Scenic Ride: This group of twenty-seven riders was led by Roger Baugh, with Chris Owens serving as the back-end "Trail Boss". Making today's ride roster: Duane Davis - KLR650, Ken Herdrick - BMW R100GS, Mike Hosfelt - XR650L, Paul Becker - BMWR1200GS, Jeff Rawalt - KLR650, Jerry & Ro Valdez - KLR650, Jeff Krehbiel - KLR650, Phil Denk - KLR650, Thurman Brittingham - KLX250, Jesse Smith - DR650, Kraig Smith - KLX250, Kirby Smith - DR650, Wayne Grant - KLR650, Bonnie Grant - XT225, Rick Lyda - XR650R, Chris Owens - KLR650, Ralph Getchell - KTM 990, Bob Poste - KLR650, Max Ray - BMW X-Challenge, Daniel Finneran - DR650, Ireland Turner - KLR650, Alexander Trofimoff - DL1000, David Hardin - DL650, Teri Frailey - XT225, Jim Foley - DR650, and Roger Baugh - KLR650.

We rode out of Council Grove to the southwest, eventually arriving at the ghost town of Diamond Springs. The group was game, so we elected to try a minimum maintenance stretch of high prairie. On the second leg of the course, we encountered a cowboy herding a bull .. and there was no fence between us. We cut engines and stayed as still as fence posts until the agitated bull passed us by!

We rode south down Diamond Creek Road to the ghost town of Elmdale, stopping at the tiny grocery store, "Bummies", for liquid refreshment. We then rode along the Cottonwood River valley, arriving at the ghost town of Clements, and the 1886 double-arched stone bridge found there. After Clements, we proceeded to the minimum maintenance Coyne Creek Road and enjoyed the multiple water crossings found along this picturesque stretch of road. Leaving the lowlands, we worked our way to Matfield Green, encountering fierce wind every time we emerged out of the valleys. It required a lot of work and concentration just to stay "planted" on the gravel roads in those conditions! From Matfield, open range and skittish cattle herds across the roads greeted us as we continued further south to Texaco Hill and Teter Rock. As the day was getting long, we made the decision to fuel in Cassoday, then enjoyed a leisurely fifty mile cruise back north to Council Grove along scenic K-177 highway.

Our issues of the day were modest. No riders went down, despite some fairly technical sections and the strong crosswinds we had to contend with. A couple of riders forgot the "Golden Rule", so we had several group separation delays. We only had one flat, and some minor electrical gremlins on the leader's bike ... and that was it ... 175 miles total, a darn near perfect ride! ... Roger Baugh

Intermediate Ride: The intermediate ride, lead by Greg Mitchell, left camp at 9:00 am sharp. Members of the group were: Robert Morgan - 08 DRZ400, Rob Fagnant - 07 BMW F650GS, Ron Deaver - 06 KTM 950 Adventure, Harley Adams - 07 BMW GS1200, Darian Callaway - 06 Honda XR650L, Glen Krause - 03 KLR 650, Jeff Jelinek - Kawi KLX, Joe Henson 93 - Honda XR650L, Gordon Polston - 87 KLR 650, Steve Barth - 05 XR650L, and Greg Mitchell - 95 DR350SE.

We first headed southeast towards Dunlap on a twisty route that led us to Lake Kahola. Our first photo stop was the waterfalls at Lake Kahola. We then headed west of the lake on a two-mile minimum maintenance road to the top of a scenic hill for another photo stop. On the way there, Rob had a small get-off on the edge of a gravel rut. Lost the windshield and scratched some plastic, but otherwise ready to go again. We then proceeded to the western edge of Lyon Co. where we found my favorite road (that's not really a road, but nevertheless a path between the fences) and had some hairy moments in the mud and in finding a good line through the tall grass and wet mud underneath. Everyone made it out the other end OK, the award for skill and endurance going to Harley Adams for taking his GS through this section.

