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Posted by: TRXter
Can you get a car alarm installed on the trailer? Otherwise it might make too tempting a target for some scumbag. At the least I'd have it chained up like crazy and hang a bunch of cow bells all over it.
Also, if big storms roll in while you're there, beach access might be iffy. The desert (Glamis) is a better chioce for winter since the California coast can be nasty this time of year.
Posted by: TRXter
CapnShiner, are you in Nor Cal or Brentwood Heights (OJ's Brentwood)?
Posted by: TRXter
CapnShiner, ever ride at Sand Hill Ranch? When you get your bike babk together we'll have to hook up over there.
Posted by: Spinks250r
I go to Pismo about once a month and it will be great next month. If the weather cooperates. I always camp on the sand right next to my bike so I don't know about staying at a hotel. You shouldn't have any trouble with the "river" it is only bad at high tide. I have a 2000 Toyota Tundra 4x4 that I haul 3 bikes with and have never gotten stuck. Have fun I will probably be at Dumont on that same weekend if it is the Martin Luther King 3 dayer. We might hook up for a ride!!!
Posted by: Spinks250r
I will keep my eyes open for you. We will be getting there Friday night and leaving on monday. I ride a red and white 250R, my buddies ride grey/blue banshee, white/blue LT500, Yellow DS650, and one other red/white 250R. See ya.
Posted by: Rudedog
Letitsnow:
The river isn't anything to worry about unless as noted there's recently or currently been a storm. You should be able to cross it most anywhere. The last time I saw it scarry was after the El Nino rains, and thats been a while. Myself, I usually pull over and watch a couple vehicles cross that are like or similar to my set-up (Full size trucks & trailer combo's). This way I get an apples/apples comparison of how it should effect me & my set-up. This basicly allows me to guage the depth of the water and note any possible drop-offs. I'm a little careful because I pull a lot of weight (14,900Lbs or 21,900 Ttl with truck.) and don't want to get stuck. As pointed out keep your speed on the beach to 15MPH, wear a helmet and have a flag on your ATV or the rangers will nail you!
As for security, lock your quads with a couple good cables or chains and be sure to loop it through the trailer. I park/camp on the beach and lock my quads up at night with a good lock & cable. Also if you don't have insurance for your quads you might look into it for this reason/trip. All you really need is theft & fire coverage which is really pretty cheap. Here's a good web site regarding California off highway vehicle areas. Look under "Oceano Dunes" (Formally Pismo). www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/
P.S. Try to take along or get some wood as you can have a campfire on the beach. Nothing like the kicking it on the beach, waves crashing, a campfire burning while enjoying a bottle of your favorite spirits beer/wine Etc.
Rude Dog
Posted by: CapnShiner
I've been going to Pismo several times a year for the last 15 years. I thought of some more things you might find usefull.
Before you pull onto the beach, let some air out of your tires. Drop down to about 22psi front 20psi rear. (maybe a little lower) When you do this, your tires will make a bigger footprint on the sand, and will be less likley to sink. But when your tires are that low, don't drive too fast. When you get off the beach don't go above 30 - 35MPH untill you air back up. Low tires will get hot and blow out.
When crossing the stream, I like to start higher upstream, then cross at a 20 or 30 degree angle, so the truck is pointing mainly towards the ocean and drive about the same speed as the water. This way, you splash very little water on your truck, and quads. Also, I would say 80% of the trucks that get stuck in the stream crossing get stuck because water gets on the distributer, and kills the motor. Very rarely do I see anyone stuck in the stream with a running motor. So if you can limit the splash when you go through you'll limit the chances of getting stuck. (I've never gotten stuck in the stream) Also, the water a little bit upstream has a bit less salt in it. But you will still want to stop and the car wash and spray down your truck and quads before you head home, and then wash them up really good when you get home.
People are very friendly there at Pismo, if you ever do get your truck stuck, hook a toe strap to the front of your truck, and wait.. you'll have a volenteer willing to give you a tug within 5 minutes. The tow truck drives charge $50+.
And like dunechick said, the east side of the dunes are the steep sides, the west sides have the gradual slopes. But you've gotta watch out for the razorbacks. They have the steep side on both the north and south side. On my last trip, I hit a razorback at 4th Gear, powerband on my banshee. I cleared the downslope, and came home with 10 stiches in my chin.
Here's what the tides will be like http://www.classiccalifornia.com/tides.htm
I would try to make it down the same weekend, but my bike is in peices But have fun!
-Josh
Posted by: CapnShiner
Northern Brentwood -- An hour east of SF
Posted by: CapnShiner
TRXter - I've never ridden at Sand Hill ranch. I didn't think it was too ATV friendly. I've only seen motorcycles ridding there. But I haven't been by it in 5 or so years. I should have my bike back together within the month. Shoot me an email sometime Banshee@atv-racing.com - I need to get out and ride again.
