Adventure Series: Jennings State Forest (Part 1)

If you do not have a motorcycle capable of operating off road, take caution if you choose to attempt this ride.

Jennings State Forest is a little strange, but it is also one of my favorite places to ride. Looking at Jennings on a map, one notices how large it is and that there are two clear(ish) sections of trails within it. These sections are separated by Yellow Water Creek. Logic would say that they would still be connected by a small bridge or something, right? Wrong! The trails in the west side of Jennings are isolated from the east side. There's no easy way to get from one to the other even though the closest trails for each respective section are separated by what I estimate to be approximately less than 1,000 ft. Logistically speaking, creating a path that brings the two together would make a lot of sense even for the Forestry Service. There are trails that look like they would be good paths to get from one side to the other, but you'll get stopped by gates in the process and it can be rather frustrating since it prevents one from making a nice loop when trying to organize a ride.

But I digress. While the trail arrangement may be a little less than ideal, there's still plenty to be happy about with these areas. Since I've visited the west section of Jennings the most, I'll start with that as a Part 1.

Adventure bikes and street bikes can do most of West Jennings if you're careful!

The ride to the start of this track is really quite pleasant itself depending on which direction you choose to come from. There are some sections of 103rd Street and Normandy Blvd that may make one feel a little uneasy due to the local crowd being a bit rough around the edges, but things clear up five to ten minutes down the road where the trees take over. A left on to McClelland, then another on Long Branch will send you on your way to the entrance and info board for the forest. The pavement will have ended before getting to Long Branch, so make sure to stop and get your ride set up for dirt riding if you have that capability. Initially, the road is pretty well packed and graded with patches of gravel here and there, but it gives way to loose sand the closer you get to the entrance. Practice good technique on the way in so you don't end your fun before it even gets started.

Once you get to the sign, you have the option to continue going straight or hang a right through a gate that may or may not be open. Even though I've been past that gate more than a few times, I'm not even sure if you're really allowed to take vehicles back there, so we're just going to omit that section altogether for now. Going straight leads you deeper into the forest. It's very quiet back there and with any luck, you might be able to see deer or wild turkeys along the road. There have been a few times where it seems as though the turkeys would rather try to race me rather than fly away and it makes for a giggle inducing encounter. If you take the right indicated on the map to stay on Long Branch, you'll be in for an interesting trail that will eventually dead-end in rather sudden fashion. If you do decide to go that way and you think to yourself "things are getting tight. Should I turn around now?" you probably should.

This .GPX track will take you past that right and continue on past Nolan Ridge Baptist Church. The first time I saw this tiny place I thought it was rather peculiar with it being so off the beaten path. I've also seen enough scary movies to know to keep my distance. Not long after the church is a water crossing that can vary from shallow to somewhat deep depending on the amount of rain in the area. I'm not sure if it's the locals or the Forestry service, but someone keeps dumping gravel to fill it in, but it keeps coming back, thankfully. If you get muddy on the trails past it, it serves as an excellent bike wash on the way out. Keeping right at what can best be described as a roundabout tree will take you to some small primitive camp sites, a picnic area, and rudimentary facilities. We're going to keep left.

This is the main water crossing leading to the rest of the trails. It varies in depth but the crossing is easy.

Some trails are used less than others. Be prepared for varied terrain.

The road here varies from soft sand to gravel to clay. Depending on how soon you decide to visit after a rain will determine if you have great fun or a difficult time. Larger 4-wheeled vehicles can cut some pretty deep ruts (between 6 inches to a foot and a half plus the depth from road surface to the surface of the water) that can turn into small ponds that are always difficult to see the bottom of. Couple that with slick, muddy surfaces and you have yourself a time that could be considered less than boring. I've done these sections many times by myself and I wished I would have brought a friend along to help when I'm in a tight spot, but those are slim pickings these days.

Following the .GPX on the main track will take you to a yet another dead end (shocker) but there are some smaller trails that are marked as "Closed to Vehicles" but are still clearly being used. Use these at your own risk. I was in search of a pass through to the eastern section of Jennings at the time I made this track, so that's why I decided to take them. There aren't any, in case you're wondering.

Altogether, Jennings is a great place to ride and relax. The area is subject to controlled burns from time to time so it may be closed during particular times of the year. Wildlife is abundant, including bears. I haven't seen one out there yet, but make sure you have or are educated in the the necessary measures to deal with one should that situation arise. The picnic area and restrooms at the end of Long Branch are a nice perk that you don't usually find so I use them whenever I get the chance. Those picnic tables are pretty comfy for a quick nap.

Jennings State Forest (Part 2) will be pushed next week and cover the southern (and superior?) section.

Happy riding!

- For more information on Jennings State Forest, please visit this website.

