right. This was the most serious fall, not because of any speed, but my right knee hit the ground first and then my leg was pinned under the 238 lb (dry weight) bike with my right foot pointed to the right. I was straddling the bike and when I tried to move my left leg, I fell a sharp pain on my inner left calf as it was burned by the exhaust. I could not move my right leg, and when I tried to move my left, it was burned again. Hmmm, not good. I stopped trying to move for a few moments, and then worked on freeing my right leg. With some gentle effort, I was able to shift my right foot ever so slightly, and after a short time (probably just 20 to 30 seconds, but it seemed longer), I was able to free my right leg and right my bike (again, no damage). The last 45 minutes of the ride seemed more like an endurance run than anything, but I was able to enjoy some of the views and the occasional hard packed section of trail. I completed the trail in less than three hours, and I was really tired when I arrived at my truck. With construction zones, etc. , it was about 8 o’clock when I pulled into my driveway.
Some afterthoughts:
When I noticed that Terry Nestrick rides a CRF450, my first thought was, “Wow, Terry really takes his trail riding seriously.” Having ridden the mostly sandy, and whooped 22 miles of Geels south, I would now add, “Terry chose wisely”. To me, the trail seemed to be more of a motocross course (even many of the turns were sandy berms) than a woods trail. My little XT did a terrific job considering the conditions, and any falls were due to my own lack of conditioning and less than optimal tires, but before I would ride on a trail like Geels south again, I would A) be in better condition, and B) be mounted on a full bore motocross bike or enduro bike (not a dual sport trail bike).
I ended up with a mild four inch burn on my left leg, and just a slightly bruised right knee. Not trying to preach to anyone, but I know better than to ride past the point of fatigue, and I could have been seriously injured a number of times. Some of my long dormant riding skills were returning, but after several hours, fatigue was a serious danger. I would be drifting toward a tree or branch, my mind would send the proper instructions for weight placement, throttle, and bar movement, and there would be a delayed reaction by my body. It is worth noting that my “sand falls” all occurred after fatigue set in. The combination of riding by yourself (I did not see another rider while I was on the trail) and fatigue is not a good one. Also, jeans and work boots are OK for putt-putt riding on side streets, but probably not OK for serious trail riding. I did, however, have a full face helmet and a fully padded Joe Rocket jacket.
Despite all my complaining about the sand/whoops, I am completely impressed that the CCC (working with government agencies) has been able to develop trails like Geels all over northern Michigan. It only takes one ride to appreciate all of the work involved in not only establishing a trail, but keeping it clear of brush, fallen trees, etc.
I would like to ride some other trails, but if possible, would like find some with less sand/whoops and more hills. Not sure if the “less sand” part is doable in Michigan. If I recall my seventh grade Michigan History class, most of Michigan was once covered with a salt ocean (hence the huge salt mines under Detroit), so sand is prevalent. I am hoping to try one of the dual sport routes set up by the CCC and the Great Lakes Dual Sporters. Probably a better fit given my current fitness level and motorcycle. I intend to keep my XT225, so I could also buy a KTM or Gas Gas for the trails. That’s not being extravagant, that’s merely buying the proper equipment, right? One might say it is being downright responsible . . .
Thanks for reading my story.
Tom
Inspired by the trail reports of Terry Nestrick, Woodsy, 2TrakR, and others, I decided to try one of the trails, and selected Geels south. Due to time constraints, this was an “up and back in one day” trip. I planned on being on the road by 8:00 am , but it was closer to 9:00 am by the time I got everything loaded, etc. Started getting anxious to get on the road. Pretty much remembered to take everything except a supply of CDs (just had to make do with the Herb Albert CD already in the player). No adventures during the three hour drive except for some guy in a minivan. There were a few short construction areas where traffic stopped momentarily, and I am stopped in the right lane, and this guy comes flying up in the left lane (where traffic has also stopped), and at the very last second he swerves to avoid the vehicle in front of him and swerves into the right lane ahead of me. A few miles later, he pulled the same maneuver up ahead with another set of vehicles, and then once past the construction area, I noticed him periodically drifting about three feet over the right line of the freeway. Well, suffice it to say that I when I finally passed this guy, I gave him a wide berth and got by as quickly as possible. Some miles later, after a rest stop, I had to pass him again, and each time I would watch in my rear view mirror and make sure that he was dropping behind (kind of like Dennis Weaver in that old movie, Duel). By the time I got to St. Helens, purchased gas and a local map, and had lunch, it was about 1:00 when I was unloading my bike in the parking lot--only a few other people were there. It would be a large understatement to say that conditions were very dusty. Based upon the behavior of riders when I arrived and when I left, there must be some unwritten rule that once you start your motorcycle or quad you must race around the parking lot kicking up a huge dust cloud.
