Greetings!
A few larger rides coming up in the next few months, some larger than others.
One in particular GDR '13. While all the way off in August, the Great Divide Ride needs to be planned pretty far in advance, like right now! So this is it the official call out to anyone interested to contact me to put your name on the list. We are planning to limit the size of the group to between 12 and 16 riders, how many depends on a few factors and will be decided as details are locked down. This will be a semi supported ride with a support vehicle and meals included. We are estimating $3000 per person to cover expenses, including food, camping fees, hotel and support vehicle. This does not include the use of a bike, you will need to provide your own ride ;-). If you want to get on the list for this ride email me with GDR as the subject.
Mojave Road is another. This ride is scheduled for the end of April, 3 days, Friday the 26th in the afternoon until Sunday the 28th in the evening. This will be a semi supported ride with a support vehicle to carry camping gear and dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday will be provided, their will be a $30 per rider charge. If you are interested email me with Mojave as the subject.
The Kern Plateau! Sounds cool, huh! This is little different ride format than all the rest of our schedule, as we will be setting up a base camp and riding our each day to explore the trails of Kennedy Meadows and Monache, June 14-16. This will be a supported ride with food and support vehicle. There will be a nominal fee to cover food and camping fees. To get on the list for this ride email me with Kern as the subject.
Finally, the Ground Breaker's Ride, set for next weekend! This will be a free ride with a chance to work on skill drills. I will be driving up to Hungry Valley SVRA on Saturday March 23rd with my Jeep and GSA. We will be offering basic assistance with tips on dirt riding techniques and will be there to help you stand your bike back up if you fall. This is meant to be a comfortable low-pressure environment for new riders to explore using their bikes in the dirt. We will have traffic cones with us so we can practice doing basic drills and techniques. I plan on getting a bit of practice myself! I will be camping out the night before and your are welcome to join me! Please email me with Ground as the subject if you are interested.
Now, for street action! We are looking to put together a couple of multi-day road trips. If you are interested in a road trip up HWY 395, PCH or Both! Email me with Asphalt as the subject!
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Ride Sign Ups
We have a few rides coming up that are a little more involved than our regualr ride and as such will require a bit more planning.
March 23 - Ground Breakers Novice Dual Sport Class
April 26-28 - Mojave Road
May 25-26 - Telescope Peak Death Valley
June 14-16 - Kern Plateau
August 3-14 - Great Divide Ride
If you are interested in any of these rides, please email Michael Spencer. There is limited space for all of these rides.
Link to Calendar
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Ride report - Lockwood Valley.
From the Journal of Cameron Marshall
March 9-10 Lockwood Valley Gear-Up Getaway
Reyes Creek Campground
Rick's piercing blue eyes had a worried urgent look. "Bro, are you okay?"
That was a good question, what had happened to prompt it?
At about exactly the same time I answered, "I'm okay" a searing pain shot up my left side...
Earlier that morning...
As usual we left Saturday morning from BMWVC World Headquarters in Thousand Oaks to hit the 101 superslab North, but this ride was a bit different, a combined ride with Howard and his Enduro day-trippers.... finish reading here.
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Ride report - Lockwood Valley
:: Dual Sport Ride to Lockwood Valley
:: excerpt from HR Technical Logue - 03-09-13 8PM PST ::
:: Saturday the 9th was a great day for a ride with our BMWVC group. 16 riders headed up and over HWY 33 where we split into two groups at the Lockwood Valley turn off. My group (the Dual Sport guys) went on to explore Apache Canyon. I found that the F800GS that I was riding was perfectly suited for this portion of the day. Sweeping turns through trees and semi rough creek crossings kept me wanting to go faster and faster. The rain the day before had left the dirt in premium condition for a great ride.
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Venture Riders Forum
Are you tired of all the Bla Bla Bla of Facebook?
Do you find most online forums just too huge with more rhetoric and rules than actual help?
We felt this way too and decided to do something about it!
In conjunction with our GS Venture Challenge BMWVC introduced the Venture Riders Forum.
We are building a group of riding enthusiasts to share our adventures with, and as part of that it was decided that we need our own central place to talk about, plan, and share our motorcycling adventures online in a way Facebook could not provide.
For now it is leaning toward the GS and dual sport crowd, but we have set up a few forums for the road touring crowd, and plan to add some rides for you later this year.