- To download the .GPX file for this ride from dualsportmaps.com, click here.

NE FL ADV and Motorcycle Tours: What we're all about.

It started out as a simple idea created during a conversation with my wife while we were walking the dogs one evening.

We've been doing all of this exploring, mapping, and tracking of Jacksonville and it's surrounding areas and we usually prefer to eat at local establishments rather than big chain restaurants, so why not show people around in person but do it in a way that we love; on a motorcycle. Jacksonville goes by many monikers, but "The Bold New City of the South" is one that immediately comes to mind. It's growing faster than it can handle, but with that growth comes new and interesting thing. As with any city, there are things that you can get here that you can get anywhere else and it's vistas are just about as diverse as the people that live here. What we'd like to try and do is help make Jacksonville a city that people don't just pass through, but rather stay and explore.

This especially goes for the motorcycle scene. I can't tell you how often I see groups of riders from elsewhere just passing through town on their way south to Daytona or Orlando, all the while missing what Jacksonville has to offer. It can be more than a little upsetting because there is actually a lot to do here. You just have to know where to look.

So my wife and I took our idea and are now taking steps to make this into something that we both (and hopefully you, too) think can turn into something quite successful. It's going to take some work, but we hope to broaden the market when it comes to motorcycle tourism here in Jacksonville. So without further ado, I present to you Northeast Florida ADV and Motorcycle tours! Please take a moment to visit our website. Click, share, spread the word, and follow us on Instagram @nefl_adv_and_motorcycle_tours! Thanks!

THE BIG PICTURE

Northeast Florida Adventure and Motorcycle Tours is the first of its kind in the region. Our adventure tours showcase the beautiful forested areas of northeast Florida and our street tours highlight both the new and the old of Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Both types of tour include a food or coffee stop with an emphasis on local fare as Jacksonville is one of the fastest growing cities in the southeast and has much to offer. Tours are all inclusive (excluding fuel and alcohol purchases) so you can relax and let our guides show you the way to a good time.

HOW IT WORKS

First, you will need these items in order to go on one of our tours.

1. A valid driver’s license with motorcycle endorsement
2. Proof of insurance (if applicable)
3. Your signed liability release waiver (this will be emailed to you)
4. Your motorcycle
5. Proper gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and pants. NO EXCEPTIONS!)

Choose the type of tour you would like, the date you would like to take it, and how many people will be in your party (6 motorcycles maximum). Please refer to the “Upcoming Tours” link to view availability.

Once we have this information, we take care of the rest! Before your tour, we will ask you what kind of food or drink you are in the mood for that day so our guides know where to take you. Depending on the size of the group we may call ahead to where you are going, so please refrain from changing your mind during your tour. Everywhere we go is excellent so no need to worry! All tours are led by guides that are Jacksonville natives and are well traveled in the areas you will be visiting. Guides will also be following pre-loaded GPS routes to make things easier (especially for the adventure rides) but since Jacksonville is a living, breathing city, a detour may be necessary here and there. Tours are all inclusive, just follow your guide and enjoy your time on your motorcycle!

OUR GOAL

Jacksonville is a very big place and we would like to try to expose you to just a small piece of what it has to offer. What better way to experience something like that than from behind the controls of a motorcycle! Adventure tours will highlight the dense, protected forest areas that pepper the area that make for some great off road riding suitable for all skill levels. The main idea of these rides is to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy it, not destroy it. Sustainability is key if more people are to enjoy these areas. Street rides will take you through some of the most scenic roads of Jacksonville and surrounding areas, giving you an idea of the diversity this great city has to offer. Since we are strong supporters of local fare, we will do our best to make sure you enjoy some of the best food and drink Jacksonville has to offer. With all that said, we mostly just want you to have fun!

We would greatly appreciate any an all help or feedback concerning our endeavor. If you're up for booking a trip, all tours are 50% off if you book before the end of March! Use the promo code GRANDOPENING at checkout.

Gear Reviews: Bell MX-9 Adventure Helmet

Since all my previous riding experiences were street based, I had no idea how important it would be to have a helmet suitable for taking things off road. The first time I did my first off road trek was shortly after I got my GS and I still had not purchased anything that was even remotely "adventure" oriented aside from the bike itself. The helmet was a Shoei RF1200, the gloves were gauntlet style, and my boots were some variation of a Dianese street boot. I had done some Googling and found some trails in Cary State Forest not too far from where I lived, so I donned all my street gear and off I went thinking I was going to be alright.

