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Club Ride #7 2012

Posted on August 27, 2012 by GLDSAugust 27, 2012

Club Ride #7

Club Ride, Sep 8-9, 2012. Lewiston, MI

This is a Club Ride, it’s not an event. There are no entry fees, no donations, no membership requirements, nothing. Just come ride with a few fellow Club members. Don’t worry about crowds – these are small, social functions. We also provide dinner on Saturday night. Feel free to bring a dish to pass, but don’t feel obligated.

Two loops. Street legal bikes only – NO direct trail access from here for unlicensed bikes (county roads are open to ORVs).

Details in our forum (Members Only). Want to check out GLDS; not a member yet? Email us for more information.

Private camground, reservation recommended. Cabins on site, cabins nearby.

Dual Sport VI (2003)

Posted on July 21, 2012 by GLDSJuly 21, 2012

Here’s some nostalgia for our long-time members and a bit of history for the rest.

This was Steve Flach’s sixth “dual sport” article that was published(?) in the CCC’s Great Lakes Trail Rider magazine back in 2003. It’s interesting to watch the “tone” change from year to year in the subsequent articles as things progress. Those of us with direct involvement can also look back on the history of our organization/sport and see things coming together (in hindsight, of course).

DUAL SPORT VI – 6TH ANNUAL DUAL SPORT REPORT

BY STEVE ‘DUAL SPORT’ FLACH

The 2002 riding season has now ended and it is time for my annual dual sport report on this past season’s happenings.

i am sad to say there were few highs in c.C.C. Dual sport this past year.

The main downer is what most of you dual sporters already know about. This was my being diagnosed with lung cancer in late march, the treatment for it in the hospital, and my long recovery which has lasted up to the present.

The following part of this article will give all of you more information about what I went thru. Was told later in the year that I almost died twice while initially being treated for this in the hospital during the last half of april. I have no recolection of what went on there during the first nine days. I was finally released to go home at the end of april and rehospitalized twice more in the first three weeks of may, once for pneumonia and once for a lower leg infection. I then spent another period in the hospital in early july for a blood clot, this being in the same right leg I had the infection in earlier in may. Chemotheropy treatments to battle the cancer started in late may and I had six sessions once every three weeks.

The last chemo treatment was in august and on the day after labor day, my cancer doctor informed me that the weekely tests indicated the cancer was gone and I did not need the final two sessions, which I was very glad not to have to experience. Those of you reading this that have never gone thru chemotheropy, count your blessings. Since the last chemo treatment, my health has slowly improved, but I am still experiencing ‘side effects’ from these sessions. I have been told these will gradually end in time as my body slowly gets rid of the chemicals put in me during treatment. Just recently I was given the go ahead to return to my job on a limited part-time basis.

These four hour a day periods are quite taxing and leave me quite tired by the time I drive home. I expect this to improve as the winter progresses.

I have experienced two other downers since early july that may be related to the chemo treatment. My eye doctor told me in mid-july that I may have suffered a small stroke behfnd my right eye in tke optic nerve resulting in a slight loss of vision to the lower 40% of my vision in that eye. This has improved somewhat since and is more of a nusance that anything else.

But around october 1st, I was told that the same thing may have occured in my left eye and this loss of vision is more extensive. I am keeping a positive aspect about these vision problems and hope they improve by themselves so I can get back to cycle riding and doing dual sport work in 2003. Not being able to ride at all this past year was very frustrating for me and ment all the dual sport work had to fall on my three assistants; Jeramey valley, shannon ruthrauff, and jim carl.

i want to deeply thank everyone in the c.C.C. who expressed their concern about my health this past year. This included those individuals who sent me get well cards, made long distance phone calls to inquire about how I was doing, personally came from home (some a long distance, to visit me, and made monetary donations. This money I recieved from those who donated was most welcome in helping me keep ahead of paying some of my medical bills that my health insurance would not cover. Much thanks to everyone who expressed their concern in one or more of the above manners.

Now for the ‘meat’ of this report. I would have to say c.C.C. Dual sport experienced a ‘downer’ year in relation to 2001. We had more overall dual sport signups in 2002, but we also had more trail tour events with dual sport than in 2001 to bolster this total. By individual event, dual sport signup totals were down at every t.T. In 2002 that had had an event in 2001 at the same site but one. . The biggest signup decrease came at the first event, capitol chapter,s ‘rites of spring’ t.T. Held at whiskey creek in early may.

For the second year in a row about 800 riders showed up, but dual sport signups fell off by almost 25% from a year ago, going from an event record 128 in 2001 to just 97 in 2002. I was really disappointed when Jeramey told me this fact. I had expected a record dual sport turnout of close to 150 for this first 2002 event and I still do not know why there was such a large dropoff. 2002,S second event, the orv safety patrol t.T. Staged at south branch in mid-may saw the largest decrease in overall signups, going from 219 in 2001 to just 104 in 2002. Dual sport participation fell off from 39 to 25 for the same period. I was informed the weather at the t.T. Site that weekend probably played a large factor in this as it was quite cold and snowed one day. The next t.T. Up, the combined pathfinders- west michigan chapter’s annual event, was held at carrieville in early june. After having 307 overall signups, including 40 on the dual sport course, at their 2001 color tour t.T., These numbers fell off dramatically to just over 100 riders and 0 (zilch], dual sporters in 2002. These chapters decided not to have dual sport included in their 2002 t.T.

The tri-county chapter came back from havi, an annual event in the u.P. The past five years to stage their 2002 t.T. In mid-june at the mio-hunt creek loop just north of mio. This proved to another signup ‘downer’ as just over 100 riders showed up with 36 on the dual sport course. This compared with 175 overall riders and 37 dual sporters at the brevort site in 2001. Another huge disappointment came with tomahawk chapter’s late june t.T. At wolverine. This annual event at this site usually draws well over 200 riders and either the second or third best dual sport signup total at the trail tours. Overall rider signups fell from 244 in 2001 to 197 in 2002 and dual sport participation went from 73 to 52. Finally some good news. The dual sport ranks got a boost in early august when the valley trail riders staged a t.T. At their club grounds near bently after an absence of several years. They had a good overall turnout of 192 riders of which 42 were on the dual sport course. This was a brand new dual sport course that was made up by my chief assistant, Jeramey valley.

I analyzed what he had put together from my knowledge of that area and I have to say he did an excellent job considering it was his first dual sport course from scratch. The next event up for 2002 was the bulldog chapter’s annual t.T. In early september just north of atlanta. This was the lone event of 2002 to have both an increase in both overall signups and dual sport riders.

The numbers were 243 total riders compared with 225 in 2001 and dual sport totals went from 50 to 54 riders. Capitol chapter’s ‘vintage’ ride in late september was next up on the schedule and was held for the first time at frederic just northwest of grayling. They had a good overall turnout of 241 riders compared with 205 in 2001. But dual sport totals fell off from 64 a year ago to 58 in 2002. The 2002 color tour was put on by the bentwheels chapter on the north end of black lake after a one year’s absense at the same site in 2000. Better weather this time compared with 2000 boosted total srgnups to 380, 40 more that in 2002. But dual sport signups did not match the 2000 totals, dropping from 71 to 59. The season ending dual sport only event held in late october at st. Helens added another 46 dual sport riders to the overall yearly total. Six trail tour events in 2002 produced dual sport signup percentages compared with overall signup totals of over 22%, but just one, the tri-county event, went over 30%.

So, dual sporters, this was dual sport in 2002 for the c.C.C. Total signups increased to 469, an increase of 38 over 2001j so I am encouraged somewhat by this. Recieved various comments for the decline in dual sport signups at the 2002 trail events. The major ones were the weather, the economy, and some thought my absen,f due to my health was another.

This part of the article gives much needed recognition to the people who took over for me and kept dual sport ‘happening’ at the c.C.C. Events in 2002.

At the top of the list was my chief assistant, Jeramey valley. Jeramey really dived into doing the work necessary to construct a dual sport route for a tour event. For those of you that do not ride dual sport, here is what is required for a finished course to be ready. Jeramey had to travel up north to these sites each weekend and ride the rough routes I gave him that I concocted from memory, record the turns and millage, eliminate the dead ends, use a g.P.S. To record the true track of the course for the dual sport map, work signup each morning of the event to dispense the paperwork he made up at home in his off hours during the week after work, riding sweep on the routes sunday after signup was over, and deal with the state and federal d.N.R. Offices in the t.T. Site areas to get permission for the dual sport courses. Jeramey showed a capacity to learn this work very quickly and became quite good at it by the end of the season. His most important contribution to this work came with the paperwork end, which those of you who rode t.T. dual sport in 2002 noticed a new format with the route sheet strips and maps.

