El Mirage Advice

knowiam · Nov 7, 2006

I expect to take my boy to El Mirage for the first time this Saturday. I would really appreciate any input from those who've ridden there with children.

My boy rides a honda 70 and is coming along in skill and enthusiasm for this sport. He does not (yet) take well to loose (deep) gravel and sand.... so, I'd like to know what kinda flat trail conditions I can expect to see and where we will find them. (I will be tractoring along side/behind him)

Thanks for your help here... I appreciate it all.

Ken

JWW · Nov 7, 2006

I taught my son to ride at El Mirage. Some might think I'm nuts but I really like it there.

DO NOT PARK AT THE LAKEBED INLET. Hit the bed and go all the way to the other end. For the most part it will keep you away from Pep Boy bike riders and kids doing donuts in their mom's Camry.

Lakebed
Keep an eye out for the little bushes on the lakebed. The sand blows against them and it creates a little kicker jump. They are fun to play on but if your kid is like mine he will hit it to fast and go over the bars. :(

Keep an eye out for fast traffic.

Sucks when its windy.

Desert
Lots of intersecting trails and roads. Make sure he knows to look both left and right before crossing.

You mentioned sand....stay out of the washes and you should be ok.

knowiam · Nov 7, 2006

Thanks, JWW!

I've read in previous threads that folks come in and head right (at the entrance)... not having been there, that's what I was gonna do if I did not get any advice...

So, as I bust through the gate, I just head out across the lake bed.... until I get to the other side... are there hills there ? (think I heard of those)....

Thanks for the info on the kicker jumps... my boy likes the feeling of compressing the shocks...He thinks he's getting "air", but he's not left the ground...yet.

I imagine we'll find our way in and out of the area ok...

anyone else got anything to add about this place?

Thanks again, JWW!

Ken

bruinmike · Nov 7, 2006

Perfect place to ride

Just got back from a day trip this past Sunday! I ride on four wheels, but my 2 boys are on two wheels. My youngest is 6 and he's got a CRF 50, older boy is 9 and he has a big wheel CRF 100.
Definately go to the lakebed! And, yes, go towards the far WEST end of the dry lake. It will be perfect for your youngster to get to know his bike.
I made the mistake of thinking both of my boys were ready for some desert trails, so we set up shop near the hills---big mistake! It got a little sandy and rocky and both boys threw in the towel and said no way.
I convinced them to head to the dry lakebed and they agreed, reluctantly, but when they got there it was well worth it. Just the fact that you have such a huge area with no sand or hills, rocks , etc. they could concentrate on learning how to shift, turn, etc....
Their confidence grew immensly!!! One thing that really sucked was getting home...I live in Riverside, took me about 45 minutes to get there.....About 2 hrs 30 minutes to get home!
Take my advice....if you go on a Sunday, leave well before 3pm or so...

Just my opinion brother!

JWW · Nov 7, 2006

No problem

http://www.blm.gov/ca/barstow/mirage.html

ggurney · Nov 7, 2006

I can't say to much because when I rode there I rode a z50 and then my brothers xr 80. But what I do remember or have I should say, are a bunch of good memories. You know, I was young. But the kids doing donuts in their mothers camerys, all true, but it was caddys I think. One time it was windy and water came over the lake bed. Anyway, don't deny your kids the fun and memories. Go ride a lakebed! :cool:

kelsorat · Nov 8, 2006

El Mirage is much safer for kids to ride at then Gorman. With the exception of trail crossings, there aren't a lot of the more dangerous items like blind turns and drunken quad riders. The southern edges of the lakebed are not used as much, and the lakebed is so huge that even running down the middle is safe enough if you are riding along with your son, because of the long range views. (Windy conditions can put a damper on that) There are super easy trails in the back or north end of the riding area where most people avoid, and as long as you ride together you'll be fine.

knowiam · Nov 8, 2006

Thanks for the info!

We've put in for our Hall Pass and have been granted permission for either Saturday or Sunday...but not both :laugh:

Thanks for all your input- I do appreciate it all. :cool:

I'd like to post some pictures and commentary after we get back for those interested.

