Hello to all my northern buddies! Wanted to let you know about this 2nd annual event - it's really not that far to get to Walden, it is in the North Park area of north central Colorado.
Here's the website for more info. They want you to register early of course (but I'm guessing it won't sell out): http://frontrangeriders.com/?page_id=29 (http://frontrangeriders.com/?page_id=29)
I had a blast at last year's Moose Run, hoping to see some of you all this year. It's pretty amazing that they set up 3 loops: A for plated dirt bikes on single track, B for up to 650 ish dual sports on 4WD and some ST, and C for bigger bikes all on dirt and paved roads. I did the B loop last year and will be doing it again this year on my 650. If you are doing the A loop it is amazing - these trails were installed by dirt bikers in the last decade or so and are quite fantastic!
It was very well organized and actually is an AMA sanctioned event. It is a local charity event with a fee of $75 but it includes trail routes, the cost for camping, a t-shirt and catered dinner on Sat. Discount for AMA members.
Here's some pics I took from last year's ride: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16504860&postcount=183 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16504860&postcount=183)
Here's the thread on Adv as well: http://advrider.com/forums///showthread.php?t=754167 (http://advrider.com/forums///showthread.php?t=754167)
I'll try to watch this thread for questions, otherwise PM me (snooker) on Adv..
-matt
p.s. see my 2012 Baja Trip pics and report at http://mattsnook.com/bmw/20120212Baja/index.htm (http://mattsnook.com/bmw/20120212Baja/index.htm)
Hey! It's time to signup! After all the dust at the DDSR rally (hey it happens) it reminded me of one thing that is really quite cool about the Moose Run. They publish maps and directions for each loop, they arrow the routes and even pre-ride it to make sure it is all ready to go. This means that you can pick your loop and ride in any size group you want. Last year was the inaugural year and I ended up riding solo on the B loop, though you would run into people along the way for awhile. I broke my gear shift lever and another ride was along in 5 minutes on the same trail asking if I needed help (used my needle nose vise grips for the next 2 days :)
Since there are NO gas stations along the routes, they even have a gas truck in the middle area and you simply tell them ahead of time how much gas you'll want. You dirt bikers for loop A singletrack should have no problem with a short tank range. And you guys touring on 1200's can take the C loop and stay on graded dirt roads and local highways.
The tent camping and RV parking at the county fairgrounds is FREE (no hookups), includes a t-shirt and BBQ dinner, all for an AMA sanctioned event for $75 with proceeds going to a local charity NYPUM to help troubled youths by taking them on dirt bike rides. Discount of $10 to AMA members. They have under 100 riders signed up so far but are hoping to get twice that. It was a great group last year, non-pretentious good people, reminded me of DDSR actually.
And I will buy every one of you from DDSR that shows up a nice cold beverage of your choice! How's that for hospitality? Oh yeah this is not near the High Park fire zone so no worries about that.
Jeff (Hellsickle) the route planner just published the mileages for the main loops on the AdvRider thread above. Looks like this:
A-loop: ~135 miles total, ~130 miles of dirt. (guestimating ~50 miles of single track)
B-loop: ~125 miles total, ~110 miles of dirt.
C-loop: 150-170 miles
So come on down and ESCAPE FROM RALLY WEEK ! ;D Gerry? Jacyn? Josh? ... everybody!
I'll take that beverage offer! 8) Just signed up for the "C" loop. No way i am going to miss this after all the grief you gave last year. Will leave early Friday morning and see you there. Any one want to ride together?
We talked pretty seriously about going to this one but in the end signed up for the CADVR rally in Wisconsin. Let us know how it goes!
Oh, i cant wait to go to Walden for a ride. Love the weather at elevation.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Walden&state=CO&site=BOU&textField1=40.7306&textField2=-106.281&e=0
No one is interested in a quick weekend ride?
If only I had some vacation, I'd be all over this!
Its one day Josh. I think your getting strep..... we leave friday am, back sunday. NP.
even with strep I'd have to take a vacation day :'(
Josh,
Do you have to save your vacation for a honeymoon? Its not too late.