Last winter Jeramey was able to invent a way to copy the route sheet instructions on 2, inch strips using his computer equipment. This new-fangled way saved me a ton of time and effort from doing this the old way, which ment tapeing t,e strips together. Jeramey’s equipment also produced very nice course maps in color. Both these jnovations were well recieved by the riders. Also this new way of manufacturing the dual sport paperwork turned out to be cheaper and ment the various chapters saved money in re-imbursment costs. I would strongly suggest all you dual sporters who rode last year to let Jeramey know how well you liked this new style of paperwork. You can do this by contacting ,im this winter by e-mail, post card, telephone, or when you see him in 2003.

Second on the list for dual sport recognition was shannon ruthrauff.

Shannon spent a lot of time last spring, summer, and fall either riding with Jeramey and help construct the routes or riding by himself during the week doing the same thing. I am hopeing he will continue with this for 2003.

My third assistant, jim carl, was involved with higher priorities at home, but still helped out with some scouting work and made up the short loop at the color tour at black lake. Larry and denny haas also lent their time accompaning Jeramey with his weekend work. Bern bidinger did a lot of sweep riding at the events along with shannon ruthrauff. If there were any other dual sport members who Jeramey employed to help him in 2002, your assistance was appreciated.

There will not be many changes in dual sport for the 2003 season. The one major change was the formation of a separate dual sport chapter in the c.C.C. By Jeramey valley and r. J.Witte. This chapter will have the responsibility to concoct dual sport courses for those chapters that do not want to do the work themselves. This new chapter will probably not be putting on any dual sport only events. Although I would very much like to see this type of trail tour (dual sport riders only!,, It takes well over 100 rider signups at an event just to break even with the cost of permits and other expenses.

We dual sport ranks do not yet have these numbers, but we are working on it.

Other small changes for dual sport in 2003 will be just one set of millage readings on the route sheet instruction strips. This will be the ico electronic millage, which is the most accurate. Sweep riding on sunday will be curtailed, unless someone wants to contribute their time after signup to do this. As there are no longer any marking arrows or ribbons on the dual sport courses after the 2001 riding season, continue to pay close attention to your instructions and odometer. Route sheet holders will continue to be offered for sale at t.T. Signup and the larger print on the route sheet strips will continue. There may also be some single track trail offered on dual sport in the future (if we can find some smooth sections,.

I use this part of my report to annualy appeal to those of you that are another year older and may be finally getting tired of single track riding and the miles of ‘whoops’ associated with it that make you feel 25 years older for the next week to 10 days and those of you that want an easier and/or different type of trail tour experience. Dual sport is still around waiting for you to try it.

As usual, this final part of my report is the most important. All dual sport riders and their motorcycles must be road legal. For you riders, this means a cycle endorsement on your drivers license and copies of your cycle insurance and registration in your wallet. Your cycle must be equiped with the following: working horn, at least one rear view mirror, operating head, tail, and brake lights, united states forestry approved muffler/spark assistor with a 94 db. Or lower sound rating, d.O.T. Approved off-road tires, current licnese plate, and a current ory sticker por t8£ posted trail sections. As for you un-licensed two wheel, quad, or three wheeler riders, forget about the dual sport courses. If you choose to sneak out and try to ride these routes, then you are violating the law and if caught can get the c.C.C. And dual sport in trouble, which is something we do not need.

With the 2003 riding season starting in a few months, I hope there will be better dual sport turnouts at the events than in 2002. I would like to see more ‘newbys’ come out and try dual sport. If all you experienced riders were to get just one new dual sporter to join our ranks, then we would be close to attaining the numbers needed to host a dual sport only event in the future. I thought in 2001 about trying to enlist mountain bike riders into the dual sport ranks, but was told by one of these people that the most experienced bike riders would need about six hours just to ride a short 50 mile loop, so I dropped this idea. And as I did last year, I appeal to you women c.C.C. Members that want to ride but do not like the single track trail to come out and join the dual sport ranks. You would not have to ride the longer routes as there are shorter options of 50-70 miles available.

That’s it for the 2002 dual sport report. If my health improves enough by next spring) i hope to see all of you in 2003 as i try to get back into my dual sport work.

STEVE ‘DUAL SPORT’ FLACH

Dual Sport V (2002)

Posted on July 21, 2012 by GLDSJuly 21, 2012

Here’s some nostalgia for our long-time members and a bit of history for the rest.

This was Steve Flach’s fifth “dual sport” article that was published in the CCC’s Great Lakes Trail Rider magazine back in 2002. It’s interesting to watch the “tone” change from year to year in the subsequent articles as things progress. Those of us with direct involvement can also look back on the history of our organization/sport and see things coming together (in hindsight, of course).

5th Annual Dual Sport Repot

By Steve ‘Dual Sport’ Flach (’46-’07)

Well Dual Sporters, it is time for my Annual Report on the past season’s dual sport happenings.

The 2001 riding season is now history and we experienced highs and lows in Dual Sport this past year. First, I’ll run thru the high points. After the first downturn in rider participation last year since dual sport first came on the scene at the c.c.c. at events in 1992, dual sport rider totals went up overall to 431 riders, up from 397 the year before. This increase came despite the fact there was one less weekend trail tour this year, Capitol Chapter’s Rites of Spring event in early May at Whiskey Creek was the high point in both dual sport ridership and overall signup totals, about 850 total riders showed up for the event, a total not seen at a C.C.C. weekend trail tour since the early 1970’s, dual sport riders contributed a hefty chunk of this by setting ridership records for one day with 117 signups and a two day total of 128, breaking the marks that had been set by TriCounty’s 1999 Color Tour. This total caused some problems for me as I had anticipated only 75-100 riders and had made up just 125 copies of paperwork. Sunday morning I was rationing what paperwork I had left along with asking dual sport riders who rode Saturday if they minded giving back route sheets so I could give them to Sunday signups, because of this. I anticipate an even larger turnout for the 2002 Rites of Spring event, I have put together the biggest dual sport course ever for this trail tour. It will consist of 5 loops, each from 50 to 70 miles in length. Total length will be around 325 miles. This should be enough to satisfy even the best dual sport riders, so I will have 150 copies made up for this dual sport extravaganza blockbuster.

Other dual sport highs: The Vintage Ride by the Capitol Chapter in late September saw the total signups increase from 181 in 2000 to 205 in 2001, dual sport signups increased dramatically from 37 to 54, – 31+% of total rider signups. The Tomahawk Chapter’s T.T., in late June was a big success with an event record 73 dual sporters out of 244 total signups, a 30% figure, and the Bulldog Chapter’s early September event north of Atlanta was its usual rock-steady self with 200+ signups and 50 dual sport riders. So much for the highs, for Dual Sport in 2001.

Now for the downers. The biggest disappointment came with the second event, the ORV Safety Patrol’s trail tour at South Branch, I had made up a 100+ mile long route to go with a shorter 60 mile short route, the long route was cancelled at the last minute because changes needed to be made in the route before it could be used and there was not enough time to do this. The one third of the course that was left was ridden by just 39 dual sport riders out of a good overall turnout of 219 riders.

A dismal 18% figure. As mentioned earlier, the Tomahawk Chapter’s T.T. in late June near Vanderbilt had an event high in dual sport riders, but this may be the last time dual sport is offered at this popular trail tour. Why? Seems the cost of obtaining the permit to stage the event and include dual sport in that area is prohibitive. After being told by that chapter’s members what the cost was to stage their event last June, I would not blame them if they dropped dual sport. TriCounty’s 5th year at Brevort in the U.P. did not produce a total rider increase, slipping one to 175 riders overall. Dual sport participation saw a large decrease going From 51 in 2000 to just 37 in 2001, the year-end Color Tour at Carrieville put on by the combined Pathfinders-West Michigan Chapters had a good overall turnout of 307 riders, but just 40 were dual sporters. Bad weather at the event and downstate probably accounted for this decrease.

