well i got about a month off between semesters (i know at 24 i am an old college student but thats what four years in the military does) but i was wondering if anyone in the midwest has made the trek to some sand out west? how was the haul? best places that are closest to ohio? what do i need to bring besides paddles? how much to camp at the dunes? is it even worth the drive to ride for a few days? any input from people who have made the trip from the midwest would be greatly appreciated.

 

WORTH the drive? I dont care How far you have to friggin drive...GO! But, now that ive said that, be warned: ANY riding you do back home will seem like complete utter CRAP after cruising the dunes! (especially silver lake if you have been there) We used to hit up silver lake, but havnt been their since we started doing our big dune trips.

I havnt met too many people that didnt love riding in the sand (especially with a DS) We have only made two trips thus far out west, the first was to Just little sahara (utah) and then Walden (and one other smaller place cant remember the name). The big dunes are by far the best.

This june we hit up St.A's first for 2 1/4 days (got to ride the first day for about 2 hours just to jet and look around) and then we went to Little Sahara for I beleive 3 days. I personally prefer little sahara, as it is a bigger place (20,000 rideable acres) but st.anthonies has some steeper stuff with bigger bowls. St.A's might be a bit far for you to drive tho (I think it was an extra 5-6 hours for us). I have never been to little sahra oklahoma, but ive heard pretty good things about it. If its a good place that should closer for you.


It takes us approx 21 hours to get to Little Sahra from DeKalb-IL (northern central IL) If I had means of transportation and wasnt already going to florida with my riding buddy (not for riding just for the sun) I would try to head out or meet up with you. I love the dunes so much that I have my my life goal to eventually live out west within a couple hours of a major dunes riding area (ya, its THAT much fun [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] )

I am sure you have seen pics, but here are a couple from LS-UT from our trip this year. The guy who took this pic was stopped about 3/4 of the way up sand mountain (the main hill there).

Sand Mountain- LS


I dont even recognize which side of the mountain this is, but the dunes go so far out from the main hills. (its a blast to just CRUISE, not stopping for hours) I would reccomend a GPS, as we clock a LOT of miles, and its not too hard to get mixed up on where you are.


LS- UT

Here is one more- This is a picture looking down from the top of sand mountain. See the two small specs at the base of the hill? those are 24 foot black enclosed trailors behind two black chevy fullsize trucks!

Looking down from above

If you cant tell, I get excited even thinking about dune riding. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

BTW, just saw the pics of your updated bike, looking really sharp!

 

I think most dunes require a flag, and I'm sure the prices vary from place to place. Think its $25 for a week pass at Glamis. I'd have to agree with Roost. I was hooked after my first 15 minutes in the dunes and its definitely worth it.

 

oh no[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] now you got me adding up the prices........gas, paddles, whip, lodging,........oh my god if igo i might not come home[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

well if your not running diesel gas isnt as bad as its been, so thats a relief (all the haulers my buddies use are diesel so its hurtin pretty bad)

If you have them, take paddles. If you dont have any id suggest trying to find a cheap set on ebay (cheap price, not quality) or borrow some. It is easier to whip the quad around with knobbies on, which is great fun, but obviously the hookup is much better with paddles.

Camping as far as I remember wasnt too bad at all (some of the guys on here can probably chime in with that info) we always stayed at cheap hotels, but even at 50-60 a night hotels are quite a bit more than a camping fee.