One of my Military Professors told me that no plan survives the first 30 seconds of contact and I guess he was right.
Sat. Nov. 10th
There are a few who made it down Friday but this is my take on my first ride with the DRN crew.
I woke early around 0600 or so much to YZ400guy's chagrin, and loaded the gear. Adam(YZ400) was still in the rack moaning and groaning that I am a scurge upon humanity but finally got his butt out of bed and got ready. The truck loaded, coffee in hand we hit the road to TB at about 0745. After hitting the "Golden Arches Steak House" for breakfast and a fuel stop we started West. The trip out went fine untill it came to crossing Lake Barkley, for the folks that don't know this is a narrow bridge about a 1/2 mile long and in the middle rises to a height of 80 feet or so off the water, all of a sudden the bike dissapears from the rear veiw mirror!(Winds where high about 40 knot gusts) We had lost a tie down and I thought Adams bike had fallen out of the trailer, but thankfully it had laid over and there was no damage aside from a sheared tiedown.
The last couple of miles in I was feeling pretty guilty about not making it out the day before and playing host for the "Meet and Greet" as folks arrived. It also dawned on me that I am throwing everyone a curve by not showing up in my car, but circumstances beyond my control were the ruling forces of the day. We got to TB about 0930, the check in station was alive with activity, and not one bike in sight, nothing but Quads, rail buggies and 4X4's of questionable liniage everywhere. After checking in we rolled on to the downloading site and my trepidition began to build. Fully realizing that I had forgot to take my Ridilin :) we turned into the parking area to be greeted by 18 shining faces all turning to look at the new guy's showing up. Everyone was standing around gabbing and looking at Big Lou pulling the Silencer off his Katoomer and Searge was the first to walk up to the truck. Picture me like a kid on Christmas Day grinning like an idiot and Searge, cautious look on his face approaching the truck like it was full o' the crimson hoard. "Hey Searge!" I yell out the door, he stops, tilts his head to one side and thinks a sec,(Obviously deciding if I was friend or foe) then ventures forth the question, "You Irish?" I replyed in the affirmitive and the festivities began :) .
Well the greetings where sort of surreal, everyone coming up and saying hello and offering names, but nothing really cliked untill the screen names were added, and I was ready to hit the tree line when I approached this big Bear of a man named Lou and offered my greeting and heard, " Your Irish?" All heads turned and I felt like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I sheepishly said yes and the day began, I had made it to the first ever DRN Turkey Bay Ride.
After meeting Lou, Searge, CAL, MotorMichael, Lee, TTRguy and many others(I am terriable with names and I'm sorry if I left any out) we suited up. Adam downloaded the thumper while I was still playing 'meet and greet' and Lou informed me that Aimee's bike had lost the end cap off the silencer and seince I was late in getting there he had decided to remove his and replace it. A rider(Again sorry about names) had told Lou that he had another silencer at his place and would go get it. While all this was going on folks were getting ready to ride. I informed Lou that it was o-k because I was just happy to be there and among a great group of people. So I suited up and pulled out the camp chair preparing for a little wait. I didn't have to wait long for CAL came along and gave me a an update on trail conditions and traffic. Then he was off again. Whithin short order everyone was back and the fun began with "DRN Does Tool Time" on Eddie's silencer. (I'll let CAL or Eddie comment on that) Eventually the silencer was back on Lou's Pumpkin and he walked me through the paticulars of it. I was ready to ride.
Adam and I decided to head out on a short loop so I could familarize my self with the Katoomer, and let me tell you what, I think I have found my next bike! The throttle responce was phenominal and the machine could take anything I pointed it to. Talk about FAST! Later I told Lou it seemed like I ran out of gears too soon and he agreed that it was a little short legged, but more than enough for the trails at TB. Adam and I returned to find Searge, Moto Michael and Lee ready to ride, so I took the lead and we were off. The trail quickly fed into a ravine and I hit a knarly wash, the KTM lugged me to the top like a champ and MM, Lee and Searge made it to the top but we lost Adam to the loose rock in the v-notch trail. He opted to turn around and find another trail. I lead the rest of the way and thought we would have to call a 'dust off' for Searge, for most of the hills I was climbing were washed out and causing plenty of problems. For the most part I was spodely at best and the leaves covering the trail didn't help. Rain had washed alot of the loam away leaving exposed roots and softball sized gravel littering long tracts of trail. However out on the Loop Lee and Searge decided that I was too slow for them and promptly left me in the dust :worship: . Towards the end of the best day of riding I had ever had, Lou wanted to try and shoot some video and we took off again. We ended up back in the same spot that had claimed Adam and discovered that the light was too low and time was running out. Lou opted to head back because he didn't want to damage his camera so it was left to Lee, JayBird, myself and a couple others to round out our chapter of the day. What happened next was probably the fastest ride I have ever done at TB. With myself in the lead we headed out. Up in the rough hard scrabble the going was a little dicey with the failing light but we all made it to the loop with little mishap. I breathed probably my 100th word of thanks to the designers of the 250 MXE for I had little doubt that it's superbly designed suspention had saved my bacon a number of times. On the loop we took off at a pace that was racing the clock, Lee took the lead (That Boy is FAST!) and Jay and I followed. At this point Lee had traded out his KDX for Searge's "FrankenThumper" and it doesn't matter what machine he is on, he can ride. We made it back to camp in one peice and started the farewell's and load up. Jaybird treated us to his ingenuity(sp) with his "Chain Washer" and we all got in a few group shots. Life was good. I made my rounds and said goodbye so many times I lost count. We finally hit the road at dusk and I bid farewell to the best group of individuals that I have ever had the privalage of riding with.
