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This morning I rode to work and it was 42 degrees....about the high for Saturday...I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold so I'm breaking out the long underwear! The best way to get warm down there is to ride up a steep, rocky trail.

You forgot to mention your heated jacket and gloves that I am guessing you will be wearing!

In my experience, I'm happier being too cold on the road to the trails and then being comfortable while working in trails all day as opposed to being nice and cozy on the road ride then overheated all day in the trails. Other than winter road-riding, thermal long underwear has always been a mistake for me personally.

Oh, and my new Mojave bag from Giant Loop arrived today. It is awesome! However, it's not as big as I expected. I'm going to be using every inch of space I have available. I think Steve's Coyote bag is probably a better choice.

Troy have you seen the pics of the guy who made that basic bag out of old jeans? Looks hilarious, but very functional. I'd be doing a double-take if I passed him on the road.

Thanks to the forecast my pack went from half full to full plus a dry bag. I am hoping that I can ratchet the dry bag on the back of my drz with ratcheting straps. I need luggage on my drz. I can't wait to head out tonight!! Looking forward to riding with you guys! I left my drz -1/+3 so I hope we don't need to do much over 55-60. If we do I will catch up I guess. I left my bike at Kendal's and although we changed the oil, cleaned the oil screen, and mounted two new tires, I left the sprocket setup. Looking at the route it didn't seem like it would cause issues. I didn't figure we'd be trying to set land speed records on drz's and 450 ktms

Foster wrote:...so I hope we don't need to do much over 55-60.

When I'm leading, I tailor the pavement top speed to the "slowest" bike. So if everyone is comfortable running 80 except one bike that can't go more than 60, we'll keep it to 60 and under. 60 is about where I like to cruise my EXC450 on pavement. No worries.

Yeah, forecast is messing with my packing a little, too. I really don't have a great jacket for colder temps. I have a mesh riding jacket and I have my off-road setup (chest protector, etc.) When it's really cold, I have my Fieldsheer riding suit. If the temps really stay under 60 for highs, I probably could get away with my suit minus the insulating layer. Like I said before, I tend to dress for the hot part of the day and tough it out in the cold morning part. I'm going to layer some thin, synthetic long-sleeve shirts, add my upper body armor suit, then throw my rain jacket over for wind protection (warmth).

Trickiest part of packing I have not figured out yet is shoes for the evening. I don't have footwear that packs down really small (like minimal flip-flops). Tennis shoes take a lot of space to store on a dirtbike! I planned to wear my full motocross boots for the protection they provide in the gnarlier areas.....but....I'm thinking now I might just wear my more relaxed dualsport boots so I can use them in the evenings, too.

I will have my Spot on tracking our three day adventure if anybody wants to see where we are at:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... tEkrTg1FDc

Troy: I packed my vibram toe shoes. They look ridiculous but pack small, are comfortable, and they let me feet dry out. You could always stop at walmart and buy some flip flops. They are very cheap. See, I am a novice and need the protection afforded by the full off road boot, I don't have the luxury of opting for less than full gear seeing as I plan on running into something this weekend

I figure if I don't come back missing some part of my bike this weekend then I wasn't trying hard enough.

troy wrote: Oh, and my new Mojave bag from Giant Loop arrived today. It is awesome! However, it's not as big as I expected. I'm going to be using every inch of space I have available. I think Steve's Coyote bag is probably a better choice.

My Great Basin Saddlebag is to arrive today!

As for shoes. I have gone to Indian moccasins when packing light. http://nativeleather.com/index.php?main ... 33b74b1fdd I have found them to be very comfortable. The soles are extremely thick and hard when you get them and need to be broken in. Once done they feel like a comfortable sock but wear like iron. For my fathers birthday this past summer I gave him a pair to replace the pair Mom threw away two years ago. That pair was over 50 years old when she threw them away.

My heated gear would be packed if it didn't run the battery down on my KTM. An alternative to heated gear is to kick start my 450....5 or 6 kicks and I'm warmed up. I'm wearing my full riding boots....kind of like not having my seat belt on, I just don't feel right without the full boots. I've packed my tennis shoes but stuff them full of underwear and socks so as to conserve space.

Quick update on jasbaum and my status. Due to Friday work conflicts, we'll be heading down tomorrow late-afternoon/evening. We'll either unload in Fayetteville or Mulberry Mountain Lodge (depending on the weather, and when we get out of KC), meeting the group in Ozark tomorrow night.