Well Dual Sporters, this was Dual Sport in 2001, what about 2002? I Hope your continued participation keeps Dual Sport happening in the future at the weekend trail tours. I will commit to doing this for another year.

The following people need recognition for helping me with Dual Sport in 2001. Jim Carl was again at the top of the list, helping me with work weekends, sweep riding, and assisting me at signup.

Gary Purdy did the ‘roughing in’ work for the ‘Vintage Ride’ at Geels to save me the time and cost of traveling up to that area. Dave Brock continued his role as the first dual sport rider out of the chute at the T.T.’s, he has been recording the true course of my dual sport routes for the last 2 years with his high-tech 12 satellite draw G.P.S., this has been of great help to me plotting the true course of forest roads not listed on the maps I make up.

Shannon Ruthrauff and Bern Bidinger also deserve much thanks for helping me with sweep riding at the events. Others who contributed were Pete Jantschak, John Wardell, Norm Beyer, Dave Butcher, Lee Rodgers, Les Abbott, Scott Abbott, Larry Haas, Denny Haas, Jeremy Valley, and four members of the Valley Trail Riders Club Gene Bechtel, Rollie Bliesener, Steve Holtz, and RJ. Witte.

To any other c.c.c. members who helped with Dual Sport that I forget to mention, your assistance was appreciated.

Changes for the 2002 riding season will be few. Dual sport courses consisting of a long 100+ mile route and a shorter 50-70 mile route will be again offered. A second option will be 3, 50-60 mile loops. Sweep riding will continue on Sunday only. If any one wants to volunteer for this, just see me at signup Saturday.

Marking nbbons or arrows on the courses is now history, so pay close attentIon to your route sheet instructions and odometer. route sheet.

Holders for sale. Two sets of mileage on the route sheets, and larger print wIll continue. I may also add a little more single track trail to the routes.

A new small change \vill occur next vear. As mentioned earlier, Jeremy Valley helped me a lot starting last mid-summer. He seems quite interested in how I make up these dual sport instructions and I believe he may be the one to take over from me in the future. He recently got married and his new wife rides also.

Jeremy is a computer whiz and is close to coming up WIth a way to copy the route sheet strips 2 1/4 inches wide and replicate them in mass in far less time than I could do it by tapeing them together. When he perfects it, this will save me a ton of work at home and the print on route sheets will be bolder and easier to read. He told me he can also do color maps quicker than I could hand drawing them. The cost of doing this is yet to be detennined, but it looks like it will be cheaper and far less time-consuming. Again I print my annual appeal to those of you who are another year older, tired of the ‘whooped out’ single track trail that is making your bones and joints creak and pop, like to try a different riding option at the T.T’s, and C.C.c. members who have never come to the events.

Dual Sport is still waiting for you to try it.

The final part of my Dual Sport Report is always the most important.

All dual sport riders and their cycles must be road legal. Your cycle must have a working hom, at least one mirror, working head, tail, and brake lights, United States Forestry Approved muffler/spark arrestor with a 94db or lower sound rating, D.O.O. Approved off-road tires, license plate (current) and an ORV sticker (for the posted trail sections). You must have on you a Cycle Endorsement on your drivers license, copies of your cycle registration, and cycle insurance. If you have just an unlicensed two wheeler, quad, or three wheeler, then stay off the dual sport courses at the events.

This is against the law and if caught, can result in dual sport and the C.C.C. getting in more trouble with law enforcement authorities.

So for the 2002 riding season, I hope to see all of you dual sporters at the events again along with many new faces. This is something all of you old experienced dual sport riders can do to help bolster the ranks. Bring new people that have never tried this to an event or two. I have seen many of these new people get ‘hooked’ on dual sport, then they tell others to try it. For you married guys, get your wife a bike and have her try this type of riding. I would like to see more women ride dual sport. This easier form of riding compared to single track may be just what the socalled ‘weaker’ sex is looking for enjoyment.

Steve ‘Dual Sport’ Flach

Dual Sport IV (2001)

Posted on July 21, 2012 by GLDSJuly 21, 2012

Here’s some nostalgia for our long-time members and a bit of history for the rest. This was Steve Flach’s fourth “dual sport” article that was published in the CCC’s Great Lakes Trail Rider magazine back in 2001. It’s interesting to watch the “tone” change from year to year in the subsequent articles as things progress. Those of us with direct involvement can also look back on the history of our organization/sport and see things coming together (in hindsight, of course).

DUAL SPORT IV

BY STEVE ‘DUAL SPORT’ FLACH (’46-’07)

My fellow dual sport riders. The 2000 riding season has been over for a while and it is my sad duty to inform you that this past season was the first since dual sport was first offered at the weekend trail events that we suffered a downturn in participation coupled with other event problems that came up.

In my dual sport iii article last winter, i made predictions that dual sport participation would continue to expand in 2000, 75-125 riders would attend most TTs, and 40% of the total signups at the trail tours would be dual sport riders. This did not happen. Total dual sport ridership at all weekend events in 1999 was 506 riders. This decreased to 397 in 2000, a 21.6% Drop!!

Dual sport did not set a single record this past season. And we had to suffer thru having half of one dual sport course cancelled and another dropped altogether, due to permit and other problems with the state D.N.R. Only one event, capitol chapter’s rites of spring ride at whiskey creek, saw an increase in dual sport riders. And this was only from 97 in 1999 to 99 in 2000. Three events, tomahawk’s phillip bean event at vanderbilt, tri-county’s brevort ride, and bulldog’s atlanta t.T., Had the same dual sport participation from a year ago. The orv safety patrol’s event at south branch saw a three rider decrease, then came big decreases for the capitol-tri-county vintage ride, 62 in 1999 to 37 for 2000, pathfinders-west michigan carrieville t.T., 38 In 1999 to 0 in 2000, and bentwheels’ color tour, which attracted 71 dual sport riders, compared to tri-county’s 1999 color tour, which drew a record 118 dual sporters.

You may all be asking, ‘what happened???’. Believe the main culpert was the price of gas this past year, which attained record highs, eventually reaching as much as $2.20 A gallon in some areas. A second reason may have been the state d.N.R., Which gave some chapters problems with obtaining the necessary permits and caused the partial or full cancellation of two dual sport courses. The d.N.R. wants a finished dual sport course to approve as much as six months in advance, which is impossible for me to make up for a TT, due to the winter weather. My chief helper, jim karl, suggested i could get around this by submitting last year’s dual sport courses for the spring and early summer events in 2001 while working on courses for 2002 this coming season. So next year will see us dual sporters riding some of the same routes you rode in 2000. The 2001 rites of spring dual sport course will be all new as i was able to complete it this past fall after the color tour. But the next two events, orv safety patrol and tomahawk rides, will be the same dual sport courses as in 2000. I will reverse the direction of these courses so it will seem like a new ride. The trail tours in august, september, and october will not be a problem.

I kept records of the total rider signups at the weekend t.T.’S this past season that offered dual sport. This total for the 8 events was more than 100 signups less than for the 8 events in 1999. The 2000 season started out with a bang with almost 700 riders at the rites of spring. Dual sport participation contributed about 15% of this total. The next event, the orv safety patrol’s t.T., Saw a large decrease in signups, going from 191 in 1999 to 156 for 2000, with dual sport accounting for 26% of this total. Capitol-tri-county’s vintage ride decreased for the first time with 181 signups in 2000 compared with 214 in 1999. Dual sport had about 20% of this total. Next up, tri-county’s brevort ride continued its success story for a fourth straight year with another increase in signups, going from 165 to 175 riders. Dual sport participation continued to be a major bright spot at this event with more than 29% of the total signups. Bulldog chapter’s early september event in atlanta saw a small decrease in signups, although dual sport totals remained about the same. Pathfinders-west michigan’s late september t.T. had a big increase from 1999, going from 134 to 171 signups in 2000. Better weather this year was the main factor in this increase. Dual sport was zilch at this event because permit problems forced its cancellation. Bentwheels’ black lake color tour produced about 100 less total signups than tr-county’s 1999 color tour at vanderbilt, but this was expected due to the further distance everyone had to travel. Dual sport accounted for more than 21% of riders at this event.

