Barstow, CA. Riding suggestions wanted!

[CasualSteve]

Looks like I'm going to be staying near Barstow for the next 5 months due to work. Does anyone have any insight on some good riding roads out there? I am considering picking up a dirtbike as well so if you have any dirt suggestions please post those up too. :ride

 

[berth]

If you look "south/southwest", there's this big mountain thing.

It happens to have a secret road nobody knows about called "Angeles Crest Highway". It's about 60 miles away. Look for a small hamlet named Wrightwood.

Due south is Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead.

Northwest is Lake Isabella, but it's about 2.5hr one way to get there.

Northeast is Death Valley. In Death Valley, it doesn't matter that the road is straight -- it's Death Valley, and that's a quality all it's own.

And, yea, if you can get a dual sport, well, then you can get yourself in to all sorts of trouble.

Yea, it's desert, but it's centrally located desert. You may not be right next door to stuff, but you're close, especially for day trips or overnights, to some just amazing stuff.

 

[DataDan]

Barstow is 50mi From Cajon Pass. From there take SR-138 west into the San Gabriel Mountains, Angeles Crest Highway, etc. Take 138 east into the San Bernardino Mountains, Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, etc.

5 months from now you'll bump up against winter, but for now great riding, IMHO. It is a long ride to get there, though.

 

[HeatXfer]

Barstow is 50mi From Cajon Pass. From there take SR-138 west into the San Gabriel Mountains, Angeles Crest Highway, etc. Take 138 east into the San Bernardino Mountains, Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, etc.

5 months from now you'll bump up against winter, but for now great riding, IMHO. It is a long ride to get there, though.

:thumbup

Oh, and don't drink the water.

 

[Kalvin00]

It happens to have a secret road nobody knows about called "Angeles Crest Highway". It's about 60 miles away. Look for a small hamlet named Wrightwood.

I know about it... what a dreamy road.

 

[WWWobble]

Looks like I'm going to be staying near Barstow for the next 5 months due to work. Does anyone have any insight on some good riding roads out there? I am considering picking up a dirtbike as well so if you have any dirt suggestions please post those up too. :ride

And if you get thirsty / hungry after all those hot desert rides, there's a pretty good restaurant, edge of town, on Old Hwy 58.

https://www.theidlespurs.com

 

[berth]

It is a long ride to get there, though.

I live in Orange County, and he's probably closer than I am, especially in terms of riding time, plus he doesn't have to take the 5 to get there.

Heck, it takes me a 1/2hr just to get down to Ortega, even longer to get down to the San Diego roads.

He just has a simple desert burn.

Only dark side for him is he's on the short end when they close it in the winter/early spring. But he should be gone by then, so not a real issue.

 

[ateamer]

Route 66. It’s a quick ride to the best part, between Kingman and Ash Fork, Arizona.

 

[CDONA]

In order to get the full measure available, Newberry Springs, Amboy loop in Ca.
Start Az. 66 just after the Colorado river in Topock, to get Oatman and Sitgreaves pass on the way to Kingman.

 

[DataDan]

Route 66. It’s a quick ride to the best part, between Kingman and Ash Fork, Arizona.

If only there were some catchy way to remember all those towns. Oh, wait...


youtu.be/e6-hASbawdc


Another thing to do while you're stuck in Barstow is to visit the Mojave Airport. Good coffee shop with a view to the runway. Years ago in my SoCal days, this was one of my go-to spots for weekend breakfast to hang out and look at airplanes (along with Chino, Flabob, and Meadowlark). Not coincidentally, I would usually run into fellow motorcyclists at these spots.

With all the billionaires and their billion-dollar projects, Mojave has probably changed for the worse. But you used to be able to walk around unimpeded and check out some very interesting aircraft and projects.

 

[dravnx]

Try Caliente-Bodfish Rd to Lake Isabella to 178 loop. If you ever get to do this loop, make sure to thank me.

 

[CasualSteve]

Thank you everyone, I have some homework to do now and routes to plan. Having a 70mi range on the tank should make this interesting :teeth

 

[CasualSteve]

Try Caliente-Bodfish Rd to Lake Isabella to 178 loop. If you ever get to do this loop, make sure to thank me.

Caliente-Bodfish looks a lot like Del Puerto Canyon road :cool

 

[berth]

Having a 70mi range on the tank should make this interesting :teeth

Wait, what?

Well, there's gas in Wrightwood.

 

[CalBergenser]

Try Caliente-Bodfish Rd to Lake Isabella to 178 loop. If you ever get to do this loop, make sure to thank me.

I second this suggestion! Great road.
Strap a 1 gallon gas can to the back of your bike though. Gas stations are far between anywhere in that area.

 

[motomania2007]

Stoddard Valley OHV area immediately south of town is a lot of fun off road.

More great OHV riding north of there around Randsburg.

Road riding is pretty boring until you get to the mountains about an hour south of there.