Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1528606
October 2024 29 Oc- The regional demand for a long, challenging off- road event persisted, so with a few new ideas and a li le crea vity, within a few short years, the Monkey Bu was born. The Monkey Bu has been on my radar for sev- eral years now. With invites by Wayne County Motorcycle Club President Jerry Bulman and Quarry Run buddy and WCMC member Ma Ryder along with a free weekend, I decided it was me to see what the Monkey Bu was all about, and I'm happy to report the trip out to western New York was worth every mile! I'd arrived a day early as I like to check out the lay of the land and the local color of sur- rounding towns. Rolling in Thursday evening, I'd grabbed a delicious bite to eat at a cool old pub right on the banks of the Erie Canal called the "Pour House" in the town of Lyons, only a few miles from our star ng loca on, Arbor Hill Farms, a beau ful piece of farmland with a sweet steep hill climb to kick off the event. The next morning was interes ng as while looking for a level spot to set up camp for the weekend, without thinking much about it, I chose a nice spot with a great view of the hill climb just beneath a large pow- erline. As I set up my EZ-Up, I no ced I was ge ng shocked when touching the metal frame. Strange indeed, but when I stepped up into my Sprinter van and brushed a finger across the slider door striker, I felt an even greater shock. So much, in fact, you wouldn't want to leave your finger there. It appeared these powerlines leak voltage to the ground, and I decided it best to move to another loca on. I'd later learned most regulars of the Monkey Bu are aware of the stray voltage and just laugh it off. Not being familiar with a situa on such as this I kept clear! My ride of choice for this event was my "Comfy Old Shoe," the 2019 KTM 300 XC-W that's been a subject of many features over the years. Being well-prepped for longer rides, such as Mitas gummy res, Nitro- mousse foam tubes, a Sco s Steering Damper, and a Seat Concepts "Comfort" seat to combat the chance of ge ng a serious case of monkey bu .