Jim

Would love to do this ride, but I will be a little busy with a small gathering of aircraft in El Centro that weekend. The one weekend per year that my boss says no! You might want to swing north about eight miles and catch some of the action.

I have that one also, but found it a little bulky to pack, since the base is welded and all. While searching ADV, I came across this one, and like it much better. Collapses down to a much smaller, easier to pack lift. Essentially, I've used both, the both work great, and it was just a matter of packing it up. Jim

Dave, Congrats! While I love riding my Girl Bike, I still kept the TRX-450. Great for the sand and up on Superstition. I haven't ridden the quad in nine months, but maybe next weekend.

Aren't all KTMs orange? Unless their on the "black" market?

Do they make a black anodized big bore? If so, I know you really don't have a choice. Or does a rattle can also work on an engine.

In X 2

Gave me a great laugh and awesome way to start the day. Funny how changing one letter can change the entire meaning of a phrase and still be so accurate!

After I broke my ankle on Sept 30th attempting to loop the Grand Canyon with Roger and Paul, I hadn't ridden in three months. In fact, I hadn't touched the bike since Oct 5th when they brought it back from Vegas. Went out a week prior to this ride and the Girl Bike started right up within two seconds! No battery tender or charger at all! Anyway, I did this ride last year with Chris and knew it was something that would be fun, but not technically challenging, as the bone in my ankle is healed, but the rest of it is still tender. Asked my friend Todd if he wanted to join with his YZ250 (why would someone buy a bike without a magic button? ) and so we loaded up from El Centro about 6:00 Sat morning and headed out. Like Chris said, we had a ton of people, so we broke it up and since I was riding slow, decided to sweep. One thing I learned from this ride is how to spell dust......QUAD! Following three quads is not the place to have fresh air. At the train tracks, Ron taking pics of his son Jon: Back over my shoulder with the Salton Sea behind us: A diverse group: Ron leading a group up to the overlook: Chris telling us about Red Canyon: Me riding up a slight grade (Chris' pic): Post-lunch mount-up: Ron with the Salton Sea behind him: Had a great ride, but didn't want to push it too much, with my ankle and all, so Todd loaded up the bikes and headed back to EC, while my wife picked me up and we headed to Laughlin for the long weekend so I could make some money off the Seachickens losing to the Bears! Thanks again for putting together another great CORE event Chris.

IF?

There is no recognized District 38, only with racing. ...... And pretty soon they may not even have that. Seems there are many hurdles to overcome after the Johnson Valley incident.

Randy, Another rider on ADV, Dr. Rock, also went to Chicken, AK this summer, and has pictures of the saloon just like yours. He also has a pic of the owner, Susan, whacking the jukebox. Small world.

Paul, My mom always used to say that things happen for a reason and also for the best. I can look back on some of the worst things in life (I've been fortunate there've been few) and she was right. Look at it this way, when the insurance pays out, you can get yourself another one of those DRZ knock-offs , but this time one with a headlight that works! Best of luck with the adjustors. Ah, and there's the true motorcyclist's question. I think I'll wait until my chickens are hatched. Insurance company has to wait for 21 days for a possible recovery. In the meantime, they've asked me to provide reciepts (uh-oh) and/or photographs of the bike (that's better) with all the gear and aftermarket mods itemized. They specifically said they would not match dollar-for-dollar but are at least understanding there's a significant investment in this bike. So we'll see.

Brilliant! And I have had my Spot with a very limited line of sight to the sky and it still reported every 10 min.

Randy, I know you mentioned "BLM land that is open", and that you know land use better than most of us, but I would be cautious. As I'm sure you know, not all BLM land is open to riding, as many different entities may have it withdrawn from public use for a multitude of uses. The DoD has 100s of thousands of acres withdrawn from public use in SoCal, but it is still BLM land. Just like the area to the west of PC is closed this time of year due to Big Horn sheep breeding, or something along those lines. Many areas have seasonal closures, Wilderness Areas don't allow off-road use, and Limited Use Areas only allow travel on specified trails. To ride off trail, it has to be designated an Open Area. Surprising that the majority of Imperial County BLM land is actually Limited Use, and there are only very few Open Areas, even out in PC/Sups. Most would be surprised at the amount of private land out at PC/Sups. Just because there are 100s of trails on it, or lack of signs stating that it is private, doesn't mean it is public. In fact, there is only one legal way to get from PC to Sups, and that is along the road/trail that borders the railroad tracks. That doesn't stop most from blasting across PC and over to Sups, but it is a fact. Granted, I know that where Paul was riding is most likely none of these, but I would be cautious of using such a general statement, as much of BLM land may not be for open trail riding and we may not be sure as to why. For the Superstion/Plaster City/Glamis area (really all of Imperial County), I recommend the WECO (Western Colorado) Route of Travel map published by the El Centro Field Office of the BLM. Lays out all the designations of almost every piece of land in the County.

And in the cooler season (I don't think anyone in SoCal can call this winter), just a reminder of the riding to come this summer.....the Bluesapalooza Festival has a YouTube site! Bluesapalooza YouTube

Happy Day! Soon you will be as old as me!

Paul, If the KOA ride goes well for my ankle (first ride back), I might be up for joining you the following weekend. But then again, the last time I rode with you.....

