Hey all,

Well yesterday was the big day for us to check out a new riding area down around where the Des Moines river dumps into the Mississippi. We unloaded our machines and got on the trail around 11ish or so. Seeings how it was a new area I didn't get to lead the group cause some of the other guys ride it regularly. I forgot how bad the dust can be on the trail when not leading. I am still picking sand and dirt out of my cryballs!

I have to say that this was prolly one of the neater (is that a word?) places that we have ever road. Man it is wide open and the and just goes on for as far as you can see. Lots of ledges and drop offs in the sand also. A lot like riding the dunes I would imagine. Lots of wide open throttle and high speed action.

Here are some pics of the area.








Once we got bored on the sand we decided to try and head up Sugar Creek which they have not been able to ride all year yet since the flooding. Lots of deep water holes got washed out when the flooding happened and we had to be very careful about the crossing areas. Generally we made someone walk across first. If they didn't sink to there azz we went for it. Not always the wisest decision. Many people got stuck and many different times. Then we made it a good 5 miles up the trail till he found a water hole around 10' deep. Not much we could do with that. So then we had to go back threw all the crossing we just rutted out really bad so that was interesting. Although most made it back better than we did the first time. Wheelers will run in Sand and moving water much better when going with the current that's for sure.

Here are some more pics of some of the creek area riding.
1st one is me winching out the guy that was supposed to be leading us around. :no: The spot didn't look too back but he drove in and sank to the frame in a couple seconds.














Finally, the funniest part of the whole day. We found a plastic table top stuck in the sand and one of the girls decided she wanted to try getting towed around the sand on it. That's pretty much all you need to know. It was a friggin riot watching the sand just flying and her rolling off all the time. Even rolled her clean into the river at one point when the board didn't turn fast enough. We are thinking one of my old kneeboards would be killer on the sand. Maybe next time. We have video of this all too I'll share with you but I gotta wait for my buddy to e-mail it too me as it was on his high dollar anti-shock camera. Turned out killer too it looked like. Here are the pics of before she started and after one of the wipeouts. It was funny stuff.





Needless to say we had a blast and are thinking of making this one a weekly ride just cause we only covered about 1/4 of the riding area down there and we covered 36 miles.

Here is the final pic. As the sun was going down on the sandbar.


I have to say also, Bonnie and Savanna did an amazing job on the trail. They don't have to deal with getting threw a lot of the muck cause they are normally passengers but since we had 2 wheelers they took there own and man they rocked. They were driving around guys that were stuck that had been riding there entire life. I was very impressed. Now I just wish I had another wheeler for them all the time.

Looks like you had a great time. Nice pics. I'll bet ir was interesting watching the table surfing. I bet a good tube would work for that. Thanks for sharing.

Looks like fun Randy, we used to do that around here too. It always amazed me that nobody ever got hurt. It was fun though!

thanks for sharing Randy. looks like a fun group to be around. I like women who aren't afraid to get dirty and run with the fellas

Where do you guys find these women?!?!?! Looks like a great time! I blew the cobwebs out of my old hunk o junk putting up stands last week..it's ready to be stuck somewhere

If your going in the afternoons I'll make time!! Just let me know when your going!

I may just be able to swing this weekend (I doubt the duck hunting will be much good Keep me posted on whats goin down.

I will John. I can prolly find out today who is going. It is kinda tricky to figure the total group out cause it is a lot of swing shifters and you never know what they are working. (Or at least I don't!)

I understand...you have my number..and who knows..maybe I'll bring someone

That looks like lots of fun!
Is that a location where the river used to run or what?

Ok rando..I'm in for sure, and I have a riding partner so tell Bonnie to call off the search . My buddy from new london is also in. I would say the easiest thing would be for me to give you a call when I go through Mt. Pleasent and meet ya out on the interstate. I'm sure we'll talk before then!