I started my bike and crossed old 76, and I ran into a fellow XT225 rider heading back to the parking lot. He told me that the sand is a real bear, and says that since my bike is plated, I should consider taking the seasonal road to the trail. Well, here is where I got a bit turned around. I started off on a dirt (sand) road to the left, and after about 3 -4 miles ended up at a campground. I head back to the starting area and, this time head down the right road. At this point, I should note that if there is any doubt in anyone‘s mind, stock OEM street legal knobbies are not the hot set-up for a very sandy road, especially a 2.75 front tire. Now keep in mind, it has been some 27 years since I have ridden a motorcycle on sand. Fortunately, some of the old balance and reactions still remained in my 44 year old body, and I was doing OK on the sand road. Just trying to keep my weight back and the power on, but not trying not to go beyond second or third gear, because at times, the front wheel inexplicably starts to wander as though yanked by some malevolent sand monster. By the way, it is strange how a ride on a sandy road can make you so excited when a patch of gravel occurs (some gravel is coming up in the road--goody!). Well, I am now on the right road and more or less tracking along on a straight line (have to give my motorcycle its head once in a while and move off to the right or left), when all of a sudden, a little dark gray critter is wandering down the road toward me on the right side. Really not sure what he was (not a gray squirrel or a possum), but he had a roundish body and a stubby tail. I am waiting for him to do the usual wild animal thing and scurry off into the brush, but he is a particularly earnest little fellow and he is just looking up at me and trotting along toward me. My first thought is, you are not really going to make me try an “intentional” turn in this sand, are you Mr. Forest Creature? Alas, that is exactly what I had to do, and suffice it to say the maneuver involved some use of my legs as outriggers (not the first or last time on these roads), but both myself and Mr. FC went on our separate ways.
Once I finally got on the “official” trail, I was rewarded for all my sand road riding with . . . more sand, except now, it has the additional challenge of deep whoops. Now, 2TrakR had kindly given me a heads up about the sand at Geels south and even suggested that I might want to take the seasonal roads to avoid the worst of it (I think that was his polite way of saying, “you are going to ride a stock dual sport 225 trail bike on a sandy, whooped out trail? Are you kidding?” The problem was, although I have a very good sense of direction on paved roads, the lack of a detailed map and any kind of road markings did not give me any confidence that I could hop on a seasonal road and then hop back on the trail, and have any idea of where I was actually at (I did not want my first trail ride to involve tracking dogs and helicopters with search lights--Woodsy, you will never hear me tease you about trail directions). There was another factor, though, and it was that I was a bit stubborn and wanted to ride the complete distance of the trail. There are times when this type of stubbornness is a good thing, and times when it is not. This time, not so good (more about that later). I am riding along, and I am thinking about Terry’s trail report from last spring that involved a lot of water crossings. I have the opposite problem. The trail is SO dry, that it is mostly deep sand and deep whoops. I get my weight back and keep the power on, and my little XT225 is gamely handling the challenge. The XT does not, of course, have motocross suspension, so I am in first and second gear, and not trying to skim the tops of the whoops as in my RM125 days. I am standing on the pegs motoring up and down the whoops, and wondering how long the sand is going to last. As it turned out, I would guess that about 2/3 to 3/4 of the trail length was deep sand, and at least half of it was deep whoops. It was such fun when a hard packed section through the woods would come along. Third gear, weaving around obstacles, and even better was the occasional hill. I have to say that the hills were a treat, and one of the reasons that I selected Geels south.