:evil
I hate you guys! ;D
Jacin things look good for Walden Still not sure about Vee on loop c with no skid plate plan to register on arrival fri as they have 290 spots I emailed frontrange riders with ? on c loop no reply yet
Sounds good Dave. Where Gerry and Fletch, and Yeti and all you other dual sporters? Loingrader? I know Josh is out, his girlfreind said he has to pick out flowers or mints or something. Whatever. In a couple of years she'll tell him to go riding.....
2 little kids and a busy summer counts me out of most of the fun rides. I consider myself fortunate to get in 2 ddsr rallys and 1 road trip this summer!
Father in law's health issues are keeping me around home for the foreseeable future. :-(
I think I could make that work??
If it happened this weekend I'd be on it but I have to work next weekend. :( :(
Me and NDave and Fletch. This will be a great time. Maybe well post a pic or two for you guys. ::)
Wow I guess I better check back here more often! I'm actually kinda excited to see more of you coming my way! Jacin, NDave, and Fletch! Right on boyz! (We hate you too Josh ;D )
I will be taking the B loop and there are just a few of the easier singletracks on it, but it will be narrow for my 650. The B single tracks are all just side loops off the main 2WD and 4WD dirt roads and can easily be skipped however. I will take it much more carefully on the singletrack as last year a rock hidden in some grass took out my shift lever in the first 100 feet and I had to use a pair of vise grips the rest of the weekend. I was WAY too excited and didn't take my time, thinking I was on my XR400 or something.
As to the C loop, the Adv thread http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=19238462#post19238462 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=19238462#post19238462) sounds like it will be going west to Steamboat Springs then north, which is beautiful country. The section below described as Buffalo Pass is also a section that could be skipped if you are worried about how it sounds, but you will have to plan ahead (ask the trip leader if concerned). I quote the above link:
"We pre-rode the "C" routes on Friday. Both the Sat and Sun routes are well maintained county or FS gravel roads. I rode the Sat route and only found one short section that was a bit sketchy. It was signed as "End Of Winter Maintenance" and "May Be Impassable When Wet". That section north of Stmbt along with about 1-2 miles of rocky road on the west side of Buffalo Pass were the only places that required some special attention. It is an awesome route ."
This year they are going to try to have GPS tracks available, I don't know much more info than that but if you have a goofy cable for yours then bring it along. No promises, but there will be maps for everyone of the routes and well marked.
I'll be tenting, look for my black 650 (plate says XC) or a small beige/gold Big Agnes tent. The destination is about 2 miles north of the edge of Walden on the east side of the highway, at the county fairgrounds. The fairgrounds has a building with water and toilets, food is only served both mornings and Sat dinner (included in entry fee). There is gas and 2 good restaurants in town, showers in town at the rec center. Plan on dinner Friday in town, let's try for 6pm and maybe we can all go together. Does that work or are you guys arriving later than that?
Again, for those of you on the fence about this, just check out some pics I took from last year's ride: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16504860&postcount=183 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16504860&postcount=183). Last year was record snowmelt, this year is the exact opposite so I expect things to be a lot drier.
There was nothing in the photos of the B loop that made me think it is not big bike doable. Of course, as in Moab, since i am riding there, i dont want to have any major breakage. Looks like it will be a great trip!
Quote from: jacin theis on July 30, 2012, 02:44:42 PM
There was nothing in the photos of the B loop that made me think it is not big bike doable. Of course, as in Moab, since i am riding there, i dont want to have any major breakage. Looks like it will be a great trip!
Attaboy! :evil
crap!! I forgot it was the first weekend of the rally, I have to sticka round town for work.....have fun..
on a positive note a friend from Mitchell is bringing some motocross guys out for thier first woods ride, that should be fun to watch!! at least I will get a little riding in.
