DS Ride 11 - Feb '08 - Orientation

LOCKWOOD LOOP C

What . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dualsport Ride, full day
When . . . . . . . . . . . . Meet Saturday, 23 February, 7:30 AM
Where . . . . . Meet @ BMW Motorcycles of Ventura County
Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laine_MacTague

If you have not yet read, or have not yet memorized – the VCDSRS General Ride Orientation Please look over it by clicking HERE.


WHERE WE GO

Meet @ BMW Motorcycles of Ventura County @ 7:30AM Saturday February 23rd. Be on time with at least 60 miles worth of fuel.

This loop takes us into Castaic, then onto some slightly whooped-out sandy trails in Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. From there, riders eschewing the go-around will take a long narrow steep winding rocky sandy twisty obstacle-benighted single-track into somewhere in Lockwood Valley. This will be followed by another challenging loop in the mountains north of Frazier Park. After that, lunch.

After lunch, we will have a very fast un-paved section of road, followed by some challenging riverbed sand – excellent practice, if you are considering the Mojave Preserve Overnight (DSO 02)!


HOW WE GO

The plan for this solid intermediate ride is to maintain a steady pace with very few brief stops other than lunch. This will increase the importance of standard formation; if you don’t understand what that is, read about it in the General Ride Orientation.

Riders opting to go around harder sections will be apprised of likely places for rejoining the ride. However, the main group will not necessarily stop to wait at those spots. If you opt to go around a tough section and miss the group at such a spot, it should be easy to meet up at the Screaming Squirrel, our lunch stop.


WHAT GOES [Items listed here represent changes to the list in the General Orientation, to which you should refer if you can’t recall what is listed there…]

Radios (walkie-talkies) are MANDATORY for this ride (unless you are going around the tough sections), and will be turned on at full volume while we are on the most challenging sections. Cell phones are highly recommended but will likely be useless in some areas.

YOU MUST BRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . YOU SHOULD BRING
2-way radio! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cell phone
$5.00 (see Planned Stops, below) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PLANNED STOPS

1) Castaic – Fuel stop at the corner of Castaic Rd & Lake Hughes Rd. The next fuel opportunity will be in Pine Mountain Club—around 50 miles later.

2) Hungry Valley – We may be required to stop and pay the $5.00 entrance fee at the kiosk.

3) Hungry Valley – Getting through the trailhead gate as we exit HVSVRA will require a stop.

4) Frazier Park – Regroup @ Chachupuate Ranger Station.

5) Pine Mountain Club – Lunch @ the Screaming Squirrel.

6) Cuyama Valley – Brief regroup before the riverbed.

7) Cuyama Valley – Brief regroup after the riverbed.

8) Ojai – Dinner @ Antonio’s.


POTENTIAL CHALLENGES

Off-road traffic in HVSVRA – Watch and listen for oncoming traffic. Remember to signal the number of riders following you as described in the General Orientation (see footnote especially).

Weather – it may rain on Saturday. A heavy downpour may cancel the ride. Anything less will simply… make it wet.

Water crossings – Some offer hidden rocks and slippery exits. The riverbed will likely require numerous crossings, although there the traction should be good.

Sand – Rain would make this easier.
Whoop-dee-doos (often sandy)
Fields of loose cobbles on single-track
Short very steep sections of rough bedrock
Snow – there may be a small amount left on Frazier Mtn.
Dreaded Challenge Number 10


Consider yourself oriented! See you soon…