I went to The Place

M

MelloYello

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Nov 22, 2002

280

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• May 1, 2003

• #1

Now, let me preface this report by saying I'm not that good of a rider. I think I'm a good rider, but I'm really not. But I like to ride challenging trails and that's where things can get a little tricky.

The Place is a "trail" that follows a usually-dry creekbed in a rocky canyon and supposedly, people have ridden their dirtbikes in there. I had seen the entrance once when placelast took me there last Christmas. It looked intimidating then, yet also a bit alluring.

So yesterday after work, my brother and I headed up to Gorman to do a little exploratory trail riding. We decided to check out The Place first while we were still fresh. The trail that lead to the creek was fun, if a little rocky, and soon the dirt turned to water. Low-hanging branches and small boulders impeded progress, but we made our way up slowly, oftentimes off our bikes.:confused:

Here's a pic of my brother struggling to find traction on a submerged rock:
http://groups.msn.com/JakesPicturePage/dirtbikes.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=205

This is only about a fraction of a mile in and we're already taking a break. It looks like my brother is taking a leak into the creek, but rest assured, he is not:
http://groups.msn.com/JakesPicturePage/dirtbikes.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=206

We got hung up on a couple of tallish rocks, but this section made us turn around:
http://groups.msn.com/JakesPicturePage/dirtbikes.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=207

It doesn't look like much (probably isn't to any good rider), but it's steeper and more abrupt in real life:). I wanted to keep going, but my brother wasn't having any of it. (At least, that's what I'll tell you guys) The sun was starting to set so I relented and we headed back. Though we covered just a few short tenths of miles;), it was a lot of fun and I intend to revisit The Place soon.

If any of you good riders have suggestions for conquering tough, rocky trails, I'm all ears. Better yet, let's go there and you can show me.:thumb:

 

Last edited: May 3, 2003

High Lord Gomer

Poked with Sticks

Sep 26, 1999

11,788

35

• May 2, 2003

• #2

Those are some great looking pictures!

What are those hard things you called "rocks"?

 

JWW

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Apr 13, 2000

2,527

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• May 2, 2003

• #3

Cool pics

Nice bike

 

P

Pvt Joker

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Apr 29, 2002

298

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• May 2, 2003

• #4

I gotta second the nice bike. :aj:

Another DRZ rider makes the switch?

 

GETMETOCA

Can't Wait For Tuesdays

Mar 17, 2002

4,765

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• May 2, 2003

• #5

Great pics, Jake! Nice bike, can I ride it? I figure between you and bratt, I'll get to try one out one of these days.

 

the Eel

~SPONSOR~

Sep 23, 2000

1,747

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• May 2, 2003

• #6

Awesome photos ... that's "the Place" alright ! Isn't that a blast !

 

MrLuckey

Fire Marshall Ed

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Feb 9, 2000

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• May 2, 2003

• #7

Very cool, my only question is "that place" this place?

Pic One
Pic Two
Pic Three
Pic Four



if it is I love 'that place' :)

 

the Eel

~SPONSOR~

Sep 23, 2000

1,747

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• May 2, 2003

• #8

Nope .. your pics are of Snowy Trail. Nice pics too.

The entrance to "The Place" is fairly close to the entrance for Tataviam Trail.

 

Farmer John

T.C.F.<br>(tire changin' fool)

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Mar 8, 2000

1,993

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• May 2, 2003

• #9

Cool pics!

I've been in there with placelast, Kiwi, Eel, & I think thumbs & MrLuckey. There were others there as well, but can't remember who. Only time I've ever rode at Gorman.

 

J

Jonala

~SPONSOR~

Sep 20, 2000

564

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• May 2, 2003

• #10

Jake,

Borrow a trials bike. That place looked neat. Then you can just hop over the rocks. :)

 

the Eel

~SPONSOR~

Sep 23, 2000

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• May 2, 2003

• #11

We went in pretty far one time but it was getting dark ... maybe someday soon we should a particularly brave group together and see how far in we can get ... wouldn't that be memorable ... au carnage !