Well, dual sporters, these are the facts from this past season. What about the future for dual sport? Will this decrease in ridership be just a one time thing or will dual sport continue to go downhill? Only your continued participation can keep it going. This past season has made me think about not construction dual sport courses for the c.C.C. In the future if the comming season produces another large decrease in dual sport totals. As has been suggested by some of you dual sporters, may go to making up dual sport routes for just myself and a few friends to enjoy.

I would like to thank the following people for thier time and effort in helping me with dual sport in 2000. At the top of the list again was jim karl. Jim was my most available weekend helper and sweep rider. Again equal thanks go to his wife, susan, for allowing him this time. Much thanks again to tom wall for useing his home computer system to make up the fine dual sport maps you riders were given for the events. However, i lose this service for the future as tom does not want to continue this due to the time it takes. He did inform me he would help me more with work rides in 2001, so i lose a map maker but gain a helper. It would be nice for someone to step foward and take over this service or some of us will have to go back to hand drawing the maps. And this is very time consumming.

Thanks to gary purdy in roscommon for the ‘roughing in’ work he did for the vintage ride in 2000. Gary said he would do this again for the 2001 vintage ride and help me with the orv safety patrol event at south branch. These two events are right in his backyard, so this saves me time and money not having to travel to these areas as much. Dave brock was again dual sport’s pre-rider. Dave was usually the first signup saturday and first dual sport rider on the course. He made sure to replace any missing marking ribbons. Others who contributed to dual sport in 2000 as helpers were shannon ruthrauff, bern bidinger, don gentz, dan gentz, tim gentz, brianmiller, pete jantschak, john wardell, lee rodgers, steve carmer, tom myers, and jim mcvicar. If i forgot to mention any other c.C.C. Members who helped with dual sport in 2000, your assistance was appreciated. As always, can always use more volunteers to help me out. If interested, call me at 616-731-4779 anytime.

There will some changes for the comming 2001 dual sport events. I am going to scale back what i have been putting out for routes for you dual sporters. Next year, i will offer either one 100+ mile two loop course and a shorter 50 mile third loop or three separate 50 mile loops at the events. Pete jantschak has agreed to contribute an 80-90 mile easy igirle-mani course made up of mostly county dirt and gravel roads. This will be for those riders that want an extremly easy ride or have cycle with tires not suited to a lot of two track riding. Am hopeing this may contribute to 25 more dual sport riders showing up at the t.T./ S . So any of you c.C.C. Members that have wanted to try dual sport but don/t like a lot of sandy two track, you have a different option for dual sport at the events. Sweep riding will continue on sunday only (i can always use volunteers for this, and there will be few or no marking ribbons on the routes.

I will again offer route sheet holders for sale at signup, two sets of millage will again be offered on the route sheets, and the larger type will continue. After reviewing the events schedule for 2001, i see it will be a little slimmer than in 2000. There will be just 7 weekend trail tours with dual sport offered instead of 8 as in the past. I will be handleing 6 of these for dual sport.

Again i appeal to those of you that are getting older, tired of the same old iwhooped out 1 single track trail, want a different riding option at the events, and you c.C.C. Members who do not come to the t.T. S. Dual sport just may be the thing you are looking for. This part of the article is always the most important. For anyone who wants to try this type of riding at the trail events, make sure both you and your cycle are road legal. For your bike, this means you must have a horn, at least one mirror, working head, tail, and brake lights, united states forestry approved muffler/spark arristor with a 94db or lower sound rateing, d.O.T. Approved tires, license plate, and an orv sticker (for the posted trail sections,. You must have a cycle endorsement on your drivers license, cycle registration, and cycle insurance.

If you have an un-licensed cycle, quad or three wheeler, and normally ride just the posted single track trail or orv trails, then do not go out with a dual sporter and try to sneak thru. If caught, this can result in dual sport and the c.C.C. Getting in more trouble with law enforcement authorities and we do not need this.

I hope dual sport makes a recovery from the down year we just finished. Know there must be many road legal riders in our organization who have never tried dual sport at the t.T.’S. Please come out next year and help us out with your participation. With two different types of dual sport riding now offered, there should be something for everyone to enjoy. Hope that my prediction of 75-125 dual sport riders at most t.T.’S made in the dual sport iii article for the 2000 season comes true in 2001. Participation at the first two or three events next year will give me an idea as to what to expect.

The final part of my article is an appeal to someone or a couple younger than myself (i am 54, in the c.C.C. Who would be interested in gradually takeing over the dual sport work i have been engaged in for the past 9 years. If interested, you should be a good off-road rider, have a reliable road legal off-road cycle, have a good sense of direction, have most or all weekends free and like to spend them in northern michigan riding, and preferably have an ico electronic odometer on your cycle. You should be someone who would enjoy, as i have had, doing the necessary riding and paperwork to make up a dual sport course.

The last two or three years, find i have less energy each year to continue this work at the pace i keep. If someone does come foward who wants to take over this work in the future, i will be happy to advise you on what you need to know and would continue to work with you if you need help or advice. Finally, come out in 2001 and swell our dual sport ranks to make the comming season a sucess.

Dual Sport III (2000)

Posted on July 21, 2012 by GLDSJuly 21, 2012

Here’s some nolstalgia for our long-time members and a bit of history for the rest.
This was Steve Flach’s third “dual sport” article that was published in the CCC’s Great Lakes Trail Rider magazine back in 2000. It’s interesting to watch the “tone” change from year to year in the subsequent articles as things progress (see article 1 and 2). Those of us with direct involvement can also look back on the history of our organization/sport and see things coming together (in hindsight, of course).

Dual Sport III

BY STEVE ‘Dual Sport’ FLACH (’46-’07)

Fellow Dual Sport riders. 1999 Is now history and Dual Sport riding attained new highs in participation. 506 Riders rode the weekend Dual Sport courses this past season, compared with 374 in 1998. A 25% increase. Many new ridership records were set, but do not expect these to last long with the 2000 riding season coming up. 6 Of the 8 trail tours in 1999 had increases in Dual Sport riders with 5 of these having 25-30% of the total signups.

The record for Dual Sport signups was shattered twice in 1999 with the rites of spring t.T. By the capitol chapter at whiskey creek setting the tone early. The ‘old’ record was established at the 1998 color tour, which set two marks. 68 Riders rode Dual Sport that weekend and 55 on saturday alone. These totals were both roundly shattered at the first 1999 event. 84 Riders were on the Dual Sport routes on saturday and 97 overall for the weekend. This amounted to only 17% of the total signups, but this event had another huge turnout with 550 riders. The next t.T. Was the mid-may ORV Safety Patrol event held at meadows campground near Luzerne. This produced an event record 43 Dual Sport riders out of 191 signups, a 22+% figure. Next up was the pathfinders- west michigan chapters t.T. At carrieville in early june. Rainy weather kept turnout low, 134 riders, but 38 were on the Dual Sport loops, a 28+% figure. The next event was the Tomahawk chapter’s Phillip Bean memorial ride in late june near wolverine, back after a one year absence. This attracted a record 48 Dual Sport riders out of 190+ signups, a 25% participation rate. Tri-county’s late august trail tour at Brevort in the u.P. Was next on the schedule. This was the third year of this event and it saw another ridership increase to 165 with an event record 50 Dual Sport riders participating, a 30% figure. Bulldog’s early september ride north of atlanta attracted 241 riders and another 50 Dual Sporters. A 21% figure. Capitol chapter’s ‘vintage’ ride in late september saw the biggest jump in weekend trail tour participation. Signups more than doubled to 214 and Dual Sport ridership increased from 38 in 1998 to an event record 62 riders, a 29% figure. This brings us to the final event of 1999, Tricounty’s color tour near Vanderbilt in early october. Had made up 100 copies of Dual Sport paperwork for this event, expecting about 75-80 riders. But a new one day record of 108 showed up for Dual Sport on saturday and 10 more signed on sunday for a new weekend mark of 118 riders. This amounted to about 27% of the total signups.

The growth in Dual Sport participation was most welcome and I see no letup in the coming 2000 season. I expect a record Dual Sport turnout of 125-150 riders at the first 2000 event at Whiskey Creek. I also expect Dual Sport participation to reach 40% of the total signups at some events next year. A few years down the road, Dual Sporters may very well constitute the majority of signups at our weekend trail events. A major reason for this increase in Dual Sport ridership every year may be that many riders have told me they are tired of the same old ‘whooped’ out single track trail being used every year at many TTs. They try the Dual Sport course and find out it is not the road ride they thought it was. They have an enjoyable time and come back for more in the future.

