KTMrad

Exploring outside Las Vegas..... Uhhh, should I go down this ??!! OOOPS !!

From our 2004 Moab trip. Here's what happens in the dunes if you don't take off, giving it enough gas on a fully loaded, 450 pound bike. I'm stuck on my Elefant 900 in the dunes at Gordon's Well, off interstate 8, heading west from Yuma.

From the Team Dual Dogs - 6 Days of Northern California dualsport ride, 1999. Alfred, after he fell off the side of a trail, down into a creek....he fell with the KTM 640 Adventure rolling over the top of him, luckily he was able to push the bike as it rolled with him. Alfred again, losing it while crossing a slippery log on a muddy hillslide washout.

Big Bad Ron stuck in the dunes at Glamis, on our way home from the November LA to Barstow to Vegas dualsport ride.

Kevin, so, you're going to do the "sissy" route this year ??!!

I'm planning on doing the regular dirt route for LA-B-V. I'll probably ride up also, because this removes the logistics necessary for getting your bike up to LA, then your truck to Barstow and then Vegas. If you have someone to drive your truck up, that is the way to do it. You ride all day, and they meet you at the motel in Barstow, then the Orleans Hotel in Vegas, then you load up and drive home on Sunday. This is a great, long 2 day ride, and it's a tradition to many riders. Hopefully we can get a small contingent of San Diego Adventure Riders on the ride, and ride together !!

Rob, see the post for the Desert Dash event, in response to your question. Thanks,