Being as wet behind the ears as I was, I had no idea what I was about to get in to. It had to be around August, which is right smack in the middle of one of Florida's rainy seasons, and it must have rained quite a bit a few days prior with the state of things. There were mud pits and water holes abound upon my arrival. But not to fear! I was on an adventure bike, right!? Many lessons were learned that day like "just because you have an adventure bike doesn't mean bomb into a water crossing when you really don't know how to do it yet" and "if you try to wear a RF1200 on an adventure ride into the woods in Florida in August, you just might suffocate and die." Don't get me wrong, the RF1200 is probably one of the best helmets I've ever had, but it's most certainly meant to be worn when you're moving at a good clip; not when your stopped trying to get your new-to-you heavy bike out of the mud and you have to keep the visor closed so your eyes don't get attacked by mosquitoes.

I met my wife for coffee afterwards and regaled her with the fun I did actually have, but I needed a new lid to better facilitate adventuring that wasn't going to break the bank. A little bit of research and a visit to good old Revzilla and I found the Bell MX-9 Adventure.

The MX-9 has been my adventure helmet for about 2 years now.

I was overwhelmed at first because I had never even though about looking for an adventure helmet and had no idea what to look for in one. The price point also had me on edge because the only real adventure helmets I had ever seen were either Shoei or Arai and I certainly didn't have the money to shell out for one of those. Luckily, the adventure market is booming and manufacturers are jumping all over it providing a multitude of options for buyers to choose from. 

So why the MX-9 Adventure?

I'll admit, one of the first things I was looking at was the price. At $200, there weren't many helmets that had decent reviews that could beat it. Coupled with my ZillaCash and an additional dark tinted visor, my bottom line at checkout was something like $230-$240. Compared to the hefty price tags of the Shoei and Arai lids, regardless of how bad I wanted one, the Bell was looking pretty attractive.

As far as fit and finish go, I chose this helmet because I tried on the regular MX-9 (not the adventure trim) at my local Cycle Gear and it fit my head like a glove. I would probably be considered long oval and large is usually the size that I go for. As far as the Cycle Gear guy was concerned, the adventure was exactly the same as the one I had on, it just had a visor. A lot of the reviews mentioned it and the salesperson confirmed it as well, but even with the visor on the adventure model, a decent set of goggles could be worn. White was one of the solid color options that kept my overall price down (I think the other was gray), but there were a few other liveries available that will add a few extra dollars if you choose to go with those.

When I got my Shoei, I was amazed at the increase in peripheral vision compared to my previous helmets. You can imagine my attitude toward experiencing the view from an adventure helmet. With the chin bar so far away from your face and a visor that can pretty much flip up and almost completely out of the way, the view port is massive. Ventilation wise, it's pretty open to the elements. The only vent that can actually close is the main chin bar vent, but I really only open that on the hottest of days or if I'm off road.

While it does check the boxes for most of my requirements, I did have to sacrifice some things for the sake of price. For starters this IS NOT a quiet helmet by any means. The shape is only so aerodynamic, even with the peak in the "low" position, so ear plugs are a must for longer rides. While the visor and visibility are huge, the top of the visor does not sit against the seal of the helmet, allowing water to drop into the helmet from your forehead. This leads to small pools of water collecting in the little pooches Bell had to implement at the bottom of the visor to correct for optics. In Florida this can be quite bothersome since it rains more often than not. There are other visor options out there, including one made for snowmobiles that equates to a non-removable PinLock system to prevent fogging. Something to consider if you live in northern climates.

There is room enough for a communications system if you have one. I was able to fit my dinosaur of a Sena SMH-5 system into the helmet in about 15 minutes, taking my time. My Sony ActionCam mounts fit well to, although my favorite helmet view is right on the peak. If you have any other dongles or accessories, I'm sure there's plenty of real estate on the MX-9 to add them. There's plenty of room for stickers, too so you can easily add horsepower to your ride with minimal effort.

Even though this helmet has served me very well over the past two years, I'm in the market for something a little higher tier. It's not that I don't like it anymore, but I'm looking for something a tad quieter, has a better seal on the visor, and perhaps has a modular element. Alas, the MX-9 has been wonderful up to this point and doesn't show any signs of giving in anytime soon. If you have the coin to splurge on an Arai, Shoei, or even a Schuberth, go right ahead. But if you're looking to get something entry level that can get the job done, the Bell MX-9 is my recommendation to you.

If you're interested in looking into the specs directly from Bell click here.

Adventure Series: Belmore State Forest

If you do not have a motorcycle that you are confident operating in off road settings, DO NOT attempt this ride.