-Josh
Posted by: letitsnow
Me and my wife are planning a trip to Pismo in mid January. We will be hauling our quads on an open snowmobile trailer, and staying at a hotel in town. I have never been to any dunes before, and was looking for some advice. I'm also worried about getting my quads ripped off. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advace.
Posted by: letitsnow
After doing a little more research, I have decided to spend Jan 20-22 at Dumont(for me). Then Jan 23-25 at Pismo(so my wife can see the ocean). I have a 4x4 Chevy s-10 with 31" tires, is this enough to drive through this river at Pismo that i've read about? Also, are there any snakes/bugs or anything that a rookie duner would have to look out for? 1 last question....Is the elavation at Dumont enough of a change from Minnesota(800'?) that i'd have to change the jetting on my 250R? Thanks in advance for any advice. This is very helpful, when you call and talk to people at hotels etc., they seem like they have no clue about anything!
Posted by: letitsnow
Spinks250R...It would be great to meet someone out there. I will be on a red '88 250R(no stickers) with a purple frame. I will be easy to spot because I won't know what i'm doing, and i'll keep looking back to see where my wife is on her Warrior. I won't be out there until Monday(Martin Luther King day), flag me down if you see me.
Dunechick....Thanks for the advice. I even printed out your posting so that I can read it again when we get there. Thanks again.
Posted by: letitsnow
Thanks for the advice Capnshiner...I'm healing up from broken ribs now, so I don't think i'll be catching much air(intentionally) off of anything. How does everyone feel about chest protectors?? I've always thought they were a waste, but now i'm thinking one would be a good idea..Lol.
Posted by: GAR
You might consider driving up the coast to the Oregon Dunes also. It would be worth the drive. The drive up the coast is awesome anyway. I can help with any info
Posted by: GAR
dunechick, Yes, the Oregon dunes start with Coos Bay then 15 miles north is Winchester Bay, then Florence about 50 miles farther north, then Sand Lake another 2 hrs or so north. Most people like Coos Bay the best being something around 15,000 acres of fun. I like Winchester alot because of the larger dunes. You can see the dunes at Winchester from the Coos Bay dunes the section of dunes between is closed. The sand is blonde colored and coarse. If you avoid holidays you can ride and hardly see anyone except at the main gathering spots. Plenty of trails, hillclimbs and flats to fill anyone's apetite. If you head up this way,let me know I would be glad to show you people around. If you have any specific questions just ask. GAR
Posted by: GAR
dunechick, Try the oohva.org website.
Posted by: dunechick
hi there, i go to pismo about twice a month. it's home away from home!
for the river - you usually only have to worry about crossing within 2 hours of high tide. the tide times are usually posted at the ranger/fee booth when you pull in - rangers there are great at answering questions. when you cross the river stay closer to the ocean and cross slowly. if tide is still a little high, watch the waves for a while and wait until they have pulled back. most of the time the river is nothing to worry about, sometimes it is very dangerous to cross.
the sand - after the rain it's usually pretty hard packed and not so easy to get stuck in. if it hasn't rained recently it can be pretty soft stuff. i have a 4x4 jeep cherokee and i do air down my tires when i am there. i don't know much about your tires but mine require 35psi and i air down to about 12psi. sometimes i take the jeep into the dunes but usually i air down just so i don't get stuck driving to the toilet! i would air down trailer tires a bit too.
the dunes - as you look from the ocean out into the dunes they appear smooth and round. as you are riding from camp to the dunes, watch out, the far half of the dunes drop off. better to slow down and see what you are getting into before descending. not alot of razorbacks or witches eyes out there but they are there! riding back toward the ocean is cool- you can hit some great jumps and get AIR!
misc - not really any pests to bother you out there. there are a few coyotes further back in the dunes and I hear there are snakes in the grassy areas - grassy areas are fenced off thanks to over zealous enviros anyway. watch out for the cute little birdies out there (snowy plover-endangered species) enviros....(i'll save that for another thread) theft does occur out there but not as frequently as places like Glamis. We do lock up our bikes. Last time I stayed in Motel 6 (4th street) and we backed the trailer up against the fence. Guys in next room backed their trailer onto the sidewalk and up against the room window! also, flags are required. Rangers are pretty active - mind the 15mph speedlimit along the beach! also illegial to ride doubles.
wow, that's alot of typing... enjoy your trip there - feel free to email or post any questions and I will happily answer
julie
Posted by: dunechick
hey GAR - what's the Oregon Dunes like? I have been wanting check em out. Also, is this the same place called Coos Bay and/or Huniman? Thanks in advance!
Julie
Posted by: dunechick
letitsnow - you're welcome. check your private messages for more info.....
GAR - thank you very much for the great info. i hope to make it up there in about 2 months or so.