SHB1129 wrote:Quick update on jasbaum and my status. Due to Friday work conflicts, we'll be heading down tomorrow late-afternoon/evening. We'll either unload in Fayetteville or Mulberry Mountain Lodge (depending on the weather, and when we get out of KC), meeting the group in Ozark tomorrow night.

Thanks for the update, Scott. We won't expect you until Sat night. So if it is after 5pm when you arrive in Ozark, and we are not at the Oxford Inn, then come look for us at one of the restaurants. I'm guessing we'll head to Rivertown BBQ, which is "downtown".

If you happen to get to hwy 23 early--say between 1 and 4, there is a chance you'll run across us along 23. I mean the stars would have to align, but there's a chance. See you soon!

troy wrote:

SHB1129 wrote:Quick update on jasbaum and my status. Due to Friday work conflicts, we'll be heading down tomorrow late-afternoon/evening. We'll either unload in Fayetteville or Mulberry Mountain Lodge (depending on the weather, and when we get out of KC), meeting the group in Ozark tomorrow night.

Thanks for the update, Scott. We won't expect you until Sat night. So if it is after 5pm when you arrive in Ozark, and we are not at the Oxford Inn, then come look for us at one of the restaurants. I'm guessing we'll head to Rivertown BBQ, which is "downtown".

If you happen to get to hwy 23 early--say between 1 and 4, there is a chance you'll run across us along 23. I mean the stars would have to align, but there's a chance. See you soon!

I think Troy meant that we would see you Friday not Saturday. I PM'ed you my phone number so give us a call if we don't see you at the Oxford.

Oops. Yes. Fri.

troy wrote:Trickiest part of packing I have not figured out yet is shoes for the evening. I don't have footwear that packs down really small (like minimal flip-flops). Tennis shoes take a lot of space to store on a dirtbike! I planned to wear my full motocross boots for the protection they provide in the gnarlier areas.....but....I'm thinking now I might just wear my more relaxed dualsport boots so I can use them in the evenings, too.

You won't see this until you get back, but, these pack down pretty small (as far as shoes go) and are fairly comfortable. They aren't so great around camp (the soles aren't much to speak of), but, they are great for walking around for going out to dinner from your hotel or whatnot.

http://shop.timberland.com/product/inde ... d=11624708

Have fun guys... I'm jealous.
Jim

No snuggling , since it will be cold! Lol!

Cold?! By the end of Fri, we were very wet and chilled. My rear wheel bearings are shot so fixing that is my job today. Having a blast.

That was a great ride!!!!! Thanks for all the hard work and time Troy! You had a great route! That was the roughest "dirt" I have ever seen and the most fun! Glad we all made it out mostly unscathed! It is hard to be back at work today after such a great weekend. It was great riding with everyone that came. So when are we doing this again? I'm free in a couple weekends

Like I always say, I've never (so far) regretted a ride due to weather. However, by 5pm Fri after 3 soaking wet hours in Frog Bayou, running 60 MPH down the highway to the motel in 45 degrees....well....kinda sucked. Oh, and somewhere in the bayou, my rear wheel bearings shot crap. This subsequently wreaked havoc on my chain, but it held up.

Longer ride report to come, but I have to say if you find yourself in Ozark, AR and need auto parts, please see Wayne's Auto Parts (Napa). Wayne had one bearing and one seal, called around to find me the other bearing and seal, loaned me a company vehicle to drive 50 miles roundtrip to Paris, AR to get the parts. While I was gone, a young guy, Mike, who works for Wayne, took my rear wheel off, knocked the old bearings out, and put the new one in. When I returned with the other bearing, he put it in and got me going. NO CHARGE other than the parts. I filled the tank on their company car and paid the young guy who did the work $40. (He wouldn't take $60.) I was rolling by 11:00 am. I was blown away by their kindness. Oh, and a customer in the store gave me a ride back to my motel to get my KTM.

Shot rear wheel bearings on a Fri night should have ended my weekend. Instead, I simply got a late start on Sat morning and made some new friends. HUGE thanks to safiri for sending me the bearing and seal numbers and sizes. Without those, I would not have known what to ask for.

Wet, cold, flat tire, shot wheel bearings, a pull-start, a great meal at an Italian restaurant, a drowned bike and oil change at the Oark General Store...yeah, it was a great adventure! Details, photos, videos to come!

I couldn't have asked for better riding companions. What a great bunch of guys to ride and hang out with!