GS ride

Does anyone have details on the GS ride supposed scheduled for the 22nd? And what is "an organized A level GS ride?"

109447 said:

And what is "an organized A level GS ride?"

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If it is what I think it is, Level 'A' means dirt roads, no single track, no obstructions, DOT gear and lights required. That doesn't mean smooth roads, just means they're passable on something heavier than a dirt bike with lights. Should be fun

- Ross

Good write up in the last MOA magazine on some of the GS rides. Basically you can aniticpate nothing too demanding - dirt roads and forest service roads.

Greetings,

I just spoke with Doug Morrison, GS Ride Chair. Doug is a former AMA Senior Enduro champion. First major point of order is the date of the ride has been changed from Saturday to Froday the 21st.

Doug's ride be route sheets available. There may be a Garmin file for you geeks.

The ride will be suitable for all GS bikes with dual sport tires. It is very highly recommended (may be required) that you remove your panniers. There will be some "Adventurous" sections without alternate routes but this should be very managable.


The ride will stop for lunch which is sponsored by Max BMW Motorcycles.

Total mileage is 175.2, gas is available for the HP riders. This ride will take in all Vermont has to offer from very managable Class IV Roads to the Federal roads in the Green Mountain National forest and all the Gaps.

I wish I can go, his route is incredible.

Best,

robnye said:

Greetings,

I just spoke with Doug Morrison, GS Ride Chair. Doug is a former AMA Senior Enduro champion. First major point of order is the date of the ride has been changed from Saturday to Froday the 21st.

Doug's ride be route sheets available. There may be a Garmin file for you geeks.

The ride will be suitable for all GS bikes with dual sport tires. It is very highly recommended (may be required) that you remove your panniers. There will be some "Adventurous" sections without alternate routes but this should be very managable.


The ride will stop for lunch which is sponsored by Max BMW Motorcycles.

Total mileage is 175.2, gas is available for the HP riders. This ride will take in all Vermont has to offer from very managable Class IV Roads to the Federal roads in the Green Mountain National forest and all the Gaps.

I wish I can go, his route is incredible.

Best,

Click to expand...

Cool!

Couple of questions...
Are my Tourances suitable tires?
Where and when do we sign up? I can't get out of work Thursday but I am leaving Mass early Friday morning.

Finally, why can't you go?

Thanks,

Doug

robnye said:

Greetings,

I just spoke with Doug Morrison, GS Ride Chair. Doug is a former AMA Senior Enduro champion. First major point of order is the date of the ride has been changed from Saturday to Froday the 21st.

Doug's ride be route sheets available. There may be a Garmin file for you geeks.

The ride will be suitable for all GS bikes with dual sport tires. It is very highly recommended (may be required) that you remove your panniers. There will be some "Adventurous" sections without alternate routes but this should be very managable.


The ride will stop for lunch which is sponsored by Max BMW Motorcycles.

Total mileage is 175.2, gas is available for the HP riders. This ride will take in all Vermont has to offer from very managable Class IV Roads to the Federal roads in the Green Mountain National forest and all the Gaps.

I wish I can go, his route is incredible.

Best,

Click to expand...

WOW!!

What luck - prior committments force me to leave the rally on Saturday early AM; with this change of plans I can do the GS ride!

Um... I need a bit of clarification if possible... how do you define "dual-sport" tires? Does that mean Tourances or TKC-80's?

Where do we get route sheets? Available ahead of time, or at the rally?

I have emailed Doug for more info. With Doug's permission, I will post when I find out from more him. I really need more info as I cannot leave home until the day of the event.

I asked him about tire info too.

Greetings,

Tourances definately qualify as Dual Sport tires.

FYI, I usually perform the role of "check rider" for Doug's routes. As an over the top skilled enduro rider Doug sometimes has issues interpreting the comfort level of a aging, outtashape GS rider.

This is where I come in, I check ride the route and provide feedback on the difficulty and weather or not we should take a large group on this section.

Sometimes I will do this on TKC's but most of the time it is on Tourances.

Doug's route for the National is great. It is great not because it is full of chest thumping manly rock hopping but becuase it strings together incredible riding, scenery and a good stop for lunch. On a difficulty scale I would say that if you are on TKC's it would be a 4 and on Tourances a 6.

My difficulty scale is based on me and people who I ride with. 43 years old, moderate condition but with little history of dirt riding. 1 would = pavement like graded roads and 10 is I wish I was somewhere else. 6 is a nice ride with one or two opportunities to drop the bike.

To sign up (free) please visit hospitality. Please try to sign up before 6pm Thursday evening so Doug can give the restaurant a head's up.

Best,

Rob Nye

PS:

Doug is great in the woods but not so fast with the computah.

Don't be offended if you don't get a quick reply.

robnye said:

...Doug's route for the National is great. It is great not because it is full of chest thumping manly rock hopping but becuase it strings together incredible riding, scenery and a good stop for lunch. On a difficulty scale I would say that if you are on TKC's it would be a 4 and on Tourances a 6.

My difficulty scale is based on me and people who I ride with. 43 years old, moderate condition but with little history of dirt riding. 1 would = pavement like graded roads and 10 is I wish I was somewhere else. 6 is a nice ride with one or two opportunities to drop the bike...

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Awesome, Rob. That gives an excellent perspective. Thanks much! I'm really looking forward to this ride.

robnye said:

PS:

Doug is great in the woods but not so fast with the computah.

Don't be offended if you don't get a quick reply.

Click to expand...

He proved you wrong.

From Doug:

Key time is 9:00 am at the rally ground and tourances will be just fine.

The ride has been route sheeted and lunch will be provided, thatÔÇÖs a lot to do in one morning, get to the rally, register and then get prepped for the GS ride, I suggest coming in Thursday night. Riders meeting will be at 8:30 at the MAX BMW display and in a few days will have a post up on his Site.

More info from Doug, he is having problems getting on to the forum...


Great, for some reason I canÔÇÖt log in on the forum, IÔÇÖll figure it out, look forward to meeting everyone and it is an excellent overall introduction to Vermont.

I have an HP2 and have been in the VT woods for the past four to five weekends after all that rain we had, some areas where very tough and almost impassable. They will not be on the route. So I backtracked and took the advice of a local Vermont club member who helped and showed me some areas that have very manageable Class IV roads as part of the overall loop. The route takes in all the gaps and graded roads and the off-road loops that if anyone has a problem with, I will show them the line through the section, this will all be discussed at the riders meeting. One rule of thumb to remember when in the woods on big bikes is always take the high line and stay away from the off-camber options. Come on up, If you have already pre-registered for the Rally, youÔÇÖre ahead of the game. Thanks for the note and glad youÔÇÖre taking the time to enjoy what Ray and I have conjured up for the rally attendees.

RobNye said:

PS:

Doug is great in the woods but not so fast with the computah.

Don't be offended if you don't get a quick reply.

Click to expand...

dugmar said:

He proved you wrong.

From Doug:

Great, for some reason I canÔÇÖt log in on the forum, IÔÇÖll figure it out, look forward to meeting everyone and it is an excellent overall introduction to Vermont.

Click to expand...

Um actually he proved me right!