KTMrad

Another training school for ADV bikes is put on by our own Padu... the school is SOS, or SoCal Off Road School. @padu

Ah, thanks for the reply. That ramp and door is too narrow to get our sidecar rig into.

Welcome Emily !

It's an oldie but a goodie ! Wish I had room for it.

I'd be up for it, just set a day next week or the following week. Maybe we can resurrect 2 Fer Tuesdays !

Hey Alpha, what's the width of the rear fold down door/ramp ? What's the clear width in the back between the fold up bed and the wall on the other side ? What vehicle were you towing it with ?

Dave, my parts are 1000 miles down in mainland Mexico, so overall that would be about a 3000 mile drive round trip. Don't worry Dave, the parts will either be delivered to San Diego or to a friend's place in Tijuana.

A long write-up, hope you enjoy....A few weeks ago I learned of this event "Not Just Any Sunday, One to Honor a Legend". I contacted the organizer Brian LaBelle and asked if the easy route for Adventure Bikes would be doable with our sidecar rig. He said yes. So I planned on working on our rig to get it ready for this event. As I was getting all my parts together for remounting the sidecar to the bike, I could not find the skidplate and other aluminum support member anywhere. Then I contacted my friend Chris Parsons in mainland Mexico where we last took apart the rig and sure enough, I left those parts at his house in Lo de Marcos. I called Brian and said our sidecar rig would not be ready so we wouldn't make the ride. He was disappointed because he thought the kids at the orphanage where the ride was headed would've loved to ride with Doc in the sidecar. The next day he called me and asked if I'd like to help out with the event. He said Dana Dague of Palapa Boy Racing (one of the event sponsors) would like some company in his support vehicle since he was driving his big F350 support truck. I said sure because even though we wouldn't be riding I thought it would still be great to do the event. Friday we crossed into Tecate and I had to get my FMM (tourist card) at the immigration office. I found a parking spot a block away but it was a pay spot, so I figured the payment machine would take a credit card...wrong ! Only Mexican pesos in coins. So I drove around looking for an ATM and finally found one. The pesos I withdrew were still paper money, so I asked a taco place and then a money exchange for some change in coins, but they didn't want to do it. I saw a lady walking around with her kids selling candy for 10 pesos. I gave her 50 pesos and asked for change in coins for the parking meter. She obliged and I tipped her too. Finally we were able to park and pay, then walk over to get our FMM card, which costs nothing for 7 days. The animal inspection officers were right there at the border but they didn't ask for any paperwork for Doc. Finally after 2 hours we were able to drive to Rancho Santa Veronica about 40 minutes away where the ride was to start. Got there and headed to the bar/restaurant and started meeting new people and seeing old friends. On Saturday morning we had breakfast, then a group photo and the riders started out on their dirt route to Ojos Negros. Dana (Palapa Boy), Doc and I were in his truck and drove pavement the long way around to meet the riders at Ojos Negros for the big lunch, cheese farm tour, wine and cheese tasting, etc. at La Cava de Marcelo. Doc and I bailed on the cheese tour because it involved some walking in the sun and it was hot, so we kicked back at the picnic tables in the shade where Doc enjoyed the cool grass. I heard we missed out on some fresh made ice cream and Gelato on the tour. Then it was time to go down into the cheese cellar for 2 separate cheese tastings with bread and a glass of wine. Afterwards it was time for lunch which was delicious...choice of pork ribs, octopus, quail or duck. Everybody was stuffed after lunch, some of us laid in the cool grass with happy, full bellies. Then it was time to head to the really nice hotel in Valle de Trinidad. Dana and I set up the makeshift homemade bar with plenty of beer, tequilas and mixers that Dana provided. Later it was time again for dinner, I skipped that since I was still full from the lunch at the cheese farm. Everyone had a good time Saturday night. Brian and Dana got out a couple of crock pots to heat up meatballs and BBQ sauce overnight for the trailside lunch the next day. Sunday morning everyone headed to the El Oasis Orphanage which is what a big part of this ride was about, and honoring Malcolm Smith who was a big supporter of this Orphanage for many years. They made us a huge breakfast which was great, then the kids played their musical instruments and sang for us, that was pretty special. After that it was time for Piñatas and then riders took the kids for rides on their motorcycles on the property. Some of the sponsors donated kids helmets so they had about 18 brand new helmets as they got rides on the bikes. Dana and I had to head out early since we had to get to Laguna Hanson (a lake in the mountains) to set up the trailside lunch before the riders arrived. Dana also sponsored the lunch and man, he went all out with the meatballs in the crock pots, salami, pepperoni, cheese, crackers, snacks, fruit, condiments, beer, soda, water etc. It was really a great lunch on the trail ! After the riders were all done it was time for them to ride dirt thru the forests on the way back to Rancho Santa Veronica. Dana drove the mighty Palapa Boy Racing F350 as we followed the chase truck back on the dirt roads. Back at Rancho Santa Veronica it was time to celebrate, have dinner and for the raffle. I won a cool gear bag and the only woman on the ride was lucky to win the autographed copy of Malcolm Smith's autobiography. Most people headed home on Monday. I was excited and happy to attend and help out with this event. Very well put on by the organizers and thanks to all. Not Just Any Sunday...One to Honor a Legend. First few photos from the cheese farm...some long time SDAR guys there... Doc Holliday chillin' in the shade on the cool grass while the group did their cheese tour. Long time SDAR members in front....Randy Meads and Johnny Baggs In front, The infamous Crawdaddy and his son Jarrett.