I'm thinking about this......I've done 2 of them before. It's not the longest ride, but she usually throws in some really good single track, or the 2 track route is fun. Read On....let me know if you're going. BAJA GPS Event Info, registration, etc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's has been hot and humid from tip to tail this summer in Baja! Yes, the Lizard finally found a new-bee that was willing to hack the heat during June and July (my most favorite time of year in the desert). I must admit that most of you will be sorry to hear that "she" toughed out the heat, rode hard and long, and even with 2 bouts of heat-stroke, came out of the sauna with a smile on her face. So, thanks to Susie Poetch, Volume 2's routes have been checked thoroughly and are being compiled into an E-book that's about to blow your mind. Included in this Newsletter is updated information on purchasing Volume 2 Baja GPS Guide (available now) and ship dating, the 2006 Baja GPS Event Registration (available now with discounts) and info, and updates on Baja and Volume 1. Enjoy and hope to see you in Santa Veronica Oct. 7th, 2006! VOLUME 2: Volume 2 has taken quite some time to compile, but has some of the most technical remote rides you'll find in Baja. There are new routes in the North from Santa Veronica and Mike's Sky Rancho and an amazing system of single track rides in Central Baja called the "Vicious Circle" connecting Puertecitos to Catavina to El Rosario and back to Puertectitos in a loop (you can thank Bill Nichols for hand & bike carving these special routes that never existed before). Where volume 1 left off at San Ignacio, volume 2 picks up and heads south to Cabo with a nice loop at the tip going from La Paz (or La Ventana) to Cabo to Todos Santos and back to Cabo/Ventana. There are some extremely cool rides down south with scenery of rugged mountains laced with vibrant mineral colors to remote bays with shore lines lapping in green waters; it is truly spectacular! Shipping Date: This has been a challenge due to the upcoming LAST GPS Event in Santa Veronica. I was working hard to get it done and shippable before my departure on Sept. 15th, however, it's just not going to happen. The good news is that Pre-Orders at the discounted price will be extended until it ships. The ship date will be announced in mid October and should ship sometime in November. My sincere apology for the delay. I'm a one lizard show here at the Baja GPS Guide. Thanks so much for your patience; it will be well worth the wait. Pre-Orders: You can purchase volume 2 at www.bajagpsguide.com <http://www.bajagpsguide.com/> right now. The price has been discounted for those who pre-order. Once I begin shipping on volume 2, the price will go up significantly. Keep in mind that I may ship earlier than I am proposing. To ORDER, here's a run down on the products available and how the system works so you don’t miss ordering something that goes with the guidebooks and have to order again: 1. GPS Guidebook Volume 1 and/or Volume 2 ; you can punch in the waypoints, create the routes, and follow them with your GPS (time consuming, but works) OR 2. Fugawi Routes CD volume 1 and/or Volume 2 ; these can be purchased if you would like to upload/download the waypoints & routes for quick, accurate, & easy transferring of data *you need Fugawi software to use these CD’s* 3. Fugawi Software; this is a powerful software program that is easy to use and adds benefits to using the guidebook such as upload/downloading the guide routes, however, it will also allow you to view, edit, create, and manipulate our data or your own data from your home computer, laptop, or PDA. Fugawi also offers a no wait tech. support line that can help you with anything (love that). This is a great way to get to know GPSing! 4. Fugawi Topographical Maps – we offer a Baja digital topo 1:500,000 and now a Map of America 1:100,000 that are already formatted and ready to use with Fugawi Software. Once you get started, you’ll want both of these detailed maps to use with a touch of a mouse. With these maps you can create routes you’ve always wanted to explore or find routes you never knew about without getting lost. Click the map to create waypoints to follow and then upload them to your GPS routes – it’s like magic. 5. 5X7 Map case – these are inexpensive and well worth the purchase for easily reading our Course Description Charts. It clips to your handlebars (pro-tapers or stock) and doesn’t hinder steering at all. 2006 BAJA GPS EVENT: Don't miss this event Saturday October 7, 2006 as it will be the last GPS Event. It will be held at Hacienda Santa Veronica and will be more unique and challenging than ever before. As usual, we will have a one-hour mandatory class and meeting, send you on a 3-5 hour single or 2-track event loop navigated only by GPS, and have a huge Mexican buffet and sponsor raffle party at the days end. However, this final event will also open a whole new adventure in off-roading with GPS launching Lizard Lady's "Geo-Moto" game, created to send you on a continual treasure hunt throughout Baja for years to come! You'll find out more at the 2006 Baja GPS Event. PRE-REGISTER NOW for discounts, a free event T-shirt and 2 raffle tickets. After September 15th, you will pay an additional $20, event shirts will cost $15, and you'll only receive one raffle ticket, so PRE-REGISTER NOW at BAJA GPS GUIDE.COM <http://www.bajagpsguide.com/>. There will be a single track for motos only and a 2-track for ATV’s, 4wd’s, and motos!! NEW PRODUCT: Our website is now offering a new product: Fugawi digital topographical Map of America. This is a detailed map of the continental from coast to coast of seamless gliding navigation (1:100,000). Check it out by clicking on "GPS Guidebook & CD's" under the product store at www.bajagpsguide.com <http://www.bajagpsguide.com/>. BAJA: As some of you may have heard, there is a hurricane brewing at the southern tip of Baja called John (better known as Juan). It is a class 3 hurricane that is predicted to unfortunately hit Cabo tomorrow 9/1/06. They feel it will do ample damage there and to surrounding towns. CNN is following the storm if you would like to get more information. UPDATES: We are extremely sad to announce the death of Ron Rosa, owner of Rancho Tecate. He passed away last year. Ron was a special person walking life wearing a constant smile inside and out. He will be missed by so many that loved him, especially me. God bless his warm soul. Since Ron's death, his family tried to keep Rancho Tecate open, but it has now been closed with no information about a re-opening or sale. Volume 2 has a route from this amazing hotel that will still be included for future possibilities. The GPS recommendation page on our website www.bajagpsguide.com <http://www.bajagpsguide.com/> has been updated – check it out! Volume 1 Updates: Laguna Hanson to Valle de Trinidad and San Francisquito to San Ignacio have been fixed and will be available in October. Rancho Bandidos at Laguna Hanson has continued to be abandon with no response to inquiry. If anyone has had contact with Esperanza, please let me know; I'm worried about her. GOOD JUJU: Help keep our reputation as motorcyclists to a low roar. Smiling and being over polite by stopping for slow movers, cowboys, cattle, residential area (even remote), and anyone waving you down goes an awful long way. Whether you are in Baja, the US or any other country, pack out what you pack in and think green even if you ride Red, blue, yellow, or orange. Join the Lizard's and be a tree-hugging motor-head. For everyone that does a good deed extends perhaps an extra day your kids will get legal riding privileges. Let's all try to think well beyond ourselves and spread these words of good juju to instill them. RECAP: www.bajagpsguide.com <http://www.bajagpsguide.com/> 1. Pre-order Volume 2 on line now 2. Pre-Register for the last GPS Event now 3. Check out the new Fugawi product offered: Digital Map of America 4. GPS Recommendations; have been updated ; check it out 5. Spread good juju in the dirt bike industry 6. Smile SEE YOU OCT. 7TH AT SANTA VERONICA! Big Fat Smiles to you all, Kacey Smith

Sounds good Craig, I'm going to try to go.....hopefully we can get a small contingent of SDAR riders there to help. Would be cool if we could have T-shirts made by then ??!!Also, I'm going to copy / paste this to the Enviro / Local Issues Forum, since this isn't really an organized RIDE.Thanks,

Choices for bikes that will be coming out.....BMW"s new 800 twin cylinder....don't know model, etc. , but, the BMW's always tend to be overpriced and overweight.KTM will have a new 660 or 690 single cylinder Adventure.As far as big twins go, the KTM 950 in my opinion, is the only way to go. Best bang for the buck !!Or, an older Ducati 900 Elefant.....which is a very good, capable bike.The V-Strom doesn't have enough ground clearance if you want to do anything difficult. But ask SanDiegoland, he's got one.

