StromTrooper banner
1 - 8 of 8 Posts

· Premium Member
Joined
·
26 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I know this is old news to lots of you but after having my wee for 3 years I've finally taken it off highway. 60 miles on forest service road here in Wyoming with views of the Tetons & Wind River Range. After having so much fun I wonder WHY DID I TAKE SO LONG? Best thing I did was go with a good friend with lots of experience to keep me from getting in over my head. So hopefully I'll run across some of you on the road and in the dirt.

Michael
 

· Registered
Joined
·
729 Posts
Hoosier National Forest Annual Ride

I have plans to join a group of adventure riders in three weeks for an annual ride that others have been doing for five years. This is my first year and I'm pretty excited. It's supposed to be very tame, including forest service roads and some dirt/gravel. I'm planning on camping and am pretty psyched about this first time camping in years. (I don't count back yards experiments with the children.)

I have made two previous attempts, without the guidance of experienced advisers like you equipped yourself with, that ended badly; one in a mud puddle and one in a creek.

I am very optimistic about this event and pretty excited. I have change the counter sprocket on my Wee to a 14 tooth to enhance low speed control and I plan a "once over" before this trip. I will travel 200 miles to the event, from Kentucky to Indiana, and ride 100 miles each day, on the weekend of October 15th & 16th.

I applaud your efforts and hope mine go as well. Ride on! :beatnik:
 

· Premium Member
Joined
·
26 Posts
Discussion Starter · #3 ·
Sounds awesome. Now that I'm hooked I'd like to try something like that next summer. I know there are more than a few of them in the region. Until then I have lots of easy roads close by. Stay safe.

Michael
 

· Registered
Joined
·
497 Posts
Congratulations! you've just opened your self up to a whole new realm of riding opportunities. If I may suggest a few things, install crash bars and skid plate, get some good maps of the area you plan to visit ( don't rely on GPS), usually you can find some friendly locals to help confirm a destination if your polite. buy the best and lightest camping equipment you can afford, doesn't have to be new. I tend to look for higher end backpacking stuff. focus on a good sleep system, if your going to invest, invest in a good mattress and sleeping bag. A good night's sleep is key to having a good trip IMHO.
Practice a lot of low speed maneuvers, practice standing up doing said maneuvers.
Learn to patch and plug a tire and carry the equipment needed to do the job on the trail. I think this is probably the most likely breakdown a rider will encounter, a pump and some tire plugs could save a long walk.
And most important, pick your riding partners well, knowing that you are riding with somebody that is prepared and has your back makes all the difference. Be prepared yourself so you can be the same.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,653 Posts
There is one thing I would add as well. I would get some type of aluminum backed bark busters to protect you levers. I cannot tell you how valuable these are. If you drop your bike and don't break a lever you have been very lucky. I have been on separate rides where stroms have been dropped and broke the lever. In my experience both were the clutch. One was still able to ride the other was not as the lever broke at the pivot. Yes you can ride without a clutch but I would not recommend it on a strom in the dirt.

 

· Premium Member
Joined
·
26 Posts
Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Thanks

Thanks for the advice. I already back-pack so I already have the camping gear. The protective equipment for the wee is on my Christmas wish list! Looking forward to many dirt filled miles.

Michael
 

· Premium Member
Joined
·
1,911 Posts
In addition to Barkbusters (and crashbars) you might want to consider some sturdy panniers. Have taken a graval nap running Pelicans and they stopped my leg from being pinned under the bike. Went down on some ice another time without them and wound up with a fractured ankle. Have since picked up more protective boots. May not result in a fracture if there is a next time but you still have the weight of the bike to deal with. :beatnik:
 
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top