New England Classic Charity Trail Ride June 8-10, 2012

[ZX-12R]

How does this thing run? Are there different routes for the turkey run each day? Or is it big bike ride one day dual sport/turkey run the other?

My read is that these are two completely different rides. One a dual-sport/turkey/whatever. And one is a "big bike" ride.

For the trail bike portion of the ride, there is a Northern and Southern loop. Last year the Southern loop was run on Saturday and the Northern on Sunday. That order may change and I should know for certain on Wednesday night (6/4). The loops include a lot of trail on private land which is only accessible during this event. They also have a few hero sections which are optional to challenge you further. Last year the hero sections included some single track, a preview of the Rocky Mountain Hare Scramble course, and a trip up a ski hill.

The big bike ride is mostly on Class-VI roads which are open to plated vehicles all the time. It may go through a couple of mild private trails but nothing like the trail bike ride. Off hand I don't know if they do 2 different loops but I can find out. A Strom would work well for this ride but you would be missing out on all the off road fun!

[nhbubba]

So there are three rides? Two baddass offroad-ie types and one class VI "big bike" outing.

I wonder if this is the time to volunteer that class VI roads kick my ass.

[SVRACER01]

this event was the whole reason i got the bike plated to begin with, alas, its the first weekend of bikeweek so i cant get time off...unless its torrential downpour all day. then the boss said i can go.

[Yknot]

That sucks Ox. I can't openly wish for rain so you are on your own. No banquet for me, riding both days. I would probably miss a race weekend for this ride.

[SVRACER01]

thats the caveat, if its raining hard enough that the boss says i can go...do i even want to go?

[Chippertheripper]

No, you don't. Both of the trail rides have woodsy sections that are challenging enough on their own. The element of MORE water would only make it that much harder.
For a noob(s), that doesn't add up to a fun time.

[Yknot]

I would agree with Chipper. I have done it wet and it is tough. Add 200 bikes through it as well and the ruts are ginormous

[ZX-12R]

And $100 plus NETRA fees is a lot to pay if you aren't going to enjoy yourself. That said, I'm in rain or shine.

[Stoneman]

I'm guessing this is the one that comes up by us every year? I'm starting to see the arrows all over the place and peeps on mostly adventure-type & enduros so far scouting the area. Goes through our area (Alton/Barnstead) then up over Prospect Mountain towards our woodlots...

[typeone]

That said, I'm in rain or shine.

i really need a good rain goggle solution. anyone have a proven approach? rode in the rain last weekend, like heavy downpour style, and of course cursed my goggles. scary to pull them off for the rest of the ride. tear-offs don't work once water is behind, same goes for roll-offs.

RainX on a single pair/lens maybe?

[ZX-12R]

It's not perfect but I Rain-X the inside and outside of a clear double lens I have for my goggles. I only use the double lens in wet and/or cold weather.

[typeone]

cool, thanks. i will give it a try.

[ZX-12R]

So there are three rides? Two baddass offroad-ie types and one class VI "big bike" outing.

So here is the schedule of events as promised. Saturday is the only day for the big bike ride. The guy who leads it only does 1 day because he wants to ride dirt on Sunday. For the trail bikes, Saturday is the Southern loop and Sunday is the Northern loop which is the same as last year.

The fee is the same regardless of what you choose to ride. You can do the big bike ride on Saturday with the Strom and do the Northern loop on Sunday with the KLX or you can do the Southern and Northern loop on just the KLX.

I think you will have fun doing 2 days of dirt!

[Yknot]

I was hoping to get there Friday night but not to be. Early Sat. arrival, black trailblazer and trailer with my KTM 250. Maybe we can ride together for more than 2 miles this year? LOL.

[nhbubba]

I think you will have fun doing 2 days of dirt!

There are "preview" photos on ADV Rider of the big bike thing. I really like the looks of it. I know you guys are all gun-ho dirtybike nuts. But I'm just not quite that into it. This is why I bought the KLX and not a real dirtybike. I think I'm more into the class VI roads and poser 'adventure' type of action than balls-deep dirtyness. Especially on the (rather heavy) KLX.

I think I have decided I am definitely leaving the 'strom at home. I have it configured more and more as a sport-touring road bike. It has no protection (skid plates) and has Pilot Roads mounted up, which are hell in mud. Plus, it gets plenty of love commuting. I would like to ride the KLX all weekend. And I think it'd be a suitable choice for both rides.

All that said, riding the dirt loops sounds like a unique opportunity. Sounds like the big-bike thing is mostly public class VI's I can ride on my own. They are headed to the seacoast.. which means it's probably some stuff I've already seen on my own.

I kind of wish the schedule were reversed. Then I could ride the dirt loop Saturday and see where I am on Sunday. If it kills me, I'd do the class VI's. If by some miracle I'd not destroyed myself or the bike, I'd go for a 2nd helping.


This reminds me, I need to buy some upper body (elbows mostly) protection like, yesterday. Any strong recommendations. Maybe something on clearance or uber-sale. I love me an uber sale.

I'm still going to run my 'adventure' boots as I still don't have real dirtybike boots.

[SVRACER01]

elbow pads are pretty inexpensive. those ones you borrowed from me, i think they were like $25. you can borrow them if you get in a pinch

[nhbubba]

Derp.. you're right. I'll just fuckin' buy something.

[Yknot]

Derp.. you're right. I'll just fuckin' buy something.

There you go...you are over thinking this thing. Just ride damn it, and find me Sat. morning, we can go break stuff together

[Chippertheripper]

Don't get elbow pads that are too restrictive. It'll exponentiate the effects of arm pump.
That's one of the reasons I prefer the armor jersey, it just lets them hang where they belong.

[nhbubba]

I think I may pony up for a armored jacket. Maybe this one. Reviews say it isn't too restrictive. Just maybe a little warm.

[Chippertheripper]

I think I have a couple generations removed of the same one.
Ripper approved.

[ZX-12R]

If you don't have one yet, get yourself some form of Camelbak. You lose quite a bit of water in the woods.

[nhbubba]

Are you looking over my shoulder here? Just hit order with a branzy new 2L one in the basket.

[Garandman]

I think I have a couple generations removed of the same one.
Ripper approved.

Thanks, just ordered one for my son and one for me.

[gregp]

My brother is driving up from VA to join me for this ride this year. We have ridden it several times over the past 10 years or so. This year, I have a trials tire mounted up - I hope that things are relatively dry. We have ridden it when it was so wet that riders were re-routed - *after* we already went through. At one point, we ended up riding in roaring white water flushing through the woods after a beaver dam let go. That was something that I will never forget.
This year, we got a Motel room nearby. We are both of that age when camping is just not fun anymore.