Central California Pashnit Adventure Riders Sign In

[2on2off]

Just curious how many Pashnit Adventure Riders there are in Central California.

After riding almost exclusively off-road for the past 16 years, with the occasional on-road ride, I have switched to "Adventure Riding", also known as "Dual Sport" riding, for the past year and have been having the time of my life.

I consider my "Dual Sport" bike to be my Honda XR650L as it will take me just about anywhere off road on tight single track trails. I usually haul it to where I want to ride and use the street legal aspect of the bike mainly to get on pavement when I need to connect to another trail. Over 200 miles a day on pavement usually wears me out but it is a kick to ride off-road.

I consider my BMW R1200GS Adventure to be my "Adventure" bike as I will ride it from my driveway and take it on 1,000 mile plus rides and don't think twice about riding it over 400 miles in a day and it does not wear me out even after 10 hours of riding. I have never owned a bike like this before. On my "Adventure" rides, I spend most of the time on pavement but don't hesitate to ride it on dirt roads I discover along the way or have planned to ride. It is great to not have to turn around when the pavement ends.

After owning the XR650L for one year, I have put 2,500 miles on it. After owning my BMW R1200GSA for 6 months I have already ridden it 6,000 miles. Even though I love to ride both bikes, it is clear to me I am much more of an "Adventure" rider than a "Dual Sport" rider based on how much I have ridden each bike and how I am defining and catagorizing them.

I would like to hear from you "Adventure" Pashnites out there. Post a picture of your bike and what kinds of rides you prefer. If you would like to join in a group ride in our area or somewhere else, let me know.

Here are some pictures of my bike and my riding buddy Ray's R1200GS on a recent ride we took to Death Valley. I have been learning which rides are best for Adventure bikes and which rides are for Dual Sport bikes and they are different.

[kluts]

Jim, I can't agree with you more about the rideability of the GS series bikes. I come from the opposite end of the spectrum, always a road rider until I got the GS and now I dabble more and more on dirt roads. I haven't done much single track riding, in fact none since the 70's.

I'm in North Central California but I can see myself puttering about in your backyard pretty soon. Loki, Gail, Jim, how bout a camping soiree somewhere near Beasore or Jackass Mdws in July???

(edit) Oh, yeah, the backside of the Sierras beckons too. Out of Bridgeport and Mammoth there's a lot to see and ride.

[Loki]

Originally Posted by kluts

Jim, I can't agree with you more about the rideability of the GS series bikes. I come from the opposite end of the spectrum, always a road rider until I got the GS and now I dabble more and more on dirt roads. I haven't done much single track riding, in fact none since the 70's.

I'm in North Central California but I can see myself puttering about in your backyard pretty soon. Loki, Gail, Jim, how bout a camping soiree somewhere near Beasore or Jackass Mdws in July???

(edit) Oh, yeah, the backside of the Sierras beckons too. Out of Bridgeport and Mammoth there's a lot to see and ride.

Sounds like a good idea. Are you organizing it? Here's a pic of my ride.

[2on2off]

Originally Posted by kluts

Jim, I can't agree with you more about the rideability of the GS series bikes. I come from the opposite end of the spectrum, always a road rider until I got the GS and now I dabble more and more on dirt roads. I haven't done much single track riding, in fact none since the 70's.

I'm in North Central California but I can see myself puttering about in your backyard pretty soon. Loki, Gail, Jim, how bout a camping soiree somewhere near Beasore or Jackass Mdws in July???

(edit) Oh, yeah, the backside of the Sierras beckons too. Out of Bridgeport and Mammoth there's a lot to see and ride.

Since the GS is BMW's all time most successful model, there has to be many GS and other Adventure Bike riders out there.

Gail, Ray and I have all taken our R1200GS's up to the top of Cattle Mountain at the North/East End of Bass Lake.

Mammoth is my favorite summer destination so far and Ray and I rode our GS's there and to the White Mountains three times last summer and are anxious to go back once most of the snow melts.

I have talked with numerous GS riders near Shaver Lake that have never taken their Adventure bikes off-road. What a shame but these bike are very fun to ride anywhere.

I have now been on several rides with Tom from Pacific Grove and his F650GS. He did an extended ride to the Grand Canyon last year that I hope to duplicate.

My other riding buddy Jim has a '93 GSPD that he has been having fun with:
Here is a pic of his bike:

[Loki]

His bike has a familiar looking exhaust system design.

[STrider]

I ride a Honda ST1300 when I tour or ride two-up, and a 650 Wee-Strom when I don't. I really haven't had much dirt experience, but would really love to explore some of the Forest Service roads in the Sierras this summer.

I'm the guy the other Jim bought the KLR from last year. We've worked in the same school district for many years.

[2on2off]

Originally Posted by STrider

I ride a Honda ST1300 when I tour or ride two-up, and a 650 Wee-Strom when I don't. I really haven't had much dirt experience, but would really love to explore some of the Forest Service roads in the Sierras this summer.

I'm the guy the other Jim bought the KLR from last year. We've worked in the same school district for many years.

Wait a minute....Which Jim again?

Loki = Jim
Kluts = Jim
2on2off = Jim
jimfix93675 = Jim

jimfix93675 bought two KLR650's last year and has since sold both. One he rode to Prudoe Bay Alaska last year. He is the one currently riding the R100GSPD. He has a few more bikes as well.

Why don't you join us with your wee strom on one of our rides. When people say wee strom, are they usually referring to the 650 model as opposed to the 1000?

[eye.surgeon]

I have GS envy, does that qualify me ? Seriously I am thinking about getting one as I look longingly at some of the torn up goat trails I pass by on my 'GT.

[the mad otter]

Define "Central California" and I'll attempt to answer that. Otherwise, with enough notice I can be just about anywhere for a ride. It would be nice to find a set of spoke wheels for it...but they're a bit spendy right now...And I just sunk a few dinero into wheels/tires for the 1100S.

[2on2off]

Originally Posted by the mad otter

Define "Central California" and I'll attempt to answer that. Otherwise, with enough notice I can be just about anywhere for a ride. It would be nice to find a set of spoke wheels for it...but they're a bit spendy right now...And I just sunk a few dinero into wheels/tires for the 1100S.

I wasn't actually thinking of any particular cut off point north or south but just thought it might be difficult for someone in San Diego to join a ride on short notice.

Scotts Valley qualifies as Central CA in my opinion and we might be riding one weekend in your neck of the woods and Death Valley the next.

Actually, it would be great for pashnit Adventure Riders to host a weekend or day ride in their own area that the rest of us could all ride to and have the local rider show us his or her favorite spots to ride. I know there are some good roads in your area.

My goal for the past several years has been to explore as much of Central California (I guess my borders have been: North to Lassen, West to the Ocean, South to LA and East to Death Valley) as I can before venturing out to other states simply because there is so much good riding right here. I love it that I can venture off my planned route and explore a road that looks interesting, like I did last Saturday on Pozo Road, even though it may turn to gravel, dirt, ruts etc and my Adventure bike will handle just about anything.

I guess you could call this area Central California but I'm not not nit picky about the boundaries: