Oracle 195 Posted June 8, 2019 Another successful SDAR outing is in the book. Thanks the PMB, Mikey777, Amgens, Hundndogs, and Vanjoosten for joining me for a quick run up to Santa Rosa. If you haven't been to the "fireplace" at the top of Santa Rosa mountain (8000' elevation), you should put it on your list. It is a beautiful place to camp up in the pines that is only 70 miles or so from San Diego. The group met at my house in Ramona and got ready to head out from there. It was about 1:55 on Friday when we pulled out of my driveway to start working our way north on as much dirt as possible. The route itself is about 60% dirt, the rest is easy 2 lane country highway through San Diego back country. The group seemed to mesh well from the start (as we welcome a newcomer to the ground, Huntndogs) and was quickly sorted ourselves out during the ride. Our objective was to make it to Anza, where we would fuel up, beer up, and then finish the last 15 miles or so to the top of Santa Rosa. Everything went as planned and there were no issues. I've camp here a couple times and there has always been at least a few other campers in the area (yellow post sites so free use area). Not this time. We had the entire peak to ourselves. After setting up for the night, everyone made their own dinner and we sat down to eat. We enjoyed a camp fire, some cold beer, 21 year old scotch (thanks Mikey), and Huntndogs and I told cop stories from our time on the job....that's one of the cool things about hanging out with a couple retire cops...the stories can't be beat. I think everyone was turned in by 9:30. I slept good and woke up to Mikey packing his tent up around 6. So if you can't beat um, join um. We all got up, packed our stuff, rode down the mountain and had a great breakfast at Paradise Cafe in Mountain Center. After that, we reversed our route and rode home. No mechanicals, no loose luggage wrapped up in sprockets, and no downed riders (as far as I know). Huntndogs popped his cherry camping off the bike for the first time and was a pretty squared away rider (for a rookie, LOL)... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oracle 195 Posted June 8, 2019 PMB, I love that black and white one, may I use it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulmbowers 236 Posted June 8, 2019 1 minute ago, Oracle said: PMB, I love that black and white one, may I use it? Sure! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 508 Posted June 8, 2019 9 minutes ago, paulmbowers said: Now that's an awesome shot ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulmbowers 236 Posted June 8, 2019 Campfire with the Coachella Valley in the distance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADV Bum 205 Posted June 8, 2019 Nice! Looked like a fun trip. Great photo's. Very envious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huntndogs 114 Posted June 8, 2019 Thanks for showing me a great time and being easy on me. You fellas can ride, wow! I ate their dust all day...Perfect place for a first time moto camper and the views were spectacular. Love this group! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey777 44 Posted June 8, 2019 Great ride! Every once in a while you encounter a freak of nature thing when outdoors. There was a swarm of lady bugs that showed up in the Palm Desert area that made national news. The swarm was so big it showed up on weather radar. Well, we found them. They were everywhere on the mountain and I am sure I brought a few home with me in my gear. The place I threw down my tent was covered in lady bugs. As far as laying the bike down, I lost my fender bag on a rough section of trail and when I stopped to get it I slid the bike into a cholla cactus and then fell over. Still picking the barbs out of my left hand. Dropped the bike when trying to mount up also. Ya know, the typical short leg to tall of a bike stuff. Me getting on and off the bike is always a spectacle. For mechanicals, my back tire hit the fender and ripped up my tail light wiring, so some fixing to do there...Nothing else. My paltry pics.. The loadout. The Lady bugs! Lots of em. 5:30 a.m. sunrise while LB was still sawing logs. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADV Bum 205 Posted June 8, 2019 5 minutes ago, Mikey777 said: I lost my fender bag on a rough section Those fender bags are notorious for coming off. Drilling a small hole in the fender and using some wire to keep them on works well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amgems 79 Posted June 8, 2019 Awesome ride ! Thanks for setting it up Mr. Oracle My photo contribution: I'll get some video up here in a bit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 887 Posted June 9, 2019 Looks awesome, especially having the campsite all to yourselves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SoCalMule 106 Posted June 9, 2019 Looked like a fun adventure! Great pics! Thanks guys! 🐞 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riggerdan 147 Posted June 10, 2019 On 6/8/2019 at 1:44 PM, ADV Bum said: Nice! Looked like a fun trip. Great photo's. Very envious. +1 How were the temps at night? Whens the next one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crawdaddy 96 Posted June 10, 2019 Hope to make the next one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey777 44 Posted June 10, 2019 Temps were in the 40's at night. Not to bad. I had a 30 degree bag and was warm enough with layering some clothes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amgems 79 Posted June 10, 2019 Some video of the ride. Lot of quality lost when imported into and then viewed on youtube. But it still is sorta OK. Very fun ride and camping trip. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oracle 195 Posted June 10, 2019 That was awesome, thanks Jim. That put a smile on my face. I'm ready to start planning the next one! Maybe Big Bear??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey777 44 Posted June 10, 2019 Thank goodness. None of me picking up my bike.😥 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulmbowers 236 Posted June 10, 2019 4 minutes ago, Mikey777 said: Thank goodness. None of me picking up my bike.😥 I saw. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huntndogs 114 Posted June 10, 2019 14 minutes ago, Mikey777 said: Thank goodness. None of me picking up my bike.😥 Paul saw my drop too...Great video Jim, thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey777 44 Posted June 10, 2019 No pic no proof. Anyway, I installed one of these on my bike yesterday. It is in the power parts catalog. I swear. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dress4Less 162 Posted June 10, 2019 Nicely done lads! Good write-up, pics and viddy! Brrraaappp! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oracle 195 Posted June 10, 2019 On 6/10/2019 at 11:58 AM, Mikey777 said: No pic no proof. Anyway, I installed one of these on my bike yesterday. It is in the power parts catalog. I swear. You know as well as I do the case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagstr 287 Posted June 10, 2019 Nice Edit AmG Those hard and slick sweepers are a challenge. Tough when the moisture disappears . Thanks to all for the photo reports. It all looks so easy viewed on camera. Add 35 lb to the rear,,,,keep an eye on that front wheel. 👀 Bags Share this post Link to post Share on other sites