TAT-2016 Post 4 – 27 Aug 2015

We finally accomplished our first joint ride on the dirt. We decided to stay close to Little Rock so agreed to meet at Ott ATV Park, next to the Arkansas River just off I-440. Steve and Terry rode to Ott on their bikes. Woodrow still doesn’t have his learners permit so I loaded my bike on my trailer and then picked Woodrow and his bike up at his house. We all arrive at Ott about the same time on Saturday around 1:00 p.m.

Steve and I being the more experienced riders had gone to Ott the day before to scout the trails and to determine if Terry and Woodrow could actually do these trails. We decided they could but some of the trails were even tough for Steve and I. Steve even laid his bike down while trying to ride through a deep rut caused by some big ATV.

Woodrow and I unloaded our bikes and everyone geared up for the ride. Ott is a maze of dirt roads, trails, sand pits, deep trenches and ponds. We started by just going down the main dirt roads but even they have spots of sand, rocks and an occasional deep rut. Woodrow and Terry did exceptionally well on these areas and in fact the only thing that caused them any issues was when we would hit stretches of sand about 6 to 10 inches deep.

We then stepped it up a bit by taking a few sidetracks that were heavily rutted requiring slow maneuvering and some bushwhacking through the tangle of vines. Several bikes were dropped and in one case it took a couple of us to push a bike out of a deep rut.

We all laid our bikes down at least once, a couple more than once; mine while riding through some sand. No damage and no injuries since most of our riding was less than 25 mph. I did overhear someone on a heavy KLR650 say a lighter bike would be nice. It was all I could do to not say, “I told you so”. Our CRF250Ls were just right; enough power but easy to pick up off the ground.

The only real excitement was by Woodrow while attempting to take a side trail by going over a small sand hill. I was right behind him and all I could see was the bike swerving and his legs out to each side trying to recover. The problem was there was a sign at the intersection and I was sure he was going to take the sign out but he managed to miss it at the last moment.

We did go into one section that is almost all-deep sand and we all had a very difficult time getting back out. We all agreed WE DON’T LIKE SAND!

Other than being hot with helmets and riding jackets we had a great first ride and everyone is looking forward to doing it again soon. It is obvious Terry and Woodrow will have the skills needed for TAT-2016 by next March.