Thanks

Ken

JWW · Nov 10, 2006

Ken

My son and I will be out there Saturday. Will try and stop by and say hi. What are you guys driving?

Ol'89r · Nov 10, 2006

JWW said:
Lakebed
Keep an eye out for the little bushes on the lakebed. The sand blows against them and it creates a little kicker jump. They are fun to play on but if your kid is like mine he will hit it to fast and go over the bars. :(

Keep an eye out for fast traffic.

QUOTE]

I second what Jeff said.

Some of those little bushes are very hard to see when you are coming up on them at speed. The sand dips down a little before you get to them and hides them a little bit. If you hit one at speed, it will launch you. :yikes: Don't ask me how I know. ;)

VERY IMPORTANT, when on the lakebed, keep an eye out for other traffic coming at you from a 90 degree angle. People like to get out on the lakebed and see how fast their bikes/vehicles will go. There have been many bad accidents and fatalities from people hitting oneanother at a 90 degree angle and not seeing each other until it's too late.

Have fun & be careful.

knowiam · Nov 10, 2006

JWW you got mail

Hope to see you and your boy manana...errr. tomorrow.

ken

JWW · Nov 11, 2006

Did you make it out? We circled the lakebed a few times but didnt see your vehicle.

How about that dust....I have never seen it that bad.

I hope you didnt take the 15 home. Its taken me an hour to get from the top of the pass to 138. I expect to make it home by midnight.

knowiam · Nov 12, 2006

We Made it-What a Great Place to Ride!

Jeff-

We made it-that dust was unreal on the lake bed! It was so bad when we got there (about noon) that we kept driving up the hill towards twin hills? I lived in Fresno for 9 years, that dust (at one point) was as bad as some of the fog we got up there!

We kept going until we were not being buzzed by ATV's . At nearly the end of the road we turned right and went as far East as we could there too.

My boy saw the Dust and broke out in his "Papa" attitude and accent: "We didn't come out all this way to look and go home! I'm gonna ride and we aint leavin' till we do". (His papa is from South Texas) Cracked me up!

Good news: He's not affraid of Sand anymore...we road through a bunch. He also did super on the trails through the rocks and sand! Even better, he had a smile on his face after he had an "epic" fall...caused dad to "pucker" abit! :uh: I could not be more proud or happy.

We will be back to check out the lake bed... we will likely go back to the trails up on the hill too. Looking forward to it.

Thanks again for your input...perhaps we'll see you out there sometime. I have a better idea of what the place is like... It was strange how the dust died down later in the day even tho the wind never really did... We got home really late too... I got the bright idea to head out to the 14 and then down from LA to Home... That was dumb...but I did missed that traffic on the 15 (devore?)... I won't take the 14 again :bang:

I have decided that I don't care much for riding amongst ATV's.

Great time :cool:

Ken

JWW · Nov 12, 2006

You drove right by us. We were parked right off the main road. White F150 with a CRF and YZ.

Glad you guys had fun

JWW · Nov 13, 2006

72 miles of tracks...long day but fun

knowiam · Nov 13, 2006

We may have passed you on the trail

I think we may have passed you two on the trail.... My boy and I had two riders wait on us as we slo-motor'd up the trail past them. I thought they were riding one red and one blue.

Great pictures... Does that satelite shot with the trail marked out indicate what you two rode? A download from a gps?
Very cool.

Over and out.

Ken

holeshot · Nov 13, 2006

I've brought my daughter to El Mirage since she was 7 (a good place to learn). I remember camping there once and trying to set up a tent in the wind - we eventually had some success. It looks like it was even worse this weekend

These days, we occasionally go to Mirage and ride the East trail and the lakebed. We trade off - sometimes she rides the 450 and I ride the 125. :whoa:

JWW · Nov 13, 2006

knowiam said:
Great pictures... Does that satelite shot with the trail marked out indicate what you two rode? A download from a gps?
Very cool.

Over and out.

Ken

Blue lines are the routes we rode. GPS uploaded over google earth.

knowiam · Nov 13, 2006

Sounds like good memories, Holeshot! Your girl must be a good bit older now to be riding the 450....

My boy wants us to go back with the entire crew and camp.... we'll see.

Ken

El Mirage Advice

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