Bay Area Adventure Riders Club

[r3r3r]

Originally Posted by panglao

Hi All,

Let me introduce myself, I'm Tim and I live in Santa Cruz, I'm retired which also means I'm not as quick and agile as most of you guys and gals!

I have a BMW G650GS, which I just put some decent DS tires on. I would call myself an OK, kind of cruiser on the street and relatively inexperienced on the offroad stuff on a big bike, but want to learn more and would like an occasional buddy to ride with, don't want to get in trouble by myself!!

Btw: I have experience Offroad, just not on the bigger bike, I have ridden, MX, ATV's and driven 4x4's offroad in Hollister, Dunes, Sierra's and Nevada mountain deserts

I'm available 7 days, for say 1/2 day rides, would like to try Summit Road - Mt Madonna.....dirt, fire roads....

cheers

Tim

Welcome to ADV. I am also in SC (there are a lot of ADV/dual sport folks in the area). As you know, there isn't a lot of dirt here, but Summit can be part of a fun loop (esp. if Highland is open/passable for a return after Corralitos, etc.)

Not many local rides organize here (but some do), you may also want to check SBR (South Bay Riders) where there are a few more local rides posted.

This weekend would be a great one for riding. I usually spend most of the winter off the moto and on the mountain bike (wet roads and cold winds are not my ideal conditions for riding a motorcycle). I'm out for this weekend though, as I am waiting on a battery for my XRL.

[chrish4ku]

Took the XR650R team to Ridgecrest last weekend. Good thing I bought a bunch of those Lance Armstrong Stinger Waffles with me...

With these guys I need that "level playing field advantage" so I figured why not. Oh boy do they work......

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=857354

[almissoula]

Originally Posted by panglao

Hi All,

Let me introduce myself, I'm Tim and I live in Santa Cruz, I'm retired which also means I'm not as quick and agile as most of you guys and gals!

I have a BMW G650GS, which I just put some decent DS tires on.

Hi Tim, I've been looking at Summit road on the map and would love to check it out - it seems like the weather is warming up and if Feb looks nice I may go. Give me a shout if you plan on going and need a wingman - I am on an R1150GS but it should be fine up there. Do you know if its connected all the way, to Hecker Pass or do we need to double back? It looks like it but I'm not sure if there's a gate somewhere.

Cheers,
Alan

[spqr]

Originally Posted by almissoula

Hi Tim, I've been looking at Summit road on the map and would love to check it out - it seems like the weather is warming up and if Feb looks nice I may go. Give me a shout if you plan on going and need a wingman - I am on an R1150GS but it should be fine up there. Do you know if its connected all the way, to Hecker Pass or do we need to double back? It looks like it but I'm not sure if there's a gate somewhere.

Cheers,
Alan

Summit was open as of a few days ago. There are gates but they are rarely closed (keep the noise down and the residents don't care). Buzzard lagoon is also a little fun, been meaning to get the bike down to the lagoon itself. There is also a pretty extensive network of dirt that leads down from summit to Uvas. Some of that area can get a little twitchy if you run into the wrong person. I usually throw the bags on and tell them I am 'In training' for another long overland trip. So far it works. Next Sunday I will take a run down that direction (or maybe Saturday).

If you are going to play on those road just remember to keep moving and keep the noise down. I have been stopped up there and told it was no problem but 'those damn kids on the dirt bikes' were not welcome. All part of the adventure.

If anyone wants to do a meet up during the week on the the SC side of the hill I can should be able to be talked down off my mountain.

[almissoula]

Originally Posted by spqr

Summit was open as of a few days ago. There are gates but they are rarely closed (keep the noise down and the residents don't care). Buzzard lagoon is also a little fun, been meaning to get the bike down to the lagoon itself. There is also a pretty extensive network of dirt that leads down from summit to Uvas. Some of that area can get a little twitchy if you run into the wrong person. I usually throw the bags on and tell them I am 'In training' for another long overland trip. So far it works. Next Sunday I will take a run down that direction (or maybe Saturday).

