Mojave to Barstow to Mojave

[Cabrito]

ha, looks awesome ... :thumbup:ride

Yeah this, looks like fun.

More pics!

 

[OaklandF4i]

Everyone is back, bikes and bodies in one piece. :thumbup

Fantastic three days of riding thanks in a big part to Drew laying tracks and Wiles making some minor adjustments. There would be little to no photo evidence of this trip had it not been for Rebekah.. and our bar tabs never would have gotten paid. Or at least not accurately. :laughing So if folks are wondering why she is missing from many of the pics I share, it's because she took them. :teeth I've some of her's to provide a flavor of the trip and resized them for barf's enjoyment.

On this trip were barf Baja regulars, Rebekah, Drew, Daniel, Bart, Scott A, Scott B, Wiles, and I. Ron, a desert newbie joined us.

Day 2 was ride in and out of Barstow. First order of business was a ride out to Calico Steps..... but not without a minor mechanical before reaching them. Drew's bike split a fuel line on his fuel injected FE350 somewhat short of the steps. No drama and folks got on it to fix the issue. Ron, our desert newbie was somewhat amazed that there was the material, tools, and know how to fix such issues on the trail for the group to continue on its way. The day before one of our bikes lost both nuts holding on the bike's header. Nuts were quickly scrounged from other bikes non essential parts and had us on our way again. These weren't the only or last mechanicals... but impressed our newbie Ron.

Speaking of being impressed... or not. Calico Steps, non event. So much of a non event, some one had to tell me we rode over them already I didn't even notice. :wow That said, I did pick a bad line and had to walk my bike two feet on one of the steps.... but we have all ridden up and over much taller and technical stuff elsewhere. The area did provide some fun free ride climbs.. some were more successful than others. Wiles was inspiring us.

I bailed out 1/2 way through the day so I'd be fresh for the big push on day three. Pre dinner drinks enjoyed in the happy hour suite (Daniels and I.) Then dinner and many more drinks were enjoyed at the Hotels fantastic Mexican restaurant that evening before a relatively early curfew.

 

[budman]

Good to hear great times were had and all are home safe.

Lucky fuckers. :jelly

 

[OaklandF4i]

Day 3 had us going anyway BUT directly to Mojave from Barstow. Drew laid some fantastic tracks for us to enjoy this day. From fast sandy two track, whoops... whoops... and more whoops, single track climbs up spines, sandy washes, and rocky trails. It had it all and was thoroughly enjoyed!

Big highlight was making it out to the Husky Memorial. A living memory of those who lived for motorcycles who pass on but are not forgotten.

After the memorial we found ourselves a bit ahead of schedule to reach Kramer Junction for a late lunch due to the good clip we had been traveling without mishaps. What do you do with some extra time? Sandy hill climbs, what else! Good climbs always make for some stories, smack talk, and even heckling. This one didn't disappoint. Some folks made it, some took multiple attempts, some didn't make it, some looped their bike, and some just watched and kept their dignity intact at the bottom of the hill. :ride

At the top we treated to amazing views of the desert and dry lake bed below. We weren't far from Bart's Broke Rack Mountain from last years trip. Some nice rocky track on top following the spine, good riding.

Our progress was quickly and abruptly halted when a rider went missing. Perplexing and slightly worrying as the group was not stretched out at this point, well within visual distance, feet mostly.

Most of the group decamped and a small subset went out with com's to find our missing rider. We hadn't gone even a mile from our climbing entertainment. Eventually the rider was found, but it took a bit of time. A short while later, it was communicated there was a mechanical too. Albeit a self inflicted mechanical by the same rider.

A tailbag and fuel bladder were not properly attached to a bike.. and the bladder had come loose, lodging itself firmly into the rear rotor and caliper of the bike. Some folks might think no big deal, just rotate wheel backwards and unwind what was stuck. No, nope, not even close. It was so jammed and wound in that the rear wheel, caliper, and rotor couldn't even be removed.