But you live down there and have to go south ! 😄

Hi All, Colin Smith did our last first aid class over a year ago. He's been talking with Kris who used to be the EMT for our Desert Dash dualsport event. They've come up with a plan to do some hands-on first aid training sometime in June on a weekday evening. Shutterev (Nick) can't host this time so we're looking for a place in San Diego or East County to do it. If you know of a good place or someone's garage where we can do it, please let me know. I've had offers from DSM8 and Mr. JaJa, but Escondido is too far north to fight traffic on a weekday and Ramona is pretty far out of the way. Hopefully we find somewhere good to do this, it will be a good class ! We'll do the usual, collect donations for pizza and for Colin and Kris who are doing the teaching.

Part 4 photos...Sunday at the orphanage, then Laguna Hanson trailside lunch and Rancho Santa Veronica after the ride. Palapa Boy provided the coffee on Sunday morning too ! Kids singing and playing for us at the El Oasis orphanage. Doc sharing his love with some of the kids. Trailside lunch that Palapa Boy Racing provided, Dana and I set it up for the riders. Laguna Hanson That's Malcolm Smith's son on the left, Alexander Smith. He took the riders on a gnarly single track ride. Brian LaBelle, the one who came up with the idea of organizing this event. Quinn who won the autographed autobiography by Malcolm Smith, with Brian LaBelle.

Part 3 photos at the cheese farm and Saturday night at the hotel in Valle de Trinidad. Cheese tasting with bread, wine and fruit ! Chair in the hotel. Palapa Boy Racing provided the homemade bar at the Hotel Saturday night, Dana and I set it up. There's the mighty F350 Palapa Boy Racing support vehicle.

Photos part 2 at the cheese farm... Doc Holliday going nose to nose with an Alpaca or Llama. The cheese cellar.....

I'm starting my dog Doc Holliday on a Keto diet, I should probably do it for myself too.

Weekday won't work due to southbound traffic. But a weekend could. Would anyone want to do this on a weekend ? I'd also check if Colin and Kris would want to do it on a weekend instead.

Just a BUMP....if nobody can host this, anyone have ideas for a good place to do this ?

Nope, is new....just sat for a few weeks and I realized I left the key on with headlight on when I was transporting it back in my truck.

I want to do an Adventure Bike oriented ride on Sunday 4/20 with a small group. It would be primarily easy dirt roads, at least 120 miles, about 40% dirt 60% pavement with good twisties. We'd meet somewhere in Chula Vista to start out on Otay Mountain Truck Trail and continue east. Start time about 9 or 10am. Is anyone interested ? If so, I will finalize the route and details. My 950 Adventure has just been revitalized after sitting for 5 years so this will be a test run. It will be a fun route for sure !

Will plan on a ride next Sunday. I had to remove the battery to charge it and I added one of the battery tender connectors so I can jut plug it in whenever I need to.

Hi All, this is why I have to manually check who is trying to join the forums, the automatic approvals just don't work. At least 11 people (fake and/or scammers and spammers) have tried to join the forums in the last week from all over including Russia, China, other countries in Europe and Asia, etc.

Of course I'll be there. Dave, let's talk....I'll probably bring Brats and fixin's instead of hot dogs.

Welcome bRad ! I'll be getting my KTM950 back on the road soon, we'll have to go do a ride.

That's great of you to offer SDAR a discount ! Thanks Padu.

Write some comments and submit them to try to prevent this... Wildcat Energy Farms is proposing to place a solar facility right next to the northeast side of Ocotillo Wells. The project would start by the park along Highway S22 and go east. A larger portion would be east of Highway 86. The proposal intends to place 1,964,000 panels over 5,900 acres. For the project to begin, Imperial County Supervisors would need to approve of a zoning change. There is a comment period open for the project and you can let the Imperial County Planning Department know how you feel about it. Important arguments against the project are about visual resources and zoning. Many people don't want the visual character of the area to change. The area in question is also not zoned for this kind of development. We do not have strong feelings about the project being east of Highway 86, but don't want any solar on the west side of Highway 86. You can read about the project here. You can send comments to davidblack@co.imperial.ca.us and planning@co.imperial.ca.us. The comment period ends December 23! You can ask the county and project proponents to respect the current zoning and visual character of the desert west of Highway 86. Thank you, Ed Stovin, President San Diego Off Road Coalition