Damn, I missed another good ride !! Guess I gotta get my bike maintenance finished soon !!Dennis, bummer you broke your tibia. Heal well and quickly.I had dinner with Kevin and his wife, he told me about the exploring....great !! 2-Wheels, glad to hear you're a good tour-guide

Mad Dog Mike on his R1200GS, our Moab Ride in 2004. Can you guess what happens next ??......... Roh Roh !!

A Wee-Strom Sunset.....Cook Inlet, Turnagain Arm, Alaska

On the way south towards Valdez, Alaska.......August 2005.

Yeah, I thought the same thing about using a non-american motor, but then.....what are they going to use, a Harley motor ?!! Who knows what success they'll have, or how good it is......we'll see. It's just neat to see another American company giving it a try.

I think it's a good idea you started this thread here !! Keep on postin' whatever you think are some of your best photos. Photos from Bike Trips only. Multiple photos on one post OK Photos related to SDAR people and/or trips only !! Please don't copy photos from other sites, unless they're your own photos.

Guys, please try to find the best section for posting your stuff. I changed the Title of the Ride Reports Section to include PHOTOS.If you have any ideas, advice on a new forum section, please let me know !!Thanks,

Brett, thanks for posting the article.......I like it !! Thanks for the links and plug to our website also.You da man !!

San Diego Off-Road Coalition Update This will be a good one.......Ecologic Partners is the law firm hired that is working on our Side !! · Our next membership meeting is next Tuesday, September 5, at the usual time and place (MEETING PLACE / DIRECTIONS ) Special guest speaker will be David Hubbard, attorney for EcoLogic Partners, who will update us on current OHV-related legal issues. · The September/October edition of The Endangered Off-Roader, SDORC’s official publication, is now available online at www.sdorc.org. It is a 133KB PDF file. · San Diego city planners are trying to enact an Oversize Vehicle Ordinance (OVO). ALL vehicles over 7 feet high and/or over 22 feet long, ALL utility trailers, and ALL recreational vehicles would be prohibited from overnight parking on city streets. Recreational vehicles, as defined, could park overnight up to 72 times per year only with a valid permit issued by the city. The OVO includes street parking in industrial areas. For more details go to http://rvuffp.com.

Woops......in Short Wash in Anza Borrego desert. Ego hurt, but body unscathed

Don't I look cute ?!!

Yeah, I've never been to Mike's or San Felipe, and there's another good ride down to San Quintin. Let's plan one sometime this fall. My friends know the way !!

