Dual-Sport Intro Ride

[bikeslut 1]

welcome back, Ed... last time I rode with you, it was Otay... we'll probably stay on the more well established trails this time

See you there...

[dsherod 0]

What time at Thousand Trails?

[PastaPilot 17]

Sun. June 22

9:00 AM at Thousand Trails. Lunch in Barrett Junction. Return is either reversed dirt route, or by pavement via route 94.

[Spaugh 1]

Sun. June 22

9:00 AM at Thousand Trails. Lunch in Barrett Junction. Return is either reversed dirt route, or by pavement via route 94.

second half going to inkopah via boader fence and back?

[bikeslut 1]

Brad- If you want to do that, I'll bring the DRZ, and we can go out there... of course, Mother Nature may have other plans... it may be hot

[Spaugh 1]

Brad- If you want to do that, I'll bring the DRZ, and we can go out there... of course, Mother Nature may have other plans... it may be hot

I will let you know for sure about wed or thurs of next week. We'll wait and see what the weather should look like and then decide. But ya, I think it would be cool to retrace the beach to river route to jacumba and maybe do some of the trails there and ride back.

[bikeslut 1]

YEAH... THE BEACH TO RIVER THING...WHAT COULD GO WRONG ON THAT?

Sorry... caps key was locked...

Yeah... if we're going much further, I'll want the big tank of the DRZ...

[ORANGEBLOOD 0]

It's been awhile since we've had a designated newb ride. There's been quite a few riders check in with very little knowledge of the area and Otay Mt is a great place to start your off road explorations. It's close by, has great scenery and enough variations in terrain to always learn/see something new when you go for a ride.

This will be an intro ride for new members so the pace will only be as fast as the slowest rider, but all members are welcome to come out and enjoy the ride and meet some new friends. We'll start at Thousand Trails Campground on Otay Lakes Rd. and ride to the top of Otay Mt. Make a left turn at Doghouse Junction and keep in going into Marron Valley. This will be bailout option 1. For the rest of us we'll keep going to Barrett Junction and have lunch at the cafe. At this point it's an easy scenic ride on rte-94 back to SD or reverse the route back to Otay Mt.

*** the first responses set the date for Sun. June 22 the your are votes in ! ***

I think we made this ride today, when we got to the bottom of the road from Doghouse Junction, we made a right turn at what I believe is Marron Valley. Two to three miles down the road was a locked gate. 30 minutes later we were chased down by the Border Patrol for being in the area. We did make it to the switch backs and Barrett Junction. For what its worth, the Border Patrol made us aware there have been some bad going ons in this area, other than the officers we saw no one. Just thought I would pass the information along.

ORANGEBLOOD

[PastaPilot 17]

I think we made this ride today, when we got to the bottom of the road from Doghouse Junction, we made a right turn at what I believe is Marron Valley. Two to three miles down the road was a locked Border Patrol gate, we were able to get around it by dragging the bikes up a slope. 30 minutes later we were chased down by the Border Patrol for being in the area past the gate. We did make it to the switch backs and Barrett Junction. As the Border Patrol made us aware there have been some bad going ons in this area. Just thought I would pass the information along.

ORANGEBLOOD

Did you go over the ridge road passed the burned up Buick? It sounds as though you may have missed the turn for this road. The gate at the end of Marron Valley Rd is always closed and locked and we should probably delete the parts about going around it. If you're unsure about which way your went I will make a pre-run up there either on Wed or Thurs just to be sure the whole route is open. But I can't for the life of me think of a gate along the planned route that can be closed and locked. There is one on the ridge road but I think it's been flattened and out of commision for a few years. Can anybody confirm this?

The Border Patrol always likes to tell you about "bad going ons" up there. That way you'll tell your friends and less people will be out there recreating. While I do think bad things to go on out there, I don't think it happens as often as they lead you to believe. I've been told about it by Border Patrol officers when I was out there, but other than BP I've never seen a single person anytime I've been out there. But again, that doesn't mean they aren't there.

