WELCOME ALL GSers to Redmond:)

[Polarbear]

An informal forum WELCOME to all who may be riding GSs this year to Redmond. I am the go to guy,"Polarbear" as in Gillette,Wyoming, my first GS Chair job with our org.. Well, I'm BACK and will Chair the Redmond GS Events for the National Rally again and much so, looking forward to seeing a ton of GSers try'in this out again and first timers too. My buddy, Ian of Atlanta and Johnson City, Tenn fame, called and asked for help and here I am, gladly go'in after the challenge again to make things happen for Redmond. I hope he can make the longggg journey West to help out too, as that would be very cool. Thanks Ian and Deb. I'm really glad to be of help again and will keep you all updated as the 2010 GS year progresses and I have something to report. Sign up, make some plans to help out at the volunteer page, etc, as I would love having the help, as would others in other depts., I'm certain. Its all us, baby. Read your 'ON Mag, in the coming months for some further good stuff about the rally. Never too early to dream of rid'in West.....Happy Trails, Randy"Polarbear"

 

[maxscycle]

when is a gs ride, not a gs ride

An informal forum WELCOME to all who may be riding GSs this year to Redmond. I'm really glad to be of help again and will keep you all updated as the 2010 GS year progresses and I have something to report. Happy Trails, Randy"Polarbear"

Dear Bear.
I took my r12gs to johnson city. The rally website and such said "No GS rides".
So I left my metzler me880 (highway tires) on the bike and rode down. I get there and a big GS pit was built. Now some folks might split hairs on is that a gs ride or not. But when the website said no gs ride. I took it as that. Nothing for the gs, as in other bikes could not ride. I was a bit disappointed that I left my knobbies home. So please. If you have anything off roadish, list is as a gs ride.
Thanks
Max

 

[sgborgstrom]

Redmond is in the high desert of Central Oregon. Should be plenty of unpaved riding available. You might also consider the OBDR, (Oregon Backcountry Discovery Tour) while you are out here. http://www.cycoactive.com/obdr/

 

[RobStar]

I did the Utah weekend (my first BMW event) and along with a few GS buddies did our own GS adventure rides with some dirt and backroads. It would be nice to come to the bigger rally and know there were some GS riders there who are looking to get their bikes dirty and don't have to feather dust and cover them every night.

RobStar

 

[Polarbear]

YEP, a plenty to be had

Oregon has it all. I happen to lead a dual sport ride in 2001(Redmond) at the MOA Rally there that year. I was on a new F650 GS that time. I'll have my newer GSA1200 again, this coming year. I'll be sure YOU ALL know the trails to be had, with some local Oregon GS Riders help, as it was done in 2001. Already in the works. Personally, I'll be more involved in a Rally Site, off road course event, similar to what I did in Gillette. A ton of fun will be had, knobbies or not. I happen to know Oregon has backcountry to die for and knobbies are always a plus, but not always needed! "Grouped" riders will have an advantage, especially using dual sport(non Knobs), as its always nice to have a buddy help push you out of a mudhole. We'll get plenty dirty, you can believe that Happy Trails, Randy"Polarbear" Owens.....Clovis, CA....

 

[glenfiddich]

Well this should certainly impact the type of tires I wear!

Thanks, Randy!

Pete

 

[Polarbear]

KNOBBY help/rescue

You "knobby tire" wearers please bring tow straps, for us DSport tire guys. May need a good tug from the mud....Serious! My last mud run in Oregon got me stuck badly, as some of that Oregon stuff is GUMBO, a familiar term to offroaders! Really blocks a fender up good....Been there anybody? Its still a great time, if we manage to miss this stuff. I'll find the rocky trails...Randy

 

[wanderer]

GS Rides

Let me just add to Randy's comments. Articles are currently being submitted for inclusion in ON and will be posted here on the website also for off site GS rides. Several local area members have stepped forward and offered to help with routes for numerous rides both on and off road.

We're really looking forward to Randy's leadership for the GS events. I don't recall ever having the type of natural terrain available to us ON SITE as we have in Redmond. It's going to be a hoot.

Starting with the January issue of ON there will be greatly increased rally coverage right up through the 4R. Don't forget we need volunteers!

 

[RobStar]

I'll be on TKC80's or the K60s and looking for moderate dirt and gravel roads and trails.... no interest in getting buried in mud-pits or knackered in highly technical terrain. Me and the bike need to be in good enough shape to ride BACK to Las Vegas!

RobStar

 

[glenfiddich]

I'll be on TKC80's or the K60s and looking for moderate dirt and gravel roads and trails.... no interest in getting buried in mud-pits or knackered in highly technical terrain. Me and the bike need to be in good enough shape to ride BACK to Las Vegas!

