Jan. 21 (Sun.) Ride

[Stu]

For those of you who would like an awesome place to ride that a skilled rider could ride a KLR 650 on, Bender's place out by Big Springs would be nearly impossible to beat. Think about it: groomed trails, no ATVs, a 9 mile loop through the woods, mx and grass tracks. The catch: you have to join and pay money to ride on this private bike country club. The money is very modest compared to any other private riding area.

I am willing to sponsor you guys for a trial run this Sunday. I will have releases for you to sign. You can follow me around the course and see what you think. The hare scrambles crowd think it is the best place to ride in the entire series. Harv has raced there and knows what it is like. A few others have also ridden there.

If I can get a group together I will post details. Sunday is supposed to be about as warm as today (57 degrees).

Stu

[Harvey Mushman]

If you like to ride nice flowing single track, Big Springs is a good place to ride. With the exception of Melvern, it's probably the easiest track around which makes it alot of fun. (I wouldn't want to horse a KLR around it though, just ask the guy that tried it at the team race last summer). Stu, hopefully the track has had enough traffic so it's burned in pretty good. If so, it will be a blast. Count me in.....

-Harv

[Crazy525exc]

How much is it a year? I would love to come check it out!!!
Ive been there once for the hare scramble this last summer but was just watching.

[Stu]

Two so far. A good start. Troy? Are you in? Your 450 would be the hot ticket out there.

Memberships re-new May 1. It has been $200/yr. I ride out there nearly every weekend so it is by far the cheapest place to ride and it is only about 12 miles from my house (and what, 2 miles from yours, Harv?) The parking area is a great place to gather and then relax after a ride with friends who are also members. There is also a family deal but my wife said nix to that.... You can sign up for the rest of the year, until May 1, for $50.

Everyone who has ridden there really, really likes it, BTW. We have done a lot of trail clearing to make it safe. Two creeks have had concrete culverts put in with dirt and rocks on top. One other rocky creek has a bypass. Just fun.

The downside? Locust thorns. I've had a couple of front flats so far. I'm getting good a patching tubes, though.

Stu

[Stu]

Bob? You'd like this place. XR-Nut? Husker Red? (He likes it.) Curado is a member and, if he can get his 250 Honda to start he will be there, right?

Stu

[Rick]

Thanks for the invitation Stu. We are going out west to watch my grandson play basketball this weekend. Will catch you later.

Rick

[Hank Moody]

Stu I'm very interested. I have a campout with my son's scout troop on Saturday, but I should back in time to join you. What time are you planning to arrive? How much is a family membership?

[troy]

Argh....I want to come, too, but my wife is out of town this weekend and I have my daughter. I'm looking forward to daddy/daughter weekend, though.

It may work out for me to ride School Creek on Saturday, though, because her aunt may watch her for a few hours Sat.

[allkidd]

Stu, What time are you thinking on sunday? Would it work for my 21 year old son to come ride also?

[Stu]

1:00.

Troy, I will work out a "private showing" for you with all of the trails, uh, pleasures. Heh, heh.

Allkid, please bring your son as well. At 21 he is an adult. He can sign a release on his own.

I do not know what the family membership fee is but I can find out for you.

Bender's location: From Topeka: go east on US40 until you just go under the turnpike (that is very near the turnpike's rest area). After you go under the bridge turn right on the next road, N 1900 Rd., which is about 100 yards past the bridge. Head west about 100' and turn left, or south on the gravel road noted as E 1 Rd. This is also Wellman Rd. Head south about 1 mile on gravel to 37th St. You must turn west on 37th. This is also the entrance for trucks to the Big Springs Quarry. The quarry borders Bender's property on 2 sides. Head west on 37th about 1/4 mile to the first gate into Bender's property. It should be open.

From Lawrence: Go west on US40 (6th street in Lawrence) to Big Springs (12 mi.). After you leave Big Springs you will see a gate off of US40 for the trucks heading to the quarry. Right after that turn to the left onto N 1900 Rd. & head west about 100'. Then follow the same directions above to get to the property's gate.

