ADV/DS ride Lake Berryessa/Knoxville OHV/Rayhouse Rd.

[Iceman9r]

"This ride is shaping up to have the potential to be a Grade A Clusterfuck©. But yet, I'm perversely drawn to it like an offer of free admission to a midget muy thai match."

If you feel there is a problem we can ride on our own.....we where coming out there anyway.

 

[luckett]

If you feel there is a problem we can ride on our own.....we where coming out there anyway.

Chill hombre. You can do whatever you want to do. I'm not suggesting that anyone is not welcome and needs to do their own ride. I'm saying that it looks like there is going to be a big turnout and traveling in smaller groups will serve to create less problems with the ride. My preference is to ride with a smaller group to a farther meet point.

 

[Cabrito]

I'd be inclined to cross the GGB and head straight to the knoxville ohv area to keep the clusterfuckage to a minimum. 8am depart from the GGB north vista?

Maybe something like this route

Could do.

I'm sort of inclined to stick with the group since I've never met anyone, and don't know others riding styles. Plus it's so fun to watch the clusterfuck in action. Ever been on a doc Wong ride? No insult intended to Doc. I enjoy the doc Wong rides immensely.

What kind of bike do you ride? I’m on a KLR650 which means I don’t go so fast on the freeway usually 70-75 cruising speed otherwise I start burning even more oil…

I like the look of your route though.
I'm gonna send you a PM with my phone.

 

[seavoyage]

Chill hombre. You can do whatever you want to do. I'm not suggesting that anyone is not welcome and needs to do their own ride. I'm saying that it looks like there is going to be a big turnout and traveling in smaller groups will serve to create less problems with the ride. My preference is to ride with a smaller group to a farther meet point.

Chris,

On fairweather days, we often have over 30 riders show, but it never gets crowded.

We usually break up in groups of 3-5 riders based on type bikes (plated dirt bikes, thumpers, uberbeasts, 17" street tires, etc.) and rider skill. We then leave (in small groups), a la ISDT in 1 minute intervals. The thumpers usually lead on the slab with the uberbeasts catching up... reverse after CP2. http://advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18384997&postcount=3292

It's pretty laid back as everyone rides their pace and often do different tracks once up in Knoxville OHV: ADVs pretty much stick to the route. Dirt purist find the single tracks and get lost somewhere trying cross west to Napa. Inexperienced do a bit of dirt (CP2 to CP3) then head up to Lower Lake to strafe CA-29 back down.

Only courtesy is to help downed riders pick up their bikes; and keep a decent distance interval on 'technical sections' so you don't ram into someone else that bogs down or stops.

I bring up the rear with tools/tow strap/air/medical/radios/GPS, etc. No liability waivers signed on this ride... you're on your own (insurance).

No worries... I know what you meant...

Stiffler and Blue-8 will be on their DR650s

See you tomorrow.

 

[luckett]

I'm sort of inclined to stick with the group since I've never met anyone, and don't know others riding styles. Plus it's so fun to watch the clusterfuck in action. Ever been on a doc Wong ride? No insult intended to Doc. I enjoy the doc Wong rides immensely.

I want to ride and chat with the group also, but rolling out on fast paved twisties with a shuffled group of 30ish riders with unknown skills and a diverse mix of bikes is not my idea of fun.

We could go by posers and you could wait for the rest of the group there.

What kind of bike do you ride? I’m on a KLR650 which means I don’t go so fast on the freeway usually 70-75 cruising speed otherwise I start burning even more oil…

I'm on a DR650 so I'll be cruising at your speed.

 

[Blue-8]

Is this a bad time to tell you guys I found another two dr650 riders to join? See you guys 0845hrs at the start point.

 

[seavoyage]

Is this a bad time to tell you guys I found another two dr650 riders to join? See you guys 0845hrs at the start point.

Zack - Maybe this time the DRs will outnumber the KiLRs. Hope you don't cut it close and show as we pull out. Since you know the route, is it OK if you take point with the DRs. (Stiffler, luckett, etc.) Are Terry and Sean showing with KiLRs to guide Cabrito? Bill suggested we move from Sunday to Saturday.. so he better show!

Too bad Sid can't make it, but Leo can navigate for the KTM 950/990 Adventures; Dean won't be there, but a couple of riders are on plated dirt bikes...as usual. The Sac guys plan to link up at CP1 and know this area well, so no worries there.

I'm so tempted to take the DR (the smaller 33mm flatslide carb arrived today)... but nah ... it would be a cop out; riding the Tiger! Either way ridings (or kickstarting) is a (PT) bitch!

See you guys tomorrow.

 

[HIglesias]

Is there video of the tougher non advanced bike recommended stuff? Wondering if I should take the tiger through the gnarly stuff.

