Info From Club-5th Annual Halsey Nebraska National Forest Ride April 21st, 22nd, & 23rd of 2023. Main ride is Saturday April 22nd, pickup rides Friday and Sunday. Most people arrive Friday and stay until Sunday. Arrive when you can, leave as late as possible.
Location of Base Camp: Windmill #25 Junction of Roads 203 & 201 41.86255, -100.32628 This is where the ride will begin, and end. Dispersed camping available here, free of charge. Hopefully K.C. brings the sweat lodge!!! This area is dispersed camping. (no water, no electricity) The area is around 7 acres of fairly level ground. There is PLENTY of room for many campers and tents. The road to Windmill #25 was rebuilt the summer of 2020 and is now graveled. You may camp anywhere you like or get a hotel. Bessey Recreation Area has electric hookups for RV’s and bathrooms if that is what you would like, no running water until May 15th.
Bessey Ranger District https://www.fs.usda.gov/…/about-forest/districts/…
Halsey Frontier Inn 503 NE-2, Halsey, NE 69142 (308) 533-2240
Roadside Inn 39357 NE-2, Thedford, NE 69166 (800) 373-1648
Arrowhead Lodge & Cafe 39293 NE-2, Thedford, NE 69166 (308) 645-2246
Ride Starts: Saturday April 22nd 9:00AM At Base Camp Kickstands up at 9:00 AM Sharp Morning Loop approx. 60 miles, Afternoon approx. 45 miles Groups: Chip aka Chipper aka NEMO aka Buffalo Chip aka The Alpha Male, will be setting up groups!
Group Size: We try to keep groups around 4-6 riders max. Black Groups = They are all fast, and at least half of them are also crazy. Blue Groups = Some short, some tall, some fat, some small, not super-fast, but not slow either. Green Group = Some new, some prefer a slower pace, some suck, some have bigger bikes, all are welcome. Depending on attendance, additional groups will be added.
Sand: There will be SAND!! Lots of sand. Some loose, some not so loose. This also means that there will not be any mud……even if it rains.(that is a very good thing!)
Ride Ends: The ride ends at Windmill #25 be sure to stick around for the Sand Napper, and Best Sand Rider awards, slow drag race, and other games, then there will be plenty of tall tales and adult beverages around the campfire. Two awards are given annually: Sand Napper=best crash. Best Sand Rider = best overall sand rider.
Maps: A gpx file will be available prior to the ride. Go to Nebraska National Forest Bessey and download a MVUM map along with Avenza app onto your smart phone. Both are free. Figure out how to use your phone or gps to guide yourself. You’ll have a better time, and it makes everyone faster.
Lunch/Gas Saturday: We will stop in Thedford Saturday for lunch and gas. If your motorcycle can’t make 60 miles, you better bring some extra gas. Lunch is from Sandhills Corral (308-645-2323). You can bring your own lunch if so desired. Plated Bikes If you go on the guided group rides you will need a plated bike. Non-plated Bikes Non-plated bikes are welcome and there are many trails open to them here. The Base Camp is about 1.3 miles from the nearest OHV trail. Per the MVUM rules you would have to trailer your bike from base camp to the trail. There is a trail head at the Bessey parking area right off of Hwy 2, and also a trail head on 86B on way to the Base Camp. For your information only, just letting you know the rules, up to you if you plan to follow or not.
Be Prepared: We all break down, and I don’t even want to say this in case I jinx myself….but your bike needs to be ready to go.
Have Fun!: This is your ride. Do what you want. Ride when you want, where you want. We just ask that if you’re going to leave the group ride let the leader know so we don’t go searching for you. It’s not a race, go at your own pace and you will not be left behind. Everyone rides at their own risk!!
Thanks for putting this together again!