shenendoah 500 - ride report nklr

[Todd Schroder]

This was my first dual sport ride and I am hooked. It is easily the most fun I have had on a motorcycle. I still smile when I think about it. The ride covered about 140 miles the first day and 130 miles the second, depending on which routes taken. There were 150 riders registered and by the looks of Saturday's rider's meeting, nearly all of them showed up. The ride was extremely well organized by the friendly folks at the Northern Virginia Trail Riders (NVTR) with cooperation from the Forest Service and property owners. The course was well marked and offered lots of different trail surfaces, endless strings of switchbacks and whoop dee doos, a smattering of water crossings and lots of elevation changes. The views were spectacular especially from Reddish Knob (4,400 ft). There were only a couple of KLRs. Lots of DRs and XRs, a dozen two-strokes, an ATK and an early 70's CL360 with a sissy bar. The guy did pretty well too. I did a couple of the 'B' sections and the KLR managed but showed its high CG and weight. I should have prepared better by mounting my new rear MT-70 (4,400 mi. on OEM) and the 14T sprocket I had in my box. A couple of the trails had freshly fallen leaves which made it difficult to read the rocks. Saw a couple of riders changing flats and I was reminded why I got a bash plate from Fred. I've taken the KLR through Tasker's Gap which is grapefruit sized boulders on top of watermelon sized boulders but there wasn't anything as technical on these trails. There was an 'A' section which KLRs were advised not to attempt. The KLR may have been able to do it, but if it broke down, the bike would have had to be airlifted out of there. There was a 'C' loop which followed a great twisty blacktop and had great views of the fall foliage. Lots of options for riders of varying skills. There were at least three riders in their sixties and one in his seventies. There were only two women riders and no two-ups, though I suppose it would be possible. One fellow broke his leg on Saturday, but that was the only injury I heard about. I was not mechanically well prepared but definitely mentally prepared. It was too cold Saturday night to do much wrenching. I was tent camping and it got into the 20's overnight. Snow showers were forecast for Sunday but it turned out to be a great day. Cool in the morning but in the 50's by mid-day and bright blue sky. Lunch both days was great home cooking. They served half a barbecued chicken at the fire hall on Saturday. They must have come straight from one of the local poultry farms. Roast beef or ham with home made pickles and apple butter Sunday at the elementary school. Seeing all of the bikes parked at the lunch stops was a spectacle. I haven't developed the pics yet. I have dreams about the ride every night and I can't wait 'til next year. I hear there may be a one-day ride in April near Edinburg. If I don't have a DRZ or an XR by then, I WILL have the 14T sprocket and better tires on the KLR. Todd Schroder A10