 

[seavoyage]

Is there video of the tougher non advanced bike recommended stuff? Wondering if I should take the tiger through the gnarly stuff.

Henry,

Each checkpoint leg is designed to be more difficult than the previous leg. You should be fine from Start through CP2. Watch first 2 videos on OP. Ride to Lower Camp (video #3: 7 minutes offroad) and you can decide if you prefer to return to the slab. It gets tougher but still ADVenture big bike friendly from CP3 to CP4.

The hardcore dirt guys usually break off to find single track after CP2.

For riders inexperienced in riding dirt or those new to riding 600 lbs >100HP bikes in dirt: here's a post between Rod and I from last months faceplant on this route: http://advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18193954&postcount=5

I'm posting this in hopes of learning something. I've got a little bit of dirt road experience, but consider myself a newbie to it.

This happened yesterday (3/10/12) eastbound on (unmaintained) Rayhouse Road / County Road 40, roughly 20 miles East of Lower Lake, CA, about 3 miles West of Hwy 16 from Cache Creek and 10 miles into the dirt ride from Morgan Valley Road. Most of this video is just to show the road conditions and my riding style. The incident itself is at 13:43 so you may wanna skip to that. I killed the audio for a bit at that point, due to unseemly language.

I think what happened is I hit a rock that upset the front wheel. Coulda been a lot worse if it happened in a different spot. Seems kinda bizarre to me 'cause the rocks are everywhere and I'd just survived 10 miles of them. How can I avoid this in the future? Might a fork brace have helped?


Anyway, here it is: http://youtu.be/D5J65EUVoSs?hd=1 [youtube]D5J65EUVoSs[/youtube]

rodr,

Glad you're OK; and Banjoboy got FZ6 dirt bike back home OK. I dump my top heavy uberbeast almost everytime I shift or put too much weight bias on my front. Here's what's helping me fix my problem:

• I'm trying not to let the bars upset the bike when they deflect off the rocks/ruts/loose surface: I keep my elbows up above the bar ends, and let the front bounce around and the handlebars move side to side. Watch video: http://youtu.be/BhCuN9rNyaE
• Grip the tank with your knees instead of holding on the handlebars. Point your toes inward, and keep the balls of your feet and not the arch on the pegs. You take your foot off the peg to shift/brake. Watch video: http://youtu.be/K7LJdCfLOqg Use your legs to stand up/shift weight and not your arms. I only hold my bars/throttle lightly with my thumb and index finger except when unweighting my front for an obstacle. Use your knees against the tank and not your arms to keep from pitching forward when decelerating or going downhill.
• Get your weight off the seat and onto the footpegs (lower the center of gravity) Watch video: http://youtu.be/DqivfG8g-gQ
• Let the bike move around under you.
• Weight the outside peg on the turns to maximize the tire contact patch by keeping the bike upright. Watch video http://youtu.be/vgkQmiTs-RM and note bike attitude and position of rear end on the bike. Helps to drop your tire pressure to mid or low 20's on a heavier ADV bike. Lifting your foot off the inside peg helps... I'm not too keen about sticking my leg out when turning a 600 lbs. bike in the dirt..Watch video: http://youtu.be/Z1D5_kDDNgM
• Avoid target fixation (don't spend all of your $10 on the ruts and rocks): Keep your head up and look to where you wan't to go, especially when turning.
• Maintain steady throttle, and ride friction zone. You don't want to upset the bike with sudden decelerations.
• Use the rear brake to 'square' the turn. Watch video and listen for the rear brake squeal: http://youtu.be/rijYSLjHOCM
• Use engine brake and very light (one finger) front brake to control downhill descents.
• Throttle through obstacles
• Most important: RELAX!

I'm not sure a fork brace will help... but engine guards, hand guards, and a bash plate will give you peace of mind.

Hope to see you on our next ride 4/7

 

[Banjoboy]

Eye may be down fer sum this. arty Prolly meet y'all 'round Turtle rock?

 

[luckett]

A couple of us are departing from GGB north vista parking area at 8am and making our way through sonoma/napa to 128. If anyone wants to join us, PM me so we know to expect you.

 

[Cabrito]

The KLR and I had a great ride today... 269 miles according the the GPS thingy...

Luckett - thanks for hanging back for me on the way up. Hope you had a good ride.

 

[seavoyage]

Thanks to everyone for coming out. Glad I was able to meet all y'all, and hope I can ride with y'all again next month.

Please post dirty pics , videos, feedback/criticisms.

Hope everyone got their moneys worth. Today looked like a KTM Adventure convention! Followed by Tigers and Huskys.
Seeing Icemanr9r 'Lucky Strike' Cagiva/Ducati Elefant made my day!