I know I left out or overlooked alot. For all those folks that I forgot please chime in with your thoughts! I can't wait to read everyones personal thoughts on this past weekends ride. :thumb: :aj:
Sat. Nov. 10th
There are a few who made it down Friday but this is my take on my first ride with the DRN crew.
I woke early around 0600 or so much to YZ400guy's chagrin, and loaded the gear. Adam(YZ400) was still in the rack moaning and groaning that I am a scurge upon humanity but finally got his butt out of bed and got ready. The truck loaded, coffee in hand we hit the road to TB at about 0745. After hitting the "Golden Arches Steak House" for breakfast and a fuel stop we started West. The trip out went fine untill it came to crossing Lake Barkley, for the folks that don't know this is a narrow bridge about a 1/2 mile long and in the middle rises to a height of 80 feet or so off the water, all of a sudden the bike dissapears from the rear veiw mirror!(Winds where high about 40 knot gusts) We had lost a tie down and I thought Adams bike had fallen out of the trailer, but thankfully it had laid over and there was no damage aside from a sheared tiedown.
The last couple of miles in I was feeling pretty guilty about not making it out the day before and playing host for the "Meet and Greet" as folks arrived. It also dawned on me that I am throwing everyone a curve by not showing up in my car, but circumstances beyond my control were the ruling forces of the day. We got to TB about 0930, the check in station was alive with activity, and not one bike in sight, nothing but Quads, rail buggies and 4X4's of questionable liniage everywhere. After checking in we rolled on to the downloading site and my trepidition began to build. Fully realizing that I had forgot to take my Ridilin :) we turned into the parking area to be greeted by 18 shining faces all turning to look at the new guy's showing up. Everyone was standing around gabbing and looking at Big Lou pulling the Silencer off his Katoomer and Searge was the first to walk up to the truck. Picture me like a kid on Christmas Day grinning like an idiot and Searge, cautious look on his face approaching the truck like it was full o' the crimson hoard. "Hey Searge!" I yell out the door, he stops, tilts his head to one side and thinks a sec,(Obviously deciding if I was friend or foe) then ventures forth the question, "You Irish?" I replyed in the affirmitive and the festivities began :) .
Well the greetings where sort of surreal, everyone coming up and saying hello and offering names, but nothing really cliked untill the screen names were added, and I was ready to hit the tree line when I approached this big Bear of a man named Lou and offered my greeting and heard, " Your Irish?" All heads turned and I felt like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I sheepishly said yes and the day began, I had made it to the first ever DRN Turkey Bay Ride.
After meeting Lou, Searge, CAL, MotorMichael, Lee, TTRguy and many others(I am terriable with names and I'm sorry if I left any out) we suited up. Adam downloaded the thumper while I was still playing 'meet and greet' and Lou informed me that Aimee's bike had lost the end cap off the silencer and seince I was late in getting there he had decided to remove his and replace it. A rider(Again sorry about names) had told Lou that he had another silencer at his place and would go get it. While all this was going on folks were getting ready to ride. I informed Lou that it was o-k because I was just happy to be there and among a great group of people. So I suited up and pulled out the camp chair preparing for a little wait. I didn't have to wait long for CAL came along and gave me a an update on trail conditions and traffic. Then he was off again. Whithin short order everyone was back and the fun began with "DRN Does Tool Time" on Eddie's silencer. (I'll let CAL or Eddie comment on that) Eventually the silencer was back on Lou's Pumpkin and he walked me through the paticulars of it. I was ready to ride.
Adam and I decided to head out on a short loop so I could familarize my self with the Katoomer, and let me tell you what, I think I have found my next bike! The throttle responce was phenominal and the machine could take anything I pointed it to. Talk about FAST! Later I told Lou it seemed like I ran out of gears too soon and he agreed that it was a little short legged, but more than enough for the trails at TB. Adam and I returned to find Searge, Moto Michael and Lee ready to ride, so I took the lead and we were off. The trail quickly fed into a ravine and I hit a knarly wash, the KTM lugged me to the top like a champ and MM, Lee and Searge made it to the top but we lost Adam to the loose rock in the v-notch trail. He opted to turn around and find another trail. I lead the rest of the way and thought we would have to call a 'dust off' for Searge, for most of the hills I was climbing were washed out and causing plenty of problems. For the most part I was spodely at best and the leaves covering the trail didn't help. Rain had washed alot of the loam away leaving exposed roots and softball sized gravel littering long tracts of trail. However out on the Loop Lee and Searge decided that I was too slow for them and promptly left me in the dust :worship: . Towards the end of the best day of riding I had ever had, Lou wanted to try and shoot some video and we took off again. We ended up back in the same spot that had claimed Adam and discovered that the light was too low and time was running out. Lou opted to head back because he didn't want to damage his camera so it was left to Lee, JayBird, myself and a couple others to round out our chapter of the day. What happened next was probably the fastest ride I have ever done at TB. With myself in the lead we headed out. Up in the rough hard scrabble the going was a little dicey with the failing light but we all made it to the loop with little mishap. I breathed probably my 100th word of thanks to the designers of the 250 MXE for I had little doubt that it's superbly designed suspention had saved my bacon a number of times. On the loop we took off at a pace that was racing the clock, Lee took the lead (That Boy is FAST!) and Jay and I followed. At this point Lee had traded out his KDX for Searge's "FrankenThumper" and it doesn't matter what machine he is on, he can ride. We made it back to camp in one peice and started the farewell's and load up. Jaybird treated us to his ingenuity(sp) with his "Chain Washer" and we all got in a few group shots. Life was good. I made my rounds and said goodbye so many times I lost count. We finally hit the road at dusk and I bid farewell to the best group of individuals that I have ever had the privalage of riding with.
I know I left out or overlooked alot. For all those folks that I forgot please chime in with your thoughts! I can't wait to read everyones personal thoughts on this past weekends ride. :thumb: :aj:
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