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ET 450 2014 North group perspective.

jsb223

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jsb223
The 2014 ET 450/500

Once the 2014 ET thread started I planned on this trip. I had done
an abbreviated version in 2012 running the Rusk to Beans Route
and doubling back to Rusk when the camping weather to the south
looked bad.

The thread started without a support vehicle, then mtnbikeboy
talked his wife into driving the support truck.

So I started prepping the bike with a new battery and some
side racks in case I had to resort to saddle bags.

I planned to truck to Rusk on Thursday as I could get my gear
sorted out with some extras in my truck “just in case”.

BadTex had stepped up as ride leader and as I had ridden with
him one one leg of the 2012 ET, I knew the pace would be steady.

As a perennial dual sport rookie I still have issues with sand and
slick surfaces. Gravel I can deal with pretty well as that’s almost
all I have to practice on here in central Texas.

I made it to Rusk and paid for (IMO $24 for a tent spot is a bit pricey)
a spot to pitch my tent.

It was after dark when BadTex rolled into camp and he assured me
that a support vehicle was a given but we were waiting on a driver.

After a tossing and turning night’s sleep I showered and got the
bike loaded up and ready to go.

Right before 8am riders started rolling in and before you know
it we have 9 riders and one support driver.

I tied my camp bag onto the trailer and was ready to ride.

BadTex asked me to ride sweep which was fine with me.
Without anyone behind me I would not feel pushed but
on the other hand as slow as I ride I would be the last
one to arrive at the rest stops.

Having done this part of the route in 2012 both ways
there were some very familiar spots and some I swear
I’d never seen before.

Not near as much dust as in 2012 because of recent rains
and for the most part the roads were in great riding shape.

There was a very sharp downhill right turn that almost got
the best of me. Had a ditch been along the road instead
of a berm, I would have been in it.

We ran a pretty good pace and decided to wait for lunch
until we arrived in San Augustine.

During lunch it started raining so everyone geared up. One of
the riders (bad with names but was on a KLR 250) a quasi local
from Lufkin departed and we were down to 8.

One very quick rider on a Husky 511 had to be bump stated on
the way to Beans and sad to say for him it was a foreboding sign.

Once at Beans VIP Campground I found a spot to pitch by
tent and it started with a light rain. The south group had
been there for some time as there were several tents setup.

photo-3.jpg


FYI this tent spot cost me $10 and although the facilities
are not a modern as the KOA the view at Bean’s was much,
much better.


photo-2.jpg


About the time I had my tent up it stopped raining and
cleared up and the rest of the evening was nice but a
bit warm and humid.

Most of the riders rode into town or across the border to eat.
I had come prepared as typically once I get to camp,
I’m in for the night.

So for me it was Mountain House Chile Mac. I was a bit
underwhelmed at the taste as I’ve heard this was the
“best” of the MH dehydrated camp foods.

photo-1.jpg


I got up early and had my maple-n-brown sugar oatmeal
and French vanilla coffee for breakfast.

Beans also provided some hot coffee, juice, fruit, and donuts.

As we prepped to leave the Husky that was having problems
yesterday decided to ride on the support trailer and go in
search of a battery. Also two other riders decided to head
back to Rusk. I do not know if they took the same route
back or slabbed it in Rusk.

So now we were down to 5 riders.

BadTex on a KTM LC4 something or other (fast)
A guy from Austin on a XR650R setup for desert racing. (fast)
mtnbikeboy on a Transalp (fast)
Muf903 (Keith) on a KLR (intermediate)
And me on my DRZ400S (slow)

There was a lot of slab then some great stuff then some
more slab then the Stump. But it was early so we decided
to head for the Burger House in Colmesneil.


burgerhouse.jpg


And the jsb223 special…burger mustard all the way, fries,
and sweet tea.


photo.jpg


At some point over the next hour of so we hit the hole in
road so to speak. We are moving down this one lane county
road then like a flash there was a “road closed” sign. As I
come around a curve and up a hill I see the fast guys
(something which only typically happens at rest stops)

And I see the rider in front of me sliding back a forth a bit.
It gets a bit slick and just as I stop my foot goes out
from under the bike and bam.