NDave called and will be here today. So, barring any unforseen isseus on his way down, we will be on the road in the AM. Sorry you cant make it Fletch. I would use some crack about KTM riders, but i dont want to start a brand scuffle... but the KLR now Vstrom rider will be here. 8)
Quote from: jacin theis on August 02, 2012, 12:00:55 PM
NDave called and will be here today. So, barring any unforseen isseus on his way down, we will be on the road in the AM. Sorry you cant make it Fletch. I would use some crack about KTM riders, but i dont want to start a brand scuffle... but the KLR now Vstrom rider will be here. 8)
yea, yea... I know..... and the BMW is on the road while the KTM sits in the garage :(
I'm blaming it on the harleys ;) have a good time! I'll be at the office in the morning feel free to honk as you go by to rub it in.......
A few photos. It was a windy ride there, but well worth it. Much like the DDSR rallys, it was a fun bunch, well behaved, with everyone there to ride. Dave made it to my house Thrusday night. Friday, we stopped in Hill City at the Slate Creek Grill for breakfast.
The camp site was out on the sage prairie. Walden is on a high plain, surrounded by mountains. It was windy when we set up, but that died down, and it was a beutiful place to see the stars. Last year they had 90 riders, this year was 120. They are limited to 250 by the forest service, so you need to get in on it next year.
Some of you might recognise that bike. Snook was the reason we were there. He invited us last year. I didnt make it then, but he ribbed me enough that i wasn't going to miss it this year.
The camping was simple, but tents and bikes always get me excited to ride.
The "C" loop was big bike freindly. 180 mile loop over Bufffalo pass on NF roads, a little pavement into Steamboat Springs. The views were great.
Here is a nice view of Steamboat coming down the west side of Buffalo pass. We made a stop at Clark for lunch. After this there are no gas of food stops. We had about 90 miles left at this point.
Dave and i didn't do the ride Sunday as we had our own 400 mile to get home. It was a perfect, still morning, which means ballooning. Nice. We went through Gould to the Moose Visitor Center. It is a nice info stop, but true to form, i didn't see any moose. I think they are related to Snipes.... anyway, had to get a shot of Dave going over a pass.
Last but not least, a shot of Dave as he holds his temper.... We had a nice route plotted out, but somewhere along the way my GPS (yes i trusted it) said if we turned right, it was a shorter route. The two track in the background was what we did for about 40 miles. Dave was gracious considering he missed breakfast and we were still in the woods at noon. It worked out in the end (for me) as i had a partner to ride some remote stuff i wouldnt have seen on my own. Loaded big bikes are not ideal for this type of road, but Ewan and Charlie did it. ;D
Thanks for the report. Wish I could have made it.
I kicked myself all weekend for not taking a day without pay to go. looks like you had a blast!
Great pics Jase I'll try to get some up.
I did the B loop which was an entirely different beast. Out of 9 hours about 1 was graded county roads, 5 were medium rocky 4WD, 1 was damn rocky 4WD and 2 were single track.
The most extreme was about 1 hour of very tight single track, all first gear and some clutch slipping stuff, including the infamous Calamity Pass which even though it was a super dry year drought year, had about 3 greasy slimy root filled mudholes and tree roots where you had to paddle through and try to get your spinning wheels over the next root. It brought back painful memories from riding enduros there, as they have had some national enduros on that very track I was on. Did NOT like it, mudholes suck and I did not have knobbies on, only the Mefo Explorers but they actually did find and I did not fall down in the mud. So overall I survived it, it only lasted about 10 minutes and know it feels like I accomplished something I never would have attempted had I known! :o
As always, each hard singletrack section is an optional side spur so we didn't even HAVE to do it. The other singletracks were wide and really fun, in the trees, some berms, whoops, man it was awesome! At 5:30 we were running out of gas to make it back to the gas stop they provide for you, but we didn't run out, and barely made it back to the showers before they closed at 7 at the community pool - they stayed open later just for our group.
There were plenty of KLR's on the B loop and they all made it too, nobody broke down, nobody got hurt - all in all a great time. I will post some pics when I get time, I promise!
-matt