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

[Titus58]

Oh man, I saw a 1090 go by and a bike or two were not far behind when I was unloading my bike and gearing up at the abandoned gas station at 121/128. I was maybe 10 minutes behind I had fun, but bummed I wasted so much fuel and had to turn back at the end of that jeep trail. I need a bigger tank! Glad you guys had a good time and looking forward to the pics.

Hi Matty,

Ditto, sorry we missed you; it's been so long since I did this ride, didn't think to stop and look for additional riders at the 121/128; I did glance around, but obviously missed you -- mostly I noticed how pretty much everything is closed up and looking pretty run down.

FYI for future rides, post up where you're going to be and folks will know to stop and find you:thumbup Also, there is a park at the far end of the lake (currently closed b/c of the fires/COVID) called Eticuera Creek Day Use Area; it's a great location to park and unload your bike and is quite a bit closer to both Knoxville and Reif-Rayhouse; my guess is you could do the full dirt loop on one tank of gas.

Glad you had a good ride anyways; it was a great day and thank goodness not too hot to be out riding the dirt!


T

 

[bananachunks]

Well that was a great trip - thank you for having me! Huge thanks to everyone that went and made it fantastic!

Pics from my solo trip two weekends ago:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PpVW57eqWTJx5Kx36

Pics from this last weekend's group ride/camp:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pQ1cNHU3L6JaQyvv7

It's crazy how much difference two weeks make for the water level. Solo weekend. Group weekend.

I always enjoy seeing what others bring and how they pack - it's a never-ending learning process. I also live vicariously through others in that way. At most, I'll boil water to rehydrate an actual meal, but even that is usually more than I'm willing to put in the effort for, opting instead for the always quick/easy/tasty of beef sticks and GORP. I was amazed when the cast irons were pulled out and the steaks, sausages, and veggies were sizzling up just so. And the crescent rolls and cinnamon rolls were an extra treat.

There was fishing - successful, as far as I'm concerned - it's not called "Catching", after all.

I got to ride a GSA1250 (FULLY loaded) for the first time on some silty uphill. I could barely get it off the sidestand! Once it got going it was surprisingly awesome!

Craig and I did do a quick check for the DirtNapper on the way back. I didn't realize the point where it was pulled out was so far in - three miles. We checked the next one mile for it. That one mile is definitely a good candidate for where the DirtNapper may have made its escape with the stretch's rocks and steepness. Unfortunately, if it bounced/rolled off-trail (how did the three of us not see it while riding behind him?), off-trail was pretty much straight down.

We then made a very spirited romp through the twisties back to 80, and finally, home.

Such a great weekend - thanks everyone!

Smiles all weekend.

SFMCJohn being awesome!

First time using my hammock in two years.

Meat heaven!

(most forums don't seem to like linking to Google Photos - if the last 4 images don't show, they are in the Pt2 album linked to above)

 

[1962siia]

Great pics! Nice to meet you and ride out to the camp ground! thanks for posting the pics!

 

[cwanger2000]

I had a great time, thanks for all the pictures and I hope to be able to do this ride more often. George the photos of you guys going up on Saturday looked ominous with the clouds. If it would have rained it would have been very hard to get back up. Nice seeing everybody and riding till next time

 

[matty]

Hi Matty,


FYI for future rides, post up where you're going to be and folks will know to stop and find you:thumbup Also, there is a park at the far end of the lake (currently closed b/c of the fires/COVID) called Eticuera Creek Day Use Area; it's a great location to park and unload your bike and is quite a bit closer to both Knoxville and Reif-Rayhouse; my guess is you could do the full dirt loop on one tank of gas.


T

:thumbup I had been planning to make it, but knew my plans could thwarted at the last second, so I didn't post up. I did notice some dirt pull outs that didn't have a no parking sign and folks were parked there fishing. So that's an option too.

And bananachunks, nice pictures and those videos in and out of Buck Island gave me a good idea of what to expect next time. After seeing those pics of napping bikes earlier, I started thinking Uh oh, this might be more than I can handle, but I think I could duck walk it through if the going gets tough.

 

[SFMCjohn]

I always enjoy seeing what others bring and how they pack - it's a never-ending learning process.

Cincinnatus would admit to being our official n00b, and don't think he even saw any of the BARF threads ... he certainly motivated me to find my fishing pole and cast iron, and also taught me something about perseverance and keeping a wonderful attitude when things get a bit dicey. So a big +1 from me about being able to learn something on every ride ... :thumbup

I got to ride a GSA1250 (FULLY loaded) for the first time on some silty uphill. I could barely get it off the sidestand! Once it got going it was surprisingly awesome!

you're a better man than me, it was scary just looking at where that mighty GS needed to get going again ...
missed the pic opportunity with you on the "FULLY loaded" BMW ... :laughingarty

thanks for posting the cool pics and vids, and see you on the way to work. :angel

 

[Cincinnatus]

Aw, shucks, 'tweren't nuthin... :teeth

Once I fell the first time and broke my ankle around noon on Saturday, I figured nothing else could happen that weekend that was more damaging.... arty :laughing

Pride & ego weren't on the menu, so I figured I'd grit my teeth and have at it.

I had a great time, thanks to all for putting up with my groaning & whimpering, etc. :thumbup

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Ouch, is all I have to add.

 

[SFMCjohn]

Ouch, is all I have to add.

+1, dang Cincinnatus, you are a better man than me ... :thumbup:hail

you rode on with us over some gnarly stuff for another two days! without a groan or whimper, that I heard. I'd still be lying by my bike, complaining, if it were me ...

you even gritted your teeth and did some fishing with your broken ankle ... :laughing:gsxrgrl

 

[ThumperX]

Ouch!

 

[1962siia]

Oh man that really sucks! Heal up!!

 

[1962siia]

Oh man that really sucks! Heal up!!

 

[matty]

Ouch! Hardcore to keep riding for a couple of days after that happened. More grit than I have.

 

[Cincinnatus]

Folks, it was just pain. I wasn't bleeding, it didn't swell up, it wasn't a compound/open fracture, it just hurt. I was able to ride and control the bike, although not as well as I wanted to.

Take a few ibuprofen, done. Easy-peasy.

 

[cwanger2000]

Oh man, adventure riding > pain. I had no idea you were hurting

 

[Cincinnatus]

Guys, chill. :laughing:thumbup

I'm good, everything's fine. I appreciate the concern, now get back to riding & camping stuff.

 

[johnkol]

I went on Rd41 this Sunday, and found this:

Is the road really washed out that much that not even a bike can go through? Given that the raining season has not started yet, I presume this sign must have been there for almost a year.

 

[GB500guy]

I went on Rd41 this Sunday, and found this:

Is the road really washed out that much that not even a bike can go through? Given that the raining season has not started yet, I presume this sign must have been there for almost a year.

That gate went up after the really wet spring of 2018, not sure how bad it is. I was tempted to go around the right side where that concrete pillar is leaned over, but decided not to.

-Bill

 

[Cabrito]

I went on Rd41 this Sunday, and found this:

Is the road really washed out that much that not even a bike can go through? Given that the raining season has not started yet, I presume this sign must have been there for almost a year.

Can you tell us where exactly this is? We were up there last month and I didn't see any closed gates.

 

[GB500guy]

Can you tell us where exactly this is? We were up there last month and I didn't see any closed gates.

About 1/4 mile past this spot:
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.9030853,-122.2426216,3a,75y,334.56h,77.11t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1skChvKBWjSiYAxSa3L_lxjQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DkChvKBWjSiYAxSa3L_lxjQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D139.87877%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&authuser=0