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Ride Saturday 1/25
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Posted by: Bigbird---------------------

I'm looking to ride Saturday, somewhere in NoCal. Anybody interested in Clear Creek, or Stonyford?

Posted by: Jonala---------------------

I can do Clear Creek.

Posted by: D36-108A---------------------

Stonyford! I almost got killed in a head-on a few weeks ago at C.C.

Posted by: placelast---------------------

Another vote for Clear Creek.

C'mon guys: I just moved a lot closer and want to ride this weekend; SCWR member here.

Posted by: Bigbird---------------------

John and placelast, I'm on for Saturday. I can meet you at the main campground (the one where they sign up for the Wild Piglet/Boar) about 9:30. John, I hope you know the trails or have a map, because I have only ridden there with other people who know the area.

Posted by: placelast---------------------

That's right, John: you da man; I haven't been there in decades, let alone have figured out how to get there from the south other than going north on 101 then swinging NE off of the 101, but I absolutely will make it if I can get some decent directions once there. If I remeber right ly there is one entrance from the south, and it crosses a stream.

Posted by: D36-108A---------------------

placelast, here are some directions for you... Salinas Ramblers MC Clear Creek page

Posted by: Jonala---------------------

Boy are you guys hitching your wagon to the wrong horse. :confused:
The couple of times that I have been there I've either been following arrows or following Les, Justin or FramerJohn.

Luckily I own a pen and a piece of paper. We can plan our rides from the map that is now posted at the campground (I hope). I know enough to get back.

9:30 :thumb:

Posted by: MelloYello---------------------

Oh, wish I could make it! I'd like to ride up there when it's not muddy.
Have fun, guys.:thumb:

Posted by: Farmer John---------------------

Quote:

Originally posted by Jonala
FramerJohn

fwiw, I will be down there on Sunday.

I just got off the phone with my sister & if someone would like to stop by her house in Hollister Friday evening or Saturday morning, she is willing to give you A nice shinney new CCMA map.

e-mail me @ john.clayton@medcenter.stanford.edu :thumb:

Posted by: Bigbird---------------------

John, I do know a few trails, but I run out of those fairly quickly. Can you get a map from FarmerJohn's sister? Maybe we can find one down there at the campground.

I'll see you guys around 9:30 Saturday morning at the campground.

Jim

Posted by: Jonala---------------------

I'll pick up a map Saturday morning. Thanks FJ.

Posted by: Bigbird---------------------

Yes, thanks FJ. Now go do your diabolical route for the Wild Piglet/Boar enduros.

Posted by: placelast---------------------

Quote:

I'll see you guys around 9:30 Saturday morning at the campground.

Jim

Which campground?

My stats/identify-ables: white T-100 Xtra Cab w/yellow bike. Others?

Farmer: If UR riding, may I tag along Sunday? If so, details? (Sorry - e-mail account down.)

Posted by: Farmer John---------------------

Quote:

Originally posted by placelast
Farmer: If UR riding, may I tag along Sunday? If so, details?

Yes, yes you may. Oak flat campground (first one as you drive in) 9:00/9:30.
White chevy diesel w/94 KTM 440 and/or white chevy box van with "AFTERSHOCKS" on the side.

What are you driving? Still on the RMX?

Posted by: Farmer John---------------------

okay-okay I am an airhead. I did not pick up placelast's info when I read it the first time.

Too many John's in this post.

Posted by: D36-108A---------------------

When I was there a couple weeks ago, the ranger gave everybody a new map. I think I still have mine. It wasn't very useful and it seemed to conflict with the trails we were on. We were more or less lost just before sundown, but we made it back before dark.

If I show up I'll bring my purple KDX (with flames!) in my green Sonoma unless I can convince a co-worker to come with and drive his Tacoma.

By main campground I assume you mean Oak Flat.

Posted by: Bigbird---------------------

Yes, Oak Flat campground. I'll be in a white Chevy Silverado 2500 with a KTM 400 in the back.

Jim

Posted by: Jonala---------------------

Grey Toyota Tundra pulling a tan 5x10 enclosed trailer. Or blue clad spode on a little red Honda.

