10/13/02 - Hi Mtn / Pozo-LaPanza

I can always tell when it's been too long since my last ride. I start getting that paranoid feeling that the world is conspiring to keep me off the trails and I know that I need to find that one open window of time to get out and kick up some dust. Last Sunday was the open window for myself and 6 other riders of the Central Coast Dual Sport Pack as we got together and headed for some great trails and back roads. The plan was to meet up with the other dual sport riders in San Luis Obispo, pick up the dirt-only riders on High Mountain Road, then head to Pozo over the best dirt road in the county to the trails of the La Panza National Forrest. I'll apologize right off the bat because I forgot my camera and this ride had many opportunities for unique photographs.

I pulled into our designated meeting place at the Chevron Station at the corner of Orcutt and Broad streets in SLO about a half hour early and was pleased to see some of the group already assembling. Derek from Oxnard was there with his XR600R and John from Oakland with his XR650R stuffed into the trunk of his car. You talk about a strange sight-imagine a full size dual sport hanging out of the trunk of a small sedan. Granted, the real wheel was removed as well as front wheel and shocks, but that still left plenty of bike to overflow the trunk! Obviously, some assembly was required, but with the three of us working together, the bike was put back together in about 20 minutes. As we worked on the bike, Leslie motored up on her XT350 and the group was complete for the first section of the ride. We bombed over the back roads leading to Lopez Lake, then turned off onto High Mountain Road. Stopping at the end of the pavement, we only had a few minutes to wait until the dirt-only riders showed up. Rochelle (CR80), Paul (KX250), and Greg (KDX220) quickly geared up.

Before we could leave, we noticed that Greg's rear tire seemed to be flat. We pumped it up, then took off for a high speed run over a great road. We stopped at the Garcia Ridge Trail fork to regroup and some of the group decided to try the trail. We again noticed that Greg's tire was flat and decided to split the group, with some riding the trail while Greg, Derek, and I rode up the the High Mountain Campground for a little tire changing session. After pulling the tube, I discovered that the glue in my patch kit was history, so we stuffed a 21" tube in his 18" tire, aired it up, and were ready for business again. The other group had rejoined us and we discovered that Rochelle's front tire which had also gone flat. We aired that up and fixed some damage to John's bike from a fall Leslie took while test riding the 650R. Soon we were off again. The Salinas River still had some water in it, but I think I was the only one to take advantage of a nice cool high speed crossing-at least I was the only one still dripping when we got the Ranger Station in Pozo.

