My wife recently surprised me by buying herself a 2003 Kodiak 400. The surprise is that she's 68 years young! We have for the past couple of years trucked off to the sand dunes in Glamis (CA) with just my Griz 660. Can't do it this year but would like to take the Toyhauler upo Ocala NF for a few days but don't know the area. Could some of you comment as to where a good place is to park the trailer and be able to ride directly from the trailer park. I'm an experienced rider (about 50yrs worth) and she is a beginner if that helps with where a good place to go would be - but don't suggest too tame of a place....

Thanks,

Mike

wheres the pics 

Sorry for the delay - here are a few pics from this year's Glamis trip













Hope you enjoy your trip - we had a blast.

[My "on the road" wireless connection is way too slow to download pics - should be home by the weekend and when the dust settles I'll put them up.]

wheres the pics 

My "on the road" wireless connection is way too slow to download pics - should be home by the weekend and when the dust settles I'll put them up.

[We took the small (5x10) trailer this year- pulling the toyhauler prooved to be just too expensive last year (6mpg vs 15 mpg). the weather during our stay was awesome - mid 70s to low 80s. Glad we missed the president's Day weekend - guestimates were at 100000+ visitors. Go there during the week and you practically have the place to yourself. Holiday weekends are just too crazy). Depending on your driving times expect to be on the road 3-5 days. You have to have a permit - I'm told you can buy them online or in Brawley for $25 (for a week stay per vehicle). cost me $40 on site. No finer place have I ever found to ride than Glamis. Mike]

we're thinking of heading out there for Turkey day (make it a 7 or 8 day trip).  We'll be trailering there.  Are  you driving or flying and renting?

We took the small (5x10) trailer this year- pulling the toyhauler prooved to be just too expensive last year (6mpg vs 15 mpg).
the weather during our stay was awesome - mid 70s to low 80s. Glad we missed the president's Day weekend - guestimates were at 100000+ visitors. Go there during the week and you practically have the place to yourself. Holiday weekends are just too crazy). Depending on your driving times expect to be on the road 3-5 days. You have to have a permit - I'm told you can buy them online or in Brawley for $25 (for a week stay per vehicle).
cost me $40 on site. No finer place have I ever found to ride than Glamis.  Mike
 

Thanks exrider, The info is greatly appreciated!!!!        Me and some buddies will be going the weekend of the 14th and wanna get a camping spot.  I have been there on hot weekends (100 degrees) and we have gone on weekends that its like 30 degrees.   the  cold is awesome for ridin!!!    Croom is for me the ultimate playground!!!!!!!!!!!      I love the fast,technical trails.  This place test your skill and stamina along with the rollercoaster-like feel of the trails.    I will be coming from Miami and the 300 mile drive is worth every mile!!!!!! I only wish I could move there to be able to go every weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

b]Try going a few extra miles till you hit the sand dunes in California (Glamis) - There is no better riding - within the first ten minutes of riding the 40+ miles of sand dunes you'll forget all the miles you just traveled to get there.[/b]

Will be in Glamis (CA) Feb 21 thru Feb 24 - anyone else planing on being in the area? Would like to meet up with you if poss.

Mike
aka HASBEEN & Mr Sandman
ma0144@earthlink.net

Will be in Glamis (CA) Feb 21 thru Feb 24 - anyone else planing on being in the area? Would like to meet up with you if poss.

Mike
aka HASBEEN & Mr Sandman
ma0144@earthlink.net

[A mere 2356 miles from Titusville (according to mapquest) One hour on the sand and you forget how much you just spent to get there!]

WOW !!!! That place looks amazing, how long of a ride from Fla to the Dunes??

A mere 2356 miles from Titusville (according to mapquest) One hour on the sand and you forget how much you just spent to get there!

Great pics! Ya gotta have the big ones to brave a 3 wheeler. Was in Glamis last Feb with my Griz and thanks to the lower gas prices will be heading that way again on the 15th of this February for a couple of days of play - it is world class riding for anything that can handle the dunes. I time my trips to get there during the week when very few people are on the dunes - weekends get a little crazy. Temps are currently running in the mid 70s during the day - 40s at night.





Mr Sandman
Titusville

[Hey Griz, I'm not real familiar with all the different riding areas in Florida. From Titusville which direction would I point myself to go to this lcross event?]

Who is goin to the lcross adult weekend Nov 2nd thru 4th.

Hey Griz, I'm not real familiar with all the different riding areas in Florida. From Titusville which direction would I point myself to go to this lcross event?

[Yeah, that pretty much says it but when the cob webs blow off I might just narrow the gap a bit.... or die with a smile on my face tryin.]

is that one of those "you might be younger and faster but I'm older and have better insurance"  type of comments.     

Fried green tomatoes was such a good show. 

Yeah, that pretty much says it but when the cob webs blow off I might just narrow the gap a bit.... or die with a smile on my face tryin.

[...and that's just part of the sweet things of retirement.]

One thing about being a "old FArt" is the price of your toys. We do not have to ask mommy or daddy for some cash. No financing, just say "I'll take it".

Check out the group ride section and enjoy. 

...and that's just part of the sweet things of retirement.

