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LA B2V, then SoCal BDR?

AufRoad

New member
Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Location
Concord, CA
Moto(s)
2006 KTM 950 ADV, 2014 KTM 690 Enduro R
Name
Mike M.
Hey guys, I don't post much, sorry about that.
But I am looking at doing the LAB2V this year and was then looking at possibly dropping down to Yuma (300 miles) and starting the BDR route right after.

I don't mind riding the B2V solo, but I don't want to ride alone on the BDR.
Does anyone else have the same plans?

LAB2V is November 25 and 26 and is hotel to hotel to hotel.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-barstow-vegas-2022-registration-377978292247

CABDR starts in Yuma and ends in Benton. Typically takes 6 to 7 days.
It can be done in motels but I prefer to camp.

https://ridebdr.com/cabdr-south/

I'd be riding my fully prepped 690. Is anyone interested?
 
Has anyone done the B2V? Think it's appropriate for someone on a mid-weight "adv" bike with few dirt skills? I know they have more challenging routes, I would be only interested in the least challenging route that isnt' just running along the highway.
 
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I actually competed in a few of the original B2V races back in the '80s.
I raced a big Honda XR500 and a YZ250.

The typical LAB2V route covers much of the same routes we did back in the day.

This would be a 1st time for me doing this "dual sport" ride but I've seen plenty of videos of big bikes doing it just fine. Yes, most of the riders are going to be on 350s and 500s but I've seen plenty of 1250 BMW's and big KTMs too.

I think it all comes down to the rider's skills.
 
I actually competed in a few of the original B2V races back in the '80s.
I raced a big Honda XR500 and a YZ250.

The typical LAB2V route covers much of the same routes we did back in the day.

This would be a 1st time for me doing this "dual sport" ride but I've seen plenty of videos of big bikes doing it just fine. Yes, most of the riders are going to be on 350s and 500s but I've seen plenty of 1250 BMW's and big KTMs too.

I think it all comes down to the rider's skills.

totally agree ... :thumbup

love your idea of tying the two routes together ... it would definitely take me at least two days to do the LAB2V portion, though. :facepalm:laughing
 
it would definitely take me at least two days to do the LAB2V portion, though. :facepalm:laughing

It takes everyone 2 days, so at least you have that going for you!
Plus, there's a hot shower and motel bed at the end of each night, so there's that too!
 
It takes everyone 2 days, so at least you have that going for you!
Plus, there's a hot shower and motel bed at the end of each night, so there's that too!

you're correct, of course, I was thinking it would def take me two days to get from Barstow to Vegas ... :laughing:facepalm

besides the hotels, it will be nice that they're taking some of your luggage to Barstow and on to Vegas, too. :ride
 
The LAB2V is not a beginner dual sport event. You should be an accomplished desert rider on the machine you decide to take. The route is long and if you can't pound out the miles it'll get dark and you'll have to bail out.

If you ask me it's backwards you want to have a buddy for LAB2V. For the BDR going solo is ok. The LAB2V you have to ride it like it is almost like a race or you won't finish at the end of the day, the BDR is chill you go at the pace you want to go.

Another suggestion is to do the NVBDR. It starts in Oatman, AZ which is close to Las Vegas and it sort of parallels the CABDR around the Death Valley area.
 
The LAB2V is not a beginner dual sport event. You should be an accomplished desert rider on the machine you decide to take. The route is long and if you can't pound out the miles it'll get dark and you'll have to bail out.

If you ask me it's backwards you want to have a buddy for LAB2V. For the BDR going solo is ok. The LAB2V you have to ride it like it is almost like a race or you won't finish at the end of the day, the BDR is chill you go at the pace you want to go.

Another suggestion is to do the NVBDR. It starts in Oatman, AZ which is close to Las Vegas and it sort of parallels the CABDR around the Death Valley area.

Thanks dude! I appreciate the response.
I watched your video that was mentioned above. I've been down that hill a few times. It's a confidence test, eh?

There's such a wide range of rider's and skill levels out there and it's hard to know anyone's riding skills so I'm always a bit apprehensive on giving or receiving guidance.

A bit about me, and I don't want this to come off like a brag in any way.
I'm 62 but I like to think I'm a 'young 62'.
I ride a mountain bike daily up and around Mt. Diablo, race MTB downhill and enduros in local events on it as well. Did the Davis Double Century in 2020 on my road bike. I'm not a triathlete or crossfitter for sure but I'm not ready for a cane or walker either. :laughing

I did lose a lung mountaineering back in '96. High altitude pulmonary edema. We had done all the western states highest points and CA was last. Mt. Whitney is a "walk up", but we were trying to climb the face and well, things happen.

Roadraced AFM and AMA back in the early '80s.
CanAm 160, RZ350 and V45 Interceptor.
(I was actually one of the 1st road racers to ever be sponsored by this small company called CycleGear - I think that was around 1982). :afm199

Raced hare scrambles and desert raced in the late '80's, including the original B2V for many years.

