Joemerica

Damn. I'd be interested if both my bikes weren't needing attention. Fork seal on one and new tubes and a carb cleaning on the other. I wanted to ride McCain Valley/Lark Canyon next week after work. Dirt everywhere is going to be perfect after this rain. If you end up going, post a ride report. I feel like the activity on this board has been slow the last year. Hopefully that's not because no one is riding.

That's awesome. There seems to be consensus that section 1 is the most challenging due to the gravel/pebbles. Did you complete the whole SoCal BDR or just certain sections? In my mind, I'd knock out section 1 and then come back sometime next fall through spring and do the rest in one shot starting with section 2.

Nice. I should have some dates in mind in the next two weeks or so. The Indian Pass section after Picacho is supposed to be a pretty deep sand wash. Maybe we can try to plan for after a rain if we're lucky.

I'm thinking about doing the CA BDR South Section 1 this spring before it gets too hot. This would be a quick two day/one night trip with a camp night at Picacho Campground. A few beers and some quick fishing on the Colorado during the camp. Could meet in Yuma late morning, ride to Picacho, camp and hangout, finish section one at Blythe. Have some lunch and it's everyone for themselves on the rides home. Anyone interested, we can coordinate in this thread and pick our days somewhere in early March to early April.

Went for a short ride from Santee to Ramona via Wildcat Canyon. Headed up Pamo Road to Pamo Valley. Saw the biggest flock (rafter) of turkey I've ever seen in San Diego County meandering across Pamo Rd west to east. Was somewhere in the high 20s of birds maybe more. I stopped to get a shot (only caught about a third). Wished I would have got them on the road. Continued on to the trailhead for Black Mountain/Santa Ysabel truck trails. Dirt was perfect after the rain we just got. Pamo Valley is awesome. Everytime I ride in Ramona/Alpine/Pine Valley, I always regret having not looked for houses there when I bought in Santee back in 2010. I've been, and probably will remain a Santee lifer. Santa Ysabel Truck Trail was in great shape. Maybe it was graded since the last time I rode it about a year or two ago? Still fun on my, new to me, 2018 Africa Twin DCT. Before getting this bike a few months ago, I'd ride these trails on my plated '96 XR600, which I still have. Obligatory Santa Ysabel Creek and Black Canyon Rd bridge pics. Finished the ride by heading to Lake Sutherland and on to Santa Ysabel for a quick snack before beating the sunset back home on the 78 to the 67. Solid little Saturday afternoon ride. The weather has just been too good for riding lately, the rainy days being the exception. Might have blown a fork seal. Maybe a seal cleaning/scraping and a top off of fork fluid(blasphemy!), or an excuse to get this AT sprung and valved for my weight? We'll see. We are too lucky as riders living here in San Diego County.

Solid write-up. I like the colorway on that 901. Aside from the wind, the weather has been perfect for riding this week.

Solid pics. I like your campsite all tucked in like that.

Awesome!

Anybody know someone who has bought one of these new bikes? Preliminary reviews are promising. Big Rock Moto (youtube) did a first ride and it looks like a great bike. It's a more offroad capable V-Strom so it would seem. I have a 96 Honda XR600 that is plated and a 04 Honda VTX1300 and I'm thinking about selling the XR for something better suited for riding to and from some fire roads/lighter offroad stuff. Hate to sell one of my bikes, not that I need the money, but the wife would seriously critique me having 3 bikes. Thoughts?

Awesome pictures and impressive you're back riding earlier than you thought, even with a bum knee.

Awesome. You guys went north and west of Table Top as well. That area is pretty cool. North end of McCain Valley Road there is a little known campground called Cottonwood. Before the rain there is a passable single track near there down to the valley and S2. I've never been down but I'm curious. Likely beyond my riding abilities. That camp ground would be fun for an SDAR meet/camp. Almost no one goes back that far. Ton of single track around McCain.

Looks like you guys had a great ride. Did you take the northern route that loops back south to the water troughs or the southern route? What about the ride home, I-8 or dirt?

I really wish I could go on this ride with you guys but my kid has a basketball game. I've been on this trail for work often. Haven't seen it since the rains though. If you are lucky you might see some Bighorn Sheep, they love to hang out back there. If you haven't seen it, you should ride out through Carrizo Creek Rd eastbound off of Carrizo Gorge Rd south of the Jacuba Shell. Carrizo Creek is about 3/4 of the way down Carrizo Gorge before you hit OHW80. On Carrizo Creek you'll pass by an old Bromo Seltzer add still painted on a boulder pile on what was the old stage coach road. This connects directly to the northbound access road that heads under the I-8. I'm sure Thumper knows about this and was planning to take you past it. Bromo Seltzer 32.6310068, -116.1431798 The whole area is pretty rad. You guys are going to have fun.

Impressive all around. Glad you were able to get yourself and your bike out of there and to urgent care.

Great pictures/story. Looks pretty dry, did it rain much out there?