Czechsix

I'd be looking at Toyota, for sure. Higher price, but better reliability, and hold value better too. Or if you're looking at domestic, I'd be looking at full size, F150 to start. If you're just hauling the bike, half ton works fine, no need for diesel etc. In the domestic gasser trucks, both Ford and Chevy are comparable, both have good points and bad points, and it all evens out in the end. Find what you like, make sure it's been well maintained, and go for it.

Linkee no Workee, opens up a Cox.com webmail site

Joined a 4x4 friend that was going out with his group of Landcruisers today. Quick trip to some open shooting areas, a run up Old Mine Road, then back down Grapevine to AB and back through Julian. It started out OK, but by the time we got to the 79 parking lot/staging area the rain had started, and it was plenty cold and windy. Everyone eventually showed up, had four trucks and me on the XR, and we took off for Old Mine Road right outside Ranchita. Neat ride, easy road, but we only saw a small part of it. Some of it has potential to be challenging, I'm thinking. Definitely have to go back for more exploration, especially since I'm into the prospecting/mining history aspect. Lots of lode mines out there, only a couple of active claims that I could find, though. Weather was even more miserable at the range area, probably went down to 200' visibility, sideways light rain that wouldn't quit. Everyone gave up after an hour and a half or so, and got back on the road through Grapevine. While our group was toddling along (for some reason I was in back, sucking dust and mud), we had a couple other DS riders blow past us, a KTM and a DRZ? Dunno if that was anyone in the club though, no one was stopping hehe. Good day, have to go back when the weather is a bit more reasonable. At least it's close to North County, it'll make a nice future destination. Especially if that area connects to others...

In process. I've been into prospecting for years now, and there are online resources you can hit - BLM GeoCommunicator and LR2000 both have claims listed. Not that they're completely accurate, or have all the claims, but they're a start. To get the real info you have to go to the office, but if it's warranted I'm up for that too.

I did a bit of research, and there have been quite a few mines in that area. I'll have to visit the library and dig out the bureau of mines reports, but that area has been worked since the late 1800's, and there are current claims in the area. Plenty of history there, and I'd definitely be up for a group ride, or several to and in that area. Let me do some more digging (so to speak) about the history, and see if I can find some of the more interesting sites that might be open, and I'll post up something far in advance of my normal posting methodology. If this area is a connector up to the north, or east, that'd be awesome. I think it's going to take actual boots on the ground though, there's lots of cover and aerial photos can't pick the trails out that easily.

Old style leading link front end, pretty common on hacks and heavy old bikes.

One thought would be google docs. Then people can easily collaborate. Rough, hell! That seems like just the thing!

I've been hitting a few of the truck trails lately, and it struck me that I probably don't know about a ton of others. I've tried searching, likewise google, not much turning up. So is there a list that anyone's aware of, for San Diego or Riverside county truck trails? And has anyone done any kind of connected truck trail ride? Last weekend was the De Luz/Tenaja Truck Trail, that was entertaining, but I'm sure there are many more......

Kewl, sure, the more the merrier. Input always good. (then again...GIGO). I'll start a new thread with this, once I get a list worked up, then everyone can add in, or subtract. Would be nice to have our own version of the cleveland forest "what's open, and what's not" list in an easily accessible, and easily updateable format...

This is nothing new, and I'm not terribly surprised. I was with SDORC back in the eighties, did the political thing, wore the orange t-shirt and hat at the meetings, and we got shot down all the time in favor of the greens. Then there was Bilbray....yah. Anyway, nothing new that our activities aren't supported, just like folks that want to find open areas for shooting, that's not really supported either. Up to us to develop our own maps, connections, etc, that'll enable us to ride legally without being hassled. It'd be great to figure out some big loop dirt rides that don't mean you have to slab a hundred miles to get to them. IAC, I'll get a list going and sum in a later post.

Great replies folks, I'll dig through and see if I can develop a list, and then post it, hopefully with links, maybe that'll help someone else too.

What kind of truck? I know a few shops for F series PS diesels, and the Cummins.....

Ok, way to nice to work on the house, so I'm gonna go explore areas north of Fallbrook, maybe up to Wildomar. Anyone up for it on such short notice? Drop me a line at czechsix@gmail.com, and we can coordinate with phone numbers, I'll be out of here in the next half hour/45 minutes, so leaving around noon from Vista. I'll have the iphone with me and I'll check it every half hour or so. Small bike ride if that matters, I'm on an XR400, white tank, white side covers, white fenders, gray klim riding gear and an acerbis pack with white helmet. I'll also be checking on 146.520, matter of fact I'll just keep that open while I ride. Might check some local repeaters too.

More details... http://www.rgj.com/article/20110305/NEWS/110305011 182 feet down, and still breathing...jeez. RIP fellow explorer, RIP.

Oh yeah, and been doing it for five years or so now. Are you looking at facilities, or for live in assistance? Big difference between the two!

Looks like Central Valley, high wheel rig, probably a row sprayer.

Buddy of mine just came back from a run, he was in a green FJ40 with some other rigs. Said it looked like a KTM convention out there, only with mud, LOL. You could kinda see some orange peeking through, every so often.

Looks like you're taking a bit of a different track, Mike! I'm feeling worse now, seeing those tracks out there. lol. Ok, back to texturing the walls.

Hmmm. If I cared enough, I'd log a FOIA request on how much that little project cost. Tax dollars at work, mmmhmmm.

Nothing like the impromptu rides. How do you have your vest set up? What do you carry in it?

Have fun folks, looking forward to the ride reports. Maybe I'll make it next year..sigh.

Has anyone got some, or are there some out there in the intarzweb wilderness?

What year did you graduate? I graduated from CHS in '76. I rode my bicycle in the allies - didn't have a motor on it... 1980, we missed each other by THAT much. I used to leave the bike parked in the metal shop, Mr. Yapp had no issues with it, lol.

Thanks for the heads up! I guess when you get down to it, that's one additional reason to ride with a group.

Schweet....welcome from Vista, and I'm a noob too.