I am just trying to get a rough headcount right now. Duc2V4 and I have been toying around with this idea for a while, so here's the low down. Tentatively scheduled for June 22-23. We meet in Santa Paula at an old timey train station. We follow this route here:
Once at SDR, I figure it some may want to relax, and some will go off in their own groups. We have tentative plans on a bonefide chef to accompany us in a cage complete with food and drink. Then on the way home:
Now, why we need some sort of headcount: SDR doesn't know where are coming yet. I plan on heading up there this weekend to make arrangements, and email isn't effective. Also, we need to plan for food and drink, so on and so forth.
For a preview, check out http://www.vfrdiscus...page-2?hl= song +dog +ranch .
I'm planning on heading up on Saturday with my brother. I think it's more likely SDR will have someone there on Saturday. If something changes with his schedule, I'll let you know.
Lee, I'll keep that in mind. If the overnight schedule doesn't work for him, I'll see about arranging lunch someone and making it a day trip.
The place was pretty b!tchin, a beer and some ribs would be awesome.
I guess it's a pack your own food kind of deal. I can stick a cooler in my trunk. There's a Subway and other stuff in Frazier Park, but that's a little off track. Pine Mountain Club has a few small stores and restaurants, and gas.
I don't recall there being much of anything around SDR but farm fields. Maybe a gas station and an unknown to me restaurant along the straight stretch of 33 south of there. I guess there's another sort of a town a few miles west on 166 too. :wink:
Google map on your first link says 3 Hr 43 min. I guess maybe 45 min for me to go 118 west to Kraproom, over 23 to almost Fillmore, and South Mountain to Santa Paula. So probably a good 4 hours or so, plus meetup time in Santa Paula and whatnot. Another couple hours at least to go back east on Cerro Noarreste, and down the 5 to home. Better start early. :cool:
Noarreste, I like it. :laugh:
Just watch out around Frazier Park for Chippie. They may jack you with a wholly undeserved ticket.
They did 4 of us in 1 go one time. Complete BS. :pissed:
Try not to break down or fall off in the outback. Tow trucks take forever to come. I know a couple guys who can attest first hand.
The plan was to see how many people were interested and figure out what type of meal would work for the number of people and then everyone pitch in to cover the cost of food and drink, my friend (the "Chef") wanted to come along for the evening and offered to cook up a BBQ diner. As originally it was supposed to be for my birthday, but that date came and went. This is basically the same idea, less the birthday excuse.
Long story short, ride in on Saturday, hang out have some food and drink and music and then stay the night and ride out on Sunday...
Sounds like a great ride. I love riding in that area and remember the last SDR ride report sounded like a unique adventure. I am taking a trip to Denver the weekend before so I'll see if I can get my sat shift covered that weekend and get back with you.
Check out the last link for the ride report. Did Jim say we might be permitted to do some shooting there? Motorcycle ride BBQ some beers and target practice? I might have to call this epic.
I have friends on my other MC forum who I vouch for as mature and responsible riders who might like this idea. Several are in or near Ventura. Let me know if I can extend the invite. Many of them are still on VFRD too.
Darryl, if it's not too late, my brother and I have changed plans are probably going on Sunday. Let me know if you still can go up, along with a meet time that doesn't get you up and 0dark thirty. I live near the 101/33.
Capt., since it stands at just the three of us, I wouldn't be opposed to opening it up to others. In fact, I was going to invite an old misguided friend on his FJR. BUT, since we are dealing with a cap of 20ish IIRC, I want to make sure that we have enough room for our last minute people.
UPDATE: The way to contact SDR is through Rev Pack. I spoke with Jim on the phone. Right now their only weekend available for "the lodge" (which has the big bbq thingy) is the 29-30. If we wanted to take just the campsites, then any is open.
The ride should be beautiful. He said it's supposed to hit triple digits a few canyons over, but right now it's about 85.
Darryl, if it's not too late, my brother and I have changed plans are probably going on Sunday. Let me know if you still can go up, along with a meet time that doesn't get you up and 0dark thirty. I live near the 101/33.
My brother and I made it out to SDR this morning. We did the ride a little out of order, but it was glorious. I didn't take pics of the ride itself, being that this was a fact finding mission. But on a side note, the 33 is a little tighter, while the rest of the route was filled with sweeper after sweeper after sweeper after . . . you get the point.
Now I have good news and bad news, which do you want first? Ok, the good news. Although the lodge is booked, camping is available for $5 a head. The views are gorgeous, he has potable water, shooting is a possibility (we will need to coordinate with the lodge people), he has some additonal BBQ's for us, and the views are gorgeous.
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The bad: we have to ride up this . . . .
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I'm really excited about this. If you have any more questions, let me know.
Sorry, no, I need to clarify some things. I rode to SDR, most of the same route that I have written about before and provided a link for in the OP. The proposed route there is about 120 miles, although there seem to be plenty unexplored routes in and around Frazier Park.
Once I got the SDR, my brother and I got in Jim's truck and he drove us around. The dirt road is maybe 100m long total, and leads up to most of the campgrounds. This is a campground at the base of the trail, aptly named Yellow Dog for those too chicken to ride up the hill. Like me. Jim of course told stories about when his wife would ride Harley's up the trail for those who weren't up to the task.
If your choices were staying at yellow dog camp, riding bitch behind someones wife on a hog, or take your chances on riding uphill on your bike, which would you choose? :goofy: It doesn't look too bad, from what I can see on googlemaps. I've ridden dirt roads before on a street bike. When in doubt gas it lightly, going uphill. Downhill, don't use the front brake if you can avoid it. And, don't try to leave if you've had any beer. :beer:
I've ridden that road at least 3 times, twice on a Magna and once on my Duc. Don't know what it looks like today as apposed to when I did it, but it wasn't too difficult if I remember correctly.
Not sure if Rev is OK with it still, but he used to allow you to send your gear via UPS so that you didn't have to haul it in. He would then ship it back for you at cost, might be something to check out.
So is no one else interested in joining the fray? Maybe the "Hooliganism" is making people shy away. We're not really Hooligans, maybe a little loose around the edges. Did we picked the wrong weekend? I can say that even if there is no overnight portion, the will be well worth the go. I am excited to see Song Dog Ranch again, as all the times I went there before were always a good. Come on people, don't be shy, let's ride and have some fun. Don't let the East Coast folks have all the epic rides to post about.
Another note to throw out, the owners of Song Dog Ranch also have a motorcycle baggage business (RevPack.com) and they make it there on the Ranch, you might find something for your ride while you're there.
It seems that in all the excitement, I forgot to add a time or an address. Let's plan on 9am at 923 E Santa Barbara St., Santa Paula. If there is a different time that works better for those coming from far away, please let me know.