The smell of Florida mud getting baked on hot exhaust headers was filling the air. It's seems unseasonably hot and humid with it being February creating a sheen of sweat on everyone's brow. The trail seemed easy enough at first and since everything prior to this particular section was beginner friendly, we all thought we could make it through. Riders were competent. Tires were of the correct nature. But the fear of someone being overtaken by the boggy water crossing before us that was of questionable depth deterred the group. A brave soul on the bulletproof KLR had somehow already made it across lifting our spirits, but the boss had already spoken. We were to turn around and do everything we had just fought through again. The concern lay not with everyone else's bike, which were mostly of the GS or GSA variety, but a loaner G310GS. While it tackled the mud like nobody's business, the exhaust might be too low and dip below the water line; a risk the pilot did not want to take. Turning a set of heavies around on a muddy trail that is probably about seven feet across is no easy task, but we did it and made our way back out to the two track we probably should have stayed on.

Now that I've spooked you enough, let me tell you how wonderful the rest of Belmore State Forest is.

Coot's Shanty offers a place to park so you can take some of the available footpaths

In all honesty, these tracks are some of the best you can find in northeast Florida. Tucked away in Keystone Heights, this 8,700 acres has enough for whatever it is you're interested in. It's far enough "out there" that you can't hear any main roadway traffic and it's splendid. Hiking, mountain biking, and general offroading can be found in abundance here. Nearly every time I've visited, some type of wildlife has made itself known, with the most interesting experience coming in the form of an adorable little wild pig. I'm well read enough to know not to approach these guys as they can be quite aggressive, but I'll be damned if that thing didn't make me giggle a little bit. There are two entrances to the forest, but the north one is the easiest to get to since we're coming from Jacksonville. All of the main trails are in good shape, so as long as you stay on them you should be alright. The account that I opened with is the result of our group heading off onto one of the trails that was not considered an "open road" on the map and had not been scouted previously.

Staying on the main trails offer your best bet for a nice ride through the forest.

If you happen to try and tackle the forest after it rains, you can be sure that there will be plenty of water holes for you to negotiate. Due to the fact that things can be quite muddy in the area these water holes look more menacing than they actually are, so you can ride through them with confidence if you have the correct tires and don't mind getting a bit wet. Trying to making it through wearing something more suitable for the street may end up with you getting a bit dirtier than you bargained for.

The Ducati Scrambler living up to its namesake. A big smile is apparent under that helmet! This rider managed to scramble completely off the trail and into the woods later on that morning.

This water crossing proved easy pickings for a KTM Super Adventure.

The Super Tenere handles itself quite well. It sounds good, too.

Following the line of the .GPX file will take you on a fairly safe route around the forest, but avoid the area highlighted in yellow unless it's been pretty dry for a few weeks. I think it's safe to say that any amount of rain would cause the ever-present offshoot trails, like the highlighted one, to become a muddy, difficult mess.

Coot's Shanty offers an area to rest or collect yourself after getting onto the trails and, if I remember correctly, there might be a few other recreation areas to take a break at as well. If you find yourself on Cripple Creek Road, there is a wonderful little bridge that makes for an excellent photo opportunity. Depending on how much rain the area has seen, the water level can range from a few feet below the bridge to almost even with the bottom of it, complete with a rather vigorous current.

The bridge at Cripple Creek Road

The trusty KLR having it's fun since Kawasaki has ended its lineage.

Depending on how much riding you're planning on doing, Belmore might be good enough for a morning adventure ride, much like our group did. If you're keen on tackling more trail, Etoniah State Forest is easily accessible from the southern entrance down Middle Road. As with all these write-ups and trails, approach them with caution and assess them according to your skill level. In my opinion, the main trails can be done by beginners to intermediates with no issue. It was quite the melting pot of bikes at the start of our group ride when this track was made that included a Honda CB500X and a Yamaha FZ-07 (both on street tires) who didn't take any spills at all. That should give you a pretty good idea of the difficulty of this route. If you do try to go off the beaten path, things will get difficult. I'll let these past few photos speak for themselves when it comes to that...

Some members of the technical group weren't exactly dressed for the part.

There was no getting around throwing up a big rooster tail of mud behind you.

The little G310GS that could! It handled the mud better than the bigger bikes due to its light weight.

I was unaware at how filthy everything actually was until I got home.

- To find out more about Belmore State Forest, visit their website. It has a nice map to cross reference .GPX files with.

- Due to how impressive the performance of the G310GS was on this ride, I'm including a link to more information on it here.

- Click here to download the .GPX file for this ride from dualsportmaps.com

Bike Reviews: The 2016 BMW R1200GS...2 years in

"The greatest adventure touring bike ever made..."

We've all seen it after Ewan and Charlie did their Long Way Round and Long Way Down shows, highlighting the capability and durability of BMW's GS line. This led to an apparent boom in the adventure motorcycle market with nearly every manufacturer trying to make the next best thing. Even Harley Davidson appears to be jumping on the adventure train with its hideous Pan-America. But BMW still seems to be on top of their game with the GS line still being one of their best sellers. While not much seems to have changed with the new release of the 2019 GS aside from the shift-cam technology and the TFT dash, this review could serve as a decent baseline for an aspiring GS owner of any year.