In last year’s Dual Sport II article, I issued a call for more people to help me make Dual Sport ‘happen’ in 1999 and more than two dozen of you responded. Three individuals really stood out and need some recognition here. Much personal thanks go to Jim Carl, Tom Wall, and Gary Purdy. These three were invaluable to me for their help this past season. Jim karl spent a lot of weekends with me on work rides, did some Dual Sport paperwork, and performed a lot of sweep riding at the TTs. Equal thanks should also go to his wife for allowing him the time to help as much as he did. Tom Wall was right up there with Jim Carl. He also did a lot of work weekends and sweep riding and equal thanks also to his family for allowing him to do this. But his biggest contribution to Dual Sport was the cheap way he found to make colored Dual Sport maps on his computer system. This saved myself and others a lot of time and cost hand drawing them. Gary Purdy was my third major helper in 1999. He contributed to paperwork, sweep riding, and some work rides. His behest help was that he did most of the ‘roughing’ in of the ‘vintage’ ride at Geels in late september, saving me a few weekends of work. Gary lives just a few miles up the road in Roscommon so this was right in his backyard. For you Dual Sport riders who enjoyed this course, you can thank Gary for the major part of it. I only made two minor alterations to two of the four loops. Major contributors to Dual Sport sweep riding this past season were Brian Miller and the Gentz family; brothers Don and Arne, and their sons Dan, Brian, and Keith. (If I failed to mention any Gentz family member I forgot helped, I apoligize. Dave Brock was my main pre-rider. He was almost always the first Dual Sport signup on saturday. He made sure to replace any marking ribbons that were missing. Others who contributed to Dual Sport in 1999 were John Lang, Rick Cote, Pete Hartung, Pete Jantschak, Dave Butcher, Laurel Cook, Dave Karl, Jim Ferguson, Ron Heath, Sue Heath, John Hodap, Lee Rodgers, Bern Bidinger, Norm Beyer, And John Wardell. If I forgot to mention any other CCC members who helped on Dual Sport, your assistance was appreciated.

For the coming 2000 riding season, I now have sufficient help on the paperwork, can use some more volunteers for sweep riding, and can really use more help on the weekends I spend making up and finalizing these Dual Sport routes. Anyone interested, call me at 616-731-4779 evenings. The changes I implemented in 1999 went over real good. The larger type print on the route sheets helped many riders who had trouble seeing the smaller print used before. The 4 loop 40-50 mile concept also was very popular and will continue for the 2000 season. Route sheet holders will again be offered for sale at signup to any that want them. New changes for 2000 will be sweep riding will be done only on sunday. Dual Sport riders will sign a sheet saturday before going out and sign back in upon return. Bill Chapin, our ex. Director, has requested that there be fewer marking ribbons at the turns, so you Dual Sporters will have to pay a little more attention to your navigating as you ride along. Another change will be the standard cycle odometer millage that was offered just below the ICO electronic millage on your route sheets. I found out this past season that most cycle odometers read higher than the true millage. This amounts to about two tenths of a mile higher after 10 miles ridden. The millage offered on the 2000 route sheets will reflect this change. Choose which ever one most closely matches your odometer. The 2000 season has another 8 planned weekend events offering Dual Sport. So we Dual Sporters are again appealing to those of you that are; 1, getting ancient, 2, unable to ride single track anymore because of injuries, physical problems, or getting-ancient, 3, anyone that wants a different riding option or easier ride at the events, 4, anyone and/or their cycle who is tired of hurting for 1-2 weeks after riding single track, and, 5, you CCC members who do not come to the trail tours.

This part of the article is most important. For anyone new to this type of riding, make sure you have a road legal off-road cycle: horn, mirrors, working head, tail, and brake lights, united states forestry approved muffler/spark arrestor with a 94db or lower sound rating, d.O.T. Approved tires, license plate, and ORV sticker (for the posted trail sections). Make sure you are also road legal with a cycle endorsement, registration, and insurance. Do not get Dual Sport and the ccc in trouble by riding Dual Sport unless you meet the above requirements.

Dual Sport has come a long way since 1992 when fewer than 5 riders participated at some TTs. In some cases, Dual Sport ridership has increased over 1000%. I predict many weekend events in 2000 will have 75-125 riders on the Dual Sport course. I will continue to put together the Dual Sport routes you riders enjoy as long as my health and energy hold up. I do not have to do all the paperwork now, enough riders usually come forward to take over the sweep riding, and I usually have help on work weekends.

Finally, I would like to see many more riders join our Dual Sport ranks and make the 2000 season the biggest and best Dual Sport year yet.

Dual Sport Riding II (’98)

Posted on July 21, 2012 by GLDSJuly 21, 2012

Here’s some nolstalgia for our long-time members and a bit of history for the rest.
This was Steve Flach’s second “dual sport” article that was published in the CCC’s Great Lakes Trail Rider magazine back in 1998 (link to first article). It’s interesting to watch the “tone” change from year to year in the subsequent articles as things progress. Those of us with direct involvement can also look back on the history of our organization/sport and see things coming together (in hindsight, of course).

Dual Sport Riding II

by Steve Flach (’46-’07)

Last february, I submitted an article for publication in the Trailrider magazine about Dual Sport riding. In it, I explained what it is, how it works, what type of bike one needs, and appealed to you ccc members that just might want a different type of riding instead of the same ‘whooped’ single track trail that is used when chapters hold their trail tours at the same sites each year. I had hoped the article would increase Dual Sport ridership from 10-15% of the total event signups it has been the last few years to 20% or more. Well, quite a few of you responded and tried this easier form of riding. Of the 8 weekend trail tours that offered Dual Sport riding, 6 had participation ranging from 18 to 32+% of the total riders. The following is a summary of Dual Sport ridership at the 1998 trail tours.

The old record for Dual Sport riders at a weekend trail event had been 58, set at the 1996 color tour near Grayling. This was surpassed by the Capitol Chapter’s Rites of Spring ride at Whiskey Creek in early May when 61 riders toured the Dual Sport course) including a record 47 on Saturday alone. The percentage to total signups was only 12% but this was due to the fact we had the highest participation at a trail tour in almost 20 years with 545 riders. The mid-may event put on by the ORV Safety Patrol south of Luzerne had 38 Dual Sport riders, a record for that event. This also amounted to about 20% of the signups, but Genessee Valley’s mid-june event north of Mio produced a downer when only 27 of the 245 signups tried the Dual Sport route (an 11% figure, at this point}. Thought that the high numbers of Dual Sporters at the first two events were just a one time thing, but ridership did a big turn around after that. The July event at Geels by the Capitol Chapter was held on a hot, very dry and dusty weekend, the low turnout of riders: 108, did not surprise me, but the relatively high number of Dual Sport signups (30) did, this figure of 28% of the signups set a record at a weekend TT, the next event was held in the U.P. near Brevort by Tri-County, a low turnout of riders was expected for this August event, but it produced an increase in signups compared to the same event held here in 1997. Dual Sport ridership showed the largest increase when 33 riders rode the course. This was double from the year before and a new record 29% of the signups. The Bulldog trail tour in early September continued Dual Sport popularity when more than 25% of the signups, about 55, went around the course, and things got better yet at the final two events. The late September Bentwheels event at rose city attracted 191 riders and set two more Dual Sport records. The first was the 62 riders who rode the course, the second was the 32+% of total signups. But records are made to be broken. The Pathfinders-West Michigan color tour two weeks later produced two new marks when 68 Dual Sporters showed up to ride the route, including 55 on saturday alone, this amounted to 18% of the signups.

This large increase in Dual Sport participation last year was better than I had hoped for, but with this increase came problems. The first one concerned how to complete the increases in paperwork required for each event. I had enjoyed doing this by myself as it gave me something to occupy my time after work. But by july, it became imperative I find others to help me so the paperwork would be completed in a reasonable length of time. I would like to thank the following people for their help with Dual Sport preparation: Gary Purdy pitched in not only with the paperwork, but rode along with me on some of the work weekends I spend making up Dual Sport routes. Dave Karl, who rides along with me on sweep riding after signup is over, also volunteered his help with paperwork. Dave told me his secretary at the business he runs did not not have enough to keep busy, so he had her fill out her work day drawing Dual Sport maps and making a contribution to the CCC. Also thanks go to Brian Miller and Dan Gentz. They offered to become Dual Sport helpers in mid-summer, so I had them do some of the sweep riding. I was getting kind of tired of this, especially on sunday.

