Wilsons Sandbox

-----Original Message----- From: crazandy Sent: May 20, 2004 10:26 PM To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_klr650] Where to ride? Hi, My name is Andrew and I'm new to the list. I live in Alexandria VA and am planning on getting a KLR650 for a couple of reasons. I want something new and reliable because my 68 jeep and 79 jeep aren't that reliable. I want something that is gas frendly; 10mpg Jeeps suck. I want something new for a change. And I want to have a good DD in decent weather that I can take offroad (light offroading) occasionally. My wheeling experience is as follows: ATV Mudding (from age 12-15) with my relatives in Indiana on a Honda 2wd 300 and a Honda 4x4 350; 4wheeling a 304v8 79 CJ5 at Rausch Creek and Paragon Adventure Park in PA. What I'm wanting to know is if there are any good ATV/Bike trails around that I could ride on. The closest things I know of to Alexandria VA are GWNF and the couple of offroad parks in PA. Is there anything closer to the DC/NOVA area? Thanks, -Andrew ---------- Hey Andrew, I live in DC and work in Alexandria and have had the KLR for about two months now. I have the KLR for commuting and backwoods exploring, the VFR for long-distance touring and and more spirited hooning purposes. You don't say that you have any riding experience, or if you're a returning rider, but I'd recommend the MSF course I help teach in Northern Virginia if you're a new or returning rider. www.learn2ride.com Anyway, I'm heading out to GWNF (Geo. Washington Nat'l Forest) this weekend, to putter around the Great North Mtn. and Massanutten areas on the forest service roads that are about 90 minutes from DC on the slab and maybe try a few of the jeep trails. GWNF has more difficult trails open to ATVs and dirt bikes. Maybe I'll camp overnight if I can secure the requisite kitchen passes. If you don't want real hardcore stuff, there are plenty of dual-sport-type public roads (dirt, gravel, ruts galore) within 45 minutes to an hour of DC in Virginia and Maryland. Then there's urban assault riding in DC, which is well suited to the KLR. Paul in DC - www.wilsonline.org 95 VFR [Sport-tour] - 96 KLR650 [Dirt-tour]

I wasn't one of your sightings but was in the neighborhood during that time. I flew to Anchorage the morning of Saturday the 15th to pick up a new A18 in Eagle River. I've posted a few photos of trip back home to Juneau starting toward the bottom of this page: http://smc62.smugmug.com/gallery/116768/4 It was a great 750 mile ride. The weather was beautiful. Spent Saturday night in Tok, hit Haines Sunday evening and pulled in to Juneau on the ferry early Monday morning. I love this bike! Perfect for Southeast Alaska. Scott A18 agh19 wrote:

>My wife and I spent 9 days in Alaska as tourists starting 5/13. It >could only have been better if we'd been able to stay longer and I'd >been able to take the A13. There were a lot of bikes on the roads >but I spotted only two KLRs while I was there: > >Fairbanks - Monday 5/17 ~10:00pm at Barnette and 7th. >Seward - Thursday 5/20 ~noon at the marina next to the Kenai Fjords >tours office. > >Anybody on the list? > >Alan >A13 - saving up for the next trip to AK > > > >