The 2016 BMW R1200GS will be the focal point of this review.

Of course the big motorcycle magazines and websites are going to give gleaming reviews of motorcycles at press launches and such, but how would those reviews hold up over a few years? These are my personal experiences with a 2016 R1200GS that I bought used over a span of two years and 40,000 miles. Take this review with a grain of salt, as with any review, as your mileage may vary.

Durability

One of the main reasons I bought this bike was how well it seemed to handle the adverse conditions that it was put through on the previously mentioned shows. I'm sure BMW engineers were watching the show very closely and made the necessary changes to things that were breaking in order to make the bike more robust in the long run. So if two actors could take these bikes all over the world, why couldn't I just use one for my commuting and small trip purposes without any hiccups? Apparently I was mistaken.

I'm not sure if it's just my unit, but a few solid issues made themselves apparent within the first year of purchase. The first problem came in the form of a factory recall on certain VIN numbers due to an issue with the top of the fork tubes breaking. The dealership did their measurements, found that my forks were on their way to failing, and took care of the issue free of charge. The second issue was a little more intense. My wife noticed an out-of-the-ordinary ticking coming from the left valve cover after my return from a road trip to north Georgia. After a diagnosis from the dealership, a phone call to the tune of "Yeah, your left side valves are toast and we don't know what could have caused it" was received, I was out of a ride for three weeks while the warranty work was being done. Since it was an issue that the dealership had never seen or heard of before, a "PUMA report" had to be completed and sent to BMW Motorrad in Germany. A little disconcerting, but I figured it was a one-off so I continued on my merry way to issue number three. I've owned motorcycles before that have had stator failures and they were easy enough to replace. But when a stator fails on a GS, the entire engine has to be dropped due to its location. Yet another three weeks with no motorcycle since warranty claims take forever to make their way through the necessary channels.

The location of the stator assembly on the GS. Note the engine has to be completely removed from the bike.
Image credit

Two of the three problems listed here were essentially issues with the power plant, which is usually covered under warranty should a problem arise, which is a good thing. I'm just hoping that I've been able to shake all the gremlins out during my ownership thus far and I don't need to worry about anything else along the way. However, I do recommend going ahead and buying the extended warranty if you're planning on riding your bike every day or taking it on some exotic trip where you'll eat up the regular warranty mileage in the first year like I did. Since BMW is a premium brand, parts and service come at a premium price. It's worth the piece of mind, unless you have that kind of cash laying around. Ask if your dealership offers a maintenance plan while you're at it, because services are downright expensive. Undertake some of the minor services yourself if you're handy with a wrench to take a little off the monetary load.

Aside from the issues mentioned above, the overall motorcycle seems to the holding up pretty well to the beatings I sometimes give it. Crash and fall protection was added, which is always a good idea, but other parts like the fairing and the windscreen don't break or crack as easily as I thought they would. The beak of my GS has been contorted this way and that but still maintains its original shape, aside from the boo boos on the worst of dumps. Damage sustained from trying to go over a large fallen tree with a bridge made of smaller fallen trees around it immediately comes to mind. I won't bother to mention consumables, because that's exactly what they are.

It's been smooth sailing for more since my last major problem, which was about five or six months ago. I've met other GS owners that have had no problems at all over a span of a gazillion miles, so that just goes to show how ownership can vary from rider to rider. These were just my problems that I've made apparent. Don't let my words deter you decision, especially since the big problems are usually covered under warranty.

Comfort and Ergonomics

To this day, I still find this to be one of the most comfortable bikes I've ever owned. The seating position is fairly neutral and the handlebars are nice and wide for excellent control on and off road. I have a set of Roxx handlebar risers that the previous owner had installed to bring them closer to his body, but he had them tilted so far back the control units on the bars would hit the plastics at full lock. A problem easily rectified by rotating the risers and bars up and away. This made it more comfy for my orangutan arms and helped with the overall position of the controls for off road riding (they were tilted more downward.)

The seat is still holding its own after 40,000 miles, but everyone is going to have a different opinion on that depending on what type of butt you have. The stock seat does have a "high" and "low" setting, but I keep it on the low setting. I'm about 5'10" on a good day with a 30-31 inch inseam and can flat-foot with my boots on with no issue. There are plenty of aftermarket options out there to replace the stock piece, so shop around if you feel the need. Sargent and Corbin tend to be pretty popular. Less expensive options like a cover or one of those wooden bead things that I've seen cab drivers use on their seats are also out there. Choose what's most comfortable for you based on your body and budget. Simple enough advice to follow.