Looking for another old retired fart to pal up with for some Central Florida riding. Have less than 10 hrs on new Griz (March '07) and I'm starting to get a little anxious about riding some. Got a big trip planned in January to spend some time in Glamis (CA) on the sand dunes but sure would like to knock off the cob webs between now and then.

Mike Austin
Titusville
ma0144@earthlink.net

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/      Watch it till the END!

Ah, that's pretty scary and if its true - that's real scary. Could we, as a society, be that manipulated. A lot of it seems to make sense and frankly, scares the hell out of me. Kind of makes you wonder that if you research it enough you may find out only what "they" want you to find out and if you're too smart - see ya.... Then again, maybe its all crap. The challenge, as always, is separating the fact from fiction.

Okay I'll bite. Used to spread crap all over the state of Florida. Spent 23 years as a high tech Ford mechanic but did my twilight tour as a Fleet Manager for the oldest fertilizer company in Florida - Sunniland (Sanford), a better company I've never worked for. Retired June 1st this year and now spread my time between a working wife (nuff said) two boats, and a new Grizzly that gets very little use - but that will change in February when we end up in Glamis, Ca with 40 miles of killer sand dunes. This trip will be (most likely) my last hurrah for the serious stuff ........

1st scooter at 12, first motorcycle at 13, first and last quad at 63 ....

I fix cars... work for myself All-Tech Mobile Auto Repair Inc.

Hey Turbo - check out the iATN site on the web. I'm a retired Ford tech that discovered the iATN back in the mid '90s - best auto site on the web - and for the most part its free. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Mike (fordfxr)

You guys sure have a way of making one feel old. In MY day computers were not even on the drawing board - in school we had to actually use books and the only thing we got chided for was looking up the girls skirts, which by the way, still seems preferable to doing what I'm doing at the moment .....

Ah, last but not least and (not as entertaining), a qt of "avoidance" goes a long long way in keeping your machine spiffy looking....... (LOL)

Jack - how do you view the video? Given the text of your comment I can vision the subject and I could not agree more with your statement. 20 years ago I wrote a guest editorial columm for a local paper and I stated exactly the same thing. Terrorist were not an isue then so my statement declared that we could actually due away with the majority of the border patrol if we just forced ourselves to remove the incentives for them to come here in the first place. Seemed like a no brainer to me but I'm sure the wonderful ACLU would have different thoughts on the subject. God, where would our country be now if it was not for the Jesse Jacksons, the Al Sharptons, the ACLU ......

And no, color is not an issue to me - common sense is (or lack thereof).

Well it would not surprise me if one or more folks have kicked the bucket on the dunes -but I bet they went with a smile on their face ........

Here's a link to some more Glamis pics - I think there's a couple of the dunes at Florence, Or which is another 40 mile stretch of fantastic riding except that at certain times of the year you can ride the dunes right down and onto the beach (in and out of the surf - all that good stuff).

http://home.earthlink.net/~ma014

Thanks QT - I'll be on the lookout for it.

Old "HASBEEN" dirtbiker finally broke down (at 63) and got his first quad. Been away from the offroad scene for several years. Being a transplant from Northern California (the "real" California) and having spent many years in the Oregon mountains and sand dunes I am at a lost as to where to ride in Florida. I've had this ATV since March and there's less than 10 hours on the clock. Planning a trip out west in February to break it in or just break it but sure would like to get the scoop on where to ride locally in the meantime. Also, would like to hook up with a friendly group of folks to ride with (ain't much fun going it alone). I'm a pretty easy going sport and at my age I shouldn't be much of a challenge for "leader of the pack" (but don't laugh too hard if I give it a shot once in awhile).

Mike
Titusville
ma014@earthlink.net

Too old for the high performance stuff - got a new 660 Griz which should have enough poop to navigate the dunes. Got an extra set of rims for it so if I have to I'll get some paddles for it.

The model is FS2600 (26'). It has all the goodies:

* dual queen beds
* 5.5K generator
* fantastic AC
* outside shower station
* 40 gal fuel tank w/fuel station
* nice potty/shower
* microwave,stove/oven,refer,double sink,pullout pantry
* built-in TV ant & amplifier

I wish everyone an opportunity to experience the dunes - its like no other riding. In California and Oregon I did the hill climbs, the trails, the deserts, the mountains, the mud, and the beaches but nothing beats the sand dunes (plus I like the fact that you and machine come home reasonably clean....). I've included a link below to some pics I acquired over the net (if you're interested). I plan on taking lots of pics during our trip to Glamis.

On a personal note - I acquired a new ATV back in March but it spends its life cradled away in our toyhauler for lack of knowing anyone locally that likes to ride and knows the area. I think there's less than 10 hrs on the clock - only been up the road off I-95 but the area ran out pretty quick. If anyone out there can put up with an ole fart wantin to group up again I'd like to talk to you. My wife is a good sport about my passion but does not really care to get into it. I'll probably give it up myself when we return to Florida but until then I'd like to put some hours on this thing

http://home.earthlink.net/~ma014

Thanks for your responses,

Mike Austin
Titusville
ma014@earthlink.net