Because I see Dual Sport riding becoming even more popular in 1999, we will need more help this coming riding season to make Dual Sport ‘happen’ at the trail tours. There are three areas anyone can volunteer to help with, first and foremost is the paperwork. More riders will mean an increase in this. The second will be sweep riding of the routes each day after signup is over. 3 to 4 more riders will be needed to help with this, the reason being many Dual Sport courses being contemplated for 1999 will have 4 separate 40-50 mile loops, Dual Sporters will have the option of riding any of these loops they want to either day of the event. 1 or 2 ‘sweeps’ will be needed to cover each loop starting in the early afternoon about 3 hours before the prize drawing. The riders will be more spread out each day and this should cut down on the complaints received last year about congestion and the dust raised to ride thru. A third area I really need help with is to have one or more riders accompany me on the work weekends I spend between the trail tours making up these Dual Sport routes. This involves a lot of stop and go riding as the turns and millage are recorded for the route sheet and riding down dead ends to eliminate them from the final course. If any of you Dual Sporters can spend one weekend or even one day helping me every 4-6 weeks, it will be very appreciated. I can be contacted at 616-731-4779 anytime this winter and evenings only after mid-march. Just let me know a few days in advance during warm weather and I can tell you where to meet me for that weekend’s work.

Improvements for 1999 will be route sheets with much larger print for you riders who have trouble reading small print. I will also have route sheet holders available for purchase at signup. I started this in mid-summer last year and sold every one I brought to the events. They will be offered for sale for what I purchased them for. 1999 Looks like another heavy trail tour schedule with 8 weekend events offering Dual Sport riding. So again I appeal to those of you that are: 1) getting older~ 2) unable to ride single track anymore~ 3) tired of riding just single track~ 4) anyone in the CCC that wants an easier ride~ 5) those of you that can’t ride single track anymore due to injuries~ 6) anyone who is getting tired of hurting for a week and a half after a 50-75 mile tour on a single track course~ and 7) you CCC members that do not come to the trail tours. For anyone thinking of trying this~ make sure you have a -road legal-off-road bike: horn, mirrors, tail light, head light, brake light, U.S. Forestry service approved muffler/spark arrester that can pass the sound limit of 94 decibels, dot approved knobby tires~ license plate) and orv sticker (for the posted trail sections). You must also be road legal: drivers license cycle endorsement, registration< and insurance. Last year I was told by our executive director, Bill Chapin, and some chapter presidents that some riders were going out on the Dual Sport routes that did not meet the above legal requirements. Here I must emphasize this: do not ride the Dual Sport routes at the trail tours unless both you and your bike are road legal. Violating this could cause serious trouble for the CC. In closeing I would like to continue seeing more of you become ‘hooked’ on this type of riding in 1999 like I did in 1992, so come out and make it an even better year for Dual Sport participation that 1998 was.

Dual Sport Riding I (’97)

Posted on July 21, 2012 by GLDSJuly 21, 2012

Steve Dual Sport Flach

Here’s some nolstalgia for our long-time members and a bit of history for the rest.
This was Steve Flach’s first “dual sport” article that was published in the CCC’s Great Lakes Trail Rider magazine back in 97. It’s interesting to watch the “tone” change from year to year in the subsequent articles as things progress. Those of us with direct involvement can also look back on the history of our organization/sport and see things coming together (in hindsight, of course).

Dual
Sport
Riding
By: Steve Flach (’46-’07)

Is Dual sport riding for you? Are you looking for a different type of riding at the CCC trail tours? If you answered yes to these questions, then dual sport riding may be the enjoyment you have been looking for. This article will seem like old hat to the core group of about 35 riders that have enjoyed the dual sport courses at the trail tours since 1992. Indeed, this article is aimed at those of you that are: 1)Getting older, 2)Unable to handle the single track, 3) Tired of just riding single track, 4) Any members ofthe CCC who want an easier ride, 5) People like myself who have had injuries years before which makes single track a real pain or impossible, 6) Those of you who hurt for a week after riding a 50 – 70 mile single track and 7) Those CCC members who do not come to trail tours.

What is dual sport riding? Dual sport riding is using a road legal off-road cycle (head light, taillight, brake light, horn, mirrors and DOT approved tires), in conjunction with the rider being road legal, with a cycle endorsement, insurance, registration, plate and ORV sticker (for the trail sections), to ride a mix of paved, gravel and dirt roads, ORV and snowmobile trails, forest two-tracks and even a little single track. A rider follows the course from one point to another by using a route sheet given to them at sign-up which has mileage which corresponds to their odometer readings. A map of the course is also included. It comes in handy if you become lost, are injured, have a mechanical problem or just want to come back to camp early.

Advantages of dual sport riding are: Both you and your bike usually come back in good shape and clean, you do not hurt all over, except from sitting on the seat for over I00 miles, the dual sport courses are usually changed from year to year so you get to see a different part of northern Michigan and you ride at your own pace, you are able to enjoy the countryside going by and can stop anytime to rest.

Now at the trail tours, the route sheets and the route maps are easy to read and understand and are uniform from event to event. Many of the dual sport route sheets now have two sets of mileage, ICO electronic and standard bike odometer to satisfy those riders who have either one or the other. The courses are now kept to around 100 miles or less which means a ride of 5 – 6 hours or less and gives one time to finish well before the daily prize drawings.
A good percentage, (30% or more) of the route is two-track which seems to be what the riders prefer. The courses have one or more gas/food stops so a rider has no worry about running low on fuel or getting thirsty. There are at at least one or more cleanup riders on the dual sport route who go out after sign-up is over and help any riders along the way who might need it. I discovered this type of riding in 1992 at the KOM Chapter TT and the ORV Safety Patrol ride just after. Prior to this, I was ready to hang it up and sell my bike after 29 years of nding because the single track was too tough on my knees and left shoulder. I so enjoyed this format that the following two years, I became involved with helping put on the dual sport rides at many of the TTs. By helping with these routes, joining 5 CCC Chapters and helping with the ORV Safety Patrol Fundraiser, I feel this is something I can do to
contribute back to the CCC organization.

There has been a slow, steady increase of riders dual sporting at the trail tours since this type of riding was first offered in 1992. Many times that first year, there were less than 5 riders at each ride. Now two trail tours in the last two years have had over 50 riders with a high of 58 at the 1996 tour in Grayling. Dual sport riders now constitute from 10% to to 15% or more of the sign-ups at the trail tours. An increase to 25% or more would be very welcome. So, come out this year and try this type of riding.

You may become hooked on it such as I did and have something to look forward to at each TT like the three dozen or so riders who attend dual sporting events now. We have plenty of dual sport routes planned this year at several trail tours, so how about coming along for the ride in 1998!

Then There’s This Thing Called “Dual Sport”

Posted on July 21, 2012 by GLDSJuly 21, 2012

Then There’s This Thing Called “Dual Sport”

By Hank Adkins, May 2004
Even though a CCC member for several years I had only used the membership to obtain the Michigan ORV Trail system map book (well worth the $25 membership fee) to plan an occasional ride with some out of state riding friends.

Believing fifty something was too old to ride anymore I sold my scoot. After three years of regretting it I bought another one.

Reluctant to ride alone yet determined to “get back out there” I attended the 2004 Rites Of Spring event at Whiskey Creek. Figuring out of 600 plus riders I could find someone to tag along with that was within my skill level.

WHATTA BLAST!!!

Dual Sport riding is a whole new world! No pressure, no race, no trophy, no red flare and 500 bikes take off, no officials, no checker flag at the finish and not as easy as it looks!

Basically, it’s like an enduro with no checkpoints and no time keepers. Riders are given a map to tape to their tank or a roll sheet similar to an enduro one that has mileage and arrows pointing which way to turn and a description of what type of terrain it is two track, dirt, paved road, gravel, etc. If you have a GPS the whole ride can be downloaded into that! Some of the experienced guys had a home made dashboard mounted to their crossbar that had a roll chart on the left, speedometer/mileage counter/trip meter in the center, and a GPS on the right: ultra cool!

So there you are, cooking down a two track, winding the roll chart, checking the GPS, and looking for the correct direction every time you come to fork, crossroad, etc. All this at speed mind you.

