Here are a few pics of a recent trip to the Zumbro bottoms state rec area in Theilman MN.This area is for horseback riding except for two weekends a year when the dirtbikes get to play (the weekend after Memorial day and weekend after Labor day). A buddy from work invited me to meet up with him,and some friends of his that make the trip for each of the ride weekends. $30 to ride for two days, not bad considering you have at least 45 miles of trail, plus some gravel road. Left work at 2:30pm Friday and arrived (in a slight rain) in Theilman at about 7:00pm.


There is some really beautiful country as you near the Mississippi in WI. , and the Minnesota side is even nicer.
(shot on the way home sunday)


Got there, unloaded the bike and set up camp just before dark.
(This pic was actually taken on Saturday night)


We were able to register and get sound checked Friday night too, nice to get that out of the way. What had been a sprinkle turned into a downpour overnight. I had made my home in the back of my truck under the camper shell.
(another sat night pic)

I was much better off than the guys sleeping in tents, but even my topper let some water in. During the night the rain had stopped and quite a few more people had showed up. Some were "camping" in much classier rigs than mine.




Up and at em and on the trail by 9am.


Slippery, snotty mud with giant puddles everywhere. Nobody was going fast in that stuff. I didn't take too many pics because the group wasn't stopping to sight see, and I had my helmet cam on. I later figured out that my batteries were dead, so no morning ride footage.


A little after noon one of the guys in our group broke his chain. We were miles from nowhere. While were figuring out what to do another rider stopped and had a tiny chain breaker. It actually worked very well (I gotta find one). I had a master link, and with those two things we got him riding again. I was a little disgusted because the guy had zero for tools or spares.


Back to camp and some lunch. After lunch we were back on the trails, and I had some fresh batteries in the helmet cam. The clips are pretty long, and I haven't found a decent way to edit them down to manageable upload size, so I may not get any video links posted. (Editing advice is welcome if you know of a free way to manipulate video files) After the second ride everybody cleaned up as best they could and got started cooking their own dinners. I ran back up the hill, the only spot to get cell coverage, and called home to let the wife know I was still alive.


I had planned to take a small grill and do burgers, but settled on a much simpler, nearly as satisfying, alternative, Dinty Moore beef stew warmed up over sterno. I know it looks like dog food when it comes out of the can, but I like it (beef stew, not dog food). Truthfully after riding nearly the entire day, about anything would have tasted good.

After everyone had their version of dinner we sat around the fire had a few beers and traded stories. Nothing better than fresh air, hot food, cold beer, and a warm fire after a full day of playing hard.

Up again the next morning for another half a day of riding. Surprisingly I wasn't too sore. I should mention these guys are all ex enduro and MX racers, and a couple of them were up in their 60's. They amazed me, no letting up for those guys. Sleeping on the ground and blasting through the woods, I can only hope I'm still running that strong in twenty years. I think the KLX, surprised them I got quite a few compliments and questions about the bike, but just to keep up I was pushing my limits in some spots. (Mine was the only bike that wasn't orange). I did win the prize for most trail damage. I bent my shift lever (breaking the brake snake I made), and T-boned a tree taking out my headlight lens. ( Many of the trails were single track ruts that were hard to steer out of. You would turn the bars to try and correct your balance and the bike would just go straight, and then down you'd go.


Back to camp about 1pm Sunday , load up, and start the 5 hr trip home to a hot shower. Big fun, I'll go back next year.
Dan

 

 

Very cool! another KLX keeps up with the big boys and keeps suprising people!

 

those are some cool pics thanks for sharing

 

Looks like you got to know the problem I have trying to navigate those ruts I hate those damn things. Looks like you had a good time. Thanks for sharing.

 

Hahahahaha I knew that was Dinty More before I even read the post! Good stuff right there. I need to pick up a few cans for my upcoming hunting trip.

Thanks for the pics. Its nice to see reports still coming in. I really dropped the ball, I used to have a weekly report....been busy.

 

Thanks for the kind words everybody. Um Deej you're running out of riding season, better get some seat time in (not the back and fort to work kind either ) Baldie, those ruts are a pain, but I won the battle 99% of the time . I couldn't count the number of times I pulled a "save" out of nowhere.

the sticker the club handed out.

 

Hey Dan,

You could eat the Dinty Moore cold and drink the Sterno!!

Looks like we roll just about the same.



Nice ride, looks like fun!!

 

 

Yeah Red, camping in the back of the car/truck is pretty comfy compared to sleeping on the ground in a tent.

Powershouse, it's a fun spot isn't it? Looks like you were there for the spring ride? 2010?
Did you go to the fall ride too? It was my first time there, great trails. Pretty sure I'll be there at each of the rides from now on.
Dan