We then crossed Highway 50 towards Saffordville where the hill climb section is (farmer had cut down a large tree right over the bottom of the trail) but we moved on towards some minimum Maint. roads that took us back to Emporia. We had lunch at the Wagon Wheel Cafe. Giant cheeseburger, a ton of fries, and soft drink for $6.00-tax included what a deal!! Food was excellent. We gassed up in Emporia and headed back west toward the Stone lined driveway, and then on my favorite twisty road towards Camp Creek. We got the bikes mud washed off going through Camp Creek, with the biggest splash award going to Gordon Polston.

We then went to the top of the hill above Camp Creek for pictures (had to try hard to stand up without getting blown over) and a short stretch. We mounted up and went towards Teterville Rock where we met up with Rogers group of riders and got a good combined group picture at the Rock. We headed west to Cassoday to fuel-up, and decided to take K-177 highway back, as it was getting late. We rode K-177 (a very scenic and sparsely travelled highway) until we got to Morris county, and took a mininum maintenance road west, then went back north, and then east into the backside of Council Grove City Lake, then on into our camp at C.G. reservoir. Clocked right at 200 miles on return to camp. I want to commend every rider in my group for their courtesy, comaraderie, and friendship. We had no breakdowns or flats and everyone came back tired but pumped!! .... Greg Mitchell

Advanced Ride Groups: The original plan was for David Hemphill to lead an advanced group northwest to the School Creek riding area near Milford Reservoir, then east to Wabaunsee county to ride the rock roads, including the infamous Box Turtle Road. Tim Edwards led a second advanced group on minimum maintenance roads in the northern part of Morris county, heading for the minimum maintenance roads in Wabaunsee county, also including BTR, and then returning to camp via minimum maintenance roads between Eskridge and Council Grove. Due to the recent rains, David decided to join forces, with him riding sweep since he had a GPS and could collect anyone who got separated from the main group.

Our combined group of riders left the camp at 8:45 a.m. The group was to include Todd Carlgren - 91 DR350, Jim Corman - 07 DRZ400, Zack Davidson - 02 DRZ400, Tim Edwards - 02 XR650L, William Freund - 08 KLR650, David Hemphill - 07 TE450, David JungRoth - 07 KLR650, Rod Keen - 08 KLR650, Jim Krone - 05 XR650L, Patrick Maloney - 06 DRZ400, Dennis Murray - DRZ400, David Ochs - 05 KLR650, Shawn Pierce - 89 XT600, Greg Rinke - 07 TE610, Steve Starkel - 03 TE610, Brian Taylor - 03 XR650L, Terry Taylor - 03 KLR650, Dirk Uden - KLR650, David Webb - 04 XR650L, Brian Wise - 06 KLR650, Roy Wyer - 07 TE610. Unfortunately, three riders did not make the rendezvous so we actually left with 18 riders. I hope the three missing riders were able to join with another group.

We discovered that "minimum maintenance" means different things in different counties. Morris county roads were generally overgrown with grasses and weeds but were fairly smooth. Wabaunsee county, on the other hand, has wonderful rock roads that remind us why we bought dual-sport bikes.

We started riding west and north of the campground, then angling east towards Alta Vista, KS. Unfortunately, an hour into the ride, Steve Starkel hit a hole that caused him to wreck and become seriously injured. A report of Steve's injuries and condition can be found in a separate thread on the bulletin board. We wish Steve a speedy recovery.

Little Egypt Road was our first encounter with the great roads of Wabaunsee county and we were not disappointed. It led us down a rocky path, across an old metal bridge supported by huge blocks of native stone, through a small but beautiful forest, and then climbed to a ridge overlooking some of the most scenic vistas the Flint Hills have to offer. We also saw several very large native stone houses and barns. From there, we did a loop north of old K-10, which is a paved road that runs on a diagonal from Alta Vista to Alma. The loop included some very scenic ridges that again revealed the miles of vistas available in the Flint Hills. All the rain has made the prairie as green as it has ever been and the grasses are growing tall and thick.