So as not to add too many cooks to the recipe, folks just relaxed, ate snacks, and I took a nap while a smaller group attacked the problem. After an hour an a half, there were rumblings, or should I say suggestions, of just burning the bladder off. Others of burning the bike and the rider at the stake, but thankfully for the rider there were no trees to stake him too. :laughing

Eventually it was all hands on deck, though Daniel (our lead technician on this project) shooed me away when I arrived with a large rock and lighter. :gsxrgrl Rotor, caliper, pads, and even the wheel were painstakingly cut clear..... 2.5 hours later.

So near Bart's Broke Rack Mountain is now..... Fuel Bladder Hill.

We were thrilled to be riding again and enjoyed some nicely spaced sandy whoops for a number of sections on our way to Kramer Junction. Thanks Drew! He knows I like both.

At our late 3:30 lunch in Kramer Junction, a wise decision was made to skip the last 48 miles of track back to Majave due to daylight worries and just ride 30 minutes down the pavement back to our trucks.

Daniel and I were treated to Drews DJ skills all the way back to the city. Just as impressive as his huge music collection was his encyclopedic memory of every lyric.. he sang along and it kept us awake, no complaints. Fantastic trip, thanks to all who made it. :thumbup

 

[OaklandF4i]

Here are just a smattering of the fantastic pics Rebekah took. CLOCKWISE from top left 1) Scott B, put your pants on. This is a family trip. 2) Husky Memorial. 3) Group not far from Calico Steps. 4) Unintentional nap. A little help... 5) Intentional nap.

 

[OaklandF4i]

Again, clockwise. 1) the mine we rode past last year without seeing in the fog 2) inside the mine, I believe Wiles 3) Baby Michael's box canyon 4) more canyon fun 5) Me taking a rest in Last Chance

 

[OaklandF4i]

same same 1) Scott A 2) Ron 3) Bart 4) Wiles 5) Daniel

 

[OaklandF4i]

same same 1) I look like moto model material :rofl 2) successful 3) maybe 4) nope

While I can clearly be seen swinging my arms in encouragement, I may have taken someone's mic and taunted those down below with the refrain of "Red Rover.... Red Rover.... send the next one over."

 

[OaklandF4i]

same same 1) where a fuel bladder should not be 2) patiently carving it out 3) nice shot 4) flowy single track 5) to sandy two track

 

[OaklandF4i]

And finally, the trip wouldn't haven't happened without Drew's knowledge and tracks. We wouldn't be able to share photos without Rebekah. They get a post all on their own.

 

[Motorcycle RN]

Some day 2 pix.
Lunch & White Claw, Somewhere near Barstow, Quick fix on Drew's bike, Ron, & The Crew -2

 

[Motorcycle RN]

Some Day 3 pix. Husky Memorial x 2, the Crew (Scott B, CJ, Daniel, Drew, Wiles, Bart, Scott A, Ron, & Rebekah), Rebekah & Ron, & CJ.

 

[Cabrito]

Looks like a lot of "awesome" happened...

 

[Spitfire44]

Great report. Thanks to everyone for contributing. I gotta make the next one.

 

[1962siia]

Thanks for posting the pics y'all! Thanks Reb for taking so many great pics. And thanks Drew for the great tracks! Looking forward to the next trip!

 

[rebekahlynn]

Nice write up CJ- thanks for uploading some of my pictures :ride

 

[ThumperX]

Thanks for sharing pictures!!! Looks awesome, I miss riding in the desert.

 

[budman]

Looks like a lot of "awesome" happened...

Totally.. enjoyed sharing a bit of it from far away!

So.. question. How many flats on a trip like this did you have to deal with??

 

[1962siia]

There were no flats on this trip. I rolled over some rusty barbed wire in some sand so was worried about it for a few mins but got lucky!

 

[budman]

That is awesome...! :thumbup