bikeslut 1 Posted August 16, 2006 for comparison's sake; On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being near impossible for mortals, and 1 being a graded/banked dirt road... How would most of you rate the trails in the area? for instance: I did Carveacre for the first time... at the slow speed I did it, I would give it a 4 in some sections. Kernan Cycle Trail is probably a 4 at the hardest spot, and Bear Valley Road is a 2, within the parameters of reasonable speed. So when I see a section of trail like the "squeeze" in Anza Borrego listed as "difficult"... do I have ANY business trying it alone? I've seen pictures of guys on GS's doing it, so I guess my DRZ is less of a factor than my skill, or lack thereof... Jimmy Lewis could ride things no-handed that would make me soil myself... So, assuming most of you are mortals, what are the good "6" rides? What would you rate Oriflamme? If some of you guys could list some, along with ratings, until the next time I can tag along on one of your merry rides...Thanks,Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 517 Posted August 19, 2006 Dualsport Rides are rated this way:General Route or EasyChallenging Difficult - usually intermediate to expert onlyMost Difficult or Extremely Difficult - definitely intermediate to expert onlyOriflamme Canyon I would rate as an Easy route, or Challenging in spots for big bikes or novices.It all depends on your experience. Don't try the Squeeze and the Dropoff unless you're an experienced rider. Even then, that's a long, rugged way in there to be by yourself if something happens.We'll be going out to prerun some of that later in the year, join us so you won't have to ride alone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted August 19, 2006 will do...thanks...would you rate Carveacre as easy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 517 Posted August 19, 2006 I'm not sure which road is Carveacre. Is that the one that goes from Lyons Valley up the mountain, and one part of it comes down by Thousand Trails RV Park ?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted August 19, 2006 Yeah; i think that's it... I rode it for the first time last weekend... It goes up towards Lawson Peak and Gaskill Peak, if I am reading correctly. I am eager for desert season, to explore Anza Borrego, but we have a baby due in Oct, so long trips are not likely... sand does not bother me at all, but some of the steep bouldery stuff wigs me out on occasion. The hardest trail I have done is some unsigned rocky climb in Corral, where I actually became a part of a small landslide. Smashed by tailight and a minor injury that made the ride back a PITA, so I am a little hesitant to tackle any trail I havent ridden before; by myself...at least without some reference point. I mountain bike often, and have gotten used to designations generally assigned... I know that anything listed as "expert only" I can do on a mountain bike, while not as fast as pros. and I can carry a mountain bike up about anything. I don't have the same confidence on my DRZS.I have some 4X 4 books that list trail difficulty throughout AB, but I wonder the relevance to a dual sport m/c . Carveacre was pretty easy as long as I was paying attention... it was my brothers first off road ride, so I was a little distracted with my mirrors, making sure he didnt dump it too bad. And I dabbed once... on the smooth side where I was going way too fast for the turn... my bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sandiegoland 0 Posted August 21, 2006 I'm not sure which road is Carveacre. Is that the one that goes from Lyons Valley up the mountain, and one part of it comes down by Thousand Trails RV Park ??The best side to start Carveacre Road is at mile-marker 13.0 along Lyons Valley Road, some three miles east of the intersection of Honey Springs Road and Skyline Truck Trail...Google Map Link Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted August 23, 2006 Hey Craig... How would you rate carveacre? I saw some evidence of carnage, but considered it on the pretty easy side... moderate? I have a 4 wheel drive book that has lots of trails, but want to relate to being on two wheels... they rate Carveacre as difficult. So I want to spend time in Arrowhead/Big Bear exploring some roads, and don't want to bite off more than I can chew. Same applies to some desert rides... I'm ready for some desert rides. Split Mountain sounds like a piece of cake... but is Pinyon dropoff and the Squeeze something I should be worried about? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin 0 Posted August 23, 2006 When Randy Rides his moped with the reflector pedals, street tires, he rates pavement as difficult. With a knobby tire, the pavement would be very difficult.Sorry Randy, just had to "bust your balls"! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest_Randy Posted August 25, 2006 Any ride can be difficult........ ................ thats why i allways wear a helmet............. randy, san diego moped adventurer... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin 0 Posted August 25, 2006 Randy, I didn't know you were a blonde! To quote Rodney Dangerfield from Caddyshack "It looks good on you"! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sandiegoland 0 Posted August 25, 2006 Hey Craig... How would you rate carveacre? I saw some evidence of carnage, but considered it on the pretty easy side... moderate? ... I'm ready for some desert rides. Split Mountain sounds like a piece of cake... but is Pinyon dropoff and the Squeeze something I should be worried about? Using Randy's categories I would have to say it is definitely at minimum, Challenging. I wouldn't disagree with a "4" on your scale.It's not whether it's easy or not, because that is relative (and you are a good rider on an approprate piece of equipment) - it's more a matter of the attention and judgement required to run the road.Carveacre for example, if you want to run it upright the whole way, requires you to pick and follow some good lines. There are deep ruts, rocks, and some low spots where sand has collected. =====I haven't done the desert stuff yet. That's one of the reasons I bought the DRZ... to have something next season to explore the very roads you guys are talking about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted August 26, 2006 Randy; I think you forgot to buckle your helmet... then that whole backwards thing... you are ahead of your time...Thanks Craig; so if I mix my 10 point system, with KTMrad's dual sport scale, and the 4x4 book rating, I think I have a pretty good idea. I definitely get the part about any ride can be hard... my one oh ---- moment on Carveacre was the perfectly groomed, flat corner... that I overcooked, then reacted incorrectly, then noticed the suv coming the other way all before adequately pulling my head out of my ass and accelerating out... the easiest part of the day almost landed me on my butt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 517 Posted September 1, 2006 Randy, I didn't know you were a blonde! To quote Rodney Dangerfield from Caddyshack "It looks good on you"! Don't I look cute ?!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin 0 Posted September 1, 2006 Yes you are cute, but what I really like is the color of your bike. I did not know that KTM made Purple bikes! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaw'ee 10 Posted September 1, 2006 I did not know that KTM made Purple bikes! ......................PURPLE OR BLUE ???..................... ........KINDA LOOKS LIKE SAME COLOR AS THE SCOOT TO ME......... ..........................EXCEPT , THIS ONES FASTER............................... Carguy.. xrl 650 AMA. S.D.A.R. Oh boy, i'm in trouble now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carguy 1 Posted September 2, 2006 Wow 'EE Actually this is one of the bikes I considered before buying the XR. Too bad it did not come in Purple, Had to settle for red. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaw'ee 10 Posted September 2, 2006 ................The red was a little to much for me................... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted September 5, 2006 Difficulty Definitions- another variable- I did Carveacre last night in the dark. I started at the top, so if things got too hairy, I could turn around without having to navigate the more difficlut boulder fields.I think I won't be riding that trail in the dark again. The difficulty rating went up. everything was fairly easy, but SLOW was the word.I should know better, but I have been really swamped at work and needed to blow out some weeds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
