tsr

Cooper Cienega, I believe ...

Kearny Mesa ot Kaui? PLEASE... not even close... you cant ride a bike to Hawaii Perhaps one can ...

I'm "in"

Yep, that's me; TSR. I live in Temecula and can show you some noob-friendly dirt roads in our backyard. Let me know if/when you're interested

Okay, first off I gotta hand it to Ron (Slowdown). He did a bang up job of organizing what was to be a six day, 800+ mile bikepacking adventure for a small group of four. The plan was awesome, and it looked like something to salivate over, which I did, for weeks before the event. The leave date finally arrived, and we headed off. The overall route turned out a bit different than the plan ... DAY 1: It started off following a route many of you are familiar with because the plan called for us to leave Mesquite and reach Bar 10 to pick up some steaks and gasoline before heading off to Toroweap for the night. So these might look familiar: We ate lunch at the usual spot ... ... and then continued on. Before we reached Butch Cassidy's hide out, Ron's bike decided to stop working. I mean stop. Right here: So, we tried to find the fault and fix it... We found this ... ... but a new plug didn't bring the orange thing back to life. So, bike out of commission, we used Strega's bike tow system and a long job of towing Ron and his dead orange beast began. It was going great for quite awhile. Jon and Ron made short work of the many stream beds and up/down hill challenges, keeping in constant radio contact as they went. Upon reaching an intersection some 15 miles later, we decided to take the better road, deviating from the planned route, to avoid the many gates and two- and single-track sections on the way to Bar 10. This is where Fate would toss another bomb on the plan. Shortly after changing to route 103 (I believe) a chain of events unraveled quite quickly which put Ron on the ground via a high-side. Somehow the tow system failed (either the extra length of strap got caught in Jon's rear wheel or his rack broke) and within about 1.5 seconds Ron was on the ground and Jon was off his bike and at Ron's side. After a short "nap" (blackout) Ron was feeling (an albeit broken up) himself enough to sit up and await the next phase of his adventure. I don't have pix of how Ron got out of there (hopefully others will post up the shots) but Ron got airlifted out in a helicopter leaving his bike behind. We stashed his bike behind a bush (the one on the right) ... ... and rode off in the gathering darkness to St. George to meet up with Ron. Ron was poked and prodded a bit, but came out okay; a shoulder injury that included a hairline fracture. We all spent the night in St. George, and instead of eating steak overlooking the cliffs of Toroweap, we celebrated Paul's birthday at an Applebees near the hotel. End of Day 1 ... more to follow

I wondered, too, but I believe it is named for the nearby town of Tropic. Still a bit optimistic, isn't it?

DAY 5: Being a bit tired from the mud and snow yesterday, and having the planned tracks hitting the same or higher elevations promising more of the same should the dirt roads even be open, we opted to slab it all the way into Zion. But first, we needed to make a run through Red Rock Canyon. Just outside of Panguitch, the road to Bryce passes through Red Rock Canyon. This is also amazingly awesome ... well, take a look: After riding through both directions, we headed south to pick up highway 9 into Zion. The road essentially drops down a looooong canyon and because of this the winds rush up this canyon -- we rode into a headwind for about 30 miles before hitting the road into Zion. At this intersection we stopped at the local restaurant for some pie. Fully satisfied, we headed into Zion NP. Here's the pix along the road into Zion ... There are two tunnels on approach from the East. The first one is fairly short: ... and the more famous one is the second tunnel. Entrance: ... and almost 3 minutes later the exit: After leaving the tunnel, the road continues to fall into the base of the canyon. In this first shot you can see one of the ventilation openings in the side of the tunnel. More cool views ... ... and we arrive at the campsite! We load the bikes and set up camp. This is a 60 sec exposure of the night sky: The next morning we finish packing the truck for the long drive home. Our part of the adventure turned out to be 653 miles in length with an average moving speed of 31 mph. Ron and Jon's adventure was, unfortunately, different after day 1. I hope we can go back there again some day and have us all finish the route ... but later in the year when there's far less snow End of Day 5 and the trip report.

DAY 4: Day 4 had us starting off in the sub-freezing temps camped at Bryce NP. We quickly found some snow along the roads north out of camp as we worked our way to the paved end of the Park stopping at the various lookouts along the way. After leaving north out of the park, we slabbed it a mile or so to the dirt road that leads past Tropic Reservoir and into some amazing views west of the park proper. The road is a nicely graded dirt "highway" ... ... that runs south for a bit before hitting ATV trails. We arrive at Tropic Reservoir to find it frozen over: Shortly thereafter the road is blocked, closed due to too much snow. We look at the map and decide to try the bypass leg that would put us into Hatch. We started up this bypass only to find ... In trying to find something fun to ride, Paul happened upon a Ranger who made a suggestion. Had we known ... We followed the dirt out of the valley and hit the highway again pulling off just north of Red Rock Canyon. This route, suggested by the Ranger, would head north a bit and loop around back into Panguitch, our planned destination for the evening. What we found along the way was the dreaded 3- and 4-letter words of mud and snow. There was lots of it along the way, so there's lots of pix (we endured, now it's your turn ) Tired of it yet? We were, but guess what? More mud and snow ... We FINALLY got out of it and limped into Panguitch. The bikes were caked with mud. We opted for a hotel instead of camping, peeled off our sweat-soaked clothes, showered and headed off to the best beer and BBQ dinner anywhere! End of Day 4