Thursday morning I left Walker after breakfast and headed a few miles on pavement to the Burcham Flat Road. Today, I would have a different type of Adventure on the mountain....... Here, the dirt road runs at least 1000 feet above highway 395 in the canyon below I took the turn to head towards Lobdell Lake and Jackass Flat, another route in the Sierra Byways book. My plan today was to knock out another 4 routes from the book. Here is the view from close to 10,000 feet elevation I rode up to the top of this rocky ridge for some photos After the photos, I turned the bike around, which was tough since it was very rocky. I almost tipped over, but was able to stop it with my foot. Then, as I was crawling over another rock, I lost my balance and my foot couldn't touch the ground, so over I went.......the pig fell over hard on the rocks. I picked her up and rode down to the bottom. The exhaust suddenly was really loud. At the bottom, I had to inspect the bike and saw the subframe tweaked over a few inches The pipes had pulled off the exhaust header I had to strip all my gear off the bike to inspect further....upper subframe bolt missing Lower subframe bolt missing, which I had lost up on top of White Mountain at the research station on Sunday.....like an idiot, I thought just using zip-ties and safety wire would hold it. Dented Pannier Bent brake lever At least I had good scenery around me while I had to work on the bike I contemplated what to do....I had to take off the pannier mounts, the rear side panels, and drop the pipes to try to align everything At one point, when I was almost done, a Jeep pulled up to ask me directions on how to get down the mountain. He asked, "what, are you camping up here?" I laughed and said "no, I'm working on the bike". He looked and realized what I was doing. He offered to help, and we tried getting the exhaust lined up and back on, but the exhaust gaskets were chewed up, so I pulled them out, then we were able to get the exhaust back on. He waited until I fired her up to make sure all was OK, then he and his family headed down the mountain. This whole process took me about 5 hours. Finally packed up and ready to go I knew my off-roading was done for this trip. I called my friend Dale in Bishop, and told him I would see him tonight. I rode back down the mountain and got on highway 395 south. On the way, I stopped at Tom's Place one last time for a beverage. There was some nice machinery out front.... I got to Bishop and Dale's house in the evening, thought about making the blast home tonight. But after getting into the typical bike stories with Dale, I decided to stay and he offered to let me sleep in his spare room, I agreed. Next morning, we went to breakfast together. Then we stopped at Golden State Cycle, where I bought 2 new mirrors for the ride home (I had been riding without mirrors on the bike for the last 5 days). I said goodbye to Dale, thanked him for helping lead the ride through Buttermilk on Saturday with the ADVrider group. Then I did the long, boring blast down 395 to interstate 15and home. I arrived home in the afternoon after a little 1600 mile Adventure. The problem with the tweaked subframe on top of the mountain just added to the adventure, at least I was able to ride out of there. This additional 5 days added to the awesome time I had at the WMRS II ADVrider Rally. After this trip, and the last 2 trips in the Sierra Nevada over the last 3 months, I've done more routes out of the Sierra Nevada Byways book, with not many left to finish all 50 routes. My addiction to the Sierra Nevada mountains continues !! Until next time........I have one more Sierra trip in October to do this year, from Death Valley to Bishop and back to Death Valley. I can't wait !!

Heading down 395 south, I passed Holbrook Junction when out of the corner of my eye I saw a sign for a store and bar. I flipped a u-turn, went and got a gatorade, then stopped in the local bar. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by this group....... Left to right....Paul, Carol, Dave, Mitch, Iggy, Johnnie and Squiggy Squiggy, the bartender, saw me in my chest protector and riding gear, and said "you look pretty hardcore"....I laughed, and said "well, I'm doin' some pretty hardcore ridin'" I had a beer, they were real friendly, so I had another I quickly convinced them to do The Salute !! They were all interesting characters, it was Mitch's 64th birthday and he's a 3 tour Vietnam Veteran, and I met Tom Reeves, who was the Bartender on the old Bonanza TV series for a few years...he's 83 years young now... This dog, a yellow lab started barking at me, Paul said, "she wants a dollar"......I thought he was joking. Nope, she begs for dollars, then goes and gives the dollar to the bartender and she gets a dog biscuit. Squiggy said she averages $350 a month income from begging for dollars, and the money goes to bar improvements......too freakin' funny !! Squiggy told me he taught her how to take money out of a purse, so one night a woman left her purse on the floor, and Angel ended up with $140 in the corner. Of course, the woman got her money back Angel doing a High Five for a buck Angel scammin' money off the bar Angel beggin' for a buck That was one cool, funny dog !! I had such a good time, I spent a couple of hours there, gave Angel a few bucks.......then it was time to head south. Sunset on Topaz Lake It was only a few miles to the town of Walker where I stopped for dinner at a pizza place / motel. After dinner, I ended up getting a nice cabin there. Here's my romantic, little cabin......I was all alone

Off of route 89, east of Markleeville, I took the turnoff onto dirt for the Haypress Flat Loop. There was a maze of dirt roads and trails in this area, due to a number of old mines in this district. I explored some of the side trails..... On top of a ridge An old mining cabin Some old, abandoned mines on top of a mountain This looked like the remains of an old tramway that went down the mountain, to deliver ore down to the bottom, I could see the path of the tram through the trees heading down.... Exploring some more side trails Some pretty rocky riding to get to a view looking northeast towards Nevada After spending a couple of hours exploring on the Haypress Flat Loop, I came to the Leviathan Mine dirt road and followed it down past the old mine.... Leviathan Mine Video A little bit of history......This mine is an inactive, open-pit sulfur mine dating back to 1863, when extraction of copper sulfate was used for processing silver ore in Nevada's Comstock Lode. Off-and-on mining occurred there until 1962. Water seepage through the pit, and huge tailings created acid mine drainage which has unfortunately decimated aquatic life in the nearby streams. After Leviathan Canyon, I got on the 395 southbound towards the California border.