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San Andreas 300 - May 5 & 6 2018

Pozo to Ballinger Canyon & Back

CaliDualSport.com

 

The San Andreas 300 from Pozo to Ballinger Canyon on the May 5 & 6 weekend was a successful weekend ride participated in by 45 like-minded Dual Sport Enthusiasts.

The Exit Tours Motorcycle Club event was a Club Ride of less than 75 participants and included Club Membership with sign up.

The San Andreas 300 Dual Sport ride was all Inclusive and included camping and lodging on Private Property. Snacks, 2 Breakfasts, 2 make your own sandwich lunches and Luggage Portage to the Songdog Ranch in Ballinger Canyon. Along with 2 Fuel Stops in a remote location, Beers at this Club event, BBQ Saturday Night at Songdog Ranch and a Sunday after the ride BBQ in Pozo. T- Shirt, Finisher Pin and the Camaraderie of like-minded riders.

 

Friday evening, the new owners of the Pozo Saloon were gracious enough to open the doors to us for a private party, just prior to the Public Grand Re-Opening the following day on Cinco de Mayo.  Dinner, beverages and atmosphere were thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

Saturday started with an excellent breakfast by Club Member Don Gross (DG). Two Riders meetings were held, one at 7 am for the early risers and a second around 8 am for those who couldn’t make it out to Pozo Friday night. From the Oak studded Ranch in beautiful Central Cali, the route headed out onto two miles of pavement and then proceeded to head to the top of Las Chiches, a Challenging route in Pozo that just about everyone conquered.

Only one Helicopter Flight was required to evacuate one heat exhausted individual. The Flight and Landing was aptly called in by our satellite phone equipped talented Out-Riding Crew. Although the evacuated individual was unable to continue with the ride, he was able to make it to the BBQ in Ballinger Canyon Saturday evening with his Buddy and Truck.

From the challenge of the steep and rocky 20 mile loop through Pozo, which included some new single track, the route then picked up 20 miles of pavement. As this was a Dual Sport ride for street Legal Motorcycles.

 

From the Pavement we headed West along the Soda Lake Valley and the Carizzo Plain National Monument. Skirting the National monument on it’s fenceline along and on Top of 27 miles of Mountain Range. Epic views and 2 Track with very few whoops were the order of the day, and included a few challenging uphill’s and downhills.

Once at the West end of Soda Lake, it was a quick jaunt on the Hwy to Ballinger Canyon and after 95 miles it was time for the first remote fuel stop.  Followed by lunch and beverages at the Songdog Ranch. 

From Lunch we then rode a fun and flowing 29 mile loop in Ballinger Canyon. Which included trails that were used in the past at the Leapin’ Lizard Enduro, ridden in the last Enduro in 1993.

After everyone was accounted for, we settled in on the Mesa at Songdog Ranch as our exclusive campground for Saturday Night. Lodging in the Strawbale Lodge was taken by half the crew, with the other 20 + camping throughout the Mesa. Everyone's gear was portaged in the trailer, from Tent's to cots and/or guys slept under awnings on the bush studded Mesa.

We all enjoyed an excellent Tri-Tip BBQ and beverages on Saturdat night, by Jenny Stith and her crew.  In anticipation of Sunday’s ride, everyone turned in by 9:30 pm Saturday. Two VIPs who shall remain nameless, slept in the Bed & Breakfast in the main Lodge at Songdog Ranch. Funny. But only one of them complained. About trail Difficulty!

 

Sunday mornings leg of the San Andreas 300 started with another excellent meal by Jenny and her crew. This time ultra thick Ham and French toast with cowboy coffee. After everyone had packed and loaded their overnight gear in the portage trailer, there were again 2 riders meeting’s so the early risers could hit the trail before the stragglers.

The route on Sunday, Day 2 headed further West on the highway toward the Dick Smith Wilderness and Tinta Trail, which skirts the boundary of the wilderness. Tinta is a little ridden trail on par with anything in Colorado. For scenery or difficulty.

Gotta love singletrack through the California Oak Trees, down trees and overgrown bushes so overgrown you can hardly see the trail. One gulch that was so steep you need help to traverse it. And rocky creek beds. 

Once you had traversed Tinta you got to ride thru the spectacular red rocks of Santa Barbara Canyon. Then cross the what could be really bad if it was flooding, a wide riverbed back to the Highway.

After the 50 mile loop to start the day, it was back to Songdog Ranch for the 2nd remote fuel stop of the weekend and Lunch. Which everyone had cleared by 12:30. What a Sweet spot to gather at the Ranch in Ballinger Canyon. Jim the owner set us up with 2 shaded picnic tables and 2 clean Porta-Potties.

From Lunch on Sunday we took a different fun 2 track route through the Carizzo National Monument past Soda Lake and some stellar views.

Then after about 50 miles hit some pavement on the Highway, back to Pozo on a beautiful Oak lined road and then a spectacular ride over Pine Mountain, down the Stair Steps and back up to Las Chiches. Steep downhills, uphills and rocks of typical Pozo and back to the private the ranch, for another BBQ by DG (Don Gross). Beers were again included at this private shindig.

More than a few stragglers took the Princess route over Pozo Summit and the Dirt road back to the Ranch. Thereby avoiding the awesome views from Pine Mountain but also the descent down the Stair Steps. The Steps are much more eroded than they were 25 years ago. 

But with walking down as the only option for those not named Cody Webb, there is no shame in walking your bike down the Stair Steps. And the ride and views over challenging Pine Mtn. that was missed by those who didn’t do it, should be regretted by the Princesses who by-passed Pine Mtn.

 

Exit Tours MC of Colorado could not have pulled off the Once in a Lifetime ride without the help of club members and Local Enthusiasts. A tip of the Hat to Long time Exit Tours Board member Larry Heschke of Paso Robles, Penguin Advisor Josh Beene, BBQ’ist Don Gross (DG), Steve Javedan for manning the Gas barrels and driving his support truck. Drone Pilot and local fast guy Ryan Fogarty and CCMA member Carl Brandt for believing in the concept and coming thru like the Good Guy he is.

Bosch’s John Nave was also instrumental in the club pulling this off. And we have to thank Pipeline Digital Media’s Todd Huffman for coming along, donating fun media and just being a fun guy to hang out with. Thanks Guys !

We also need to Thank Songdog Ranch for their Hospitality and owner, Jim Reveley and his daughter Jenny for their Support and Great Attitudes. And Last but not least, we have to give a big Golf clap and Thanks to Camp Hostess and Sign-In Guru Dindah McCullough for her unwavering support and hard work.

A thoroughly Positive weekend with no real issues (Other than a Helicopter ride that ended well) and we all had fun time Riding our Dirt Bikes in a Part of California few people ever get the opportunity to visit or Venture into.

 

For more on future Exit Tours MC Rides check this Page :

https://advtours.com/

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Edited by ExitToursMotorcycleClub
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