Groveton loop

[woodsguy]

A friend is doing a group ride this saturday, so I went out to see how bad the sand was in Groveton area as he will have some newer guys with him. In my opinion the sand is BAD in places 1st road Fountain Creek is worst but not more than a mile and half of it. But it's powder and deep. The pipe crossing is bone dry! The road on other side of Groveton, Kickapoo and Josserand to Baker rd is very tough and almost never ending. The turn onto Little Kickapoo heading to the creek crossing (basically dry) almost got me. Just about got stuck, it was extremely deep!! Told him good luck with the new guys, lol!

 

[woodsguy]

 

[William Wolfen]

Pretty much expected conditions with how little rain we've had. Excellent sand practice!

 

[my6]

Big bike torture and small bike fuuuuuuun.

 

[William Wolfen]

Big bike torture and small bike fuuuuuuun.

This is why I keep thinking about a lighter bike. Problem is finding one that meets my requirements. The AJP PR7 and CRF300 Rally are the two closest, but both have what I consider to be issues.

 

[Wick]

Last two weeks I've been riding a little SE of Groveton. Definitely a little sandy in that area with some deep. We start on Sandy Dale and meander towards Groveton on what appears to be timber company land. There are no No Trespassing signs or purple paint but a few hunting club signs that I do not go past.

A little difficult in some sections with a passenger on back. Throttle is your friend.

 

[Wick]

Well, I can't figure out how to delete the post

 

[my6]

This is why I keep thinking about a lighter bike. Problem is finding one that meets my requirements. The AJP PR7 and CRF300 Rally are the two closest, but both have what I consider to be issues.

And that's one of the reasons I chose my 530. It will do 70+ on the hardstuff for as long as I want it to and will "cut slash and run" on the soft stuff longer the way I want it to. Annnnnd I can pick it up by my self...

 

[Tourmeister]

As long as I have decent tires on my 1200 GS, the sand isn't too bad. For me, the problem is being in a group and getting behind someone that doesn't like sand. I usually end up having to just pull over a stop for a while to let them get pretty far ahead. This gives time for the dust to clear and also lets me run a comfortable pace without running up on the back of them and making them uncomfortable. It is not about going fast, it is about being steady on the speed and allowing the front end to hunt for stability. Most people don't like to let the front end wander. Instead they fight it, which keeps it from being able to do its thing and usually puts them on the ground. Standing helps tremendously, but most folks want to sit down and put their legs out (good way to break some bones!). Stand, squeeze the tank with your knees, keep your weight slightly back and OFF the handle bars so the front can hunt, stay steady on the gas and turn by weighting the pegs and pushing with your knees. Tight turns are a challenge no matter what though because you have to scrub speed and the front end wants to plow.

 

[William Wolfen]

As long as I have decent tires on my 1200 GS, the sand isn't too bad. For me, the problem is being in a group and getting behind someone that doesn't like sand. I usually end up having to just pull over a stop for a while to let them get pretty far ahead. This gives time for the dust to clear and also lets me run a comfortable pace without running up on the back of them and making them uncomfortable. It is not about going fast, it is about being steady on the speed and allowing the front end to hunt for stability. Most people don't like to let the front end wander. Instead they fight it, which keeps it from being able to do its thing and usually puts them on the ground. Standing helps tremendously, but most folks want to sit down and put their legs out (good way to break some bones!). Stand, squeeze the tank with your knees, keep your weight slightly back and OFF the handle bars so the front can hunt, stay steady on the gas and turn by weighting the pegs and pushing with your knees. Tight turns are a challenge no matter what though because you have to scrub speed and the front end wants to plow.

Excellent advice that really works. I need to go practice that on my Africa Twin. I was reasonably comfortable on my DR, but I've not gotten coverage on the Twin. I know it can be done, but I don't have nearby sand roads to practice on. Hopefully the 50/50 tires (Motoz GPS) that I have won't be too lacking compared to something more aggressive.

 

[Tourmeister]

A skilled rider can do it on more street oriented tires, but it definitely takes more effort. A more aggressive rear tire makes the biggest different on my GS, to keep it from just spinning when you get on the throttle. The front doesn't make as much difference in sand as it does in gravel/dirt. On my 1200 GS, I really prefer to have either a TKC 80 or Shinko 805 rear, so something very close to those. The bike came with some kind of big block Dunlop adventure tire and they were horrible for all conditions/surfaces.

 

[_RG_]

 

[woodsguy]

"A skilled rider", piece of cake for you!

 

[woodsguy]

I DIDNT go on the ride just prerode it. But here's a couple of photos of the guys. He said one hard fall and few drops but everyone is fine and had fun.

 

[MaxxTraxx]

this looks fun...where is the road at?

 

[woodsguy]

Off FM 356, Fountain Creek rd is most interesting, maybe, lol. Goes to Groveton.

 

[woodsguy]

Next would be after Groveton again off 356 on Kickapoo rd to Joseraund rd. I would not try this road if wet!

 

[woodsguy]

this looks fun...where is the road at?

https://www.twtex.com/forums/search/55295/?q=groveton+loop&o=date

I imagine one of these links will have the GPS files. If not @William Wolfen has it in his drop box.