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UPCOMING RIDES

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READ B-4 U RIDE

WHAT TO BRING ON A RIDE

SETTING UP YOUR BIKE

ADVENTURE DAY RIDE FUNDAMENTALS
PART 1. . . . . . . . . . .PART 2

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Scroll down in this column for a link to tons of VCARS ride recaps, photos, & video.

DS Ride 12 - May 2008 - Orientation

THE NARROW GAUGE ROUTE
What . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dualsport Ride, full day
When . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meet Saturday, 24 May, 7:30 AM
Where . . . . . Meet @ BMW Motorcycles of Ventura County
Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Laine MacTague


I should point out that I hammed it up a bit in the Intro. This ride is supposed to be challenging -- and survivable! Most challenges on this ride are greatly simplified by a slower pace. See the Potential Challenges section for more info.

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.

There is actually a fair amount of pavement on this ride. Most of the unpaved sections will be single track. The general route loops counter-clockwise from Castaic northward toward Frazier Park. Our homeward journey will be down the I-5 corridor.


HOW WE GO

For the most part, the single tracks are not so challenging as they are curvy; expect a steady pace, but not a very quick one. We will most always use Standard Formation.


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

$5.00 (See Planned stops, below)
YOU SHOULD BRING

2-way radio



PLANNED STOPS

1) Castaic – Fuel stop. The next fuel opportunity will be in Gorman.
2) Frazier Park – Lunch.
3) Hungry Valley – We should not be charged here, but it is a possibility ($5).


POTENTIAL CHALLENGES

Obstacles come up quick on winding narrow tracks; good observation and speed control will keep you on the rubber side. There are some significantly challenging sections as well; loose cobbles, short steep sections, etc. Ride slow enough to stop suddenly, and expect to dogpaddle through a few short sections of trail.

Remember to be aware of 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).

Water crossings – We may see a few near day’s end. Some offer hidden rocks and slippery exits.

Consider yourself oriented!

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Movie of the Moment


Strong intermediate riders on R4 terrain. BMW R1200GS, Suzuki V-Strom, BMW X-Challenge. ['10 ADR 02/13 - R4]

picture of the week (or vaguely similar time period. Click to enlarge.)

"Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul." ['10 ADR 04/10 - R3]

Community (Click to enlarge. [Er, to enlarge our community, come on a ride.])

Huzzah! Another best-laid plan "gang agley" yet survived all the same.
['10 ADR 03/13 - R2 (became, oh, R8 due to mud... and stubbornness!)]