After some two hours of non stop riding, I am getting tired, but did not stop and take a break partly because I did not want to be driving home late at night. Remember, I cannot blast down the trail and skim the tops of the whoops, but also I do not want this to turn into a five hour trail ride. I should add that I work at a desk, and am not proud to say that I have been leading a largely sedentary life style. I am starting to have my right foot pulled down and under by an occasional stump or rock. I believe the first time was when the trail was heading gradually down hill, and I did not realize it and picked up some extra speed. After that first episode, I started to get better at anticipating a gradual downhill. I also had my left foot come off the peg and then the peg hit the front of my left leg. It finally happened, however, and after almost two hours of riding the deep sand/whoops, I came to an abrupt stop with the bars locked to the right or left, and just . . . fell over. It kind of surprised and irritated me. There was no damage to my myself or my bike (not even the mirrors or turn signals). I kept going and a short time later, it happened again. It happened again as I was heading up a long, sandy hill. I picked up the XT, started it back up, shifted in to first, and it gamely scampered up the rest of the hill. Can’t remember if it happened before or after the hill, but I was riding on relatively flat, sandy ground when I again came to an abrupt, bars-locked stop and fell over to the right. This was the most serious fall, not because of any speed, but my right knee hit the ground first and then my leg was pinned under the 238 lb (dry weight) bike with my right foot pointed to the right. I was straddling the bike and when I tried to move my left leg, I fell a sharp pain on my inner left calf as it was burned by the exhaust. I could not move my right leg, and when I tried to move my left, it was burned again. Hmmm, not good. I stopped trying to move for a few moments, and then worked on freeing my right leg. With some gentle effort, I was able to shift my right foot ever so slightly, and after a short time (probably just 20 to 30 seconds, but it seemed longer), I was able to free my right leg and right my bike (again, no damage). The last 45 minutes of the ride seemed more like an endurance run than anything, but I was able to enjoy some of the views and the occasional hard packed section of trail. I completed the trail in less than three hours, and I was really tired when I arrived at my truck. With construction zones, etc. , it was about 8 o’clock when I pulled into my driveway.
Some afterthoughts:
When I noticed that Terry Nestrick rides a CRF450, my first thought was, “Wow, Terry really takes his trail riding seriously.” Having ridden the mostly sandy, and whooped 22 miles of Geels south, I would now add, “Terry chose wisely”. To me, the trail seemed to be more of a motocross course (even many of the turns were sandy berms) than a woods trail. My little XT did a terrific job considering the conditions, and any falls were due to my own lack of conditioning and less than optimal tires, but before I would ride on a trail like Geels south again, I would A) be in better condition, and B) be mounted on a full bore motocross bike or enduro bike (not a dual sport trail bike).
I ended up with a mild four inch burn on my left leg, and just a slightly bruised right knee. Not trying to preach to anyone, but I know better than to ride past the point of fatigue, and I could have been seriously injured a number of times. Some of my long dormant riding skills were returning, but after several hours, fatigue was a serious danger. I would be drifting toward a tree or branch, my mind would send the proper instructions for weight placement, throttle, and bar movement, and there would be a delayed reaction by my body. It is worth noting that my “sand falls” all occurred after fatigue set in. The combination of riding by yourself (I did not see another rider while I was on the trail) and fatigue is not a good one. Also, jeans and work boots are OK for putt-putt riding on side streets, but probably not OK for serious trail riding. I did, however, have a full face helmet and a fully padded Joe Rocket jacket.
Despite all my complaining about the sand/whoops, I am completely impressed that the CCC (working with government agencies) has been able to develop trails like Geels all over northern Michigan. It only takes one ride to appreciate all of the work involved in not only establishing a trail, but keeping it clear of brush, fallen trees, etc.
I would like to ride some other trails, but if possible, would like find some with less sand/whoops and more hills. Not sure if the “less sand” part is doable in Michigan. If I recall my seventh grade Michigan History class, most of Michigan was once covered with a salt ocean (hence the huge salt mines under Detroit), so sand is prevalent. I am hoping to try one of the dual sport routes set up by the CCC and the Great Lakes Dual Sporters. Probably a better fit given my current fitness level and motorcycle. I intend to keep my XT225, so I could also buy a KTM or Gas Gas for the trails. That’s not being extravagant, that’s merely buying the proper equipment, right? One might say it is being downright responsible . . .
Thanks for reading my story.
Tom