Posted by: placelast---------------------

OK - to summarize:

Saturday @ 9:30

Bigbird
Jonala (default leader)
D36-108A + co-worker (iffy)
Placelast

Sunday @ 9:00/9:30:

Farmer John
Placelast

Posted by: D36-108A---------------------

Co-worker went from iffy to no. Looks like I'll have to make the 3.5 hr drive myself and I'll be at the end of that 9:30 arrival time.

Posted by: Bigbird---------------------

Looks good to me.

Posted by: Unkle Moose---------------------

BIGBIRD would love to riding but going to the Supercross Race. I checked the results for Prairie City WHAT HAPPEND? I hope nothing serious since you are riding this weekend.

Everyone have a good fun safe ride.

Posted by: steph---------------------

How would you all feel about a 'newbie' tag-a-long? Novice and a little rusty rider. Relatively new to the Bay Area (work in Bezerkeley) and never been to Clear Creek?

Pete
KTM 400EXC

Posted by: placelast---------------------

Quote:

How would you all feel about a 'newbie' tag-a-long? Novice and a little rusty rider. Relatively new to the Bay Area (work in Bezerkeley) and never been to Clear Creek?

Pete: I'll defer to the others since it's not my territory nor my thread, but heck - being a former member of the SoCa Wrecking Crew, new to the area, and awfully anxious to ride (somewhere, anywhere: please help me!), I invited myself, so I don't see anything wrong with you doing the same; I never met these guys sans FJ but have no reservations whasoever.

As far as you skill, well, it's all for fun and you should be able to get up to speed in no time, especially on that fine bike of yours. Judging from what (leader/trail boss) Jonala & BB have said re: needing a map, we will likely be in the scout/exploratory mode (lesser speeds).

Let us know what your tow vehicle is so we can flag you down.

Posted by: Bigbird---------------------

steph, you're more than welcome. As placelast said, I don't think this ride will have as much intensity because we are not as familiar with the area as say, Stonyford. I don't know placelast, but Jonala and I are easy people to ride with, so come on.

UnkleMoose, my "good luck" continues. I broke my rear sprocket on a rock on the first lap.

If I did this right, I have attached a picture of the sprocket.

Posted by: Jonala---------------------

Pete,

Clear Creek is an intermediate to expert level terrain. We will be in exploring mode. Meaning "I wonder what this trail is like"? We will wait at every intersection. Jim is an very good B rider, I'm a struggling C. rider.

You are welcome to join us.

Plus I've an XR250 how fast could I go?

Posted by: dirt bike dave---------------------

I wish I could join you guys!

I have had the pleasure of riding with Placelast/John, and he is a very good rider. He was the trail boss on my ride with him, and John was great at keeping our group together for a fun ride.

Trails at CC can go from moderate to tough in a short distance, but that place has some excellent riding. Placelast, you are going to love it.

Posted by: fremontguy---------------------

I tried to stay away from this thread but Clear Creek is too fun

Any room in the Sunday 1-26 group? What time and staging area y'all meeting?

Posted by: Farmer John---------------------

Quote:

Originally posted by fremontguy
I tried to stay away from this thread but Clear Creek is too fun Any room in the Sunday 1-26 group? What time and staging area y'all meeting?

FG, I don't think that would be a problem. At this point it looks like it is just placelast, Phil Douglas, & myself.

I will be at Oak Flat between 9 & 9:30.

Posted by: fremontguy---------------------

To quote Bill and Ted,"excellent". I'll look for you folks Sunday.

Posted by: steph---------------------

Thanks for the welcomes with regard to the Saturday ride, but this morning I was given some tix to the supercross tomorrow, and the trip to CC will be too much in a short day--hopefully another day...I'll look for posts---I am gonna ride a bit closer though, probably Carnegie if anyone else in the Bay area is interested for tomorrow and/or Sunday.

thanks again, Pete ('Steph' is my wife)

Posted by: Unkle Moose---------------------

Hey BigBird what kind of sprocket was that?

You should have come riding at Stoneyford instead of racing!
See ya at the national.

Posted by: angry jim---------------------

Looks like a Moose sprocket.

I always ride on Super Bowl sunday at CC. This year the Raiders made it and I'm going to the SX on saturday and out with friends after the race. I will get home btwn 2 and 3 am. I don't think I'll make it this year

.
Have fun people!

Posted by: Bigbird---------------------

Yep, that was (and I repeat was) a Moose sprocket.

