CBBaron

I'm in already

Light weight is best off road, but that usually means a thumper which are not great on the highway.

I can do hours of 65-70 on my DRZ but it is not nearly as comfortable doing that on the vstrom. 

The new Versys 300 may be a nice balance. Its not going to match a dual sport off road but it will be easier to pick up and handle than an adventure bike. The high reving twin and fairing will make highways more comfortable. 

I really wanted to do this but Im not going to be able to get the day off.

Is anyone doing Nelson's that weekend? I'm considering doing that instead.

3 hours ago, Jesus said:

Hey guys. Ok I just move in to Toledo Ohio I'm on a Temporary assignment from the Army for the next 2 year. Im just trying to make some friends to ride. Rode, dual sport, enduro 

I have a 2002 XR250R and a 2014 Harley FXDL. My son rides Crf50f

I don't know any places to ride off rode let me know if you know of any around Toledo.

Im not a highly skill rider on dirt but trying to get better.

 

Welcome.

Maumee State forest has a few miles of trails. From what I understand mostly flat with sand and whoops. A friend was riding his GS there last year.

Michigan has quite a few off road areas, not sure how far those are from the Toledo area.

4 hours ago, Isaac's Papa said:

I snore and smoke a LOT of grass. If you're cool with that, and you don't try to do me in the butt while I sleep.. I can make an exception. 

I don't do well with smoke, of any variety.

Let me update, looking for someone to share cost on NON-SMOKING rooms.

11 hours ago, Isaac's Papa said:

I'll put in for this at work. Shouldn't be an issue. I'll reserve my rooms once I know for certain I can take the time. I will pass on a bunkmate. Especially Grandpa Fartybutt. 

You do realize this is a motorcycle trip, not a bicycle tour

Plan to do this trip. I'm looking for someone to share the rooms with. I'm cheap that way

2 hours ago, Isaac's Papa said:

Rear derailleur hanger for a 2017 Kona Wheelhouse.

 

Did you wreck your bicycle again

9 hours ago, 2talltim said:

 

Just looked it up and yea 151 or devils drop is the Pisgah Hwy, I was just on that last month. It was pretty rough and narrow. It was okay up hill but down hill was a nightmare as rough as it was with all the loose gravel and having to ride your brakes. 

That sounds like fun to me. But then again my bike is less than half the weight of your

Is the trail going to be open this morning? 

The twitter feeds are showing every other trail in the area closed due to the rain yesterday.

(edit) Leaving the house now.

See you there Chris

14 minutes ago, Qman said:

Do you take long (relative and subjective term) trips on your SM?  

I did the Fall Gap Trip last year!

The DRZ is a little lite on the electric power for much heated gear. Handlebar muffs are ugly as sin but work similar wonders for my hands. I have heated gloves but the wires are a pain. Might have to consider a vest but that would be at the limit for the stator.

I think just 1 lot for the Huffman trail head.

I'll meet you there. Purple Pugsley (fatbike) on a Beetle.

Anyone else. @jhawk @Isaac's Papa @TimTheAzn ?

2 hours ago, Isaac's Papa said:

Damn. I was gonna take Lyns to North Park for some skills work. 

How did I not know this existed. I have relatives 5 min from that park. I will definitely haul the fatbike next time I visit.

@redkow97 sounds like one of the Medina trails (Huffman or Austin) would be good. Want to meet at 8? I tend to rise with the sun, would rather not get up before 5

1 minute ago, Ron505 said:

Do I need to spend decent money on a helmet in the MTB world?  Or are they all close to the same?  I'm sure there is weight and strength differences, but what do you guys suggest for starting out?

I dont think so. Dont go ultra cheap but the $20+ helmets are fine. Make sure it fits well. I really like the racheting mechanism on most Bell helmets. Makes the fit quick and easy. 

More expensive get lighter and better air flow. Sometimes nicer fit features. 

If you want to start hucking the downhill trails then get a full face. Otherwise they all protect similarly.

I'm game. What's "early AM" mean for you? 8, 9, later? Much earlier would be tough as its about an hour drive for me.

