I am getting stupidly excited...!

[sportsguy]

...and why is this, you ask?

Well, I'll tell you why...

Because on Tuesday I load up the STen and head out for 4 1/2 day so dual sport riding near Steveson, WA. For those who don't know, this is the area where the Washington Back Country Discovery Route starts. The whole are has oodles of great roads to ride - on and off tarmac.

I'm attending the Sound Rider Dualsport event, so a couple hundred of us will converge on Stevenson for a few days of riding, eating, BS-ing, seminars, training classes and general tom-foolery on our machines.

Plan for tomorrow is...

1 - dogs to groomer at 8AM, noon pickup - this is critical as no road trip can start without the furry little shit machines getting primped...even though they will remain at home. Some things just have to come first, ya know...
2 - take STen to the dealer to have the K60s installed at 2PM
3 - leave dealer and check out these new sneakers
4 - come home and plan my route south
5 - bbq...something...
6 - might test pack shit - we'll see. Given I have a cabin booked, gear is easy to sort out.

DAMN! Been waiting for this event since January!

Crazy excited to be able to take the S10...provided the tires hold air, of course. Backup plan is...

The KTM 690 Enduro R.

 

[joneil]

I'm sensing a certain level of anticipation. lol. Enjoy.

 

[scott123007]

Is it a "real" Dualsport event? Just curious, because the ones I used to do (eastern U.S.) you would be hard pressed to do on a Tenere, especially without full knobbies.

 

[snakebitten]

That's cool. I remember just a short time ago about a 100 guys saying the same thing.
It's all part of the adventure.

Have fun. And remember TC2 or TCoff.

 

[sportsguy]

Is it a "real" Dualsport event? Just curious, because the ones I used to do (eastern U.S.) you would be hard pressed to do on a Tenere, especially without full knobbies.

Yes - I know the organizer and spent some time looking over the proposed routes - everything is included, right up to some single track for those desiring it. I'm looking forward to some gravel, a few jeep trails and some new-to-me tarmac touring not all that far form home.

...and snake...TC1 will remain in effect, as will T, for at least the next 200 miles...then I reach a thousand mile son it, and according to the book, I'm released on my own recognizance at that point, so... S + TC2 should hit mid week!

ABS will be disabled before pulling out on a ride.

I can see an area being set up for STen riders to set the bikes on center stands, start in 2nd, then head out on trails...LOL Like an old Triumph rider stops, then sticks a bit up cardboard under the pick to catch the drips...

 

[scott123007]

You would be selling yourself short if you don't at least try your ABS first. I can assure you, you can do nothing off road on that bike better with that ABS off. You just have to wrap your head around the fact that you ONLY need the front brake.

 

[sportsguy]

You would be selling yourself short if you don't at least try your ABS first. I can assure you, you can do nothing off road on that bike better with that ABS off. You just have to wrap your head around the fact that you ONLY need the front brake.

You know - funny you say this. While riding back from a friend's tonight, I was thinking the same thing. Plus, the reality is I'm slow to get ready anyway, so I KNOW I won't have extra time to be fritzing with turning the ABS off - I'll try it as is and see how things roll, if you'll pardon the pun.

 

[snakebitten]

It's hard to convince your conventional wisdom that ABS could work off-road. And even harder to believe you would be fundamentally using the lever on the bars to stop on dirt.

But he's right. You gotta give it a try. It works fantastic in all but the most extreme circumstances.

 

[MidlifeMotor]

Yep, leave the ABS on. You won't lose a thing.

 

[Ramseybella]

Bringing the wife? :'(

Just kidding have a Blast drink some Beer around the fire. ::003::

 

[rush2112]

Another vote for ABS on. Been here in Colorado this week and without it, especially on the down hills with lots, and I mean lot's, of rocks I would have surely dumped the bike. Hardly ever used the rear, except a little coming down Imogene and Black Bear Pass.

Sent from my LG Optimus G

 

[sportsguy]

Bringing the wife? :'(

Just kidding have a Blast drink some Beer around the fire. ::003::

This is a me-only event. Good and bad. In Sept. She's off on a road trip to visit friends up near the Yukon on a solo road trip (in the Jetta). We both get adventure this year.

And the ABS on vote has won me over! Besides, what could be easier than leaving it alone?

 

[Ramseybella]

This is a me-only event. Good and bad. In Sept. She's off on a road trip to visit friends up near the Yukon on a solo road trip (in the Jetta). We both get adventure this year.

And the ABS on vote has won me over! Besides, what could be easier than leaving it alone?

Now thats cool!!
I just got home from Colorado with my Tenere need to send the title off for New Mexico.

 

[Mark R.]

Another vote for ABS on. Been here in Colorado this week and without it, especially on the down hills with lots, and I mean lot's, of rocks I would have surely dumped the bike. Hardly ever used the rear, except a little coming down Imogene and Black Bear Pass.

Sent from my LG Optimus G

I was in that area a couple days ago on a pavement-only trip with my son. How did you like the passes on the Tenere? I talked to a Jeep owner who said Black Bear would be too much for my Tenere, but I would like to hear about your experience.

 

[rush2112]

All of it is fine except for the steps. Had to walk it down. Was worth the trouble for the pictures.

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk 2

 

[sportsguy]

Well, it's upon me - departure at 11am tomorrow. I'm heading to the office for ne meeting at 10am, then off to the event. Allowing plenty of daylight for travel and some time to find dinner when I arrive.

Packed and repacked the bike yesterday and today. Installed new LED aux lights in the headlamp cluster. Filled the rotopax and topped up the tank.

I know I'm over packed, but what the heck - good news is its all in one largish bag, which shall reside in the cabin I have booked. Gotta remember to stiffen up the rear spring a little tomorrow. Just need to fill the Camelback, gear up and start rollin'.

Camera is charged. Video camera 1 is charged. Video camera 2 is charged. Computer is packed, I have enough cords to raise the Titanic, the jetboil is packed and a few freeze dried meal made the mix as well, just in case.

Heck, I even managed to snag a new smartphone on Friday. The new Nokia Lumia 1020...with the 41 megapixel camera. Can't wait to play with it. I think that ratio is about right, too...one bike, two bags, 4 cameras.

Now, where's the dirt?!

 

[521dvx]

After reading this, I can not wait for the updates.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Another vote for ABS on. Been here in Colorado this week and without it, especially on the down hills with lots, and I mean lot's, of rocks I would have surely dumped the bike. Hardly ever used the rear, except a little coming down Imogene and Black Bear Pass.

Sent from my LG Optimus G

::006::