During sign up, a member of Great Lakes Dual Sporters offered to take me out on the loop and I’m very glad I took him up on it. Turns out Jim is a very experienced dual sporter and has laid out many a course and written many a roll chart. After another member, Keith, helped me install my “very first” roll chart, we met up with yet another member, John, under the “Big Tree”, set our odometers to zero and rode off. Jim on a KTM 400 and John on his KTM 450. I tried hard to read the roll chart and with Jim’s coaching, did learn a lot, but was no match for these guys experience.

My new Honda XR400 performed brilliantly! My last bike was a 1981 XR 500. I cannot believe what 20 years of technology has accomplished with these machines. The modern suspension and frame geometry make for a much easier (and safer) ride. My skills are rusty and confidence level is not up there because I had no idea what the machine would do. I was using stock suspension settings and 14 pounds of air in each tire. Have not got the sandy hairpin turns figured out and was somewhat timid. At one of the gas stops I dropped two pounds out of the front tire and that gave me more confidence to stuff it into the turn and gas it.

I held my own with these guys, mostly because all I had to do was ignore the roll chart and follow. Although a “newbie” to dual sport I do have trail riding experience. Man, what a thrill! I’m talking 5th gear on the gas, pine trees whicking by on both sides, just gittin’ it down these two tracks! Every time they stopped to look for me I was parked right behind them with a big grin on my face! It was like I had been riding with these guys for years. They were much more comfortable with their equipment and have lots more recent saddle time with the new technology but soon as I get this Honda figured out and learn how to read a roll chart and GPS while on the gas in 5th gear, I’ll be the guy out front leading the way! There I go getting competitive again but it’s not that kind of ride.

The cool thing about this sort of riding is that there are so many different types of terrain to traverse. Just about the time you think “man I’ve had enough of this” the course will switch to a wide hard packed sand road or a couple miles of pavement, so you have time to relax, look for deer, eagles, turkey and other wildlife before diving back into the woods again.

The riders are a great bunch of people. We stopped several times and talked to others on the side of the trail. Picked up one guy and his buddy from Illinois who had driven 400 miles to the event. One rode a Yamaha and the other a Husaberg. They were practicing to ride the 1200 mile Upper Peninsula Dual Sport Safari later this summer. They rode with us for a while and we even had lunch together but eventually they went their own way. Met some Ohio riders with Suzuki’s, a guy on a big Kawasaki 650, and other people too, some even riding two up! It’s so cool just start talking about their bikes or equipment or any ole thing, it ain’t no race so there ain’t no pace! The maps indicate lots of cut offs and ways to bypass the rough terrain if that’s your style. We waved to people we passed in cars on tight roads and to people picking mushrooms or working in their yard at the occasional cabin located near a lake or something. We would go past quietly and respectfully then throttle up when the coast was clear.

We called it quits before completing the 150 mile first day loop. About every ten miles you RESET TO ZERO as instructed on the roll sheet and we completed 11 resets for a total of 122 miles!

And guess what? These dudes are in their 50’s and 60’s!!! That’s a really cool thing about this sport because maturity has its merits when it comes to knowing how to treat people, being respectful of the land and others on the trail.

Everyone rides at their own pace. Without experienced guides to follow I would have been forced to ride much slower (which is just fine) but even though I finished the day with a bit of pine branch hanging from under my number plate I didn’t fall down. It’s still there and I might just leave it there as my “Red Badge of Courage” and souvenir of a truly awesome riding experience.

Sadly, I did not ride the 110 mile loop the next day. Truth is, I was too pooped and too sore to push myself any further. But now I have the motivation to put aside the cookies and TV and get myself back into shape!

Bottom line: you gotta try this Dual Sport thing! I can honestly say it’s everything I have been looking for. If nothing else I will discover some great trails to ride and collect maps and route sheets along the way. But a bonus for riding the events are the great prizes given away at the end of each days riding, plus you get to see a bazillion different set ups on these machines. I like to go “old school” wearing bibs and a sweatshirt, but no way am I going to give up this XR400 until they make one with an electric start!

See ya at the next one!
Hank

Time Traveler

Posted on July 21, 2012 by GLDSJuly 21, 2012

Time Traveler

By Tim Hoffman, July 2004

Have you ever “Time Traveled” on your dirt bike?
Riding along, and all of a sudden it hits you; “I’ve been here before”. Like déjà vu all over again.
How about a 25 year Time Travel?

At Tomahawk’s Phil Bean Memorial Trail Tour last June 26th and 27th, some of the Dual Sport Route that Jeramey, Shannon and the rest of the G. L. Dual Sporters laid out started to look very familiar. Not like, “I rode it last season” familiar, but, “a long time ago, like a lifetime ago” familiar.

We were running old two-tracks, forest roads, wide trails and with so much private land in the area, the inevitable road sections. Popping in and out of the woods, occasionally getting magnificent views of the surrounding hills, valleys and highlands, “Michigan Mountains” I like to call them. Any downside to popping out on the road sections in that area, to get around private property was greatly out-weighed by the fantastic views.

Guilty of “Daydreaming While Riding”? Maybe I was, but it’s tough to concentrate on riding while checking out the sights!
We came off a two-track, turned on to this desolate, little-used piece of dirt road, then it hit me; this is old relocated MCCCT that we had been following! Part of the original Pere Marquette Cycle Trail that Phil Bean, Ed Graham and Mel Lill originally scouted and led crews through, hanging ribbon and triangles with nothing better than county maps and compasses. Now, 30 years later, we are back enjoying it again.

This is the same Trail Safari/MCCCT stuff my brother and I rode in 1980 when we were just puppies on 175 DT Yamaha and 250 CR Honda two-strokes.

When we popped out from that certain two-track onto that dirt road and got that great view, it all came back like it was yesterday. In June of 1980, my brother and I were dropped off at White Cloud with our tents and sleeping bags bungied to our rear fenders. I had a trick tank bag with a clear map holder for the 16 page CCC mapbook and a crescent wrench hose-clamped to the swing arm, with it’s jaws cinched down on the axle nut.

Riding gear? Yah right. $60 mail-order “enduro” boots and the coolest lamb skin Hi-Point red, white, and blue gloves (try to find some of those today, and for $22!) were the highlight of my wardrobe. A $10 open-faced helmet for my $10 head, Scott goggles (with the clip-on facemask of course), and our high-tech-trick riding outfits supplied from Levi Straus. Jeans (yes, they were bell-bottoms) and jean jackets, the standard 1970’s enduro pants and jacket combo. We got lucky in 1980, the rain held off all week, (rain gear? see: “Levi” above), we didn’t ever crash hard (first-aid kits? Are you kidding? Six Band-Aids!), no break-downs, (we didn’t have very many tools to fix anything with anyway!) and for the life of me, how we ever found our way through those woods with very few triangles and no GPS, I will never know.

We were two days into our 1980 Trail Safari adventure when we rode into these “Michigan Mountains”, riding some of these very same trails we rode this past June.

That’s when I went on my little “Time Travel”. The G.L. Dual Sporter’s Route took me on it. Riding through those hills brought back that Trail Safari I rode with my brother in 1980. Here I was, 24 years later, riding behind my brother again, on some of those very same trails. I was in a Zone. A Trippy, Time-Travel Twilight Zone.

I want to thank Jeramey Valley, Shannon Ruthrauff and the rest of the Great Lakes Dual Sporters for taking me on my little time-travel trip. You brought back a lot of good memories and inspired us into breaking out that old 16-page mapbook. We’re going to try to follow what’s still legal of our 1980 route next year and try to re-create that twenty-five year old Safari ride.

Except, twenty-five years later, we’ll have GPS, Goretex, money for motels, bunsavers and 600cc four strokes. Hey, I said we wanted to re-create the RIDE, not the SUFFERING!!!

