Ocotillo Jan 4 or 5?

[nick414]

Dead computer don't ya know? Have to get a new one tomorrow I guess. I'd hoped it'd magically work when I got back, but NOOO!!!

Anyway, be prepared for some blue groove trails there right now. And if you can stand the run North to Tektonic and Arroyo Salada on Cut-Across, it'll take you a full (stock) tank of fuel to get over to the sea and back. Don't play around too much on the way, but a really good new loop for me. Come back via pole-line if you run low on fuel, and you can get to the Blew Inn pretty easily. Oh yeah, and the trails were crowded, but not where I just said.

Probably not gonna make it, but one lad's chomping at the bit since he just saw this, so who know's... my feet hurt. where's that pillow, if you don't want it?

 

[ktmboy]

Well, I was hoping to make this one, but I just spent $600.00 on my car! You boys have fun!

 

[holeshot]

Cell phone? I thought cell phones were for women. If I'm coming from the East on 78, then I'll make a right (north) to the staging area. Anyone coming from the West would turn left. Unless I've got the directions bass:moon:ackwards.

 

[JPIVEY]

By the sounds of this, it's a good thing some of us can't make it, at least there will be enough of us left to make a SCWC search party.

You guys have fun, be safe and watch out for drunks on quads

 

[desert_racer]

Holeshot... We are meeting at the Ranger station, which is on the Left as you come into Ocotilla Wells if you are coming east on the 78, at 7 and then will decide where to ride from.

 

[Tee]

Those maps are old. Get yourself a new paper one when we meet at the Ranger Station.
The legal riding area has expanded greatly. Both to the North (S22) and East.

Me and Desert_Racer tried to explore to the North, but the map seemed screwed up. Maybe it was us, who knows???

Tee

 

[holeshot]

Yeah, I'll go to the Ranger Station if I'm on time. I was just looking for a backup plan in case I'm late.

 

[desert_racer]

Don't be late because who knows where we will end up...... We will wait at the Ranger station for a little while to give everyone a chance to show up.

 

[Tee]

What a day...
Present were Desert_Racer, Tee, Tree, Elk, Elk Jr, Scar and Holeshot (eventually)
We met at the Ranger Station and we decided to follow Elk to his super secret hide-a-way. Upon arrival, I immediately got the mighty Dodge Cummins stuck in the sand. Something about 75psi, highway tread, 2wd and me dumb enough to find the only soft spot around. Being the intelligent folks that we are, we geared up and figured on digging out after the ride. We commenced doing donuts in Elk's secret spot and quickly got bored and headed out. A few miles of soft sand and my 200 was smok'n out the pipe with the engine off. Hmmm... Better check the jetting... Naw. We hit Pole Line road and head north to 78. I was running cleanup and darned if I don't see the funniest thing! Tree performed what I understand is a 'Fly Swatter'. We're cruising along, not too fast, when Tree's new 525 decided to buck him off. Quick as a blink, his front tire hit an off camber hard spot, Tree swats the ground hard. His 525 shoveled the road for another 30 feet or so and comes to rest with the throttle stuck. By the time I parked, Tree already had killed the engine and commenced trying to breath under some very banged up ribs. We found some shade and listened to the 4 stroke music fade into the distance as our riding buddies diligently did not look over their shoulders to see if we were still on. After a few minutes, we hear the return of our faithful buddies and investigate the road for the cause of the Tree fall.
After recovery, Tree decides to follow the road back to the trucks and the Elks head back to play near the trucks too. Desert_Racer, Scar and I head out. We cross 78 and head up Pole Line and who do we see parked, but Holeshot! We listen to his tale of being late and getting stuck, let him get geared up, minus boots, and head for Gas Domes. I decided it was my turn...
Rex hits a little crest in the road and down into a bowl of the softest, finest foot of Desert dust you could find. He was kind enough to gas the 520 and raise a cloud that could be seen for miles. Scar follows him in and adds to the visibility problem. OK, I'm next. I can't see, but who needs to see??? Over the lip and... washout and a tumble Dirt in my goggles, in my helmet, in my boots, up my @ss. You get the point. It sure was pillowy soft though.
No harm done and back in the saddle, off to gas domes. Boy, that trail has really gotten wasted.
We spend a few minutes there and head out to the well, back to Pole Line and then cross country all the way back to the trucks. That was the best part of the ride and was a blast.
Back at the trucks, Tree had downed 3 cans of medicine, but was moving real slow. He hadn't dug my truck out either. After some bike swapping, we started loading up and digging out.
Now here's the funniest thing. Keep in mind that Elk Jr was parked next to me in the soft sand. He smartly sets up the ramp and rides his RM up into the back of HIS truck. No problem. Elk is soon to follow. Baaahhhaaaa.
He lines up the faithful RM and heads for the ramp. Well with the sand being soft and all he give it a little gas while on the ramp. The ramp shoots out and yep, Elk should have installed a skid plate cuz he crashes down on Poor Jr's tail gate and pretty well wasted it!
Here's the pic -->

Sorry Elk, but it was pretty funny to see. Jr took it pretty good though.
After dropping 25psi in the tires and digging a little, the mighty Dodge was free. We loaded up and time to leave this possessed place.

As always, no matter how bad, it’s great to get out riding with you guys.