After a light lunch in Alma, the group split for the more technical riding ahead. David and nine other riders left about 20 minutes ahead of Tim and the remaining six riders. For the next two hours, we rode miles of rock roads that didn't disappoint even the most hardcore trail riders among us. Of course, Box Turtle offered the most challenge, but all of our group made it without too much fuss. We stopped in Eskridge for a drink and snack, then made our way back to Council Grove via Old KS Hwy. K-4, with a couple miles of minimum maintenance roads thrown in to keep us honest. After dropping Roy off at the Trails Inn Motel, the rest of Tim's group continued on to the campground at Cnning Creek.

Later, David and his group returned to camp. David reported that one of his group had fallen on a gravel road. Hopefully this rider wasn't seriously injured.

We were treated to a delicious BBQ dinner, t-shirts and the drawing for prizes. Roger did his usual great job of organizing the weekend. I had a great time and enjoyed the 2008 version of the Flint Hills Stampede. I hope the other riders in my group had as good a time as I did. .... Tim Edwards

Geocache Ride Group: The geocaching/scenic ride had a little of everything- geocaches, scenic and historic sites, good roads and not so good roads, a wonderful lunch and flat tires. Eleven riders started off with me on the ride. They were: Ron Goodall - DR650, Ken Clifford - KLR 650, Mark Cole - 1150 GS Adventure, Go Kean-Teik - GS650, Julian Reyes - KLR650, Steve Ostrom - KLR 650, Larry Ostrom - KLR650, Dale Riggle - KTM 620 Adventure, and Britt Lolley - DL650 was the tail rider. I was on my 1200 GS Adventure. Two riders joined us in Council Grover because their groups left without them. I’m sorry but I don’t recall their names so I’m calling them No Name 1 and 2.

We left Council Grove heading to Diamond Springs and then south to our first cache at the Clements Arch Bridge. Our next stop was the cache “Artesian Watering Hole”. I knew of this spot because of the cache. After a refreshing drink we headed south to Cassoday. At Cassoday we found another cache and filled up with gas. After Cassoday we road in a southwestern direction though some open range land and then through the 777 Ranch. I was surprised not to see any horses during this part of the ride. While riding through the range land one of the riders, who will remain anonymous, decided to check out the grounds flexibility. He found out the ground was quite ridged. It is a shame no one was camera ready.

We arrived in Eureka a little before 1:00 for lunch. We ate at the Prairie Grass Steak House & Saloon. Everyone raved about the food and service. I had an open face roast beef sandwich with mash potatoes and a tea for under $6! I left full and refreshed. I believe everyone would recommend this place. After lunch we start heading back to the Council Grove. Our first stop is at the small Teter Rock. The small Teter Rock is a memorial to a fallen cowboy who died in a storm while watching the herd. While there we saw quite a few wild horses and we could see the other ride groups at Teter Rocks.

We continued north across Texaco Hill to Sharps Creek Road. We stopped at Bazaar to discuss the final 30 miles. Two of our group decide to take the slab back to the lake the rest follow me along the gravel roads. I’m not sure which bike had a flat first but we had 2 flats about 2 miles apart at the same time. Ron Goodall got help from Larry and Steve Ostrom. When Ron gets his tire inflated, he rides the black top back to the lake. No Name 1 and I go looking for the other riders. Kean has a flat. Kean, Britt and No Name 2 has Kean’s tire back together with a new tube. However, the new tube they installed was defective. It had a number of cuts that I am sure were not caused by the tire irons. Britt stays with Kean to patch the original tube and then will ride back for dinner. No Name 1 and No Name 2 and I ride back to what is left of the group and finish the ride to Council Grove.

We arrived back at the campground at 5:30, riding a total of 225 miles. Ron and the other riders who left at Bazaar were already there, shortly followed by Kean and Britt. I believe everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed the lunch, ride and each other. I know I did. ..... Eddie McLiney