The Trail Back to Friendship, Fun and Excitement

Posted on July 21, 2012 by GLDSJuly 21, 2012

The trail back to fun, friendship and excitement.
By Steve Rauscher

Ten years without riding, never again! I almost forgot how much fun riding is. Years ago, I rode single track with guys who were much faster then I, so I learned to eat dust and enjoy it. Then I made a stupid move and sold my brand new KDX250 for reasons ah well..ah.ah.. ya know… So last year (spring 2003) I got a wild hair and purchased two used bikes. An old 550 Maxim and a ’99 KLR250 both of which were in great shape. I still do not know why I purchased the street bike, because my philosophy is, I would rather hit a tree then a car. I put maybe 300 miles on the old Maxim and then gave it free rent in my garage for the next few months. However, I had bigger plans for the little KLR; I wanted to return to northern Michigan with my new digital SLR camera to take pictures of nature while riding the forest roads and two tracks. Well, guess what, has not happened yet!
One thing led to anther and I got involved in a hug landscaping project at home and the little KLR sat all summer in the garage (also rent free) and was ridden once down a short lane in the neighborhood. This short ride quickly made me realize the KLR250 did not have enough horses under the tank to haul my fat butt around the sands of Michigan. So once the landscaping was complete and a trip to Texas was in the planning stages I traded both the used bikes on a new ’04 KLR650.

I then firmly set my sights on Big Bend National Park in Texas for some desert riding during Christmas vacation. Talk about a different world down there, rocks, rocks, rocks and more rocks.. I even ran across five illegal donkeys in the park which had crossed the Rio Grand River to feed on the US side. On my first day I was to ride a 25 mile truck trail which had many washouts, short climbs and even a few drop offs which my folks suggest would be a good adventure. I quickly learned I had not ridden in a loooooong time. The trail was rough, no wait, lets try very rough, and the new KLR was bone stock, trials tires and all. After only about two miles of dodging rocks and cactus my hands, legs, arms and back were already starting to feel the pressure of holding on for dear life. I almost turned around at this point telling myself “there has to be a better way”. But the little boy in me said, “I think I can, I think I can” so I continued on. Even though it was mid December it was hot in the desert, so I am glad I had attached my old blue water bottle to the cross bars. After ten miles or so, I stopped, watered myself and then the rocks and enjoyed the view, the whole time thinking about taking the easy way out and back tracking, but once again the little boy in me kicked in and I moved forward. A short time later the KLR developed a clang clang clang noise which I thought was the Speedo unit bouncing around due to the rough trail and the way the bike was being rattled around (not sure Texas knows what dirt is, just ROCKS). The clang clang clang continued to get worse, but the bike seem to be running fine so I continued on. About 20 miles in, I ran across an Orange bike which was parked on the edge of a look out with its rider sitting on the ledge with his legs dangling over taking in the beautiful valley and mountain beyond. Now I am afraid of heights so I beeped and went on not wanting to get too close to the edge. After almost three hours I finally finished the 25 mile trail. Now came decision time, I had to decide rather to turn around and ride the trail back or loop around on the gravel and pavement which was 55 miles. Needless to say, I looped and ended up with major monkey butt. This was the most miles I had ridden in one day. I was extremely tired and proud of myself.

The next day I decided to ride a truck trail which was more my style. The trail was more like a rough gravel road with many washouts rather then large square rocks stacked on each other for miles after miles. I was able to maintain a fairly good pace, but the clang, clang, clang from the previous day continued. After a couple hours the bike started to handle like a Ford Pinto with no rubber on the wheels. I stopped again to check the noise and finally discovered what the clang clang clang was. The steering stem nut had vibrated loose. Not prepared to have a large loose nut I did what every red blooded American boy would do and attempted to tighten the nut with my fingers, but I just could not get the nut tight enough. After only a few hundred yards the nut would spin off again. There was no way I could tighten the nut with what I had and I was not about to walk out of the desert, so I ended up holding the nut with my index finger of my left hand to keep it in place while I rode out of the desert back to the main road and camp. I was schedule to depart the next day so I just loaded the bike and called it a day.

I did not get to ride as much as I wanted but it was enough to know I had made the right decision to purchase a bike and start riding again. Once I return home to Michigan I started really reading the CCC Trailrider magazine and decided to attend the Rites of Spring event. I had only attended one CCC event in the past which was a winter ride back in 1990, which was a complete failure on my part. Who knew about studs? Not me!!! Anyway, after reading the ads and write ups about Rites of Spring I just had to see what 900 bikers looked like. I took the Friday before the event off and arrived early to setup camp. I really did not know what I was doing or what to expect so I pretty much kept to myself and watch it rain and the propane level diminished throughout the afternoon and evening. Then came sign up and sound check. No, no wait that is sound check and sign up.. Like I said, I did not know what I was doing. The rain was coming down pretty good so it was a relief when I finally found the sound check area and the guys just looked at the stock KLR, smiled and gave me the paper work required and told me to head off to the sign up area. I must have looked like I had not ridden for ten years, remember, I still have the stock trials tires on the bike, it was muddy and I was timid to say the least. Off to sign-up I went soaked and all.

One of the things I remember most about this weekend was the age of the riders. When I was riding single track I very seldom ran into 40+ riders, but at this even it seems most folks were, mature you might say. The other thing which stood out, I was not the only chunky guy there. I was somewhat self conscious about being a large man wanting to play in the dirt on a motorcycle, until that day. I even met another large fellow on the trail who asked me where I was able to find motorcycle clothing for portly fellows. I though that portly was a pretty nice way of putting it, but I will admit it, I AM FAT. Anyhooooo, I finally get though sign-up and head back to the camper.

I spend the rest of the night watching it rain and the temperature drop. I was thinking, I really do not want to ride in the rain and it will be too cold to ride in the morning so this was going to be a wasted trip. However the next morning the rain had stopped and the temperature had jumped up a few degrees. Not a heat wave by any means but warmer.

Since I had never ridden a Dual Sport event, I had lots to learn. I had purchased a GPS some time earlier but really did not know how to use it. Then there was the roll chart, which reminded me of cave paintings, I knew I was going to be lost for sure before the day was over. I decide to wait until late morning to venture out, hoping there would be tracks to follow. Sure enough there were tracks and plenty of them. I quickly learned how the roll chart and GPS work together to guide me. After about 25 miles I ran into two fellows from the AMA who were riding the DS, taking picture and writing an article about the event. I ended up riding with them for the remainder of the day. I hate to admit it but I cannot remember their names but they rode at a pace which I enjoyed. We did not complete the entire A-loop due to the temperature dropping and time was running short. I ended up riding 85 miles which was once again the most miles I had ever ridden in one day. I was very tired and ready for a good nights sleep. Matter of fact I sleep so hard and so long, I did not have time to ride on Sunday so I packed up and headed for home.

When I was riding single tracks way back when I always liked the wider sections where I could open it up a bit and now I know why. As a kid growing up in farm country of Illinois basically the only place there was to ride was the country gravel roads or in open fields at wide open speeds. This has to be why I like the Dual Sport riding so much. For the most part the pace is much faster then single track but there is still time to look around and enjoy the country side.

At this point I must thank Jeramey Valley for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to me on the phone and again at sign-up lending words of advice and friendship. After talking with Jeramey and explaining how much I enjoyed Rites of Spring and the type of riding I want to do he invited me to join the Great Lakes Dual Sport Motorcycle Club (GLDSMC) and preride the Safety Patrol DS loops. Two days later I was at South Branch eating the dust of wheel king Jeramey. Jeramey is much faster then I but graciously waited for me at each reset and at many turn so I would not get lost. I do not recall how long it took to ride the loop but I once again eclipsed my most miles in a single day. Again I was tired and sore but this time I was hurt. Still running the darn trials tires I got crossed up in the deep sand on the power lines and jammed my foot into an embankment twisting my knee. That was Saturday and everyone else had other plans for Sunday and left, so I was on my own for Sunday. I wanted to ride but my knee was bothering pretty bad so I decided to just take it easy and ride over to Oscoda on the roads to see the lake. I figured after 15 years of living in Michigan it was about time I seen one of the Great Lakes.

From that point I have only missed two weekends of riding due to work. I am now a full fledged member of GLDSMC, no wait I still need my GLDSMC hat before it is official (Jeramey???). I have meet and ridden with many different Dual Sport riders and have enjoyed them all. My schedule is booked with events and prerides and I have even taken a week and ridden most the 1200 miles of the DS UP Safari which I plan on completing in September. I have started to plan another Christmas trek to Texas which I hope will be more successful, and have been considering talking to some of the guys about heading to Colorado next year for a couple of weeks to investigate some of the passes. Needless to say I am hooked. Now I just need an Orange bike!

As they say keep it on the trail
Steve Rauscher