Angus Adventure Ride

I heard about Rally Connex from my KTM dealer in Port Hope, Julien Denis, having only good things to say about Warren and Ed it only made sense to check out what they had to offer as far as adventure rides were concerned.

After months of continuous emails to Ed and Warren with regards to my stock 950 Adventure, tires and the possibility of doing their rides 2up, I signed up early (which was to be to my benefit) and decided to do the ride without the wife on the back as this was to be my first ride.

The few days before the ride were not the best - consisting of rain, rain and more rain, but the day before was dry, but with threats of rain again on the day of the ride. Instead of spending the night up in Barrie I rode up early in the morning to find Mission Cycle in Angus quite easily. Upon arrival I knew I was in the right place with the number of KLR's, KTM, DRZ's and a couple GS's all present in the driveway and the big KTM tent showing off the bright Orange! With a Blue & Orange S Model under the tent!

Registration was easy and straightforward, enter the store, visit the ladies at the table right across from the door, and sign in. The other corner of the store Warren was downloading GPS's with the routes and then wait for the Riders Meeting.

The turnout was about 25 people, but from what I was to understand the weather scared off a few people, so, only the true die hards were in attendance!

The riders meeting started promptly at 9:00a with Warren and Ed, thanking the various sponsors and outlining the course, with the emphasis on the 2 different routes - the Standard route, which would be do-able on stock tires, and the Aggressive Route more geared for lighter bikes with DOT knobbies... One prominent fact that was brought up by Warren was a water crossing that would have to be crossed if doing the aggressive route. The description was that it was about 20-30' long and as long as you stayed on the covered tire tracks, as there was a gravel bottom you would be fine. Also that the water level was ankle deep! And that if you strayed off the tracks they would take no responsibility for the depth of the water!!!

Following this, Ed brought it forth that if anyone cared to have a newbie without a GPS tagging along to make themselves known… so I was paired up with another 950 Adv with Metzeler Karoo tires and 2 brothers - forever known as the Armstrong Brothers one on a DRZ 450 and I can't recall what the other was riding.

They then did random draws for door prizes… the people that pre-paid and pre-registered were drawn first and had first selection of the prizes… which ranged from an Oglio Backpack (KTM orange), topo software for the GPS, hats, tie straps, chain lube, KTM watch, etc… by the time it was all done, everyone pretty much had something! There was that much stuff.

As everyone got set to ride out, I realized that the Armstrong brothers were doing the Aggressive Route, which was my plan, but then re-thought the matter as it had rained a lot, I am on stock tires (Scorpions) and I am still rather new to the off road… but they convinced me that it was not a race and that there is strength in numbers (meaning if I got stuck!!! They would help) - so I took their advice and went with them.

The route started with a brief section of pavement and then promptly changed to some double track that took us through some woods. The first real challenge was negotiating all the wet leaves on the trail with my slick tires! - only to make it to a small stream about 5' wide with a 5' slope on either side, that was more like a waterfall! - the Armstrong Bros passed it no problem, I followed only to start to slide on the upslope and had to get help and the 2nd 950 cleared it o.k.

The ride continued on the leaves and through the mud and I had to get assistance once again up a muddy hill (talk about a 500lb workout!), damn Scorpions! - remember this was the Aggressive Ride! We hit various gravel roads, logging roads, through some clear cut sections and the views even though it was cloudy out, you could see that it was some beautiful country. From what I understand Warren and Ed try to consider the scenery to their rides, and this did not dissapoint (aside from the cloud cover).

We eventually came to the dreaded ankle deep-water crossing. What Warren conveniently left out with his description was that the water probably was ankle deep before all the rains, but more importantly that it was ankle deep when your feet are on the pegs!!! - So, add another 12" of rain water, fear of the unknown, the knowledge that if you go slowly you are tempting fate to fall over and that you must stay on the tracks… and the wake that you created in front of the bike made the water come pretty darn close to tank height!!! Well, the Armstrong Bros crossed first, the other 950 was 2nd and I followed up the rear… all I can say was awesome and I wish I took out my camera!

We continued on and eventually made it to the 1st gas stop and lunch stop… a quick fill up and we placed our order for lunch … mmm food!!

From there, a bit more pavement, and then more gravel and single track, double track - the Armstrong Bros figuring out the route on their Rino GPS (small screen!). As it turned out, we eventually were the last group out on the Aggressive Route and Ed being the sweep rider caught up to us. He followed behind so that we could figure out the route on our own, and at one point doing a pretty good clip on a gravel road - you know how sometimes you get that feeling in the bottom of your stomach that you should just slow down… or something will happen, that your 6th sense is telling, no, screaming something? Well, I was at the back of the pack and as I said, we were moving at a pretty good clip up this rise of a hill… and would you not know it, but just on the other side of the crest of the hill the road immediately branches right and left with a stop sign on either side. Well, it is a little difficult doing those speeds to stop that fast, when you either turn or go over and down a short, but steep grassy embankment, probably a 15' drop to hit the road that went perpendicular. The rider in front of me, to say the least I think has a stain in his shorts, and a pretty long patch of his new Karoo's on the road! I slowed down as my inner angels were warning me, and negotiated the turn, but it could have been much closer.

The ride continued with more stream crossings, single tracks, unmaintained roads, no winter access roads, logging roads, till eventually Ed took the lead and led a slightly new trail home. He took us down this trail that was not used that much, and we shortly passed a Toyota 4Runner, contemplating how he was going to back out of this trail that was over grown. The trail led to a step ledge that in hindsight if I was alone would not have done on my own but as the others led, I had to follow. Each step was probably 1-3' wide and ranged from a few inches to a foot in height… down I slowly went, I would like to say that they were over a 100 of them! but probably only 20 or so, but enough, to increase my pucker power!!! - and once again, no picture!

From there, we hit the final gas stop, and cruised home, again more mud, ruts, single track, etc… and made it back to Mission Cycle. We were not the last group home, but pretty close - the good thing is that there were people waiting for us to welcome us home, so all was well.

In summary - of the 300km route, I guesstimate 50km was pavement, 150km gravel, 100km was either single track, logging road, or some variation … all told, an amazing ride. The Armstrong Bros were great, Ed and Warren were great, organization was awesome, great atmosphere and everyone was helpful and welcoming.

I have so far pre-registered for the remainder of the season and pre-paid for the Sept ride, I highly recommend it!!

Dennis
KTM 950 Adv