Boy what a perfect day for riding. Clear Creek was about as good as I've seen it. Moderate temps, fantastic traction, and no dust. I got about a mile and a half from the campground and my chain let loose. I guess I should have looked closer at my chain and replaced it along with my sprocket. After a couple of repair stops, I was good to go. In the meantime, Jonala took placelast and D36-109A for a ride. I think he followed some of the trail that was in last year's Wild Piglet. I joined them after lunch and we put in about 40 miles of terrific riding. When Clear Creek is cooperating, it can be some of the best riding. The ride was easy to moderate until the end when Jonala stumbled on to a downhill in the manzanita that I remembered from the Wild Boar. It is an extremely steep downhill that winds down through the manzanita to the main road. A fitting challenge to end a day's ride.

Oh yeah, when you shorten your chain on a KTM to where the adjusters are all the way in, be prepared for some interesting uphill wheelies.

Posted by: Jonala---------------------

You guys are great to ride with.

It's been a while where I was the person needing encouraging words. :whiner: If you guys weren't there I would of walked down some of those descents.

Also thanks for your patience on my leading us into dead ends.

Jim how do you go so fast downhill while staying seated?

I need to learn how to do that.

I did learn that I'm not ready for the Quicksliver.

Posted by: Bigbird---------------------

John, it's because I'm old and my knees won't hold me up for long downhills anymore.

Posted by: fremontguy---------------------

Day 2 Sunday turned out to a great day also. Only 5 groups of riders in entire area with dry, loamy conditions. Rooty trails that were a challenge in the mud during new years ride were now a piece of cake, traction. Placelast and I went hunting new trails up and around Santa Rita Peak and came up with a few choice sections. The hills over there were a combination of deep loamy soil and pine needles. This made the downhills interesting, a combination of free-falling with no braking, stopping effect. Fun day was had.

Posted by: NVR FNSH---------------------

Jonala just be ready to give me words of encouragement at the Boar....

Brian

Posted by: Jonala---------------------

Brian,

If you, me and Belinda end up on the same minute, no need to worry. I know that I will ride over my head to cover my inabilities.

Posted by: placelast---------------------

Say guys: I posted my observations in the Ride Reports Fourm.

Jonala: FJ's sister placed the maps out for Sunday pickup, not Saturday...

Posted by: D36-108A---------------------

We only went .6 miles before Bigbird's chain broke. I used the downtime to replace my clutch lever, which had its ball end broken off in the parking lot when my bike fell off its sidestand and tipped over into my truck. In the first loop we did while Bigbird was pumpkin-wrenching, we lost placelast within a few miles.

After rejoining for the second loop, I pointed out to Bigbird his bike was leaking oil and he said it was hydraulic fluid and he didn't mind. I had no idea Katooms had black hydraulic fluid.

We followed a bunch of new ribbon (Quicksilver course?) and did a few u-turns and wrong-ways, but Jonala never let us down by getting us into horrible situations. Although that rocky downhill I remember from the QS was pretty bad, it was fairly short. At the bottom, Bigbird followed a hint of a trail into manzanita and I stayed back. I recalled doing something similarly unwise at this same place at the QS years ago so I waited. That's when Bigbird came back and said he had an oil leak. Well no kidding! We took the second-easiest looking trail out and back to the main road.

Bigbird eventually fixed his leak and rejoined us.

I was at Clear Creek just two weeks previous, when I covered 55 miles of trails. This time around I think we rode on only one trail I did on my last ride. This place is huge!

The pace set by Jonala (sometimes Bigbird) was good. I only wanted to go faster on some of the downhills and I dropped off the pace on the choppy, whooped-out uphills. But we were all good about waiting at intersections and nobody was more than a few seconds behind. I got the impression Bigbird could have gone a lot faster, but he was content with the pace and usually wanted to ride in the sweep position.

The last trail on the last loop was a little too much, a single rut snaking downhill through bushes and manzanita. Once I stalled it I just held the clutch in and paddled along. One bush snagged my goggles pretty good and another got under my visor and almost took me off my bike.

My enduro computer recorded 42 miles at the end of the day.

Let's do it again sometime! I'm thinking Stonyford next weekend.

Posted by: ktmzak---------------------

Eric, Did you make it down on Saturday? Sorry I missed you, was at Jade Mill with a couple of other TMC members....

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Ride Saturday 1/25

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