Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127805
Cycle News Dual Sport Jamboree . , By Kit Palmer Photos by Kinney Jones BIG BEAR, CA, SEPT. 28 espite lingering visions of steaming adiators, burning clutch plates and pushing and shoving, thanks to one particularly long, silty; switchback hillclimb that "did in" a number of riders last year, the seventh annual Cycle News Dual Sport Jamboree enjoyed a record turnout of 33Q-plus riders. A quick glance of the course map brought a few sighs of relief as last year's brutal uphill climb, also known as the Redondo Ridge Trail, would be run in the opposite direction for this year's ride. After all, going down steep, silty dirt roads is easier than up on big, heavy (and sometimes underpowered) motorcycles with standard dual sport tires. As always, this year's event was based in the Barton Flats campground area, near Jenks Lake, in the San Bernardino National Forest. Many riders came up early Saturday to take advantage of Saturday night's free Cycle Newssponsored chili feast and a dual sport .seminar held earlier in the day. Later that evening, the traditional communi!)' D \0 0\ 0\ ,..., \{) "'l-< """ Q) E u o 46 campfire was ignited in the sign-up area, and a large, orange glow flickered late into the night. Ride morning, the participants were again treated to a free breakfast, thanks to Ginger Roland of Fineline Motosports. She did it all. Unfortunately, those who slept in missed out on the feast, as there was only enough grub to fill approximately 150 hungry dual sporters. On the day's agenda was a 90-mile trail- 145 miles if you planned to ride all three of the optional "hard-way" sections. Larry Langley, of California Trail Rides, laid out the course that would later be described by many riders as uexcellent" and "awesome," but a little "dusty." The word "rocks" was often heard, as well. But first, all motorcycles had to get through tech inspection as they left the start area. Numerous Forest Service personnel gave each machine a close examination for street legality. However, the rangers seemed particularly concerned about noise. Every bike was soundchecked - those whose bikes met the 101 db requirement were set free, those who did not were turned around and sent back to the pits to remove more discs. Reportedly, a few bikes never did pass the test. The course took the riders over the Jenks Lake loop - all pavement - to the first off-road section, a gradual, descending two-track dirt road that funneled out in Seven Oaks. The course then looped around on Converse Station Road, then turned east and paralleled the Santa Ana River. The course hopped up on Highway 38 for a 1D-mile jaunt on pavement over Onyx Summit. Shortly thereafter - just before all the skid marks - the course made a sudden, sharp, right-hand turn onto a dirt road that dropped the riders. into "Round Valley," where the first optional "hard-way" section loomed. It wasn't too bad - a couple of fairly technical rocky uphill climbs and some down-' hills that kept everyone guessing. The trail eventually merged with the "easy way" that took the riders through the Pinnacles Staging Area and Cactus Flats, via the Pinion Trail, a super-fun, single-track, twisty trail, perhaps the most popular trail of the 14S-mile ride. "I get more comment about that trail than any," Langley said. "People just rave . about it." From here, the course turned up Holcomb Valley Road, by Baldwin Mine, and into Holcomb Valley. Another split took place here. The hard way went up John Bull Trail, a rugged Jeep dirt road filled with giant boulders and tricky uphill and downhill sections. The trail looped around and eventually joined the regular trail again in Holcomb Valley. From here, the course led the way to Big Bear for a very filling lunch at BI's. Shortly after lunch, the course split again, with the easy way heading up to Snow Summit, a ski resort, and then down the back side of the mountain to the Santa Ana River Valley again. The hard way took the riders over Big Pine Flat where the trail picked up Redondo Ridge, la'st year's nightmare trail.' Despite riding the trail in reverse &om the previous year, the riders still had to negotiate a challenging ,!phill trail, filled