MacDuncan

A Great ride today Riding along Pinyon Mountain Road (yep, heart attack always makes it a bit more of an accomplishment as all rode down unscathed!) Fish creek -to- Diablo drop-off -to- a couple of fantastic arroyos that included a brief hike into caves, then followed by the super fast and fun exit along Valecito to the S2 - then a blaze back on asphalt! Craig made the big bike fly on demand! Jerry, who so very kindly served as guide to new folks he had just met (Much appreciated!!!) kept expectations high with his expertise, Phil and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge that took us out of our comfort zone, yet our high fives were indication that the challenges were met and conquered!

3 of us casually riding ranchita-grapevine-a little bit of cutacross-slot-sink-inspiration-ranchita saturday evening, then 2 of us will hunker down for the night in hopes of making a pinyon start time. But lots of factors to get to that destination. Just an FYI that the intent is at the forefront of discussion and odds always increase with beer in hand .

Ok, now that I have looked at this thread and these pictures so many times.... I am going to say I went too! haha. Wish I had been there to tag along. Very cool. Thanks.

Oh my wowski, I laugh out loud when I watch this because I reflect upon the increased heart beat I get from simply hoping over a 1 foot diameter log (might be smaller or even crossing a railroad track. My mathematical mind wonders about the physics of how it could be done... tire pressure, power to weight ratio () , weight of entire bike (and weight of the rider - haha). I will set my goals higher now! smiles. Thanks for the link Chris.

Yahoo, we have never been there before... so eyes wide open. Yet, more likely just like a couple of old cowboys simply wandering the lands! "Which way do you want to go?" ..... "I don't care, turn anywhere, I will follow" was most of the dialog..... But the smiles were big! Ok, maybe you have been in those remote areas befor, but it was all new to us and a great exploration. The DRZ400 breaking ground and followed by a shiny yellow 2003 DRZ 250, bought only one day ago from a trusted source, mounted by a 58 year old rider that last rode a dirt bike in 1977, yet rolling along confidently. A mount-up in Plaster City West in the warm sun to begin our 50+ miler, then North-east until the tires sank in far too may spots on Superstition, then a wander west and south to just exit out of the "Bomb" zone to turn west through a rocky wash (with my favorite - yet to learn how to ride whoopies), sharp black lava rock next, then smooth berms colored pink, yellow and brown... on my! A super day for the noobies, and great fun thrill-seeking and striving to find for our individual "red-line" of panic and staying upright Cheers to all!

Hey TrophyHunter, Thanks again! That sleek yellow machine sure worked great..... it must have had a very caring owner before Pat Pat was wearing my old bell Helmet, and other misc. second hand items from my old 3-wheeler days (along with some of his mtn. biking clothes). He will start shopping this week. Additionally, it was truly appreciated knowing that he was blessed with your gift of armor and a jersey! Thanks again for that as well. Icing on the cake! It helped me relax a bit more as his riding partner too. Next, he knows.... he has been put on restriction from riding by yours truly until he owns real boots! haha ATGATT , especially for older warriors

I rode my 1983 xt550 yesterday! Not sure how that will help you unless you need to see how something works in person before I sell it, (that way I can buy that 250 from trophy Hunter as it is 20 years newer - haha)

My first time to disneyland..... ie "Lark" and although my "E" ticket ride was the groups' "C" (or even "B") ticket ride, the short white-knuckled spin with the group, and the following solo wander through the park for a couple hours after was absolutely the best for this newbie who was hoping that after a few rides could now be a low intermediate. New to a two-wheeler, that terrain was like being on a new planet. All it took was my first exposure to whop-de-doos for the humble pie to kick in full strength... well, and maybe the soft sand, and rocks, and cactus... and sharp turns too . The learning curve was great and watching good riders navigate was a treat! Thanks for the escort, the insight, the welcoming manner, and even some gloves... All truly appreciated guys. cheers.

Sounds like a great idea! I've been wandering the desert lately, but a target location that I have never been to sounds super (on a plated drz400, low intermediate rider - newbee-ish and am happy to wander the area solo if you want to whoop it up beyond my ability). I was thinking of parking in Boulevard and biking in (due to long dirt road?) to avoid bumpy trailer bounce. BS, you implied parking at end of tarmac, is your parking spot easy to find? cheers.

An absolutely super ride today. Thanks for the post Ken. A perfect "dust free" & "tacky dirt" romp with great riders and a new route which is always icing on the cake. A truly glorious day with some "sneak-up" puddles, a sci-fi sensation from the shadow thrown down from the "Fence", and the road almost all to ourselves. The roughest part was turning back, as heading out was just as I wanted! Thanks to all. Cheers.

