Uno Sport - Stonyford

[m0t0-ryder]

Did a dirt ride at Stonyford this last weekend (12/9-11/2005).

I took the lights and license plate off the KTM to enjoy a weekend of pure dirt riding. (thus the "Uno Sport" title, in the Dual Sport folder)

This was a group ride with the SouthBayRiders (SBR) forum dirt bike group.

Thought you folks might like a peek at some of the riding available at Stonyford.

The camping was fun as well.
Even though it got down to about 29 degrees each night.

Here's my pics from the ride.

[Norbert Noguz]

Nice pics. Stonyford is going to be my new learning ground. Sticking to easy stuff now (heck, I'm only 54) but going to learn how to climb some of the hills there, and come down them too.

Looks like a LOT of fun. Thanks. Got to get me a real dirt bike. Thinking about an XR250R to learn on.

[exwingnut]

Nice report, John...it looks like I could have fallen on my a** all over the place on that ride.

Gonna have to start looking for a dirtbike, I guess...can't miss out on the fun!

Steve

[m0t0-ryder]

Originally Posted by exwingnut

Nice report, John...it looks like I could have fallen on my a** all over the place on that ride.

Gonna have to start looking for a dirtbike, I guess...can't miss out on the fun!

Steve

Funny you should mention that Steve.
(riding the GS at Stonyford, that is)

There is a 300 mile Dual Sport ride that starts and ends at Stonyford each year.

It's called the Sheetiron 300 and is put on by the Oakland Motorcycle Club.

I've done it the last two years (on my KTM).
It has been a BLAST!

It is a dual sport in that there are probably about 25-35 miles of road which requires a license plate (and other road requirements).

The ride goes from Stonyford to Fort Bragg on Saturday (about 150 miles) then Fort Bragg back to Stonyford on Sunday. (again, about 150 miles... different route)

The overnight accomodations and meals at Fort Bragg are up to the individual to arrange.
Can be motel, B&B or camping.
They do run a sag truck to carry your camping or other gear to (and from) Fort Bragg.

There are "easy" and "hard" routes.
Quite a few GS'es sign up and take the easy route's.
So do the KTM 900's.
Even if you take the hard routes they frequently have bail-outs to easy paths if you don't think you can make the hard route.

They have not (yet) put up info on the 2006 Sheetiron.
I will try to post up here when the event is posted for entries.
It's usually the 2'nd or 3'rd week in April.

[motorrad]

Originally Posted by m0t0-ryder

They have not (yet) put up info on the 2006 Sheetiron.
I will try to post up here when the event is posted for entries.
It's usually the 2'nd or 3'rd week in April.

Dang, nice post John. Great action pics. I'm up for the Sheetiron in '06. Let me know how to sign up. Might even put some knobbies on to see how my little mule performs under trying conditions

[motowriter]

What Tom said. Excellent photos, John. Those trails look like a hoot! And count me in on the Sheetiron run! Looks like we'll have a little Pashnit contingent to join the guys from SBR.

[dakariste]

My new years resolution is to make the Sheetiron 300. I've made the run solo 30 or 40 times in the last few years, trying to figure out where they take all those riders! I stick to mostly the roads and a few OHV corridors.
I'm ready to try a few trails!
Mendocino Pass on the way into Covelo in April, and inset, my arrival at Usal beach, near Shelter Cove:


Halfway? Above Lake Pillsbury, anyway!


After a few upgrades to the bike, like the TT39- about 9 gallons of gas storage- I can now easily make the trip without stopping for gas!
40 liters of Jesse Luggage attached to the 39 liters of fuel.

The bike is under there somewhere! This shot is coming down St. John's Mountain off of Black Diamond ridge, also above Davis Flats and the Fout's Springs camping area. Open only seasonally, it is the steepest road with the most vertical climb I have found. From the top, only 10 miles or so from Stonyford, you can see the ocean fog out west, 80 or 90 miles away, near Rockport and Fort Bragg! This shot looks south- east is towards the Sutter Buttes and the Sierra Nevada Mts. (Usually visible in early am hours or on a clear windy day!)

I can almost make it to the Arctic Circle before fueling -well the one in Eureka!

[m0t0-ryder]

For those interested in seeing a little more here is a link to my write up and a few pictures of this years Sheetiron 300.
Sheetiron 300 for 2005 posted on SBR.

It was held on May 21 & 22 this year.

Here's a small route map of both directions.
(they also provide roll charts for those equiipped)

[dakariste]

Wow, thanks! I've seen most of those roads! Looks like the creek crossing at Bear Valley. Don't worry I've only seen one in 46 years!


Then the steep muddy road coming out of Fort Bragg is probably Sherwood Road heading back east. I took half an hour turning around, caught high centered on and between those ruts when they were cut deep one year!

It's a mixed blessing that Branscombe road is now paved on the way back.
After Covelo it looks like they took the scenic route and returned to Stonyford via Black Diamond Ridge. Very nice. Never too far from some fine trout fishing.

[dakariste]

I loved the snow pictures. I noted the advantage of riding with people willing to help you push your bike across yards of snow patch. I scout the roads in early spring waiting for each pass to open.

If you stay on the right roads above Clear Lake, the locals keep the snow swept in very low storms. It's beautiful, remote, and you're a bit cold and scared until you arrive at the play area that is closest to the Lake.