Travel Log Archive
| April 4th, 2009 |
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Odessa Desert 100 |
| Dale and I had the opportunity to go over to tiny Odessa, WA this past Saturday and participate in the Dual Sport portion of the big race weekend known as the Desert 100. The event is put on by the Stumpjumpers Motorcycle Club and this was it's 39th running. They have hare scrambles-type races on Sunday and several for-fun rides on the preceding Saturday. There's a Family Fun Run that is aimed at all ages and all riding abilities, the Ironman Run which is for the more experienced off-roaders and the Dual Sport ride, which is for street licensed on/off-road bikes. The D/S route was about 120 miles and only about 30 of that was paved. I regret that I forgot my camera when we left on Friday as there were lots of great photo opportunities. Fortunately, a fellow ADVRider member Richard Bessey, graciously consented to allow the use of a few of his PHOTOS of the event in this write up. We had an absolute blast and will definitely be back next year, despite what you may read in the following paragraphs. Dale, John and Dale, you know I love you guys but some of the goings on during the ride were just too funny not to recount here - tongue firmly planted in cheek, of course.
In case you ever decide to go ride this event, and you want to really enhance your riding enjoyment, take some advice from me. First, make sure you plan to meet up with friends from Ellensburg who came with other friends who can't get out of bed until well after the riders meeting has ended. Wait around for 30 minutes, or so, until your friends decide to give up on their friends and leave with you but without them. Wait around another 20 minutes while your friend tries in vain to start his KTM. Then, and only then, should you decide to go ahead and start the ride without your E-Burg friends. Once under way, be a little surprised at how challenging the first downhill section of the Family Fun Run looks. Thinking maybe you've stumbled upon the Ironman course by mistake, turn around and go back to the flag gate. Watch all of the 5 year-olds on 50's scamper down this downhill section - with one hand on the handlebars - and one hand holding a breakfast sandwich that their Mom made for them. At this point, it'd be really good if the battery in the quarter ton street bike, ridden by your best friend, decides that it's had enough and completely kills the bike.
Now, ride your KLR250 the 3 miles, or so, back to the truck to get a tow strap, (you know, the one that you decided not to pack on your bike because, "What could possibly go wrong that would require me to use a strap?"), realizing the whole way that there's no way in the world you'll be able to tow the V-Strom with the KLR JR. But, you go anyway and come back and give it a whirl just to make someone else happy. After failing miserably to tow the Strom even 50 feet, wait while it occurs to your friend that the only course of action worth taking is the last thing either of you really wants to do. Remove the battery from the V-Strom and find a place to carry it on the KLR. Crowd the fuel tank on the KLR, (make sure to press right up against the tank, making yourself really er...uncomfortable while doing so), so that your best friend can climb on the back and ride the 3 miles, or so, back to the truck while your rear suspension is completely bottomed out from 450 lbs of rider and passenger. Make double sure to smile and wave at all of the riders going the opposite direction. Wonder to yourself why they all seem to think there's one lap to go - and why they feel the need to communicate this to you. Try to steer clear of the biggest dips and rocks - and the two gentlemen with broadcast quality video equipment on their shoulders. Ride in the truck to Moses Lake so your best friend can spend $107 for a $40 battery. Ride in the truck back to the event parking lot. Mention to your best friend what a great time you're having riding around in his truck all weekend. Repeat the whole tank hugging, camera avoiding ordeal for 3 miles, or so, to get the new battery back to the dead V-Strom. Say a little prayer that your best friend doesn't drop one of those tiny battery terminal nuts into the sage brush on the dusty ground where it will never be seen again.
By this time, it should be intuitively obvious that, since it is now about 11:30 AM and the deadline to begin the Dualsport route is noon, the prudent thing would be to abandon the Family "Fun" Run portion and get out on the road. The road portion should be fairly uneventful with lots of well groomed gravel roads. Once you hit the first of many off-road trail loops, start looking for all of the real dirt riders who will be coming up on you from the rear. Slow down and let them by. Fight through the blinding dust cloud that ensues and prevents you from seeing a few nasty ruts and sage bushes. Hit the nasty ruts and sage bushes. Once the dust cloud finally clears and you can see, notice that the same 2 or 3 riders who have passed you are pulled off to the side while one of the members of the group adjusts his hydration pack. Motor by them, giving them a friendly wave and watch as they immediately start up and come flying up behind you - again. Slow and move over to let them by - again. Fight through the blinding cloud of dust - again. Don't forget to hit a few more nasty ruts and sage bushes - again. Once you've repeated this sequence at least another 5 or 6 times, feel free to just pull up behind them at their next stop and wait for them to leave in front of you. Mutter something about being tired of serving as the "lappers" in their little pretend enduro race. I'm sure you'll think of something. Be amazed and impressed that your best friend is able to keep his 500 pound motorcycle upright through all of the rough stuff that you're sweating through on your 280 pound sort-of-a-dirt bike.
After that it's pretty much just collect your free T-shirt, load the bikes and get back into the truck for the ride home.
Part of the staging area for the race and Saturday's rides. Photo courtesy Richard Bessey
The sea of camp trailers is visible from the highway for quite a ways before the turn off. Photo courtesy Richard Bessey
I have never seen so many dirt bikes in one place before in my life and everyone seemed to be well behaved and having a grand time. This event is really a must-do for anyone with even a passing interest in off-road riding. It is always on the first weekend in April so put it on your 2010 calendar now.
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