March 21 Ride Report

I've been Pavement Pounder for far too long. It was time to go ridin off-road.



This ride was filled with guys from the salt mine where I work. Retirees to newbees. One of the old guys wanted to get his new RZR some trail time. The HM system for this ride would be Waterways. It would only be a one day trip for me. The others were riding two days, staying at Kathern's Kabins for one night.

I wanted to maximize my riding time so I got up early and headed south. Good plan. I had in thirty casual miles of riding before the others arrived. Yikes. This group of buds are a blast to ride and hang out with (but) their start time wasn't gonna make a one day ride worth my time.

Waterways has really changed over the years. The trails continue to be much more interesting then they used to be while still staying fun for all skill levels. And the "but" that always followed a black trail description is fading away. At least on one trail. Trail 52~ in it's current condition~ is all that most risk takers will want. Steep. Very rocky. Plenty of Pucker and Grins. Excellent trail! All the trails were in top riding condition. Not too perfect. Just right. Our trail-pass funds are being put to good use.

For the first time since the very early days of HM, I came across a trail sign switch-a-roo. I was on the lower portion of T18. Came to the blacktop and turned left. Instead of the expected left hand turn back into the trail system, there was a T18 sign tucked back on a trail off to the right. hummm... Maybe the system is on both sides of the road now, I think to myself. I take it and ride a little ways. It sure hasn't been used much. Then I run into a "local" who gives me a what-are-you-doing-here-boy,I've-got-a-banjo-back at the-house-look. Time to turn around. He was riding a tractor (aka Honda 300). My Grizz quickly got "us" back to where we belonged. I told the gal at the trailhead office about the sign issue. When my buds showed up, we changed the signs to be accurate.

Saw lots of deer on this ride, including the first fawn of the season for any of us. Redbuds were blooming. Actually, everything was blooming. If anyone reading this planned a spring ride last winter, you better hurry.

A spark plug issue with one quad was quickly fixed with a new spare. Gump will be happy to read that my Bighorns suffered their first flat. Yep. It took three sets and somewhere just south of 10,000 miles to prove him right. Bighorns are junk.

Here's one for all you old guys. We were in one of the play area's rippin and tearin. The quads were having a really tough time getting through one of the trenches. The retiree with the new RZR was being "coaxed" to take his machine through. He declined. Repeatedly. After he had heard enough complimentary female terms and phrases, he drives his RZR through the trench. Then drives it through the same trench in the other direction. Then, he drives his RZR though the other two trenches (both directions) that the quads didn't even attempt. He then shuts off his quad and says, Now, unless one of you (familiar female references) can do that, leave me alone. Lesson learned. Don't mess with old guys! I've decided a RZR can go up or through anything. Anything! I've seen Farmer climb hills that looked impossible. Our old-guy bud didn't even have to work to get through any of the trenches that were deep along with super steep entry/departure angles. Very impressive and very funny the way he went about it.

We had the normal good time. It was really tough to leave my buds behind at the campfire, but at least I got to ride with them. I didn't take many pics. Here they are.





Redbuds In March





Beautiful New RZR





Hey! How Did One Of DJ's Buds Get In My Report? QCR Might Have A Virus!





Splish Splash





Lots Of Ride Variety This Trip. Honda, Zuki, Yammer, Bomb and RZR

Nice ride report and pics, PrairiePounder.

Enjoyed reading your ride report...you never disappoint us with your reports!

Nice report PP... and not all WV'ians are looking to make you "squeal like a pig" In fact, I dont even own a banjo

The colors look great, glad you got outside for a while.

Told ya there junk! Haha nice report and I agree rzr are amazing machines

Glad you had a good time PP.

Glad you had a good time.

Cool, thanks for the ride report & pics! Did I see Mr. Shamrock Kid in the pics?

Ok, PP have you stayed @ Kathryns Kabins? That's a seperate report right there!

Very nice report, enjoyable to read. I'm going to have to make it up to Waterways some day.

Nice ride report there PP. I didn't see any referance to Sirens and Cops, so it was a good day.

Sportsman~ No issues with sirens, cops or Rangers.

Tequila~ I have not stayed at Kathern's. I'm guessing you have. The cabins are more like bunk houses with a bathroom. Very small. No one will confuse them with the Laidback.

G~ I've been going to HM since it first opened. The people that live in your state are great. Including all the non-HM pirate rides, I've only met a couple of "locals" that made me feel uncomfortable. The guy I crossed at Waterways is one of them. Remember that covert ride a couple of summers ago when Wacker took us to one of his feedlots and they were closed? And there was nowhere else to go for lunch? Remember the look on DaddyO's face? That's what that guy looked like. Creepy...

I hear ramps and a well cooked ohio-ian do make a pretty good meal....maybe he had heard the same thing PP.

Prairie Pounder wrote:

Remember that covert ride a couple of summers ago when Wacker took us to one of his feedlots and they were closed? And there was nowhere else to go for lunch? Remember the look on DaddyO's face?

Ahhh Man PP!!!!

Way to dredge up old "missed meals"...

Yep, that was a bad break, I was really looking forward to a Bonnie's Bacon "Double" CB.

Good Times

great ride report.

Good ride report as always