Till next time,
Tee

 

[desert_racer]

Since the link doesn't work...

 

[jboomer]

Ouch! Cased it on a tailgate! Seen it happen once, funny and sickening at the same time!

 

[holeshot]

I left at about 4:45 AM with a tune going through my head - "Ocotillo by morrrrning...." :eek:. This seemed inhumanly early for someone that's been vacationing for two weeks.

As I neared my destination, it became apparent that I misjudged the mileage - ETA was about 7:25, but I missed the turnoff (my map is old and misleading) and almost went all the way to Brawley. I turned back and made it to the Ranger station at 8 AM and then headed out to Pole Line Rd, on the slim chance that SCWC had staged there.

Pole Line Rd was a little bit gnarly for a Sentra pulling a trailer, so (you guessed it) I got stuck while taking a little sand detour. I unloaded the bike, a unhooked the trailer in hopes of moving the trailer by hand, and I then got the car out and moved about 50 ft and (you guessed it), I got the car stuck again. Now I had both things stuck in separate locations, so I began digging the sand out from under my car. It was beginning to look like the Ocotillo Trip From Hell, when a nice lady came along and towed my car out. :o

It was now about 10 AM, and I was finally getting ready to ride, when along came Scar, Desert Pacer and Tee. They had staged about 10? miles away at ELKSSS (Elks Secret Spot) - small world. ;)

The riding from there made the trip worthwhile, especially the area around ELKSSS. The SCWC left at about 11:30 because they were pooped (they'd been riding for at least 2 hours longer than I had), but I kept riding until about 3 PM. Maybe the Supercross race had some leaving early.

Ocotillo is at least 150 miles from Riverside, but the occasional (no more than once a year) trip is worth it.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mark the location of ELKSSS on my GPS. Dang.

One more update: Thanks to Tree for letting me take a spin on his new 525 EXC - that magic button is great. I may become an orange convert yet.

 

[a454elk]

"This is how it's done son". I figure since my front tire is over the tailgate, the rest will follow, NOT. Lost the ramp, lost footing, thankfully the tailgate broke my fall. Saved the bike, didn't fall over but saw Jr's expression as his tailgate buckled under the pressure. OOOPS!

:scream: BAAAAWWWWWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! :)

Dang, I always miss the good stuff. :confused: Elk, your' lucky Jr gave you a ride home. I know how fond he is of that truck. :eek:

 

[Ol'89r]

Carlo.

Sorry, I messed up your post. I was laughing so hard, I hit 'Edit' instead of 'Quote'.

PFFFFTTTTTT! :confused: :) :)

 

[desert_racer]

Damn not only are you tired but now your blind too. I think your getting senile......

 

[a454elk]

Dang 89er!!:|:|:moon:

 

[Ol'89r]

Originally posted by desert_racer
Damn not only are you tired but now your blind too. I think your getting senile......

Hey desert_pansy, go back to work! :moon: :)

 

[desert_racer]

I'm so damn bored I'm about to pull the little hair I have left out..... God I need a new job....

 

[scar tissue]

Great fun.

Rex thanks for the lodging and thank Austin for the 130AM wake up call :uh: I hope he's feeling better. Ridign was alot of fun. especially the trip back from Gas domes acroos the desert blazing trail. The new suspesion was great- perfect for that.

My new trail tech computer registered we rode 84 miles with a top speed of 129 MPH!!! :worship:

This ride was definately worth the trip, especially leaving from Temecula. Leaving at 345Am from OC might have given me a little deferent perspective.

It's good to see every one as always. :thumb:

 

[oldandslo]

Sounds like you guys had a good ride. Wish I could have made it.

Scar, 129 mph or kph. That bike of yours is Canadian. Thats still to fast for me.

 

[desert_racer]

Originally posted by oldandslo
Scar, 129 mph or kph. That bike of yours is Canadian. Thats still to fast for me.

He's set his computer up with the wheel size cut in half or something so he could tell all of his non riding buddies he was a bad :moon:.

We all know the real truth.... :flame:

 

[MrLuckey]

Hehehe - call me a treehugger and go around making 129 mph claims......Uhhhh WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??? Were you in 8th or 9th gear?

Geez Elfster someone is kind enough to let you ride in their vehicle and you trash it for them :|

 

[a454elk]

It's really in my name so I guess I trashed my own truck!:scream: WHAT WAS HE THINKIN LETTIN ME LOAD MY OWN BIKE! He usually loads everything for me cause he doesn't want me scratching his beauty. I can't even stand in the bed of it for cryin out loud! When I sit inside, he won't let me roll down the window, change the radio station or put the air on. I usually get him to roll down the window cause the night before I fill up on chili and hot peppers and cabbage and brocolli!

 

[desert_racer]

Originally posted by TTRGuy
Hehehe - call me a treehugger and go around making 129 mph claims......Uhhhh WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??? Were you in 8th or 9th gear?

I called you a treehugger but it's scar that's claming to ride around at 129 mph. Of course he also said that he spanked Bundy at Dirt Week but who am I to argue..... :scream:

 

[MrLuckey]

HA, if Scar spanked Bundy at DW he must have snuck in his tent at night :confused:

I guess I'll have to take Rex off my ignore list more often so I get the name calling right :)