Backroads Touring - September 22, 2012

September 22, 2012 .... the broomweed was blooming in the Flint Hills! Fourteen riders were rarin' to go on this one. Alan and Kathy Wooderson rode in from Benton on the KLRs, and sweep rider Henry Harvey - Douglass, rode his Moto Guzzi Quota. The rest of the patrol included; Keith Harris - Andover - KTM690, Jeff Grier - Mulvane - XT350, Tim Ens - Wichita - KLR650, Bryan Gray - Salina - KLR650, Mary Grabanski - Augusta - XT225, Greg Noller - Augusta - KLR650, Mick Harrison - Wichita - KLR650, Damon Schimming - Wichita - BMW R100GS PD, Raymond Henson - Wichita - KLR650, Troy Hutson - Derby - KLR650, and Roger Baugh - Wichita - KLX250S.

The rendezvous point was Cassoday, KS. We rode to the north and came into Matfield Green from the western open range area. Riding east out of Matfield, we picked up Sharpes Creek Road and proceeded north to Bazaar. The photos don't do justice to the colors we were seeing. From Bazaar, we turned west and rode to the Coyne Creek Road basin ... always a hoot to get down onto this minimum maintenance road!

We proceeded on into Clements, then turned east to the Camp Wood Road and the near-ghost town of Elmdale. From Elmdale, we rode to Strong City and the Longhorn Saloon. Downtime amounted to nearly two hours trying to get fed, watered and fueled. Lesson learned .... call ahead when it's a big group!

Leaving Strong City, our patrol followed old US 50 (now a gravel road) to Saffordville. We then turned south to run toward Elco and Teterville. At Teterville, the group split up, with four riders heading on to Cassoday, while the others detoured up to Teter Rock to see the wild mustangs. At Teter Rock, one rider had the one and only flat of the day, but was back up and rolling in short order.

Of all the roads we rode today, the nine mile stretch from Teterville to Cassoday may have been the most challenging ... deep and fresh gravel, with a stiff crosswind thrown-in for added excitement. The 'focus factor' was definitely engaged for us all!

My tripmeter showed close to 150 miles of off-pavement riding Saturday, and close to 300 total miles total after an overnight stayover in Beaumont and Sunday afternoon return to Wichita. The weekend "smile per mile" meter was peaking near the top the whole time!

...... Roger Baugh

Route Maps Download ... PDF format, (816 kb)

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