RobStar

That's a valid point. I'm riding back to Vermont so I also need my bike in one piece, preferably functional

Pete

 

[visian]

We're really looking forward to Randy's leadership for the GS events. I don't recall ever having the type of natural terrain available to us ON SITE as we have in Redmond. It's going to be a hoot.

the pics i've seen of the natural terrain around the rally site look *perfect* for what we love to do.

i sure know that the riding to, around and from the rally i did in 2001 counts among the bes dual sport terrain i've ever experienced.

go randy!

ian

ps => if i can go to redmond, i hope i can time out my tires so that i can buy a set of TKCs at the rally.

 

[Polarbear]

We ALL ride home

Good points and help. I figured this into Gillette too, as almost all of us ride both ways and prefer a healthy bike and body for such. Our events will be tailored to those "exact" thoughts, with safe offroad practiced here, hoorah! Redmond will be extremely good for our needs.
Thanks for the volunteer thoughts too, as we make it all happen as members. One BIG family. Lets make those, not riding GS's, wish they were! Spectators are our best friends too and may even pick us up, dust us off. Happy Trails to all and keep the faith, as this new year is coming fast. Randy

 

[MCMXCIVRS]

I am seriously hoping to make the rally this year and things look good for that to become a reality. I hadn't decided which bike to ride down, but this tips the scale in favour of the GS.

 

[Polarbear]

Well done, Canada ED;

Canada Riders rejoice. WE need as many of you as possible down here in Oregon. Spread the word way up there in Canada Land. Ride the GS, you have my vote! Ya'll don't forget your PASSPORTs, as I think its getting to be an issue nowadays. I got mine last year and can't wait to use it and Canada will be my first stamp in it. Anyhow, I expect to see sooooo many Canada Plates on bikes a s never before at a rally(Trenton maybe the exception). BC seems to have a lot of Beemers, but love seeing those other Provinces too. RIDE'em SOUTH, Please. Randy"Polarbear"....

 

[Polarbear]

Ooooops, Sorry Canada ED;

I meant to fly your FLAG too. ...There! Randy

 

[Polarbear]

Don't go "cold" on me

I'm still here and the large WINTER COLD is upon the middle USA, I see on my TV Weather Channel, Brrrrrrrrr! Are any of you still riding those GSs or other bikes out there in the winter blast? I am riding, but I cheat, being on the West Coast, with little of the chill you're getting. Keep'em fresh, those GSs and we'll be playing again together, soon enough. Redmond, Oregon should be showing up SOON on your radar/GPS.....I'm looking forward to seeing GSs as far as the eye can see! Happy Trails, Randy"Polarbear". My name would suggest I ride in the very cold, huh? I do, just I must get away from the coast to find it...Later
PS;send some pics of your GS in the very cold!

 

[Zuber]

Welcome Back to Redmond

Hi All,

I was the GS Rally chair in 2001. For those that weren't at that rally, this is one of the best rally sites you'll ever see. A few teaser photos from the 2001 GS Ride.

Red Rock Ranch, near Ashwood>

 

[Zuber]

John Day River Gorge, near Mitchel>

 

[Zuber]

Horse Heaven, that's the route zig/zaggin at the bottom of the canyon>

 

[Zuber]

Knobs for Knoobs

Out here, almost every one runs a front TKC80 and the stock rear rubber. You won't run into huge mud out here in July, so the stock rear will give enough push. The knob front really helps for braking down hill and cornering on the loose stuff.
The TKC's wear well and will last as long as the stock rears, but you must pump them up to the max to last on the street.

In 2001, the Saturday GS ride ran through an area that had a thunderstorm the night before. The leaders had to take off their front fenders to get through. The guys in the tail end (me) had a great ride on tacky clay. Conditions change quickly. Mostly, it will be sunny, 75-85 degrees, dry roads with one big thunderstorm to deal with.

There are three major areas to ride in Redmond.

The NE direction, (prineville, ashwood, mitchel) is sandy packed clay and open pine and sage brush. There are lots of old two track ranch roads to ride on. I really like this area, big GS's rule out here.

The SE direction, is lower altitude, lava beds, dusty, open pine forests. The off-road area SE of Bend (China Hat, East Fortrock OHV) has lots of singe track. Great for the singles and full knobbies.

All areas West is the foot hills of the Cascades (Sisters, Black Butte, Century Drive east of Bend, Willamette NF) are high altitude dense pine forests. If you cross the pass, it becomes huge fir forests. These are old logging roads with lava rock. If it's hot, this is the direction to go, altitude up to 9000 ft. You can find some great single lane pavement loops this way. Great for two up with stock tires.

Maps> you MUST have the 'Oregon Road and Rec Atlas' by Benchmark Maps. About $22 from Amazon. This is the GS'er's best guide. For the week you'll be in the area, you won't need another map.

Since you'll be a long way from any help, plan on hauling lots of water, snacks, tools and tire patching stuff. It can be a long way between gas stations.

More later.