Special Bonus Ride: The John Murphy Special
Okay, Riders, I've got great news. John "El Matador" Murphy has volunteered to lead a ride on Saturday along a route that has been specially designed for this important and momentous occasion, aka The John Murphy Special.
This route consists of class 1 and 2 roads only, making it beginner and big bike friendly.
John will be at the riders meeting on Saturday morning to answer any questions and get the ride organized.
Yeah, well, thank you, TrailBoss. for the Awesome Intro! I have not done any bull-fighting since that TAR Event in Junction, 2009. That turned out almost as bad as the 1972 Helsinki incident (and I think we all know how that turned out!).
My preferred TWT sport is actually motocross. But, after the Junction Ride, I parked my KLR in the garage…. And, over the years, the battery died. For a long time, I kept trying to charge it, but it wouldn’t start. So, about 2 months ago, I finally bought a new one.
So, I went on a ride a few weeks ago, my first DS ride in 2 years! : ) I rode 4 miles. All pavement, too. Stopped at a friend’s house for water (Woodbutcher). When I knocked on his door, he looked a little confused. (I did not bring a camelback. Or extra tubes, even). After resting in the AC, and drinking copious water, I rode back home. All on the same day. That was mini-Epic.
Then, about a month ago, I did another ride. It was about 20 miles, round trip. Man it was hot. I missed my AC, but I made it back safely. Put the bike back in the garage.
So, a little about me: I own a KLR with an ‘undone’ doohickey. Been meaning to do the do, but never did not get around to it, yet. (I’m not sure what the "do" really is, but it sounds painful…something you know you should do…kinda like a colonoscopy, I think.).
By the way, I do own a GPS unit - but it’s in my car. I don’t plug it in much. I don’t know if its glove friendly or not. But that’s ok; I don’t wear gloves in my car. I can read a map. They were invented a long time ago. They still work...but prob not for anyone under 25.
I don’t even own crash bars or a skid plate. I really don’t like to crash or skid. I don’t wear a camelback. I don’t’ like to drink and drive. I do like to stop and buy an iced tea now and then.
I’ve never owned a GPX file. Not sure what that is, or where I’d file it, if I had one. I have a stock seat too. I like to rough it.
I don’t ride to work. Many guys do, and I have Huge Respect for them. But, I prefer to ride in my truck, drink coffee, and listen to talk radio, eat, and talk on the phone. And, I like the AC. And I work too much.
I’ve never been on a Pie Run. I’d really like to one day. I’ve heard a lot about them, and, I do like pies. Who doesn’t? It’s just not American to not like pies. And I like people, too. But, I don’t like to run. Especially in this heat.
So, Pie-Run? Kind of an oxymoron. It's like 'Military Intelligence'?
So, my bike mainly sits in the garage. Yeah, I know, that’s bad. I have a debilitating guilt complex.
I am a member of the AMA. I think. I still I still get their magazine. I read about riding more than I ride.
I am not really a newbie. I was born when JFK was president. That’s what I was told. My bike is the newbie. It has only 2200 miles on it! It does not show it. A lot of those miles are probably moving it around my garage, to make room for the other 5 bikes that are stored in there. I have a lot more mileage on me. And I show it, too.
ANYWAY,why am I here? Well, I wanted to help The TrailBoss in some way, with this Epic Event. “But how? “, I asked myself a thousand times!. He has put a LOT of time (and his own $) and effort into planning these events.
He has been to Arkansas to pre-ride the place a lot of times! So, I thought I’d offer to lift some of the ‘Epic’ burden of Epic DS AR ride and offer to lead a group on some easy roads on Saturday.
And, that’s what I did. I offered. And he posted. I did not even get a chance to negotiate the compensation (maybe a cup of coffee?)
So, it’s going down! And, all are welcome on this ride on Sat.
Like many of you, I have the maps from The TrailBoss – (and like many of you, they are on my desk, and I have not read them yet. I’ll do it soon – I promise).
I read the RideGuide, and man, it made me feel guilty, compounding my guilt complex! I have a lot of work to do, to get ready for this event.
So, on Sat, we will have a very easy ride: Class 1 and 2 roads. Easy stuff.
We’ll stop for smoke/ gas/ potty breaks, and to find lost riders, if needed. And we’ll stop for pics. And, stop for lunch. And maybe coffee, too.
But, I have a few rules: We will not lay the bike down, skid, or crash (if you do, you go to the end of the line!). We will practice a no man (or woman) left behind policy. We will not get air (at least on purpose).
We will have a ‘sweep rider’ (the designated last rider), so we don’t lose anyone. We will try to avoid roads occupied by dangerous animals - wild or domesticated! We won’t be in a big hurry. And we will have a Great Time!
I’m going up Thurs with trailrider77. On Friday, we’ll pre-ride this Class 1/2 route. Anyone coming up Thurs, is welcome to do this pre-ride on Friday, if you don’t’ mind a Class 1/2 route (i.e. That means, really easy dirt roads) . Even if you have a non-glove friendly GPS, bring it. I may just follow you : )
I have never been to Arkansas - on a DS. So, this will be new to me to.
On Friday we can break the rules (a little?) test the crash bars, test out the skid plates, get lost, dodge rampant ATV’s, break some levers,…slide the bikes! Approach the speed limit! Just be good old Arkansas hooligans!! (j/k Trailboss!). For the Sat ride, we’ll revert to a more placid pace.
And if you come on Friday, you don’t have to repeat on the Colossal Epic Sat Class 1, Class 2 Event Ride - unless you have so much fun, you want to!
I like to poke a little fun at myself, a little……So, if my description of myself sounds like you, you are welcome to join us Saturday on this ride.
Or, if my description of myself does NOT sound like you, you are still welcome. If you want to go faster, just wait for us up ahead! : )
If you are a beginner, or “re-beginner” you are welcome! If you are an advanced and experienced rider, you are still welcome!! You may just want to start your Epic Event on a easy Class 1 or 2 road, and, you are more than welcome.
Then, maybe, we’ll all earn the coveted “TrailBoss Class 3” trail certification (yeah…I just made that up).
Some of you above, said you’d be coming up a day early, to ride Friday. So Friday. For those of you coming up early: we’ll have a somewhat organized “pre-ride” of this Class 1/Class 2 route.
We’ll meet Friday 8:00 am in the parking lot of Ride HQ, at Day's Inn, at 2600 W Main Street.
And, we’ll leave, Kick Stands Up (KSU), and gas tanks full!, at 8:30 am.
So, I’m really excited about this! For those coming early on Friday, join us Friday if you want to.
And, for those who are starting the Epic Ride on Sat, and want an easy route, you are welcome to join us Saturday. Same time and place on Sat: 8:00 am in the parking lot of Ride HQ, at Day's Inn. We’ll leave, KSU, gas tanks full, at 8:30 am.
I hope to see some many of you Saturday!
Thanks again to Richard for all your hard work, to make this happen, an awesome Ride Guide, and a FUN event!!