East Texas 450 (500 + actually) October 12 - 13 -14 2012

[TwoSmokeDS]

I hate the sand that sneaks up on you. You're taking in the scenary and smelling the roses, and all of a sudden you fly over the handlebar.

[mtnbikeboy]

So, I knew I would have more questions. Just 2 more at this point.
1. How is food handled? Everyone pays some money and food is provided, or fend for yourself?

2. In the slow group, how often are breaks on a scale of 'stop for every pretty flower' to 'go until someone needs fuel or dies'?

[Zazoos]

Originally Posted by mtnbikeboy

So, I knew I would have more questions. Just 2 more at this point.
1. How is food handled? Everyone pays some money and food is provided, or fend for yourself?

2. In the slow group, how often are breaks on a scale of 'stop for every pretty flower' to 'go until someone needs fuel or dies'?

The second question had me rolling.

[RollingJ]

Food is up to you, and so is having an open line of communication with the others in your riding group.

[Zazoos]

Originally Posted by mtnbikeboy

So, I knew I would have more questions. Just 2 more at this point.
1. How is food handled? Everyone pays some money and food is provided, or fend for yourself?

2. In the slow group, how often are breaks on a scale of 'stop for every pretty flower' to 'go until someone needs fuel or dies'?

I should clarify, that I did not find your question silly, only funny how you framed it. I am also curious about how many stops are made in the slow group. My wife will be riding and therefore I will be in the slow group.

[IronSpadeCycles]

Slow groups, fast groups, medium fast groups. Last year I led a group I would say were medium fast and about 8-10 riders with a married couple in the mix and Lee riding chase to keep the group tidy. We stopped every 30-35 miles for random snack breaks, scenic picture moments and the 2 flat tires we had to fix trail side. Gas stops were about every 50-75 miles As far as bringing food, definitely buy a Camelback and keep it full of water, gatorade or whatever you want to drink while riding, everyone brings their favorite snacks, trail mix, candy bars etc... We try to keep the ride fun and not be too fast so that if anyone does have a bobble there is always someone to help you get up if you fall. We also hope you understand rider group etiquette, "No man left behind!" Just because someone in you group says they want to rest and that you don't need to wait for them doesn't mean ride on and leave them behind. The roads and trails out here cross over each other all along the route and unless you have a reliable GPS or have ridden the route many times riding alone is a great recipe for getting very lost in a hurry. If someone flags that they need a break for any reason, stop with the group, this is meant to be a fun ride, not a race. But when you've got 150+ miles to ride in a day and your average speed is running 35 mph with 10-15 minute stops every 25 miles the day can be a long one.

Also bring tools you specifically need for your bike and also definitely bring tire changing tools, don't assume someone else in your group will have them and will volunteer their help, although you will make very good friends with those you happily help out in any event. Thank God I didn't personally have a flat on my XR400 last year as I completely forgot a tube of either size, or a patch kit, or even a tire iron. But 2 different bikes both got flats, one was on a TW200 with the really rare fat tires and he didn't think to bother bringing a tube or even a patch kit. We all pitched in to help fix the 2 different holes he had in his tube, which took about 45 minutes and we cut about 30 miles of scenic route out of our trip the second day to help him out. When the next rider had a flat, that guy with the TW200 didn't even stop long enough to say that he and his son were splitting off from the group to ride on to the campsite. Needless to say none of us were very happy with said guy.

There are plenty places to eat along the route but if you have special dietary needs you might need to plan accordingly. Last year we all stopped for gas and almost always went inside and stocked up on snacks and drinks for the next leg. Several gas stations we hit had Subway's or Greasy Spoon's inside. Nice grub to power up while riding. Lee's chase vehicle with trailer worked great to carry our gear but you still want to ride with a day bag or tool bag strapped to your bike. A ton of tools is great to have but unless you plan only to work on the bike while in the camp grounds, don't expect the chase vehicle to come to you if you break down. Its really only there in the event someone crashes and needs to be attended to, we can get your bike back to the camp grounds or to your truck. Everyone please pitch in for gas for Lee and whomever ends up driving the chase vehicle, it would be nice to feed him or her, cause that is not a fun job unless you like sitting on the side of the road reading you book and waiting for a bunch of dirty bikers to pop out of some back country dirt road you've never been on.

Also don't immediately count on your cell phone working out here. If by some odd chance you get separated and you get lost, try to figure out where you are and send a text to everyone in your group you met and got a cell number from the first day. Chances are we might not hear the phone ring while riding but everyone tends to check their phones for missed calls every time we stop. A text will almost always go through if you only have one bar of signal but a CALL won't in this dense forest sometimes my GPS even crapped out under the canopy of trees out here.

Don't worry about who is fast, who is slow, you will see that right from the beginning, and if you find yourself in a group that is too slow for your ability on day one, feel free to change groups, you might meet someone new and become life long friends. Stranger things have been known to happen.

See yall real soon, later Travis

[RollingJ]

Bwdmax is in for the OneDay.

One spot left.

[WhiteyTrashed]

Add plus 1 for me please.
We are doing the Livingston start

[=[BAD]=TEX]

Very nicely put! ironspadecycles

[EnduroRdr]

Originally Posted by =[BAD]=TEX

Very nicely put! ironspadecycles

10/4 on that! Well said ironspadecycles! Reminder - do your bike maintenance and shake down riding PRIOR to coming out!

[Rooster T]

I'm in for the South ride and look forward to it! Will there be a SAG wagon for the South start riders?

If anybody has tracks available, please send me a pm for update.

Thanks!

[Lamar568]

I'm thinking about it. I'm in the middle of changing jobs and moving and I'm not sure what my schedule will be like.

[John Dirt]

I have a brand new never mounted 130/90 17" D606 if someone was going to buy one, PM me, I will list it FS if no one wants to buy it here. 60$!

[=[BAD]=TEX]

Now that the "Epic" has been caneled anyone up for preriding the 450 this weekend? I'm thinking about it. Want to ride but have nowhere to go now.

[Simmons1]

Has anybody starting from the North made arrangements for a place to stay Thursday night and leave trucks/trailers for the weekend?

Thanks!

[TypeSH]

Please put me down for the north start group. Can't wait!

[RollingJ]

We have reached the cap for the OneDay ride. (if _RG_ ever calls me, geez...)

As it stands right now, Silverbullet and I will temp the fates again.

Joining us will be R-man of 237, Electrifed, bwdmax, and _RG_.

It sounds like a right solid crew, if you ask me.

If anybody else want to one day, get a crew together and ride it. I'll be happy to share what info I can on the route and accommodations, but for what I am about to do 6 riders is as big a group as I feel comfortable leading.

[Timbercat]

Sorry for not updating but have been out of country and without Internet. Will review the posts today and work on getting caught up.

We are getting real close to ride time.

We need someone to step up and organize the north group as I'll be starting in Livingston with the southern riders. PM me if you can help out.

Timbercat
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[John Dirt]

I don't know where the southern group is supposed to meet up or at what time.

[Timbercat]

Originally Posted by John Dirt

I don't know where the southern group is supposed to meet up or at what time.

John we meet at the Walmart parking lot in Livingston. Groups will begin leaving there around 8:00.

We park toward the street in front of the garden center.

Timbercat
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