For a rider here in New England March can be the hardest month to bear. The days are noticeably longer but it’s still cold, there’s still salt on the roads and the trails are closed. Fortunately for those of us with cabin fever there’s March Moto Madness in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. It’s only 16 hours of driving time, which for two drivers is easy to do in a day. The site is fantastic and trucks, trailers, RV and such are welcome. Tent campers get royal treatment. The payoff for the effort is a fantastic time with other riders in a perfect location. It’s not small, which means you’ll see bikes of all makes and sizes you don’t see often if at all, yet it’s not so big it’s hard to get around and get fed. Each time I head south to Tellico Plains I come back with great memories and new friends I look forward to seeing next time. 

South- East About Russell Kruse – Started riding motorcycles in 1976. His first motorcycle was a Honda 350. Living in Nebraska, he learned to ride on dirt, gravel and rock roads. After joining the U.S. Army and getting married, he went to Germany and began to learn about the BMW brand. Riding on a back road, which had been used as a tank trail, he broke his collarbone when he flipped riding late at night. Upon returning to the States, he bought a Honda Nighthawk 750. In 2005 he bought a Kawasaki Vulcan 750 which he rode up and down the East Coast. This is where he was re-introduced to BMW motorcycles. In 2008, while living in Alabama, he bought his BMW R1150GS on Ebay from a guy in NY. One of his first adventures was Land Between the Lakes where he learned to ride single track trails. A friend in BMW MOA told him about a group of riders who also loved to ride fire trails, National Park back roads and weren’t afraid to sleep on the ground. The group later became the GS Giants. Since then, Russ has made is presence known by being Vice President and President of the GS Giants. He has performed duties as a track judge at numerous GS Giants events around the Country. His advice is sought when new tracks are built and his main goals are that no-one Aces the course and no-one gets hurt. As a Judge he views all riders as a bike and a number. Following a competition, he is often asked who won? He honestly states he has no idea until the numbers are tallied. He currently rides a 1200 GSA which he bought from his longtime friend and riding buddy. In recognition of his tireless efforts track building, judging, chopping wood, chow hall head count, helping in the kitchen, picking up stranded riders, pulling out stuck vehicles and unimposing Security Guard, Russ has exemplified the GS Giant spirit and is hereby recognized as a Charter Member of March Moto Madness.

Shawn is the General Manager at White Lightning Harley-Davidson and has been supporting March Moto Madness for three years ever since Pan America was released and he went headfirst into a new way of riding for himself. He was not from the segment and was not familiar with dirt riding but has embraced it fully and rides Tellico Plains and surrounding trails monthly. The shop has wrapped their arms around the ADV community, and he hopes to only better and grow the community in the Southeast. This winter he is working on accomplishing three different segments of BDR’s out west from SoCal to NV, and AZ and has big plans for more in the future. He is an Ambassador for March Moto Madness and leads ADV training at the property several times a year.

I am blessed to be the owner/operator of Yeager’s Cycle in Sedalia, MO. My family has owned this dealership for over 60 years now. We are a dealer for Harley-Davidson, Polaris, Yamaha and Suzuki motorcycles. Motorcycling has always been a passion of mine. One of the first events I attended on the newly introduced Pan America was March Moto Madness in 2022. Harley Davidson and dirt riding is what I really enjoy doing and this motorcycle has made that possible. I hope to see you this year at MMM!