Backroads Touring - Kansas

Mr. Clean · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject: Stampede Stories To Tell?

After this weekend, I figure there are about eighty good stories that could be told. What was your high point ... or your low one this weekend? Please feel free to jot down your thoughts along this thread and share with the rest of us.

I'll be putting together a full-blown Stampede report in the days ahead .... but wanted to share today's episode.

Story Title .... "Danger, Will Robinson .... There Are Cruisers Outside!"

This morning, Britt L. and myself left CG bound for Wichita. With the strong headwind, 55-60 mph was about all I was going to get out of the KLX250. We rode K-177, as I was planning a fuel stop in Cassoday. From the moment we left CG, both of us went to Defcon 4 .... cruisers bound for Cassoday were sweeping up behind us .... chrome, black, and menacing. Britt and I started to get unnerved as they would pass us within our own lane with mere inches of separation! This happened repeatedly ... and by the time we reached Bazaar, I was ready to put an end to the madness.

We left the "poser parade" and headed cross county along the gravel roads of Chase County .... bound for the ghost town of Degraff in Butler County. Dead reckoning, we left the mayhem far behind .... and it was GOOD!

Of course, twenty miles from the nearest town and in the middle nowhere .... flat tire. Thank goodness, it was the tubeless-tired Wee-Strom this time. While we were doing the ten minute repair, three separate ranchers stopped and offered assistance ... one of them a KLR650 owner! After the rapid repair, Britt shared root beers .... we chewed the fat, then resumed our exploration into some amazing areas. Our fifty miles of dead reckoning brought us to within five miles of our intended location .... and I was sorry to see pavement again.

The KLX is cooling down in the garage ... 441 miles in a little over 48 hours. It deserves a good wash and chain lube for all the great (s)miles it gave me this weekend!

So ..... what's your story?

Best .... mc Cool

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2007 - KLX250S - The Nimble Machine

smitty · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 3:59 pm Post subject:

Pulled up to cross a highway and saw a group of Harley's passing by. Justin Begnoche pulls up beside me and says with a smile: 'They just don't know what they are missing' Exclamation

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Smitty

'05 DR650
'07 KLX250
'98 T509
'81 XS650

DirtFarmer · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

The head just south of the main camp got stuck on permanent flush, my hinder got a power wash.

SteelyDan · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:17 am Post subject:

Robert Hammerlund · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:18 pm Post subject: high and low points

High points: The ride from Lake Elmo, MN to Council Grove that covered the Minnesota River Valley, the lakes and sloughs of northern Iowa, the Loess Hills of western Iowa, fantastic off-road riding of the Stampede, and meeting other dual-sport folks that have a passion for the sport and understand what its all about.

Low point: The last 250 miles of the ride home in crazy cross-winds, misting rain, and 51 deg temps. Also, leaving without a Stampede decal for my Dakar (which would have been a great conversation starter on my travels!).

Thanks to Ride Leader Glen and all the Stampede organizers for a great time. You are all great guys lucky enough to live in an area with great opportunities for dual-sporting!!

Roger Baugh · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: high and low points

Robert Hammerlund · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject: decals

Well thanks for sending some decals on. It'll be a badge of honor on the bike!

Now, if you could just move Kansas and the Stampede about 4 hours closer to Minnesota......

kaw4scute · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks to ALL who helped with and came to the Stampede.
Highs? Safety, Weather, Riding, hanging out with "Bikers", Food/Water, Door Prizes, etc.
Lows? Missing the Guitar Music (I had to leave for home), Not getting there near as soon as planned.
Had my first KLR650 flat, on the turnpike, after several miles of wondering is that slight wiggle rain grooves or maybe a flat. I stopped at the E. Wichita exit ramp and on the shoulder under the street light I changed the wasted, stinking, too hot to touch rear tube with the spare front tube I had with me and went on to the house. And got there, thank the Lord!
Yep! I had a great Stampede! All take care, RD

CalculatedRisk · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:58 pm Post subject:

This was my first off-road organized ride ever.

I had a great time on the ride and around the camp!!

Thanks to Roger for setting this up and Greg for leading the scenic ride.

Has anyone heard if the fellow from Union, MO made it home on the spare rear tire?

DirtFarmer · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject:

kaw4scute · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:47 pm Post subject:

Another "High" was the $25. gift certificate from/to Motorsports in Wichita that I won in the door prize drawing. It paid most my bill for the new tube and such. I was sure to thank Bob for supporting the Stampede. The Lord provides.
I'm just wondering. Am I now an "official adventure rider" what with changing my own flat and all, or would I have had to change it in the dirt to count? Haaha!! RD