Luckett - thanks for hanging back for me on the way up. Hope you had a good ride.

luckett, saw you at Cache Creek hanging out with revnort (BMW thanks you for representing) and Banjoboy as I departed. Sorry we didn't get a chance to chat.

Pictures courtesy of JustPaul. http://justpaul.smugmug.com/Motorcy...-4-12/22328601_9cTv2H#!i=1784077172&k=QtCDG43

Photo taken at checkpoint 1 prior to the arrival of the Sacramento horde crew at 9:45AM! Waterbreak after 20 minutes of strafing CA-121?

Really?

Kelly and Matt (2-up on their KTM 990) taken by JustPaul and Jill (2-up on their KTM 990)

Paul and Jill (2-up on their KTM 990) taken by LittleWan and Matt (2-up on their KTM 990)

Photos courtesy of LittleWan: http://s1164.photobucket.com/albums/q573/dvdaze2012/April 7 Knoxville OHV Seavoyage/

Practicing our hydroplaning skills

Adam (GoNotShow) 2012 Super Tenere 1200

Leo_jb guiding our guests from out of town to the crossroads where he tore off his white front fender.

twolane's gorgeous Husky TE630 - Paulr111 brought a sibling Yeah, the KTM guys were ogling her

Olegs first day in the dirt!

Got ruts?

Got rocks?

Got hills?

Bartek990 showing us Americans how it's done by ADVriders from Poland!

 

[undertheoaks]

Well..........details c'mon I need them with pics.

 

[Banjoboy]

Thanx Drew, that wuz a blast! (I'm gonna be sore tomorrow.) I should have sum good pics; gotta develop the film though.

 

[Iceman9r]

Good day to ride. Nice to meet you Doc. Have to get you up here in the foot hills show you some of out trails.......snow pending of course.
Looks like every one got out fine with out to many problems.

Kurt J

 

[jimboFosho]

It was an awesome ride today! I was glad even a straggler could catch up. My pics and videos are being developed too

 

[seavoyage]

Good day to ride. Nice to meet you Doc. Have to get you up here in the foot hills show you some of out trails.......snow pending of course.
Looks like every one got out fine with out to many problems.

Kurt J

Kurt, I'll take you up on the invite. I do ride snow, so anytime is no problem... but probably ride the plated dirt bike to keep up with you guys... the Tiger is a beast to handle off-road! Please post pics of your Cagiva/Ducati Elefant.

It was an awesome ride today! I was glad even a straggler could catch up. My pics and videos are being developed too

Even with a late start (20-min. after KSU); helping pick up bikes, straighten Blue-8 DR650 front end, airing down/up tires (DRs, KiLRs, Tigers, Husky, F800GS); mingling with the Sacramento and Hayward brethren (XRs, DRs, KTMs, Cagiva Elefant); I'm just glad I made CP1 with 15 min. to spare; CP4 25-min. ahead of time; and met the straggler (jimboFosho)

Bike started with 120 miles, end of day the Tiger had over 410.
Thanks for the help Jim.
Had a blast! arty + some

btw, nice dirtbike Banjoboy!

Kyle - Interesting strategy to break in an new ADV bike.

Thanx Drew, that wuz a blast! (I'm gonna be sore tomorrow.) I should have sum good pics; gotta develop the film though.

Thanks to Banjoboy, energizer26, JustPaul (really just Jill), and LittleWan for taking the time to take and post pics; and to all the posers that posed on their rides. Looking for the videos of 'proof of life' or 'near death' a la Energizer26.

[YOUTUBE]8Oip_YGdw5A[/YOUTUBE]​

Too Easy?

Curt - Hope you ride with us next month (May 13th). We often get one or two GS/GSAs at the 2nd Sunday of the month ride, but they never come back. We only had Dan's F800GS this time.

The KTMs; Triumphs; V-Stroms; Thumpers (KLRs/DRs/XRs); and plated dirt bikes consistently return for more.

I wonder why the beemers don't come back? It's a nice ride. And it's not like the VStrom is more capable than a GS in the dirt... I'm surprised it's as popular with the thumpers as it is since there's a fair amount of pavement. Dirt freaks get all whiney when they have to touch any pavement.

 

[Blankpage]

The KLR and I had a great ride today... 269 miles according the the GPS thingy...

269 miles, I wish I could do half of that. KLR's must have a seat like a throne.

I rode 65 miles today and though I would have to stand all the way home.
KTM has taught me a new word: Coccydynia

 

[Banjoboy]

A feller on a yellow bike...

A feller on an orange bike...

a feller on a white bike...

And a feller on a red bike tear'in it up...

And my dirt bike