So personally, I have some skills and confidence in riding.
That said, I've also slowed way down. I do a lot of ADV stuff just because I know crashing is going to hurt.

As for the bike - my 690 is pretty much fully kitted out for what I want to do.
https://aufroad.com/category/bikes/ktm-690/
I could do it with my 950 too - as it's set up for baja riding - oh hey I saw you did Yosemite Family Adventures too. I did that on my 950 a few years ago. It was a dust bowl in some places - way too many riders in dusty conditions.

Finishing LAB2V: Yeah I get it. I watched a lot of lonleypawn videos from years back. I'll probably mount up a motominded dual LED headlight (https://www.motominded.com/collections/ktm-2008-2012-18-690/products/ktm-690-2008-2012-2018) for the ride. It's also about minimizing the stops. Just keep up a good pace and keep riding.

As for the BDR part, I've ridden a bunch of NV, none of CA.
I also politely disagree with your suggesting it's backwards, here's my thoughts...

On the LAB2V, there's a bunch of sag guys and AMA isn't going to leave anyone out on course if they can help it. Fellow riders are also going to be coming along on a regular basis and if you are having issues a rider will always stop and help - in your video above both actually happened! Oh and there were a few 690s with you at the top.

On the BDR, riders are fewer and far between. I do like the peaceful tranquility of riding alone, but it's always safer with 2 or 3. It's the buddy system and mountaineer in me. Skills aside, bike quality aside, it's always a possibility that something can go wrong and when it does, a buddy can save the day or ride. On the BDR, yes anyone passing is going to stop and help but that might take a while.

I do ride alone sometimes. Last year I did a bunch in the Sierras and even saw you guys ride by on a annual DS ride https://aufroad.com/hwy-50-to-80-part-2-henness-pass-rd-return/

I always ride with a satellite device. I use to ride with a SPOT but now it's an Inreach mini with full tracking on. It's been a game changer for my wife back at home.

Once again, thanks for the response. I see in your channel that you are getting out there and riding and that's just awesome!

I do hope I can find someone who wants to do this. I know it's a lot of time off and a lot of riding.
We shall see.
 
Holy crap! I wrote a ton!

My-Planned-Route.png

looks like you ride a bit, too ... :laughing:thumbup

it's fun to think about the dual-sport-rally/BDR/groups vs solo stuff ... :ride

a foundation of racing in the dirt is probably a quantum leap in moto skill that never really goes away--I doubt I could ride much anymore with Mr HO, considering all the racing he's been doing the last few years.

Mr OaklandF4i and Mr 1962siia used to take a BARF group to Baja every year for six years in a row, and the few times I went I didn't even try to ride with the racer/ex-racer/plated dirt-bike KTM guys--was just all like "see ya there!" and would get up early to bump and grind my way to where ever we were going next on my loaded-for-camping KLR at an average speed of 20mph. :clown

love your Wordpress site, I was lucky enough to choose Wordpress back in the day. need to have my wife upload the latest WP app to my fancy new smartphone, I've not been posting pics to my WP sites recently because things got wonky ...
 
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looks like you ride a bit, too ... :laughing:thumbup

it's fun to think about the dual-sport-rally/BDR/groups vs solo stuff ... :ride

a foundation in racing in the dirt is probably a quantum leap that never really goes away--I doubt I could ride much anymore with Mr HO, considering all the racing he's been doing the last few years.

Mr Oaklandf4i and Mr 1962siia used to take a BARF group to Baja every year for six years in a row, and the few times I went I didn't even try to ride with the ex-racer/plated dirt-bike guys, was just all like "see ya there!" and would get up early to bump and grind my way to where ever we were going next on my loaded-for-camping KLR at an average speed of 20mph. :clown

love your Wordpress site, I was lucky enough to choose Wordpress back in the day. need to have my wife upload the latest WP app to my fancy new smartphone, I've not been posting pics to my WP site recently because things got wonky ...

Thanks John! Hey, since you grabbed that pic, what is the annual DS ride that goes by Uncle Toms Cabin? Not sure where they ultimately go but I was taking a break and waved as 20+ bikes went by. I'm pretty sure that was a BARF ride.

barf-ride.png


As for WP - It's what I do for business.
If you ever need any help, you now know a WP developer! :)

Back in the day I started with a company called Pyra Labs. Matt (WordPress was there too and decided to fork off of that and created WP).
 
yes, hearing about a possible 20-bike BARF adventure/dual-sport ride was why I went and checked out your Wordpress link, that would be something I'd like to have seen--we here on BARF seldom ever get an adventure/dual-sport ride together that's anywhere near 20 bikes ... :angel

I was up at the annual BARF HoHo Weaverville rally the end of July/beginning of August 2021, myself.

hopefully, someone here will chime in about being near Uncle Tom's Cabin bar last year around late July early August, 2021 ... :ride
 
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