Dual sporting in, no radio, target is starbuck, but dont wait as I gotta zip zam zoom to do it, back up is pio pico or trail, so keep your schedule. cheers. John

Great ride in the desert today. Fantastic weather and super riders flying through deep sand and anything else tossed their way. Thanks to both of you and hope to ride with you soon. Cheers.

Hi, interested, as I was planning on Ramona, Black mtn., hideout, culp, Grapevine, inspiration, etc... so any wander sounds good! Riding a drz 400. What time might you leave Alpine? Need a trailer ride, as I live near Grossmont College? Or, are you planning to ride Viejas-Boulder Creek, or Noble, Cuyamacas, Engineer, ...or any other wander, or just blaze out to Tamarisk? All Good. Thanks. PM as needed. John

Sounds like lots of cool loops on this posting, as I am thinking about parking in Ranchita for a wander to lower elevations... watching the weather to decide sat morn or sat eve.. and hope to link Ranchita to split mountain as a target goal. It would be a nice coincidence to cross paths even for a little while either for some ride together time or some take a break time. In regards to all the names of locations tossed around, can a fairly accurate map be found that shows the official (and nicknamed) locations posted here so I may spontaneously wander in those directions to check out new territory? I want my GPS unit to earn its keep - haha And, even better yet, the Non-asphalt dirt roads that might link them? Thanks. John

Arnie, thanks for the guidance today, great roads and good action. Our backyard sure is spectacular! Way to kick it up Oliver as I used the old "didn't want to be riding in your dust" excuse as I fell behind you and Arnie - haha - and thanks for lunch at the Hideout. cheers, John

Good morning, I also wanted to check out my bike and had plans to get on my "new to me " bike with new tires and wander a bit to get some saddle time and learn about bike. Would love to wander that direction so I can see new lands. If you are blazing, I may back off to enjoy the new sights as I am an old rookie, but would enjoy the initial guidance and insight into that area. Whether we ride solo or together, see you at Packards, and maybe the hideout too . cheers. John (black drz400 today)

I knew it would be a great day to ride, misty at home and cool and clear in the local canyons. The drz400 was itching to fly, pavement for that 400sm feeling and dirt for the exploration. Was hoping to meet for a ramona group departure, but was moving to slow this morning to meet that target time so a hint from Oracle to zip by three sisters trailhead and Cedar creek trailhead by doing a boulder creek lollipop seemed like a good call and by going up viejas grade, I could get the heck off the interstate. Everything went perfect. The only strange noob move on my part was when a motorcycle group came towards me around a quick curve and the first fellow raised his hand to give me the peace sign, followed by a guy who flipped me off, and the third guy started to slide towards me with wheel locked and decided to keep both hands on the bars, and I am glad he did. I waved to them all before I realized that they were the onanysunday and mr moto group and were appropriately telling me how many riders were next to come around the corner (so no peace sign and no bad gesture Silly me, I waved to them, sorry guys, there weren't five more behind me. I was just happy to see you. But heck, what about that old jeep that was also on your tail... haha, what is the signal for that Great ride, (ok, wish I had my vstrom once I hit hiway 8 for the ride home from 79). But all was good. Cheers. John

Hey Oracle, thanks again, once I hit Boulder creek again from Eagle creek, I turned south. But I know I could have headed north to to 78 and Julian. I bicycle that route now and then. so all good. Thanks again for the loop info. Onany Sunday, there was no need to stop as you guys were on a roll. I was half looking for you knowing you might be headed my way and if I had seen you during a pit stop, I would have shed the helmet for a few. I was zipping as well. Hope to see you soon. Mr Moto, sorry if I implied a problem. No problem, in fact - good job. That dirt road was like ice at times as I did a couple of lock up oops today and I was glad you were skilled enough to keep to one side of us so we could pass like ships in the night - That old jeep was sledding around like on a private dirt track... It was about half way between the Cedar creek trailhead and boulder creek -eagle creek intersection. Good job, all good. All the best to you all. John

Great ride this morning and thank you to all the riders, particularly our leader, sweeper, and president Super trails and just the right amount of challenge..... and great seeing the diversity of bikes! I noticed that my "roadie" style of tires should be replaced by some type of knobs (for my old yamaha XT 550 that is now being used on mostly dirt - suggestions welcomed). Cheers, and thanks again. John