Pre-run for Noobs Camping

[tntmo 1025]

Did the pre-run today, wasn’t sure how everything would be after the rain but decided it would be a “worst case” scenario.  No rain was on the schedule at my house today but started to get some sprinkles on the way to Ramona. 
Two bikes were at the coffee shop when I arrived so it was good to see people weren’t too worried about getting a little wet.  Assi and Corey joined me for the ride, Assi on the DR650 and Corey on the Triumph 400 Scrambler.  
The dirt on Black Canyon was in good shape, a few small washouts on the edges and a few rocks that fell off the hillsides.  Otherwise it was perfect, good traction and no dust.

Mesa Grande had some gravel and lots of leaves.  The gas station had two sausage sandwiches left, sorry Corey!  Lost Valley Road was as it always is, dirty rough pavement that’s fun except for the blind corners.  We only saw one person camping mid week, hopefully we can snag a good site. 
We stopped there to eat lunch, then all slabbed back home.  The sky cleared up while we ate and it was a nice ride home.

Hopefully some of you can make it November 1st.  Should be a fun time.  You don’t need to bring much, just something to sleep on for the night.  I’m planning to drive my van up there and ride back to the start, will have water, food, etc.  Lots of food at the gas station too, frozen burritos and burgers.  If anyone wants me to bring camping gear up I can do that too.
 

[Zubb 1217]

Definitely one of my favorite trails.  And a great campground too.  That's a training weekend for me in Borrego, so I won't be able to attend.  Will have to leave the PBR fueled campfire stories to you Tom.

[Stutz 40]

I'm really looking forward to going.  My goal is to be 100% self-sufficient however, I plan to buy a sandwich  to take for dinner at the station or perhaps in Ramona.

I even have one of the worst motorcycle related movies saved to my phone...Deathsport with David Carradine, one of my favorites from the 70's when I was a kid.  I've been making AI generated images of my motorcycles in Fury Road situations after work to avoid the real world as well.  I've attached a particularly silly one.

[tntmo 1025]

It's a good event to try your self sufficiency.  My experience with moto camping is that if you're camping by yourself, you have to be.  If you're camping near others who are in RV's and such, they love to help you out with steak, crab legs, beer, whiskey, etc.  I have been treated well!  That being said, I usually camp very solo because I don't mind the solitude.  

[Stutz 40]

I guess it's ironic for me to join a group partially because I want to prepare to camp and find routes to ride alone, I enjoy solitude as well.

 

[DSM8 468]

On 10/15/2025 at 7:12 PM, tntmo said:

 I’m planning to drive my van up there....
 

It is a trap if you see a sign for free candy or anything else on the side of said van keep riding.
DO
NOT
STOP

<deliverance music inserted here>

[DSM8 468]

13 hours ago, Stutz said:

I guess it's ironic for me to join a group partially because I want to prepare to camp and find routes to ride alone, I enjoy solitude as well.

 

I just came back from a week long treck where each of us were sulf sufficient on the bike in terms of gear etc but the weather really played havoc with our plans.
If this is your first time doing this kind of moto travel gear selection makes all the difference between that was a great trip, and Oh ---- what have I done.

If anyone is interested we can have a pre-noobs get together at my place this saturday, opportunity to go over what gear you have, I can showcase the setup I used and others can also do the same @Zubb has some stuff as does Tom.
Let me know if this is something this group might want to do.

Location Escondido where we host the tech days.

[Zubb 1217]

Great idea Dave.

If anyone needs basic camp gear on a budget, ping me.  I have a lifetime of generally high end camp gear that I need to thin out.  Will sell it at pennies on the dollar.

Let me know what you need, and I'll see what I have and then offer it at a price you can't refuse.

[Stutz 40]

On 10/21/2025 at 8:27 AM, DSM8 said:

I just came back from a week long treck where each of us were sulf sufficient on the bike in terms of gear etc but the weather really played havoc with our plans.
If this is your first time doing this kind of moto travel gear selection makes all the difference between that was a great trip, and Oh ---- what have I done.

If anyone is interested we can have a pre-noobs get together at my place this saturday, opportunity to go over what gear you have, I can showcase the setup I used and others can also do the same @Zubb has some stuff as does Tom.
Let me know if this is something this group might want to do.

Location Escondido where we host the tech days.

I may have too much to do this Saturday, but I appreciate it even if I can't go.  I won't know for sure until the last minute (Friday).

[Stutz 40]

I'll bring my naturemaster, if anything I'm too prepared.