I got my radio from HRO, but got my headset and cords from Rugged Radios. Found it to be a good kit and believe they either do or used to supply Baja Designs. Not saying anything bad about BD. They seem to rock with everything they do. Just offering another alternative. And it might be the same stuff. Helmet kit $57 Harness $50 PTT $38 Jumper with single connection (vice BD two) $25 Got all of this for a total of $190 delivered to my house, tax and shipping included. Is this still the current recommendation? Although I am not riding, I'd like to have a radio set-up before desert dash. Yes, I plan to get the required licensing as well

Johnny, Great info. I too have a detailed info in my Spot. I added my lack of allergies based upon seeing your profile. White male, 6ft 220lbs, brown hair. No allergies. US Navy service member. My military ID is my insurance card. My Navy command can be reached at 760-390-XXXX. My wife is Shannon XXXXXXXX. 3336 XXXX Ave, El Centro, CA Cell:703-229-XXXX Home:760-460-XXXX. My wife's email address is: xxxxx.XXXXXX@mac.com Additionally, please contact Mr. XXXXXXXX at 858-XXX-XXXX or email: XXXXXX@gmail.com

Johnny, Agree 100% with what you said. If you notice, I said the same thing essentially. "absolute best RESCUE device", "isn't designed to track you", "only does its thing when activated", etc. I just wanted to have a complete and full discussion on the subject of getting help when you are hurt. Very good read on the threads you posted. I think the reason GEOS never gave you a really solid answer is that even in Baja, it is up to the local authorities to get you out. There is no "Spot Rescue Team" if you will. Everyone, I think far too many people look at Spot as a rescue device, and it has some serious limitations, most importantly, who is rescuing you. Rescues are done locally. Spot/GEOS call the local SAR authority, which my be your local sheriff deputy. People think when you hit the 911/SOS button, the calvary will come. If you look at ADV you will find many instances of people not understanding the full roles and responsibilities of SPOT and GEOS, and essentially blaming them for taking too long to complete the rescue. Hell, there have even be stories of the local rescue people not even having GPS, or not being able to read the lat/long that Spot/GEOS gives them. Spot/GEOS give a dd.decimal format that many Joe Billy Bob's can't convert to dd.mm.ss. I am a very firm believer in Spot/GEOS. In almost every story you read on ADV, I believe they have done their job and fulfilled their responsibilities. It is the local agency that has screwed up the rescue. It usually turns out that the owner of the Spot device has chosen to say that Spot sucks when in fact it is a local authority that has screwed it up. Hence, I still stand by my statement that if you really want to be rescued, the absolute best thing you can do is get a PLB. They are not any bigger than your standard GPS and don't cost that much more. That being said, I use Spot. Just know what your/the units limitations are and you won't be disappointed. Jim In THIS case... I don't think a PLB is the way to go. ... PLBs are designed for search and rescue ONLY. Not to inform family at home where you are nor can they 'track' your progress... or that your "just checking in". Being they only have ONE mode (on) when put in use, and one function... this "need" of Beezer is not of a PLB (in my opinion). I do agree, that they are the more common SAR device used in the world today, and are something to use if your not with a riding buddy and can push the button when your down. But they too, rely on a button push.... and they too are with their limitations. Like I said; My first pick is now my DeLorme PN-60W W/SPOT (this is most beneficial for the person without a GPS, and who needs a SPOT. And as I mentioned before... the other nice perks) My Second pick is a SPOT2 (small, more flexibility in sendable messages (than SPOT1) and easy to use) I've had MANY emails with the president of GEOS Alliance (SPOTs SAR Service) in regards to processes and procedures, as well as who is staffed at the GEOS Facility. VERY impressed with them and what they offer for such a little yearly fee. If you care to read up on some of my discussions or topics with him... visit these links; http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=712515 http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=902252 And a "Baja" experience; http://www.race-deze...e-rescue-in-Mex ... enjoy

I have re-state my opinion. If you want the absolute best rescue device, I would go with a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) that operates on the 406 MHz SARSAT system and on 121.5 MHz. This is the true Search and Rescue system that the world uses, no matter on land or sea. It is monitored by government SAR units and doesn't rely on a private organization to forward. It sends your position, but isn't designed to track you in a non-emergency like a Spot. It only does its thing when activated. These are the things that small airplanes and people out at sea carry. They cost $300-1000. Side story. When I was a Communications Officer on a Navy cruiser many moons ago, I was standing watch on the bridge one night and the Captain was up there hanging out. We were operating off the coast of SoCal for local training and they guys down below called up and said some helos were headed our way. About five minutes later two USCG helos show up with flood lights blasting all over our ship looking for a airplane crash. Turns out one of the transmitters in Radio had locked up and was transmitting on 243.0 MHz (Military Air Distress), so the Coasties thought a military aircraft was down. The signal was picked up by the SARSAT system and relayed to San Diego, thus causing a launch. Needless to say, I had nowhere to run and hide from the CO on that one, since I was on watch....

For me, Spot II. Seems to have better signal strength, or at least a better antenna, than Spot I. Plus, I like to have the "custom" button, as I basically have four messages: - OK - Bike is broke and I can't walk out - I'm broke and can't walk out, but don't need a helo - My life is in the balance, get me out of here by any means If I had the patience/skill to master the Delorme software, I would buy the PN-60 in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, I won't have any heartbeats left as long as it will take to learn it.

I too am a Wolfman fan.

Can anyone recommend good sites for Dakar news. Kind of like RDC for Baja?