Went out to McCain yesterday. There were more vehicles parked out there than I have ever seen in the 30 years I have been riding there. I'll bet there were at least 30-40 vehicles in the picnic tree area. I guess all the people who usually have other places to go, dusted off, drug out their dirt bikes and headed out here. The ones that is, that didn't end up at Pine Valley. That place looked packed as I drove by, also. Typically though, as soon as I rode over the ridge, there were very few riders spotted, leaving me with empty routes and peaceful scenery. Romance was in the air for some of the resident critters. I was rolling through one of the many water puddles that were created by the tiny rivulets of rain runoff water, when I spotted something that looked out of place. At first, it looked like a lumpy toad, but rolling a little closer to it, I discovered that it was two toads who were busy producing strings of pollywog beads that would soon become tiny black tadpoles. I got off my bike and walked it around them, so as not to disturb them, then walked back and stuck my camera in their faces to capture a National Geographic moment. They were unfazed though. Then I continued on my merry way. Weather was about perfect, with light breezes and a pleasant overcast sky above for much of the day. The day ended with a quick stop at the still open Candy Cottage, before I drove back home. For at least a few hours at least, the current crazy situation of the world melted away, and order was restored to my personal world.
It was absolutely insane here in far NorCal, lakes, hiking trails, outdoor shooting ranges and ohv area. Bikes everywhere and no parking anywhere. I didn't even know there were so many dirt bikes in this area.
Same thing here in Socal. The hiking areas that are normally empty on my way to Mt. Wilson during the week are overflowing with cars and the roads are packed like it's a weekend every day.
damn, that's a lot of sex for a motorcycle site so did they know each other before that pic? probably not,,, so they don't know the new rules
I went to El Paso, Texas to see a doctor for my wife. I took my 310 to my old stomping grounds, The Red Sand Hills,. In the 80's i rode a 83? XT 250 Yamaha and later a KDX 200. Was good to ride here again. On the KDX I entered the Red Sands 150 and the Tarantella 200. Also several years entered the Mile High Enduro in Cloudcroft New Mexico on the XT and KDX.
The BLM closed down McCain Valley yesterday, siting that there were too many cars in the staging area. They had armed rangers on the main road that heads in, and were turning back any riders that were trying to gain access. The BLM site states that the public land is still open, but if they can close the staging and camping sites that only have one public access route, then they have successfully controlled and shut down an entire area.
I was so lucky to get 2 rides in before this pandemic. After El Paso I went to Santa Fe, New Mexico and rode with a long time friend. We met in the Red Sands when he was 18. Now 53. I was the first friend he had in the US. He is from Germany. We had such a fun single track ride in the foothills of Santa Fe, the weather was perfect. Scenery was out of this world. View attachment 100248
I am sorry your riding area is closed. I was thinking about going to the local private owned riding area. It cost 10 bucks per bike for the day. Here in this part of Texas we have no public riding areas. I usually travel at least 5 hours just to ride I use every trip we take no matter what to take my bike View attachment 100252
They finally closed down every public offroad area in So. Cal. by this evening. I'll have to start getting creative if I am to find any place to ride now.
Our street legal dirt bikes are going to come in handy. Glad I have my Husky. This set up gives me 200 mile range with room to spare. Take the long way home
The desert is still open. Received reports that BLM isn't very heavy handed unless you camp in a developed area.
Sadly, the desert in our area is now heavily patrolled with the help of the CHP, in spots like Ocotillo Wells. Anza Borrego state park has closed most of its off road routes also. It would be an 80 mile ride on the street to get to the desert areas too. I will have to get creative and do some research to find any place rideable...and likely none of it will be close to me. Heck, it's a 130 mile drive to the desert just for me to be able find a canal to go fishing in.
snow is melting fast here, best time of year to ride in this area just got my bike ready to go so looking forward, the trails are showing back up quickly
I got in 55 miles yesterday. Luckily we have lots of forest roads in the mountains that are open for business. The dirt was epic and the green grass meant I could hit some of the single track sections that I avoid when it's dry.