The instrument cluster, in my opinion, is perfectly fine. Some out there may find that the numbers on the speedometer are too small, but I personally don't have that problem. If it is for you, there is a way you can get it displayed digitally on the LCD portion of the cluster. I still use the windscreen adjuster nearly every day, so that doesn't get old. I'm still fairly surprised that BMW hasn't made it electronic yet though, but I do prefer the manual anyway. If the electronics were to break, it would suck to lose the ability to adjust the windscreen height. Cruise control is always lovely on longer trips and the "Shift Assist Pro" (SAP) still makes me giggle when I crack the throttle open. ESA is used on the daily as well.

Are the numbers on the analog speedometer too small for you? You can change the setting on the LCD dash to display it digitally. Or you can run a GPS app on your phone that has the speed overlaid on your screen like Waze.

Road Handling (on and off road)

The GS, as per its namesake (Gelande Strasse,) is meant to be capable on the street and the trail. You can't really get everything you want for both types of surfaces in one motorcycle. So let's be clear. The R1200GS is a street motorcycle that can be taken on the dirt. You can't really put percentages on something like that because people are going to build and adjust their bikes to suit what they want to do. As far as mine goes, I've leaned more towards the off-road segment even though I commute a lot. Others may want to make theirs more road oriented, which is just as easy to do given the multitude of aftermarket parts available.

A good set of tires can drastically improve your confidence in off road situations.

When sitting still, the GS is still quite a hoss, even with the center of gravity so low due to the boxer engine. Once the bike gets moving, it's surprisingly nimble. You think about where you want to go and it goes there. After a few miles on the street, even newer riders to big bikes could become comfortable. The turning radius, due to the incredibly wide angle from lock to lock, is amazingly small and allows for on the spot u-turns and ease of getting out of tight spaces. One may not think that is a big deal, but once you have it, you'll wonder how or why you got along without it. Power is easily manageable through all ride modes (Road, Rain, and Dynamic on mine) thanks to the ride-by-wire throttle. Road mode is my go-to for every day stuff. Dynamic is used whenever I'm in the mountains. Rain is used when it's raining. Shocker!

Enduro mode knocks the power back from 125 to 100 hp, allowing for more controlled power output when on the dirt. Occasionally, I will use Road or Dynamic in these situations, but it just leads to a lot of rear tire spinning, so I try to stick with Enduro most of the time. The foot pegs have removable rubber inserts to switch between street and dirt riding, but I do find them to be a bit narrow when standing up for a while. Traction control and ABS are easy enough to turn off with the press of a button (actually the holding of a button, but yeah.) Handling off road is good for its overall size and when you stand up it feels much narrower than it actually is. The 19 inch wheel up front works wonders with that, though I'm sure a 21 would be much more suitable. The tight turning radius also shines in off road situations as well. You don't have to pull an Austin Powers style back and forth bit when trying to turn around in tight trails. However, due to the overall weight of the GS, hitting some of the larger pits or divots in the road can be quite jarring and downright scary. Since I have cast wheels, that feeling is magnified due to the fear of cracking one. Also, if you hit anything loose like sand or mud, things can get interesting very quickly if you end up needing to stop. Remember; lift with your legs and not your back!

The GS has a plethora of aftermarket parts to create a motorcycle that suits whatever your needs may be.

Overall

The R1200GS is a great bike and there are many thousands of people who have bought and ridden one without issue. While that may be the case, there are just as many people that may have had a sour taste left in their mouth caused by GS ownership. I've seen some pretty scathing reviews that actually made me second guess my purchase when I was researching my warranty issues. That being said, I'm still pleased with my GS and it still does what a motorcycle is supposed to do when you ride it, which is make you happy. Would I call it the best adventure touring motorcycle out there? I don't know! With how many different adventure bikes there are out there and the varying degrees of rider capability, I personally don't think that any one bike can fit that bill perfectly. The GS might be more comfortable than the Africa Twin on long road trips, but the Twin has a 21 inch front wheel and is a little lighter, potentially making it superior off road. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure has more horsepower than most people have sense, but perhaps the v-twin engine orientation makes the center of gravity too high for some people, in turn making it difficult to handle? There are so many variables! The one-upsmanship of the manufacturers as of late have yielded some amazing and very capable motorcycles so there are many to choose from. Do your due diligence, research different models, and pick the one that suits you best. But the GS, in my opinion, is enough bike to keep people happy for many, many years.

Happy riding!

- To find more information on the R1200GS, click the hyperlink to visit BMW Motorrad's website.

- If you're looking to buy a GS or any other BMW model in the Jacksonville area take a look at BMW Motorcycles of Jacksonville.