DAY 3: Day three started out at Waheap campground and ended up in Bryce Canyon, N.P. Along the way we were blessed with amazing views of Lake Powell and some prime dirt roads for nearly one hundred miles before finishing off the route on pavement into Bryce. Shortly after turning off the highway, we found our dirt road that winds its way along the north end of Lake Powell, but a bit too far north to see the lake. We passed by this ... ... on the way to the overlook. The road finally headed north ... ... and we arrived in Escalante. Gas and a snack, and we slabbed it into Bryce Canyon N.P. We arrived a bit late in the afternoon, so we quickly found a campsite, headed off to the camp store where there were showers, drank a 6-pack by a warm fire, and headed for bed. We awoke the next morning to some cold temps. This shot shows the inside tent / outside tent temperatures at sunrise: Day 4 has us headed off through Bryce Canyon along the tourist road to the viewpoints before facing our own adventure of the dreaded 3- and 4-letter words of mud and snow.

DAY 2: With Ron and his bike out of commission, and Jon's bike pieced together, it was insisted that though the father-son duo was forced into a change of plans, Paul and I should press on. We left St. George after bidding farewell and headed off to Lake Powell. Paul and I had decided that with the late start we would slab it to Fredonia, taking the one two-mile section of dirt available to us along the way. Our paved route led us past the dirt exit point had we ridden north out of Toroweap. In Fredonia we found that the southern route towards Lake Powell, the route that had many dirt options, was impassible due to a road failure a few miles south of Page, AZ (near Lake Powell). It seems that a sink hole developed and swallowed up a section of the highway leaving the route closed. http://tucsoncitizen.com/wryheat/2013/02/21/photos-and-video-of-highway-89-slump-near-page-arizona/ http://arizonageology.blogspot.com/2013/02/highway-us89-collapse-south-of-page.html So, we headed north instead. Our clothes damp from the passing clouds, but spirits high, we arrived at our camp for the evening, Weheap campground on Lake Powell. We set up camp, ate, and turned in for the evening. The next day was bright with sunshine as we ate breakfast, packed up, and headed on to Day 3. End Day 2

I am working on a trip report to post (hopefully) later today. Having read the previous four pages I can add a bit. Paul (Bowers) might have an idea about what happened to Ron's bike, but we were stumped trail side. When the plug was pulled we were amazed the bike got as far as it did. The plug was extremely fouled and the electrode was nothing more than a small needle. A picture of this will be in the trip report. The plug change didn't help any, so Strega's tow system was put in place. (I put a post somewhere on this site with a still picture of the set up) It actually worked quite well, as Ron said. The "boys" were looking like champs towing through the rocky stream beds and motoring along the trail, at all times in constant comms with each other. I have GoPro film of them while towing. The tow strap had been tied off to the rear of Jon's rack. Ron has had more time to look over the damage to Jon's bike and the video, so he may have the correct order of events for the cause of the failure. I believe that the towing bike should have the strap mounted to the frame somehow instead of to a rack. The loads put on the rack due to slack being taken up were likely pretty high and I'm not convinced that the rack didn't fail first causing the chain of events. Having too much tow strap is something to correct, however. The video shows a small dust cloud with Ron veering offline to the right a bit, a bigger dust cloud as Jon's bike hit the deck, followed by Ron high-siding off the left side of this bike and landing on his left shoulder (and then a big dust cloud). As I rolled up, Jon was already off his bike and at Ron's side - that sequence took < 1 sec !!! The other parts of the trip will be saved for the trip report, but things learned from this are to have the shop check over the WHOLE bike (that spark plug should've been discovered during a maintenance session, we thought), the tow strap from the towing bike to the climbers rope in Strega's system should be about 20 feet (it was quite a bit longer, and thus the extra strap was tied off), a SPOT is invaluable as are comms, and riding in a group of at least 3 might be a consideration. In all, Ron is okay, and that's the most important part. We passed many a KTM shop on the way home and we all suggested that he stop by and bring home a different orange bike (hoping his wife can't tell one from another :coolio:/> ) ... trip report will be coming soon ...

I was at 14/44, and for the tighter stuff I like that gearing. I've even run 40 miles or so at 60mpg with that gearing with no complaints from the engine. I changed the gearing for an upcoming ride that should be low on the technical miles and have some longer non-technical miles sections. I am also hoping for an mpg increase to help out on the longer stretches. I'm bringing the 14 tooth with me just in case - easy to swap out if needed.