[ORANGEBLOOD 0]

No never saw the burned up Buick and I could not say it was a ridge route however it did end at the switch backs up above Barrett Junction. We saw no other route and when we ran into the property owner locking up his personal gate he said it was the Border Patrols gate and he knew of no other route to Barrett Junction, and there are no postings of any kind and the road is well traveled all the way to the switch backs, which had just been graded off by a motorgrader, still at the bottom. We would have no real idea of where we were except the photo looks familiar, and the route did match what I had down loaded from Google Maps. If we errored, it is possible, but we came upon no postings of any kind that would separate this area from any other out there, honest mistake.

ORANGEBLOOD

[PastaPilot 17]

If you saw the car you'd remember. It's a late 70s land barge and can't figure out how it could've made it to where it is. I don't think you went the "correct" way, but glad you made it nonetheless.

[Pollo 0]

If you see the border patrol just smile and waive goodby. They shouldn't bother you.

[sandiegoland 0]

If you saw the car you'd remember. It's a late 70s land barge...

Cadillac...

[dirt dame 561]

Okay, the time is getting near, only a couple days away. Looks like meeting instructions are sort of drizzled and spaced out throughout this post, but seems to be meeting at 9:00 A.M. at Thousand Trails on Sunday. But where is Thousand Trails? How do people get there that haven't been yet? I have never ridden this area before.

[bikeslut 1]

Thousand Trails is the campground on Otay Lakes Road, about 3 miles from 94 (west of the 94)

[dsherod 0]

For anyone hauling a bike, is anyone familiar with where it is best to park?

[Spaugh 1]

you can park in front of the store right there near at the campground. They don't mind.

[PastaPilot 17]

Thousand Trails Campground: 9AM

14615 Otay Lakes Rd.

Jamul, CA 91935

7.3 miles East from Hunte Parkway and Otay Lakes Road intersection.

6 Miles East of the North End of Otay Lake

2.8 miles East of the San Diego Drop Zone (skydiving airport)

If you're arriving from the East:

2.4 miles West of rte-94 Otay Lakes Rd intersection

Always a great ride up there, Low tech terrain and awesome views.

There is parking available at the campground but it would be in our best interests not to have a bunch of our trucks in their lot. If it gets crowded there are a number of parking lots on Otay Lakes Rd West of Otay Lake.

[Strega 0]

I know this is NOT where you guys are meeting, but it's an alternate spot if you think you need it:

South Bay Rod and Gun Club

(Parking area outside the gun club - NOT the Gun Club parking)

For direction purposes, click THIS

[roostingu 0]

Ok where is Crawdaddy when you need him, so I can gps my way there?

[sandiegoland 0]

Ok where is Crawdaddy when you need him, so I can gps my way there?

N32.65256 W116.85522

[dsherod 0]

OK, last question I promise... well maybe not the last

Any guess on fuel range needed for this ride?

[sandiegoland 0]

OK, last question I promise... well maybe not the last

Any guess on fuel range needed for this ride?

Plan conservatively 80mi+ from fuel station to fuel station, depending on the rewind. (save 20mi or more if you truck in to the start)

Anyone with a small tank should bring a bottle if there is a possibility they may need to transfer fuel from one of the "tankers". FYI, fuel in the back-country is $8.95/gal, spare tubes are $32.59...

Seriously though, you won't be left out there...

[PastaPilot 17]

It will be a mellow ride. I'll have a passenger to keep me slow enough for everyone to keep up.

Keep in mind gas is available on Telegraph Canyon Rd. The closest one to the meeting area is in the same shopping center as the McDonalds. It's a little over 30 miles From Thousand trails to Barrett via dirt roads. Nobody should have trouble making a round trip on dirt, but be sure you have the gas to do it before we leave the campground. The area is close to San Diego, but nonetheless it is still quite remote. Even though no one will get left behind pack as if you'll be out on an afternoon ride by yourself. An extra front tube is always a good thing to have (in a pinch the front can be used in the rear), a patch kit, tube, tool kit, air pump, spark plug.... All good things to have in your tool kit. Don't forget water, always extra water, and some snacks, beef jerky seems to be the trail riders snack of choice.

It looks to be a bit cooler on Sunday, temperatures in the afternoon should only be around 90 degrees. Still 112 in the desert. No thanks.

See ya folks on Sunday Morning, at 9AM we ride.

Jon

[dirt dame 561]

Fud....that's still a hot day. It's about 102 right now at my place. I wish the air conditioning fairy would come and magically put in some air conditioning. I have everything buttoned shut and some fans running, but it's still awfully warm here.