If you are going to play on those road just remember to keep moving and keep the noise down. I have been stopped up there and told it was no problem but 'those damn kids on the dirt bikes' were not welcome. All part of the adventure.

If anyone wants to do a meet up during the week on the the SC side of the hill I can should be able to be talked down off my mountain.

Sounds great + thanks for the tips! I wanted to tap into the roads that lead to Uvas, lots of fun down there.

[panglao]

Originally Posted by almissoula

Sounds great + thanks for the tips! I wanted to tap into the roads that lead to Uvas, lots of fun down there.

Thanks Alan, R3r33, Spqr,

I did ride a short part of Summit the other day, it was pretty good, mainly dry, still some Ice in the shady spots, I turned around when I came to the "open gates" with the no trespassing, mainly as I was on my own if it got a bit gnarly ahead.

My bike is going in for a service for a couple of days plus I'm having some surgery.

So I will post when I'm ready to ride, hopefully in around 10 days.

Look forward to meeting up.

Tim

[panglao]

Originally Posted by chrish4ku

Took the XR650R team to Ridgecrest last weekend. Good thing I bought a bunch of those Lance Armstrong Stinger Waffles with me...

With these guys I need that "level playing field advantage" so I figured why not. Oh boy do they work......

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=857354

OK, someone has to ask, do you eat those or inject them?

[M N B]

Originally Posted by almissoula

Sounds great + thanks for the tips! I wanted to tap into the roads that lead to Uvas, lots of fun down there.

All the roads from Summit to Uvas/McKean are private (eg: Casa Loma and Loma Chiquita).

I've never talked to anyone living there, but there is property for sale out there (or was last I was there), so I usually just say I was checking out some property. I always keep my riding tame, slow near people, wave, be respectful, etc. After nasty weather, a spot or two can be a bit challenging on a big bike.

When you get to the gate at the end of Casa Loma, you may have to get fairly close to the gate to trigger it. I've never been able to trigger it coming the other way (ie: going up from Uvas/McKean).

I generally prefer not to ride those roads. One resident was jailed for clotheslining a rider intentionally a few years back.

I typically stick to Summit and Buzzard Lagoon. Once in a great while I'll hit Ormsby Cutoff (which is private) and far more rarely, I'll do Casa Loma.

[almissoula]

Originally Posted by M N B

All the roads from Summit to Uvas/McKean are private (eg: Casa Loma and Loma Chiquita).

I've never talked to anyone living there, but there is property for sale out there (or was last I was there), so I usually just say I was checking out some property. I always keep my riding tame, slow near people, wave, be respectful, etc. After nasty weather, a spot or two can be a bit challenging on a big bike.

When you get to the gate at the end of Casa Loma, you may have to get fairly close to the gate to trigger it. I've never been able to trigger it coming the other way (ie: going up from Uvas/McKean).

I generally prefer not to ride those roads. One resident was jailed for clotheslining a rider intentionally a few years back.

I typically stick to Summit and Buzzard Lagoon. Once in a great while I'll hit Ormsby Cutoff (which is private) and far more rarely, I'll do Casa Loma.

Thanks for looking out. I do not want to trespass / get clotheslined...so...won't be going up there.

Leaving today for 6 days in Death Valley. See you FF's when I get back.

Later,
Alan

[spqr]

For those wanting a little practice I will be out at Hollister Hills on Saturday. Probably camping in Walnut or Madrone. All of the greens and most of the blues are big bike friendly. I have tried some of the blacks... it was interesting.

If you are interested drop me a PM. If you decide just to show up look for a yellow F800 GS ('09) with a vanity plate equating to Combat Pay. Plated bikes enter free, so casual dual sporting is cheap. You might also look for a tan Ford F150 king cab.

I will spend most of the day on a pure dirt bike but always take the BMW for a couple of laps just to prove she can do it.

[M N B]

Originally Posted by spqr

For those wanting a little practice I will be out at Hollister Hills on Saturday. Probably camping in Walnut or Madrone.

I may head out there with my new to me toy hauler. Bright blue Tacoma, Tahoe Transport Toyhauler, red and white 2011 Husky TE310. I may camp up on Radio Ridge, but Walnut is nice. Madrone's not too bad, either.