I want to ride Austin Badger, Huffman/Regan and Vultures Knob at some point this season. Any sounds good for tomorrow.

Austin is new but looks short. I havnt been to VK in years so I sure much has changed. 

@redkow97 I'd like to see how long I can keep your fatbike in view

I like Strava for keeping track of my rides and comparing how I have done. Its humbling to compare yourself to others on popular trails though

I use a garmin edge 25. Very small, easy to use and easy to mount to your bike. Plus it displays any ride info you might want and phone notifications without exposing your phone more than necessary or draining battery. However the phone app work also.

I use the Forte BMX style pedals from Performance bike. A BMX style flat pedal with pins is much nicer than the bear trap style and plastic pedals should just be thrown in the trash.

I don't trust myself off road with clipless but they are much more efficient.

Maybe,

I havnt really paid any attn to the NFL this year.

I'll try to sign up if I can resurrect my yahoo account.

46 minutes ago, Bubba said:

I know you guys love the Gap area, but it's so overdone....a lot like the 10/22 route in NKY.  High enforcement area with artificially low speed limits to dampen the fun factor and increase revenue.  Have you ever thought of staying a bit further south in the Franklin area?  Not that much further, still close enough to the Gap and other roads in that vicinity to make a day ride out of it, and an easier run to the great roads in northern GA--28 south to Pine Mtn (even great into SC!) then east on Warwoman thru Clayton on 76 to 197 around Lake Burton, 356 over to 348/Richard B Russell Hwy.  And if you never ridden the circle loop of 215-276 between Brevard and Waynesville, DO EET!!!  The south side run on 215 from the BRP to 64/Rosman is one of the best race tracks in the area--good enough to run it down, then back up just for giggles--with no LEOs and very little traffic.  Also sample 281/Canada Rd and 1001/Elijay/Tilley Creek Rd while you're in the area.  Given the timing, I might actually try to make this one if the stars align.

Not sure of Tim's plans for this year but you should check the routes for last year. We did 1 pass of Cherohala and the gap. I think we hit many of the routes you describe. The nomadic option allowed us to cover more area.

4 laps at East Rim.

Amazing it is actually dry and dusty now. 

9 hours ago, 2talltim said:

Hell @what did the trip last year with a tank bag and a backpack.

And I think I had less luggage volume using a dry bag strapped to the rear fender of my supermoto.

Now I have rackless saddlebags, i should have room for clean underwear and a tshirt

Likely in. I had a great trip last year and would love to hit those roads again. 

2 hours ago, Isaac's Papa said:

@CBBaron, I've lost your number. Shoot me a text. I'm down to ride. 

Sorry missed your message. We'll have to get together soon to ride. Would have tried to ride with you this morning but I was pretty dead by the time I saw you in the lot.

Nice upgrade @Isaac's Papa

Heading to Westbranch this morning. Probably stick to the lakeside unless I feel better after a warm up.

Apparently I have a reading comprehension problem.

ride with gps has a nice web interface for planning routes before you leave. Easier than google maps IMHO. 

I prefer a garmin for navigation. Currently I run an etrex 30 with Garmin city navigator maps. Once you upload your GPX tracks you can be assured they follow your intended route even if your GPS does not have the streets. 

OSM map is a free nav app with state by state files. The first few are free. It do OK with following routes but like Sygic does require lots of waypoints. Tonic always recommends Sygic for Android users and he uses it alot so should know its pluses and minuses.  

Ride with GPS

I was using it to find and create gravel bicycle routes and realized it is a pretty easy tool for creating motorcycle routes also. Has options to view terrain and satellite and exports to GPX for your garmin GPS. 

Road riding is a good way to build fitness, especially during the shoulder seasons when the trails are often closed. It also nice to be able to ride from your garage to put in miles instead of hauling the bike to a trail. I think its likely you would put more miles, though maybe less time on a CX bike than you would the fatbike. Plus riding trails like Royalview and Bedford on a CX bike is good skills training. Last time at Bedford there was a CX training group on the MTB trails putting down a pretty good pace.