Since we had burned some time changing the tire, we headed straight for Turkey Flats to get some trails in. First, we headed up the Tower Rd Trail (in great shape since I last rode it), then a little snafu sent several riders riding down the Las Chiches Trail with the rest of the group on our intended route back to the pavement. By the time I caught up to Greg, John, and Derek (and believe me, I didn't catch them till they stopped because they were flying) the other group with Leslie, Paul and Rochelle had decided to head back as they were low on fuel. Greg left us when we got back to pavement as he was running low on gas as well (Damn 2 strokes!) The remaining crew consisting of Derek, John, and I headed out for some more trails. First, I took them out towards Friis Camp, then over the Bricks (also known as the Navajo Bypass Trail). From there, we headed down Navajo Rd, jumping off at the McGinnis Creek Trail and stopping at Navajo Flats for a breather and a snack. After our break, we headed out the Burnout Trail and connected to the Mare Springs Trail. I nearly put my bike over the edge of the trail on Mare Springs when I hit a rock with the bottom of my shock and kicked my front end out into no man's land. After expending much energy (and discovering I had drained my 100oz bladder of water), I had my bike back on the trail. I caught up to Derek and John and we continued over this challenging trail. Mare Springs is due for some maintenance with some wicked whoops on sections of the trail that are too narrow to ride with speed (at my skill level, anyway). We made it to the last hill before rejoining the Burnout Trail when our problems started getting worse. I had run out of water (I have never run out of water on a ride before) and was getting dehydrated and Derek was in the same boat. John was still in good shape and would probably still be in good shape if he hadn't had water in 2 days and was running a marathon. That last hill is a doozy-loose, rutted, and steep-plenty of obstacle even if we were fresh (Derek and I have done it before), but almost insurmountable in the condition we were in. John took the first run and made it up as sweet as honey. Derek was next, but he quickly lost traction and went down, breaking his front brake lever. After he got his bike back down the hill, I went next and made it about 1/2 way up before crossing up the big XR650L over a rut and laying it over. I got it back up and restarted (thank you God for the starter button!) and made a couple of aborted tries before becoming so worked that I couldn't even pick up the bike again. I had a good start on a case of heat stroke as I wasn't sweating anymore and I was very dizzy (here's more than you want to know: I took a pee at about noon-didn't pee again until the next day after drinking approx 1 gallon of water!) I took off my helmet and John and Derek came to help me pick up my bike and get it pointed in the right direction. I decided I had one more try in me, then I'd let someone else give it a go. Luckily, one more try was enough as I just gave it the gas and hung on. Anyone watching the rest of that climb would know that it was 99% bike and 1% skill that got me to the top. Derek still had to get to the top, but was having trouble getting the 600 to fire off. When it became apparent that he was done in, John and I went down the hill to assist and John's bag of tricks (learned on the Internet) got the bike running. Derek took one last run at the hill, but it was obvious that he had nothing left, so he was smart enough to allow John to ride his bike up. Derek is a good rider, but made a wise choice in that situation, in my opinion.

It seem to be a good idea to head back at this point, so we took the shortest route back to Pozo (where the damn saloon was closed so it missed some serious business!) Then we retraced our ride back over High Mountain Road. At the top, John ran out of gas, so we siphoned some out of my tank as well as Derek's and kept going. John went on reserve again out at Lopez Lake, so I led them into Arroyo Grande for a fill up. By this time it was starting to get dark and foggy so we bombed down the 101 back to SLO. Heading down the highway, I was thinking about how I nearly had heat stroke a couple of hours ago and now I'm looking at hypothermia from riding at night in fog with only a jersey on. What a range of temperatures! We stopped at Cuginni's in SLO for dinner. While Derek waited for the food, John and I stripped his 650R down in record time and then the three of us stuffed it back in his trunk (I still can't get over that!) After dinner, we helped Derek put his bike up in his truck, then all headed our separate ways. I got home at about 8:30pm with 140 miles on the odo. It took me eleven hours to do 140 miles, but what an adventure we had!

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped each other (and me) out. I hope no one was scarred for life. ;)

David

Awesome ride David! I enjoyed meeting such a great group of people. I was bummed to forget to bring my camera, for memory's sake: I could have posted some pictures of our "group of seven" ride.

The ride was amazing, I got there with my bike in the trunk of the car (photos forthcoming), and you guys helped me put it together, and waited patiently. Then when someone else got a flat, you guys took over, and installed a new tube on it. Towards the end, you and Derek let me bum some gas off of your IMS tanks.

You, Derek, and Leslie were the most friendly riding partners I could ever ask for. Thanks for making it so great.

John Roberts
Oakland, CA
XR650R '02 with a soon-to-be-replaced stock tank

John,

Sounds like you made it home ok. It was my pleasure to ride with you, and David once again you lead us on a very good ride.

I agree with you John when you say that David, Leslie as well the whole group was very friendly and a pleasure to ride with. I look forward to getting together again.

Thanks again for saving my butt and getting the XR6 up that nasty hill. You made it look easy!

-D.F.

Thanks for the ride report David. Sounds like a memorable time was had by all. I hope to make it up there for your next ride or two.

Darrel - KLR650 - Oxnard

I second that for sure. I learned much from that ride. John you are the man! XR650 in the trunk of a compact car, I'll never forget that. We have to get him to post those pictures.

But seriously I personally learned many lessons from that ride. It was great to ride with everyone. I look forward to riding with all of you again.

-D.F.