Adventure Series: Riding on the Beach

If you don't have a motorcycle capable of operating in sand, DO NOT attempt the beach portions of this ride.

Seeing motorcycle riders in photos or videos where they are riding along a vast, empty beach always stirred up a lot of envy in me. A Google search for "motorcycles riding on the beach" yields a plethora of images of people that appear to be living their apparent best life and generally having a great time. Needless to say, I really wanted to find a place around here where a photo like that could be taken. Amelia Island and Huguenot State Park are the only places that you can take a vehicle out on the sand here in Jacksonville, so that's where we're headed.

A few important things to keep in mind...
- These are both popular beaches. It's recommended to get out there early or later in the day so you don't have to deal with regular beach-goers. If you do try to go in the afternoon, mentally prepare yourself for crowds.
- During certain times of the year, both parks have sections of beach roped off for shore bird nesting season. Respect those boundaries since we're already basically trespassing on their home turf anyway. If you do visit when the birds are nesting, you can walk these areas. I highly recommend it as the volume and variety of birds is quite amazing.
- The tides play a role in how many routes are available, especially at Amelia Island. High tide usually means a single route of nasty, loose sand close to the dunes. Low tide means more beach to be utilized. Plan accordingly.

The track starts at Amelia Island State Park, the northern-most point for this particular ride. If you're trying to find the park's entrance by sight alone, make sure you're paying attention because the sign is rather hidden.

Keep an eye out. This sign is rather tucked away.

Since we enjoy our state parks and want them to stay around for a while, make sure you pay your dues at the booth ($2.00 a person, I think) and head on out to the beach. The sand here is very loose right off the bat, so don't go charging out like a hooligan. Yet another reason to take it easy is that many people park out on the beach to fish or swim and I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate someone barreling around scaring the fish away or interrupting their good time.

You'll have to deal with loose sand right away at Amelia Island.

There is currently a dredging operation going on at the Southern end of the point to try and help with beach erosion, so there is a section that isn't accessible at the moment. Small pass-through trails will allow you to get to the east side for now. Once you're around the point and heading north again, you can only go so far before seeing the signs that indicate the start of American Beach, which does not allow regular vehicle traffic. Take care on this entire stretch before American Beach because the sand is going to be very loose and could make for quite the workout if you don't know how to properly manage it.

Who needs a gym when you have sand to tackle!?!

I find the height difference between these two signs amusing.

Once you're done at Amelia Island, simply double back the way you came and head on out to A1A. Our next stop will be Huguenot Beach, which is a little easier to ride.

Huguenot Beach is only ten or fifteen minutes south of Amelia Island. The entrance is easy to find and is well marked. While Amelia Island kind of operates on the honor system for park dues, Huguenot does not. You will have to pay a whopping $5.00 to gain access to the beach, but this gives you access to picnic tables, a family beach area, and a small nature center.

Huguenot's sign is much easier to see than Amelia Island's.

After you get through the gate, follow the signs for beach access. Views of the north side of Mayport Naval Station are abundant and very, very cool. Seeing all of the ships and helicopters on your way in could bring out the kid in the oldest individual. Take care to heed the speed limit as best you can since it is "strictly enforced." It would be nice of you to do so through the family beach area anyway, since, you know, it's the family beach area. Once out to the main beach, you'll have much more room to move around, and it is glorious.

Huguenot's beach is quite large. It will fit many rows of cars on the busiest of days depending on tide level.

The track I took first headed south to the rocks then looped around so I could rocket north and be close to the water. It's an awesome feeling, that. Since it was early in the morning, I practically had the beach to myself, but I was still respectful, as you should be too. Enjoyment was had, but within reason. In the non-nesting season for birds, you can ride all the way around the point, but be wary if the tide is out. There is a mini-flood plain on the west side that can sneak up on you, as it did me, where the sand is loose and wet. It looks easy enough to do, but if you find yourself on it, KEEP MOVING or your bike will sink into the muck. You won't lose anything, it'll just be a bear to get out.

While these may not be the world's biggest beaches, they're still relatively close to home and they'll get the job done if you happen to get the itch to ride your motorcycle close to or in the Atlantic Ocean. Amelia Island is the more advanced of the two beaches due to narrow passages and extremely loose sand, with Huguenot being more beginner to intermediate friendly with larger spaces and harder packed surfaces. If you're wanting to try these but have never really ridden on sand before, take some time and practice out at Imeson Park. You'll look a lot cooler to bystanders if you aren't flopping all over yourself trying to keep your machine underneath you as you make your way down the beach. If you need more information on Imeson, a link will be at the bottom of this post.

Oh. I also have my own motorcycle beach photo now...

A dream, realized.