I changed my counter shaft sprocket back to stock for an upcoming ride and decided I needed to check out the gearing change, so I headed west from Temecula and hit the back roads and some dirt roads mid morning. Near the south end Cleveland National Forrest Road about 12:15 a KTM 990 went by the other direction as I waited for a horse to saunter by (anybody out today?) Rode back to 8S01 ... ...and rode it to the end overlooking Camp Pendleton From there rode back down Tenaja Truck trail (I had ridden that up earlier) in the canopy of trees along the road. Rode Deluz Road, first dirt ... ... then old pavement before rolling through Old Town Temecula. The gearing works well, and I think I prefer it -- that is, until I get to some tight stuff. I might switch back for that...

Set these in your GPS: start: N 33 29.092 W 117 24.879 Pendleton Gate: N 33 27.400 W 117 24.065 As for the identity of Tom, I don't know. I did meet the CDF Crew Chief up there about a year ago when his crew was repairing rain damage to the road. This guy, who rides, said he might have to put up gates at either end to protect the area from the illegal dumping/leaving of trash. I'm glad he didn't! ...wonder if his name was Tom

Great little bit of dirt up there I've also seen a note left by Tom weighed down by shattered clay pigeons. Taking a bag up there is not a bad idea Was his note, by chance, in the "elbow" of a bend in the road with a (probably dry) waterfall to the west and a deep/steep gorge to the east? That's where I saw his note about a month ago... At the north end of that trail make a left and the dirt takes you to a gate on the eastern end of Camp Pendleton. Great views from there ...

Added some still shots from the GoPro footage here: Yellow DRZ400 white/black helmet TSR (Dave)

Well, we were to find that all mountain gates were closed Still, a good ride. Some pix... At the start of Cooper Cienega there was a bike malfunction. A full carb removal was needed and the problem was fixed (the problem was some gunk around the float shutoff valve that prevented the value from shutting off the flow of gas). A BMW 1200 GS flashes past ... You may recall this shot from last Sunday ... ... that today looked like this: Quick group shot: In all, a good ride. I am sure others will post up with more detail.

Okay, my plan is to ride from Temecula over the Palomar TT section (to be sure it's open) and meet up with the group at the road head of Lost Valley Road near the Warner Springs Glider Port. I am figuring that you will arrive there about 9:15 or so (please let me know if this is a bad guess). I have a radio and will be on the planned frequency. DON'T WAIT FOR ME. If I am not there waiting for you, keep going. I am on a yellow DRZ400 with big tank; white helmet (black graphics). I'll know we're close when I can hear Paul singing

The weather is supposed to be much warmer this weekend. From my house in Temecula I can see no snow along the Palomar ridge, whereas I could even earlier this week. If I get a "hall pass" I may ride up/over Palomar and meet you all along the way. I have a radio ... If I do this I will post up again.

Ron (Slowdown) and I headed out from Temecula for what was to be a 100+ mile ride up Palomar Divide, north on Cooper Cienega, an out/back to Toro Peak and then on to Idyllwild before heading back. Well, the gate part way up Palomar was closed. There was snow all along the road up there (we could see it from below) so we figured that the other mountains would lock us out, too. So, we rode past Oak Grove and turned left at Chihuahua Valley Road. Near the end we picked up Cooper Cienega and headed north towards Anza. The road was muddy and full of puddles for quite awhile. Along the way we saw two deer bound across the road in front of us ... As the road climbed in elevation nearing Anza, the ground became white. We stopped to change to winter gloves and kept riding. The road looked like this ... ... for a few miles before we hit pavement in Anza. After lunch we headed back to Temecula riding the pole line and dirt roads between Wilson Valley and Glen Oaks near Temecula. After gassing up we headed west of Temecula and rode Tenaja Truck Trail to the end overlooking Camp Pendleton, then rode the Truck Trail past the waterfall (no water flowing). We got rained on along this section and found freshly rained-upon back roads leading out of the area and back to Temecula. In all, a 150 mile ride. Coldest was 32 degrees (in the snow) and the warmest it got was about 45 degrees. Great ride!

"Racing in the Rain" is a great book too! "That which manifests itself lies before you" -- I think that's the quote ... +1

Which leg? When I was much younger I had a motorcycle as my only transportation ... and a leg cast. Once I was transitioned to a "walking cast," I was back on the bike since it was my right leg and hitting the rear brake was easy. Good luck!

Ingenious set up. Let us know how it holds up to off-road vibration.

Ocotillo Wells is along Hwy 78 with the north side being the official "park." Being your first time out there might I suggest that you swing by the Ranger Station and pick up a map. The map will show the roads/washes. There are bathrooms/showers at the Ranger Station and also a bit East at Holmes Camp. Further east there also are bathrooms only along Cahuilla Trail. The Blu Inn (restaurant) and tall tower with a flashing light are near Cahuilla Trail. The dirt out there is a wispy sandy dirt that will blow and cloud visibility on windy days whereas the soil nearer the Ranger Station is made of heavier sand/small stones that don't blow around as easily. If it's not windy, no issue. If alone, you could ride along the "roads" and washes and still follow the map to the various locations. The roads are fairly well groomed, so playing along side of them allows for some "terrain features." Of course, just putting along the roads will allow one to make good time from place to place and as a first trip you might want to see what's out there. Have a good trip!

What did the Ranger want, and where was this encounter? Sounds like a great day!!