Stu

[troy]

NOTE: Route in this link has been corrected per Stu's later post.
If coming from the KC metro, here are directions from Legends to Benders.
You can see the trails, track, etc in this satellite image.

[3SuperSports]

I wish I could join you, but can't do it this weekend. I'm also guessing this isn't the best place for a KTM 690E either? Never ridden a KLR, but assuming they're agility is on par.

[Stu]

I've seen 650 SEs put through places a lot rougher than Benders but not a 690E.

Weather is changing a bit. Now a 20% chance of rain and a high of 48 Still a good shot at it. I'm planning on the rain holding off.

Troy's Map:

OUTRIGHT ERROR: Just past Big Springs it has you turning onto the PRIVATE road for gravel trucks for the BS Quarry. Go about 100 yards past this entrance to N 1900 Rd (in Douglas CO, where you are at that moment) and head west 100' or so (it is now SE 29th in Shawnee CO). Turn south on E 1 Rd (or Woodring Rd), gravel, for about 2 miles. Then head west 1/4 mile to the gate. It is the first gate on the south. You will see trails and the MX track at this point. Drive in and around the corner where you will see my white Nissan pickup. Park, sign the releases and unload and get ready for an awesome woods ride.

EASIER ROUTE: Once you are off the turnpike go NORTH about 150' to CO Rd 438 (also N 1800 Rd). Go west 2 1//2 miles to the turn north. Here CO Rd 1029 (also E 600 Rd) veers off and heads south under the turnpike. It goes about 1/4 mile and joins US 40. Head west to Big Springs and follow my corrected directions above.

If you enlarge the map Troy posted you can see the correct routes you should take.

Too bad the Google view was not taken in the fall or winter so you would be able to see all of the trails.

Stu

[troy]

I corrected and improved the route per Stu's details.
Route

[Harvey Mushman]

I wish I could join you, but can't do it this weekend. I'm also guessing this isn't the best place for a KTM 690E either? Never ridden a KLR, but assuming they're agility is on par.

Too bad you can't make it, I'd like to see that 690.
.
**Stu, I might be able to bring a couple more riders if you want them. I won't mention it to them unless you OK it.

-Harv

[Stu]

My brain died -- yes the 690E could ride everything out there if you are a good woods rider. It is at least 100 lbs. lighter than the KLR 650. There are some tight turns and trees that might give you some trouble but I would attempt it anyway. There will be plenty of folks to help you pick it up if you drop it. Anyone bringing a camera?

Harv, yes it would be fine to bring along other riders as long as they have an interest in joining. That is, after all, the purpose of this ride.

Troy, thanks for the changes on the map!

NOAA is now saying there is a 20% chance of rain after noon (and 50 degrees!). If that percentage changes we could move the ride up to 12:00. I will post that tomorrow if in fact the time will be moved up.

Stu

[Harvey Mushman]

OK, I'll put the word out. Moving the start time up would be fine with me.

-Harv

[Hank Moody]

I don't know if I can make by noon. If you do change the start time, will arriving later be a big deal? FYI according to accuweather the chance of showers is at noon.

[Stu]

NOAA has more satellites than Accuweather has Chevy Vegas. NOAA still says 20% chance of rain after noon increasing to 40% by night. I will be there at 12. If you come early we can take care of the release stuff and get our bikes warmed up. Ride the grass track. Hank, come on in when you can. We will wait for you, until 1. Then we are off!

There is a clip on the chain on the gate. Just undo it, swing the gate open and come in. Then just clip it back shut.

After all of this cold beware where the ground turns dark colored -- the moisture in it will be ice. Steady throttle time. There will be a few spots like this but not many. It has been very, very dry. Still, we are riding toward the end of January. Amazing.

Stu

[allkidd]

Stu, It doesn't appear that my son and I will be able to make it....last weekend I hit an ice spot going 35mph and landed right on my hip. Thought that I still have a 20 year old body and would recover in time for this sunday....not going to happen as I'm still limping around. Darn, we really wanted to ride and check it out....hopefully you will be doing this again!

Thanks!

Randy