Jon O

Hi, my name is Jon. I live in Oceanside near College and the 76 and ride a 2000 KLR. I'm 42 and have been riding dirt since I was 12 but that you have to take into account a lot of off years in there. For the last 10 years I have been riding mostly street twisties with a Moto Guzzi club but I'm now looking to explore more of San Diego County's unpaved roads. I'm married with a soon to be four year old son and soon to be two year old boy/girl twins, so I can't get away to ride very often but I'm really looking forward to joining some rides and having some of you show me some dirt roads I don't know yet. I've only been on one group ride, started by 2wheels on Boulder Creek Road and had a blast, looking forward to more. Roads I'm looking forward to checking out: Main Divide Road Palomar Divide Road Otay Truck Trail

I used to love going to Carlsbad Raceway, such a cool, old track. Used to race vintage motocross there. I was probably one of the slowest guys out there but I was out there having fun. Do you know if there is any way to ride the trails in the hills just south of Cal State San Marcos? Or near Elfin forest?

Thanks for all the welcomes guys. Really looking forward to meeting and riding with you all.

Thanks for posting about the ride, gonna try to make it this time.

Ditto. Wish I coulda gone today, just too much family stuff going on this time. Next time.

Sounds fun. What roads and where does this ride meet and what time? Thanks.

Anyone up for some moderately easy rides the week of April 9 to 15? I've been riding in the dirt since I was 12 (I'm 42 now) in all kinds of terrain from mud swamps (where I grew in Minnesota) to Jeep trails going over Mountain passes in Colorado to some of the easier dirt roads in Baja, and have done some vintage motocross racing at Carlsbad Raceway (RIP). But for right now with the KLR having some street-oriented tires on it, something along the lines of Boulder Creek, Nate Harrison Grade, or Bear Valley Road is about my speed - but what I'd really be into is someone showing me some new roads in North County, south Orange County since I live in Oceanside. I'd even be into exploring some "suburban" areas like any dirt roads in Carlsbad or San Marcos. I just like to motor along and take in the scenery on my KLR. Rocks don't bother me as long as it isn't on a long, steep downhill. Rock trails are something I think the KLR is pretty good at, I just don't feel real comfortable joining a ride involving deep sand or other riders wanting to haul butt on smaller dedicated dirt bikes with lights like KTMs or DRZs. Is the Palomar Divide Road doable on a KLR with street-oriented tires?

Very cool! Looks like there's a couple of you that are into some North County riding. I'll post more, PM you as the dates get closer (I have that week off for spring break - high school teacher). I'm going to get some Dunlop 606s on my KLR soon, but the Dunlops I have on there now are just so much fun on the twisty pavement. Does anyone know if any of dirt roads on Pendleton are permitted these days? Probably not I'm guessing.

Thanks! Well, here's a few more from near my parents' place in Nogales, AZ right near the Mexican border. My uncle keeps his DR650 at my dad's place, available for anyone to ride so when I visit sometimes we can sneak away and ride some of the rocky goat trails down there. The adobe structure is what is left of a post office from, I'm guessing, the 1800s.

On the way to Meling Ranch: At Meling Ranch: On the way back from Meling Ranch: My dad all loaded up with gear in Catavina: And for something completely different, me and my Guzzi doing a water crossing on De Luz Road:

I rode one they had for sale at GP a long time ago, been wanting one ever since. They're hard to find.

There are trails going from Carlsbad to San Marcos? Cool! I live in Oceanside so I'd like to check this out sometime. Where do you start in Carlsbad? Can you post some specifics so I can Mapquest/Google Earth it or something? Otherwise, I'll try to make the next one you post. Thanks.

Nate Harrison Grade goes up the West side of Palomar Mountain. Blackcat Canyon Road heads north from Ramona to Mesa Grande. Boulder Creek Road (just rode today for first time - thanks Gene!) goes north from Descanso to Julian. I think these three would be very do-able on a big bike, I've ridden them on my KLR which isn't exactly a lightweight.

Gene, thanks for leading the ride. Great road that I had never been on. Wish I would have remembered my camera. Good to meet everyone, see you all on the next ride sometime.

Sounds like a great time. My dad and I stopped at both Mike's and Melling's a couple years ago. Just want to say that I don't think bike security will be an issue at either place. There's no one for twenty miles in either direction when you are at either place! At Mike's everyone parks their bikes poolside inside a gate that gets locked at night. At Mellings, well, there's just no one around for miles and miles. I think I left all kinds of stuff still packed on my bike outside when we stayed there. Both places include a great breakfast and dinner as part of your stay.