KIP

Looks like a great ride -- wish I could have gone but these 12 hour night shifts are ruining my weekends. I managed an 18 mile freeway ride from work in San Clemente to north Oceanside. Next Feb I will be able to ride every other weekend due to a schedule change. I am looking forward to that.

I would be interested in a short loop Rodrigus TT , Chariot Canyon, and then possibly over the Mountains to 79 maybe the Mason Valley Truck Trail. I am not interested in crossing S-2. I can only ride for about and hour or so since I am expecting guest. My starting point would be Julian. Paul

No the gate I am talking about is near Harrison Park on Hwy 79. You can take the California Riding and Hiking Trail Down on dirt the backside of the Mountains instead of riding down Banner on Pavement.

There is a trail to Oriflamme that starts just east of the 79 / Sunrise Hwy intersection. I don't know if it is the same one that you are talking about but it is Gated and Locked. It Has a sign on the 79 side that says "Park Closed" -- ever since the Cedar Fire. I have gone up this trail from Oriflamme and there is no closed sign on the Desert side. I have not seen any other trails from Oriflamme that go over the Mountains So I think this is the one you are talking about. It appears that some residents have access thru that gate and I may know someone that will allow us to go thru. I will get back to the group on this.

I enjoyed my first ride with the group. I will be purchasing some bags and gear before the next ride. Thanks for the first hand lesson on air pressure and skid plates.

Wait for a black KTM - I should not ride solo yet in the desert. Last week I tipped over on an overgrown trail off of Banner. I have always rode on 3 or 4 wheels and swore off 2 wheelers after an unfortunate YZ490 incident in the dunes 22 years ago. It was quite a fun bike for the first two hours. Sold it as soon as I got back from Gordons/Yuma General H. When I was in the Hospital a Nurse said "Your one of those off-roaders that destroy the desert" I told her that she was one of those Desert Dwellers that destroy the desert. A plated bike is my only option for riding the areas of Borrego that I love -- DMV won't plate my Quad and the Environmentalist have shut down so many beautiful areas of the desert to non-highway vehicles. So go easy on me guys! I am a little sketchy on only 2-wheels - I have an entire season of desert riding ahead of me (if all goes well). Paul 2004 kTM SXC

I guess that if I want to go I should just make the trip to Ramona and meet you guys there. However I can feel the desert calling and I might solo down Banner, to Oriflamme Canyon - Then head through the Squeeze and Split Mountain. If I decide to go with the group I will meet you at 8:30 at Packards. It depends on what time I wake up and which way the bike wants to go. Usually it wants to head east in the morning.

Sounds like a fun ride. I just joined this group and I am new to dual-sport riding. I am not sure about Saturday but is there any chance to meet-up with you guys somewhere in Warner. I have to come down from Julian: I prefer dirt and try to keep the pavement miles down.