 

Farmer John

T.C.F.<br>(tire changin' fool)

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Mar 8, 2000

1,993

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• May 2, 2003

• #12

Originally posted by the Eel
We went in pretty far one time but it was getting dark ... maybe someday soon we should a particularly brave group together and see how far in we can get ... wouldn't that be memorable ... au carnage !

Click to expand...

Set it up! :thumb:

 

GETMETOCA

Can't Wait For Tuesdays

Mar 17, 2002

4,765

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• May 2, 2003

• #13

Don't forget to bring your space blankets and flares. Have fun.

 

the Eel

~SPONSOR~

Sep 23, 2000

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• May 2, 2003

• #14

We went a ways past the area where you stopped ... that was one of the hardest spots to pass for sure - it almost stopped us too but we were gluttons for punishment that day ! Your front wheel was against the bottom of the incline in front of you and your rear wheel was practically against the bottom of the incline behind you ... and it was wet and muddy .... extremely difficult to get any momentum up the slope. We went about another 1/8 of a mile past that section ... the rocks got easier but the water got deeper ! We've got to go back !

 

N

NVR FNSH

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Oct 31, 2000

1,235

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• May 2, 2003

• #15

Originally posted by Farmer John


Set it up! :thumb:

Click to expand...

I'm game. Since I didn't get that job in Torrance my wife has taken a temp job with her old company and is moving to LA May 17th. I'll be going to LA every couple of weekends so if a bike just happens to be in the back of my truck I could be persuaded to stop at Gorman ;)

Brian

 

Farmer John

T.C.F.<br>(tire changin' fool)

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Mar 8, 2000

1,993

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• May 2, 2003

• #16

Originally posted by the Eel
We've got to go back !

Click to expand...

Again, Set it up! :thumb:

 

the Eel

~SPONSOR~

Sep 23, 2000

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• May 2, 2003

• #17

How about May 30th or 31st ? Saturday or Sunday ?

 

Farmer John

T.C.F.<br>(tire changin' fool)

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Mar 8, 2000

1,993

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• May 2, 2003

• #18

Originally posted by the Eel
How about May 30th or 31st ? Saturday or Sunday ?

Click to expand...

Both are good for me!

 

M

MelloYello

~SPONSOR~

Nov 22, 2002

280

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• May 2, 2003

• Thread starter
• #19

What, are you guys serious? You're gonna make me go back there? Awesome, let's do it.:thumb:
Eel, you know exactly where I was! Looking at the picture though, it looks like an XR50 could have gone up it.

Originally posted by Jonala
Borrow a trials bike.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer, John. So, you're bringing yours down at the end of May, right?:laugh:

You can ride my bike anytime, Natalie.

 

the Eel

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Sep 23, 2000

1,747

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• May 2, 2003

• #20

You're right .... it is much worse than the picture makes it look .. we had to get assists to get our bikes up it ... except for PlaceLast that is ... he wouldn't accept help and eventually got up it by himself !

 

JWW

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Apr 13, 2000

2,527

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• May 2, 2003

• #21

Is this a open call? I would like to give it a go.

How deep is the water? I sucked water in my bike twice last weekend at Deep Creek. It was at least knee high.

 

M

MelloYello

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Nov 22, 2002

280

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• May 2, 2003

• Thread starter
• #22

Jeff, the water's not that deep. Maybe a foot or two in spots? By the end of May, it should be even lower. You're a big enough guy that you should be able to manhandle your bike up there.:laugh:

Here's another pic. It's hard going out, too.
http://groups.msn.com/JakesPicturePage/dirtbikes.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=208

 

Last edited: May 3, 2003

the Eel

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Sep 23, 2000

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• May 2, 2003

• #23

Jeff ... of course you're in if you want in !

A big group would be ridiculous though ... what do you all think ?

 

JWW

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Apr 13, 2000

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• May 2, 2003

• #24

Let me know when the time comes. If you feel theres enough room I will come up.

 

a454elk

Mexicutioner

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Jun 5, 2001

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• May 2, 2003

• #25

Again, if there's room, I may take a drive up there to ride with you guys.;) Post the date in the SoCal forum and like Jeff said, if there isn't too many peeps, we might like to go.