- For more information on Amelia Island State Park, please visit their website.

- For more information on Huguenot Memorial Park, please visit their website.

- To find out more about Imeson Park, an excellent place to learn how to ride in deep sand, click here.

- This ride overlaps with The Fernandina Ride. For more information in it, click here.

- Follow this link to download the .GPX file for this ride on dualsportmaps.com.

Adventure Series: Cary State Forest (Big Bike Friendly)

If you do not have a motorcycle capable of operating off road or in deep water, DO NOT attempt this!

The first set of tracks that I posted for Cary State Forest weren't exactly a cake walk for anyone that has a big adventure bike. It was my first time trying that particular route myself, so I learned a few things along the way. First and foremost; give the rain more time to dry, especially if it's chilly out. Normal Florida heat wasn't there to work its magic, so the evaporation rate was much slower than I anticipated, leaving a lot more standing water than what was hoped for. But that's what adventure is all about right?! Overcoming adverse conditions with odds not necessarily stacked in your favor? Sounds about right.

This track is meant to be of a more relaxing type for those of you that just want to get out and maybe enjoy a nice evening off road jaunt and watch the sun settle into the trees. Try it sometime. It works wonders. To give you a sense of scope for the difficulty of this ride, I was able to do this in almost exactly 50 minutes after a pretty physically demanding day at work. That includes the one time I got stuck (my own fault) and the few times I stopped to take photos or look at the map. Be warned, there is a swampy section that some may not like. Keep in mind that all that rain water we've been dealt lately is still hanging around, so this may be different depending on what time of year you choose to do this. I've marked the trouble area in yellow on dualsportmaps.com. If you pull up to the intersection where blue ends and yellow begins and you see standing water on the road, don't even worry about going down the yellow track unless you're up for a challenge. Follow the blue route for a more easygoing experience.

You'll be starting out at the west entrance for this one, but as most/all of these rides, it can be taken the other way. Follow the line past the facilities and forestry station and head on into the woods. Some of these routes overlap with the previous track, but that can't really be avoided. Between the two, you pretty much have all of the trails covered. Keep going until you get to the intersection where the track goes from blue to yellow. Yellow is generally the universal color to indicate caution, so be wary if you decide to head this way. Things aren't bad on the road leading to the north perimeter road, it's when you actually get to the north perimeter road. Observe...

It seems that only the North Perimeter Road
has these treacherous water crossings.

Some of these ruts have been made quite deep
from trucks and Jeeps. Be careful!

Both of those photos were taken pretty much at the midpoint of the north perimeter road section. As mentioned in the caption of the second photo, some of the ruts are really quite deep due to other off road vehicles making their way through them. I'm not entirely sure how, but I was able to keep my socks dry going through these. So, if it's dry(er) go ahead and give the yellow section a shot. If it's been raining a lot lately, bypass the yellow area and keep going with the blue.

It seems that the Forestry services have been hard at work trying to tidy up the roads all over the forest, but the state of one of my favorite roads has me downright sad. Before, it was a decent dirt track that was, in all honesty, very picturesque.

The eastern section of Cypress Pond Road was stunning.

Now the road surface has these rocks all over it. It's quite loose so be careful.

Since the "improvements," there is now a layer of stone pieces that kept me at attention the entire time. These stones like to slide around one another quite easily. By looking at it, one would think a surface like this would provide plenty of traction, but it doesn't. Use caution going over it if it's still there, because falling on that would be much less than fun, for both you and your bike.

After you make it over the stones, you'll get to some hard tack. The road itself looks like it's been brought up a good 2 or 3 feet because some of the trickier mud pits no longer exist. This makes things easier to traverse, but also takes away from the fun that could be had. A blessing and a curse, I suppose. Head south over a dainty little bridge that I vaguely remember crossing during a Trans-Florida rally and you're almost done.

The metal grates on this bridge move a little bit.

The remainder of the ride is rather straightforward. Road improvements make things easier on the main track, but there are little spurs here and there that are unfinished. I wouldn't dare try to tackle any of those with how wet it's been lately. Keep an eye out for heavy equipment being operated by the Forestry folks, although it would be pretty tough for them to sneak up on you with those giant machines.

So there it is. The big bike friendly Cary State Forest track. You could probably integrate some sections of the other ride into this one to make things a little more interesting or make for a longer ride, but this one is certainly the more leisurely of the two. If you don't know what I'm talking about, there will be a link you can follow below. As with all of these tracks, participate in these according to your skill level, but I would say that most novice riders could do this one, WITHOUT the yellow portion.

Happy riding!

- To get more information about the original Cary State Forest ride (that is more difficult), click here.

- Follow this link to download the .GPX file for this ride from dualsportmaps.com