2017 Flint Hills Stampede Southern Ride

David Woodward-Lead-Africa Twin-Wichita,Ks
Randy Megli-Wingman-Super Tenere-Derby,Ks
Mike Bright-Sweep-KTM690-Petrolia,Ks
Keith Janesko-KLR650-Overland Park,Ks
Gary Wilbert-Tiger 800-Wichita,Ks
Jerry Valdez-XT600-Hoyt,Ks
Scott Smith-KLR650-Emporia,Ks
Nick Bright-KLR650-Independance,Ks
Vic Blaufuss-KTM 1190 Adventure R-Burlington,Ks
Kevin Boyce-KLR650-Burlington,Ks
Don Dilley-KLR650-Basehor,Ks
Nolan Fisher-DRZ400-Holyrood,Ks

228 miles from Eureka,Ks to Elgin,Ks and back.

I would like to say not only was I blessed with the largest group this year, my first year to lead a Stampede by the way, on the longest loop in this years Stampede I believe, I was doubly blessed with a GREAT group of riders who worked incredibly well together as a team when needed and besides a couple of stubborn motorcycles at one point who didn't want to start, we were completely incident and drama free!! These guys did exactly what was needed when we did have the starting issues mid section by stopping and staying put along the route as they noticed missing riders behind them. I had a clear path to find the missing bikes thanks to the riders who had waited patiently for my sweep back, perfect example of how a group ride is supposed to work, FANTASTIC job to each and everyone of you!

We all had a great ride and with the exemption of the brutality wicked dust conditions and saw some beautiful countryside for which many of the group were seeing for the first time! Riding mainly south out of Eureka via Reece Rd and Summit Rd to Beaumont where we rolled to the wind farm south of town before heading east on Crisco Rd. From there we went to Road 7 and headed south again to Killdeer into Howard where we picked up two of our riders who had a delayed start due to some technical issues... Huge thanks go to Jerry Valdez for loaning Nick Bright a KLR650 he brought along to Stampede in hopes of selling, way above and beyond expectations of any rider!! Bravo Jerry....

We then headed south to Sedan,Ks enjoying Quivera Scout Ranches BEAUTIFUL lake! On to "Hobbit House" which is always a pleasure for me to see and admire! Sedan served as a fuel stop for most and a BBQ stop for lunch which by the way was incredible thanks to Bucks BBQ...

From Sedan we headed southwest to our southern most point of Elgin,Ks, once the largest cattle shipping rail station in the nation to nearly a ghost town now, as many of you know they have adopted the slogan "The Town Too Tough To Die"....

Out of Elgin we did an extremely scenic loop up to see the incredible vistas into Oklahoma before heading west on probably my favorite Kansas road so far, Dalton road. Took Dalton winding to I believe Road 3 into Cedar Vale where we began to see our fate had some moisture in store for us very soon!! Thunder told us it may be within  minutes which in fact it was! After taking a consensus from my group, they all told me let's press on with backroads NOT to the slabs of concrete! You guys rock!! Randy Megli had obligations at home that needed his attention so he headed directly into the storm on his way home to Derby and we headed north into the rain as well...

We rode a brisk pace in the rain along some great hard pack gravel roads until we reached Grenola,Ks where broke free of the rain. Continuing north and east we chased the back edge of this thunderstorm only to be treated to some amazing views of lightning as we rode! From this point on not a spec of dust was encountered along our way which made for great tighter formations of our group...

Worked our way back to Beaumont then continued north and east towards Eureka, we found some gems along the way like the amazing 60th Road apparently commonly referred to as "Sleepy Hollow", way cool road by the way.

Once back in Eureka we went our separate ways knowing we had just had in our minds the best ride of the day!! As I said before, thanks for the great  camaraderie and fellowship on the day, fantastic group of gentlemen whom I'd gladly ride with any day!!!

Mike Bright, it was truly an honor to have you ride sweep for me on this ride! Great job and thank you so much. And Randy Megli whom I ride MANY adventures with these days, thank you for creating my cushion in your job of Wingman, always a pleasure to share the gravel with you my friend....

I didn't take many pictures unfortunately but I'm sure my group will add theirs to this post as they can...

Thanks guys,
   David.........

Nice ride report and pics. :)I figured with all the hoopla leading up to this event more would have posted .
Guess others  didn't have as good time or are to busy to post.

Nice ride report and pics.I figured with all the hoopla leading up to this event more would have posted .
Guess others  didn't have as good time or are to busy to post.

Thanks!
I'm just guessing they've all been too busy to write up reports, I had to force myself to do it yesterday between all the catching up around the house I had to do! I'm sure we'll see more in upcoming days...

Thanks for loaning me a bike Jerry!

My KLR made it home OK, with some coughing along the way.... wrenchin' time!

Thanks for loaning me a bike Jerry!

My KLR made it home OK, with some coughing along the way.... wrenchin' time!

I was curious how that went, wasn't sure if you found someone to haul it for you or not, glad she made it home!!

Glad the ole girl got you home...still curious what the h377 is going on!

Nice ride report and pics. :)I figured with all the hoopla leading up to this event more would have posted .
Guess others  didn't have as good time or are to busy to post.

I posted in another thread but guess since no one moved them I will add them here, not many or much but great memories:

Thanks for adding your pix, I didn't hardly take any myself!!

Glad the ole girl got you home...still curious what the h377 is going on!

I suspect the air filter was just too dirty. I've cleaned it out and ran about 80 miles today. Highway, gravel, minimum maintenance, and found some minor technical rock roads; ran like a champ. It really didn't seem that dirty to me, but maybe that K&N filter just need to be kept cleaner than I expected.

That section looks GREAT in that pic!! Glad she's back to running normal again for you Nick!!

Great view of the Flint Hills. The only prior experience I had of the Flint Hills was the on the road from I-70 to Manhattan, this was much more complete. I'd like to do it again. Just looked at the pictures and saw myself in one of the photos and made it a screen saver. Got a charge out of riding thru those small towns, the one where the kid on a dirt bike was riding  between houses and over the sand pile by the road was a kick. I think he must have ridden that path more than a few times. It's a pleasure to ride with someone that has found the good roads, I'll plan on riding next year.