It has taken a few weeks to set up the domain name, software and hosting, to get it to where it is today. Is it perfect? I doubt it, but the only way we are going to get it going is to open the gates and let in the masses.
So head on over to the forum and check it out, we hope you like it.
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That's it for now. For up to the minute, or so, information check us out on Facebook or check the Venture Riders Forum blogs.
Sincerely,
Michael Spencer
BMW Motorcycles of Ventura County
Remember to ride safe. |
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Calendar of Events
Things are happening really fast here at BMWVC, pay attention or you could miss something.
March 16 - Don Hobson's Street Ride
March 16 - Ride the World of BMWVC - Ride to Rawhyde
March 23 - Ground Breakers Novice Dual Sport Class
March 30 - BMWVC Spring Cleaning Sale
April 20-21 - Ventura Off Road Show
April 24 - Guest Speaker Rene Cormier
May 4 - BMWVC Bike Show and Open House
Plus! We have some larger rides that are scheduled further out. If you are interested in any of these rides please email Michael Spencer for details and to get on the list.
April 26-28 - Mojave Road
May 25-26 - Telescope Peak Death Valley
June 14-16 - Kern Plateau
August 3-14 - Great Divide Ride
Link to Calendar
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Venture Challenge
The Year of the Ride 2013
It's simple, 12 months, 15 rides, and You.
BMWVC is thrilled to kick up our stands and ride towards adventure as we begin our GS Venture Challenge, Year of the Ride 2013. Dedicated to expanding the ride opportunities of our friends and clientele, we have developed this ride challenge for those looking to explore the GS lifestyle. Ranging from scenic day rides to challenging multi-day excursions you will be able to test your technique and develop your expertise either on your own or in the company of other riders. Explore and experience Big Sur, Telescope Peak and Figueroa Mountain, challenge yourself through the tall pines on the Kern Plateau, under the shadow of the Trona Pinnacles, over the varied expanses of Carizzo Plain and the Mojave Road. Take the ultimate trek on the Great Divide Ride. BMWVC understands the difficulties in venturing out on your own and we will be there to assist with technical support from GPS coordinates and area information to ride support vehicle availability and web forum access. Join the GS Venture Challenge and make 2013 your Year of the Ride.
Expand your knowledge and expertise, test your mettle against the backdrop of California and beyond, meet old friends and make new ones - take the GS Venture Challenge!
Registration is only $75 and includes these additional benefits:
Four free tire changes per year*
Tire storage
Extended BMWVC Van Service Pick-up*
Parts and Service coupons
GS Venture Challenge T-Shirt
Participation will include access to a private forum page.
Ride Support Availability
In addition, participants that complete four easy rides, two moderate rides and onechallenging ride will be awarded a GS Venture Challenge Jacket to show off all your ride patches!
For up to date information or questions check out the Venture Riders Forum or email mspencer@bmwventura.com
To sign up now go here -> Sign Up
*Certain restrictions apply.
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Special Guest Speaker
Rene Cormier
At the age of 33 Rene Cormier left the comfortable 9-5 life in exchange for a motorcycle adventure of a lifetime. Selling all his worldly belongings and working with a $25 per day budget, Rene eventually took 5 years to complete his unsupported and unsponsored 95,000 mile global loop.
The book won the Bronze medal in the Travel Essay Category at the 2010 Independent Book Publisher Awards in New York City. That same year the title received the 2010 Da Vinci Eye award, and was nominated as a finalist in the Eric Hoffer Award for Short Prose and Independent Books.
On April 24, 2013 Rene will be here at BMWVC sharing first hand his experiences . So mark your calendar now. We will begin accepting reservations in March as space will be limited.
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Photo Contest
 | | Photo By: Powell Browne |
February 2013
Congratulations to our winner from January. Powell will receive a NEW BMWVC Hat and a $50 Gift Card
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The rules are simple.
It must have a BMW motorcycle in it, it must be a picture you took and have the legal right to publish and it must be in good taste. One entry per person and the previous month's winner is not eligible. Sorry but we have to keep it fair.
By submitting a picture you are giving BMW Motorcycles of Ventura County permission to publish it on our website, Facebook page and newsletter free of any payment, except for the winner which will be entitled to the BMWVC Hat and $50 Gift Card!
Winner will be announced in the newsletter and on Facebook, the month following.
Email entries to
info@bmwventura.com
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