rr: michaux state forest, pa (long, reflective)

[Zachariah Mully]

All- Just got out of a "happiness" meeting, and I figured writing up a ride report might just prevent me from throttling one of my coworkers for his blatant stupidity. Here goes... If you don't see any more posts from me, assume the worst (hey, do they have internet access in jail? Well, the intrepid duo of Robb and I once again set out to see just how many times we could violate Robb's warranty on his Y2k. This time we headed out to the Michaux State forest, which is about 10 miles west of Gettysburg, PA on route 30. After meeting in Frederick, MD and loading Robb up with saturated fats (donuts) and caffeine (coke) in an attempt to stave off his hang over, we set off up to Gettysburg via rt.15. Getting to the forest from SE DC took me a little over 2 hours, it is about 120 miles north of DC via super slab, but if you go early in the morning they are not a problem. We proceeded to take 140W to 997N to 30E and found the district forest office and maps. Well, there wasn't much information about where we could ride and where we couldn't, in as much as the signs on the rode said that if it looks like we shouldn't be there, then we probably shouldn't, so we set off into the southern part of the forest in hopes of discovering some trails. The forest is combed by 100+ miles of dirt roads, and woods roads, but we seemed to hit the forest in the middle of a major erosion control program, so most of the woods roads were closed off. We were not deterred by this, but were deterred by the pickup trucks flying around on the dirt roads. After making several wrong turns (damn liberal arts education failing me again!) we ended up back where we started, so remembering a trail I'd seen the first time around we set off for it. It turned out to be a gas pipeline that a local four wheeler had made a trail on with drainage control ditches as whoopdeedoos (a very technical term for large humps of earth which if driven over sufficiently fast cause your KLR *cough* pig *cough* to become airborne). As both Robb and I found out, the beasts do have the ability to fly albeit for very short distances. Also as I found out, it is good to know what is on the other side of a jump before you go over it. We stopped for pictures and blackberry picking after that and decided it was time for lunch. Upon returning from gorging ourselves, we figured we cruise around the dirt roads once more before heading for home as each of us was extremely tired. Of course, when you're riding a KLR, you find that no matter how much you resist, you find yourself looking at every path off the road, at every gap in the trees... Needless to say, we ended up finding a snowmobile trail that was pretty much all rocks hidden by long grass. Quickly taught us to stand on the pegs and let the bike float itself across the rocks. After that trail deadened, we took off once again for home only to stop another couple hundred yards down the road... Looked like a nice trail, wide enough for a jeep, not too technical.. So we took it, and boy did we find out what the KLR can do. The nice jeep trail turned into freshly used single track which we followed. Now, I will admit that what we did was not smart in any way, shape or form but it was incredibly challenging and I think that Robb and I have a new found respect for our beasts. The trail was barely wide enough for our bikes and headed downhill in to a thick forest with loamy soil. The trail was moist and littered with nice, big wheel eating rocks. The D750 and AM24's on our bikes were not ideal for this environment but performed admirably. We slid downhill, direction unknown, destination unknown, on an unmarked trail hoping that nothing would happen to our trusty steeds as neither of us had the energy to haul them back out the way we came. The trail became extremely technical with several log crossings and sharp turns made almost impassable by the considerable heft of our KLRs. Some thoughts about gear and general ideas to keep in mind while riding the KLR... My KLR had a Moose bashplate on it, whereas Robb's KLR is bone stock. My bashplate served two purposes... First, is the protection, second unbeknowst to me, was the ability to slide the bike over obstacles, in this instance, the log piles. Once the front wheel was over, all I had to do was transfer my weight forward and the bike slid forward on the smooth aluminum bashplate, then requiring only the judicious use of the throttle to climb over the log piles. The mirrors unscrew easily and definitely make it easier (and less nerve racking) to shoot the gap between trees. Good protective gear will cost a bundle, but in every aspect is worth it... Ask Robb about his MX boots and how much he would have paid for them after the bike fell over onto his leg (no injury to him with his equipment). We emerged almost unscathed from the woods... Robb's already bruised radiator fan assembly had taken yet another blow, this time when the bike fell onto his leg. Most likely his MX boots had prevented a broken if not sprained ankle, but in the process the impact dented the fan shroud. With a pair of vise grips it was straightened out and Robb vowed to purchase the radiator guard as soon as money would allow. The bikes had triumphed yet again. Now that I am thinking about it, perhaps Robb and I should simply admit that we're trying to destroy our bikes. Robb's Y2K is a little cosmetically challenged these days (and mine is no looker), but for the most part they have done everything we've asked them to, and more. Plus since when can you put close to 300 miles on a single bike and have 30+ miles of that be technical dirt? Yes, I am now a HUGE proponent of the KLR... I know that it has problems and severe limits, but what bike doesn't? Damn, I didn't think that $2000 could get me so much fun. Have fun. Ride Safe. Zack 1991 KLR