Detroit greetings

[KTM640Dakar]

This Hill is much steeper than the picture shows. And just to provide some background. I tried riding up this hill the first time I took my 640 to the wooded desert that is Michigan's up north. Any way the hill kicked my arse and I buryed my back tire to the axle 3 or 4 times before I walked up beside the bike with the throttle wrug out in a full sand roost of glory. This bad experience haunted me for years and the hill became know as the "big hill". Of course these guys just had to drag me back to the famous "big f-ing Hill" just to see what the big deal was. Then proceed to ride up and down it just to throw sand into my big bloviated over reaction to my nemises hill. Of course this hill is no big deal now that I can ride in sand.




Below is the picture of me getting called a girly man because that hill is no big deal.



Bruno did a great job of leading us through the sand and acting like his 640 was a 125. Many times during the day we where ripping through sand at 40 to 50mph and it was all I could do to keep up. Some day I'll get a bike that doesn't weigh 400 pounds.




Below is our best impression of a Sears catalog picture. You know the hammy models who sell underwear? Maybe not.



Quick lunch break, Todd orders some giant onion appetizer thing for us to share;



And a side order of onion rings with his sandwich;



I order Onion rings just thinking I'll get something normal sized and the waitress brings a front end loader of rings the size of my head. Those where the small ones left over.



Good times with good friends ! And look no sand!!!!!!





Thanks guys! I really had a great time as usual and was bearly able to get out of bed this morning.

[2TrakR]

Originally Posted by GooseR6

What is the deal? Anyone doing these events this year? Chandler Hill, Color Tour, Toys for Kids?

If you plan to ride DS at the Color Tour it'd be a smart move to check with BentWheels directly (probably ask for contact info for whomever is putting the routes together to really verify by speaking with them).

Last I spoke with 'em (month ago?) they didn't have anything and were not planning to use an old GLDS route.

I'll be at the other two rides though. And South Branch this weekend.

[KTM640Dakar]

Originally Posted by timdog

If you ever get get up by Gladwin/St. Helen, I highly recommend you do a "BigTraile Guided Bike Tour." Just bring your own helmet, everything else is included. I did the ten hour tour today, and it was a blast. The package includes your choice of either a Honda XR600 or KTM 520, bottled water, lunch (with all-you-can-eat onion rings) and some of the best trail riding in Michigan.

I think I lost my security deposit on the KTM, however. I returned it muddy, out of gas, with a bent hand guard and non operating shift lever.

Thanks again guys, it was great!

Josh thanks for helping me push the big pig up that hill, while I filled your sweat shirt pockets with sand. I hope no one gets stuck in those craters.

[mike1952]

Where were you riding?

[timdog]

Originally Posted by KTM640Dakar

Josh thanks for helping me push the big pig up that hill, while I filled your sweat shirt pockets with sand. I hope no one gets stuck in those craters.

No problem. I just wish somebody would have had a helmet camera to catch some of the action. I don't want to name names, but there was some real craziness going on.

[motopimp]

Doesn't look like a favorable weekend for the preferred method of transportation to a motorcycle race five hours away. Luckily my new waterproof boots are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Just doesn't feel right to drive?

[bigtrailie]

Let the record show that the engine never stopped running, so Timdog never experienced an actual "crash".

The helmet-cam would have been an excellent addition. I would have loved to have seen Bruno's mud puddle shower. Couldn't resist.

Great time... no injuries, just a few bumps and bruises. Next time - no onions.

For those dying to know... the "big hill" is just east of Dunham Lake Road, North of Rau Road on the St. Helen loop south of I-75 (yes, 75 travels east-west in places).

Matt - the guy who never complains... except about the seat on my KTM 520

[KTM640Dakar]

Originally Posted by bigtrailie

Let the record show that the engine never stopped running, so Timdog never experienced an actual "crash".

The helmet-cam would have been an excellent addition. I would have loved to have seen Bruno's mud puddle shower. Couldn't resist.

Great time... no injuries, just a few bumps and bruises. Next time - no onions.

For those dying to know... the "big hill" is just east of Dunham Lake Road, North of Rau Road on the St. Helen loop south of I-75 (yes, 75 travels east-west in places).

Matt - the guy who never complains... except about the seat on my KTM 520

Matt likes kicking the Honda. He kicks it on and off road.

Get a proper tractor!

[NoWarNoBulletBelts]

Not to change the topic. But does anyone around metro Detroit have a rotor puller for doing the doohickey upgrade on a klr650. I will drive to pick up and will pay cash. Im located in Berkley (no_war_no_bullet_belts@yahoo.com). Anywho, is that hill in the above pictures south of houghton lake. I ran into some decent sized sand hills when I was going from Gladwin to St Helens with a bald back tire. Just kept it pinned and weight to the back.

[Bruno T .]

Originally Posted by bigtrailie

I would have loved to have seen Bruno's mud puddle shower. Couldn't resist.

Shiiiit . . that was no "shower". That was a proper bath - full immersion.

I had to hold my breath under that damn tidal wave.

You got me good, you dawg !

[hollywood_72]

Bruno,

Sent you a PM.

Kennedy

[timdog]

Originally Posted by btome

Shiiiit . . that was no "shower". That was a proper bath - full immersion.

I had to hold my breath under that damn tidal wave.

You got me good, you dawg !

Whatever it was, it was funny! I still don't understand why Matt, who is generally thought of as a "nice guy" around here, is so mean to to Bruno.

[Bruno T .]

Feel the love, Josh !

[KTM640Dakar]

Unimog or D90 which one is cooler?

[andywaddell]

Originally Posted by KTM640Dakar

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/...ccffba.jpg?v=0

Unimog or D90 which one is cooler?

Unimog...more room for my dirtbikes in the back!