Lawrence to Cassody Saturday August 4th

[The Harm]

I've got the new TOPO maps installed and uploaded. I downloaded Safari's Cassody route from his web site. The site says its planned but never riddin' So I thought I tried it out. Planning to leave Lawrence around 8-8:30 Saturday morning and getting to Cassody when ever we get there. then head into Newton to hang with my older brother for the night wake up on Sunday morning hit the Cassody Rally and head back up to Lawrence probably on 77 as I need to get back up before 1 pm. My buddy Snake will be joining with me and anyone else that wants to go is welcome.

http://picasaweb.google.com/roryharms

[safiri]

Have a great trip, and let me (us) know how my "planned but never ridden" route works out ... like where the roads no longer exist, bridges out, locked gates, etc!

Be aware that as far as I can tell the Cassoday cafe is closed due to fire and the illness of the proprieter.

[The Harm]

I did see that post, I've been to the Cassody ride several times in the past 7 years and I think I've only gone inside the cafe once! It's always been packed! The past few times I've gone which has been awhile there were a few food vendors there and lots of bikes! I'm not sure that having the cafe close will stop people from going there. I'll find out though.

I love going to Cassody because the varity of bikes there. Of course theres the Harley guys, then theres the sport bike kids and then theres the guys that pull out evey crazy two wheeled machine that they can find in the barn. Cushmans, old Honda scooters, TurboCharged Kawasaki's, Honda Transalps!! I love bikes that you don't get to see that often especially excited to see any DualSport guys out!! The past times I've been though the town has been dominated by Big Dog and other "custom" bikes but there's always a couple gems in there. I'll bring back pictures!!!

[ajayhawkfan]

Anyone going to Cassoday on August 5th?

[The Harm]

The Ride this weekend was FANTASTIC!!!!! No flats, only one dead end road, one run dead rattle snake, no sun burn and only one minor "get off"

Safiri route was pretty damn good. Very little pavement on the entire route down. No gates! All roads went through. I did take a few unplaned roads due to signs saying " Low maintanance travel at own risk" Those roads all went through and met back up with the planned course. Snake and I left Lawrence around 9-9:30 ish and hit 59 south to met up with the route and continued to Eskridge were we topped off our tanks and headed through Wabaunsee county. Great curving dirty roads higher speeds "55-65 mph" on some portions then on south to Bazaar and into some open range were we had to "herd" cattle out of the way. Up and over the Bazaar cattle crossing that goes over the turnpike. I don't know how many times I've gone under that bridge and thought " I really want to know where the road goes." Now I know. It goes through some awesome range land. Over lots of low water bride crossings! Hills, curves and fantastic views. Although at the the last low water bridge crossings I did run over a rattle snake crossing the road! I did not see it until the last minute and unfortunatley hit him, Snake also hit him. Hope maybe at least a vulture will have a good meal. Got to Cassoday in great shape although very hungry! So we slabbed it to Newton, Snake and I had already done dirt from Cassody to Newton on a previous ride so we just booked it to Newton. Had some Steak and beers with the Brother and Sis-in-law. Crashed at their house Saturday night. Woke up this morning and went to the Cassody Ride. There were more people and bikes there than has ever been before. We had a sloppy joe for breakfast found the most interesting bikes and then took off for home. We did about 50% gravel on the way home and slab the rest. The trip down took about 8 hours and 270 miles with aprox 45-50 miles on pavement the rest on dirt. I definatley recommend that route to anyone and everyone!! Hope you like the pics and sorry about such a long post. There's just so much to say after riding so much.

http://picasaweb.google.com/roryharms/CassodayByDirt

[troy]

Sounds like you guys had a great time! Is this Hayden's bike?
http://picasaweb.google.com/roryharms/C ... 7366242866

[MacWildcat]

Might have to get the route from Mike S. I'm thinking about riding to Cassody for the Labor Day weekend event, should be the last big hoorah of the year. Sounds like Eskridge might be a good place for folks to rondevous. Anyone else interested, let me know. There should be enough forewarning to make plans.
There's another neat overapss crossing I-35 northeast of the Bazaar overpass. We could probably put together a route staying east of Hwy. 177 going both ways. Hmmm, have to think about this one

[The Harm]

Hey ! I like your thinking. I might be down for the ride.