I’m on the ground laying on the bike with a burn straight
though my pants into my shin. I wander around and pick
the bike up and hop back on. The clay stuff is sticking
to everything it touches and you front wheel gets clogged
in just a couple turns.

The XR650 rider plows through the hole filled with water like
it’s nothing and calmly parks his bike on the other side.
The dude can handle his bike well.

BadTex scouted a path around the hole and took the
lead and went up ahead to find out how far this stuff goes.

The KLR guy Muf903 (Keith) follows his lead but the
turn in the weeds coupled with the load of tools on
his rear rack and he dropped the KLR.

XR650 guy helped him up and he got going again
and took off.

I made it through and stopped early as XR650 guy
said my chain was slipping. Sure enough it was way loose.
I broke out the tools and got it tightened about the time
mtnbikeboy could try and get through on that heavy Transalp.

He got around the waterhole parts fine but the low fender
mount was causing his wheel to skid with just a minimum
of mud and let me tell you, there was not a minimum of
mud anywhere.

I suggested we removed the mount for the time being
so he could keep going once he was moving.

Once he got moving again after cleaning more mud from
the rear he got ahead to near where BadTex was parked.

It was slow and I did not get any style points for duck
walking my bike up the hill to some decent roads again
and there it was pointing the other way…a ROAD CLOSED sign.
As I recall those two signs are about a mile apart.

A mile that took us the better part of an hour.

There were other muddy roads that day but the stuff we
hit had a bottom and most importantly did not stick to your
tires so it was just slow down get on the pegs try and pick
a decent line to get through.

I found out that a MC tire line is not always the best choice.
Because if that rider got squirrelly and sideways you were
just gonna follow in their path… squirrelly and sideways.

We got to Lake Livingston State Park and checked in.
It’s a real nice park and it was crowded as there was some
sort of Boy Scout goings on but the restroom were clean
and the showers were hot.

I decided to forego the boil in bag meal for tonight and
we piled into the support truck into town for some Mexican
food and a frozen margarita. First one I’ve had in years.

I slept better Saturday night as I’d had a long day and
maybe the margarita helped a bit.

The leg from Liviingston to Rusk was very challenging as
it rained overnight in the Davy Crocket National Forrest
and Neches River area and some of the roads were very slick.

Let me tell you I really enjoyed this leg of the trip. Most
of the forest service roads were in great shape and as a
big fan of pine trees there is much beautiful scenery
along these roads.

As with most areas of great scenery there were other
vehicles to contend with. Some of them were moving
at a snail’s pace and oblivious to someone that may be
right behind them. For the most part however that
would pull to the side and let you pass once they saw you.

We did not stop for lunch on the last leg and made it to
Rusk at about 2:30.

We got loaded up and everyone said some goodbyes
and off we went back to “the real world”.

As a perennial rookie dual sport rider these types of
extended rides help you get many miles of practice
in over an extended weekend.

I’m thinking the Rusk to Beans to Rusk would make
for a great weekend trip. Also Rusk to Livingston and
back as well.

If it’s dry enough I’d like to try both on my GS.

It would be much slower pace but I would have a
better chance to take in some of the scenery .

Thanks to all that scouted out the tracks this year.
Thanks to BadTex for leading, to mtnbikeboy and his
wife for driving the support truck, and to the others
for being so patient with my lack of skills slowing
me down.

Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to get to ride again next year.

Jsb223
 
Last edited:
Great ride report. Jason it was good seeing you again.
 
Yep, I made a bad call. Looks like conditions were close to perfect. Should have loaded up the DR and made tracks for Rusk. Heading to NW Arkansas on the Multistrada next weekend to make up for it.


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