[chrish4ku]

Originally Posted by panglao

OK, someone has to ask, do you eat those or inject them?

Mix with beer, and inject them. Can't release the "how" but can release the "why" - - - it's just better.

[mototifosi]

Originally Posted by spqr

Summit was open as of a few days ago. There are gates but they are rarely closed (keep the noise down and the residents don't care). Buzzard lagoon is also a little fun, been meaning to get the bike down to the lagoon itself. There is also a pretty extensive network of dirt that leads down from summit to Uvas. Some of that area can get a little twitchy if you run into the wrong person. I usually throw the bags on and tell them I am 'In training' for another long overland trip. So far it works. Next Sunday I will take a run down that direction (or maybe Saturday).

If you are going to play on those road just remember to keep moving and keep the noise down. I have been stopped up there and told it was no problem but 'those damn kids on the dirt bikes' were not welcome. All part of the adventure.

If anyone wants to do a meet up during the week on the the SC side of the hill I can should be able to be talked down off my mountain.

I'm in Willow Glen and would be up most weekends to ride SC Mtns or where ever!

[mototifosi]

Originally Posted by almissoula

Thanks for looking out. I do not want to trespass / get clotheslined...so...won't be going up there.

Leaving today for 6 days in Death Valley. See you FF's when I get back.

Later,
Alan

Santa Cruz Mtns. woman gets 5-years in rope booby-trap maiming < Prev Next >
Posted By:
batn_control
Thu May 24, 2007 12:06 am |
Options



Published Saturday, May 19, 2007, by the San Jose Mercury News

Woman gets five years in motorcyclist's disfigurement

By Rodney Foo
Mercury News

A Los Gatos woman was slapped Friday with a five-year prison sentence
for her role in stretching a rope across a Santa Cruz mountain road
and nearly decapitating an unsuspecting motorcyclist.

With her manacled hands clasped in front of her, a sobbing Donna
Mae Olsen, 47, turned to the courtroom gallery and addressed Robert
Barnes, the victim as well as her Loma Chiquita Road neighbor,
saying, "I'm very sorry" to him and his family.

Olsen and co-defendant Donald Bruce Bryant, 63, were convicted in
December by a Superior Court jury on two counts each of assault with
a deadly weapon. A third defendant, Edward S. Anderson, 49, Olsen's
common-law husband, was acquitted.

Both Anderson and Bryant testified during the trial. Bryant's
sentencing was postponed because his attorney, Anthony Pagkas, is
preparing a motion seeking a new trial.

Olsen did not testify at her trial. She had apparently tried to
strike a deal in exchange for her testimony but prosecutors did not
respond, according to accounts in court Friday. Olsen has been in
jail since her May 15, 2006, arrest.

Previous convictions

In handing down the maximum sentence, Judge Paul Bernal cited Olsen's
two previous felony convictions for drug possession and noted she was
still on probation when she was arrested in May.

"She got what she deserved," Barnes said. "It could have been a
little longer, I think."

Barnes, who managed to remount his motorcycle and ride away for help
while bleeding, is recovering from injuries to his face and jaw.
Barnes, who endured more than 500 stitches, still requires more
plastic surgery and dental implant procedures.

In the aftermath, Barnes filed a lawsuit against Anderson, Bryant
and Olsen, alleging negligent infliction of injury. Meanwhile,
Anderson -- who lives on Loma Chiquita, about a mile from Barnes --
served Barnes with a lawsuit, seeking damages for libel and
defamation.

In response to questions raised by Bernal and others, Bryant waived
conflict-of-interest concerns, allowing Pagkas to simultaneously
represent him in the criminal case and handle Anderson's civil action.

Before being sentenced Friday, Olsen offered a rambling apology to
Barnes. At one point, her attorney, Shelyna Brown, quietly counseled
her, "Donna, stick to the facts."

Olsen said she was worried about her 4-year-old daughter's safety
because of dirt bikers roaring up and down the rural road in front
of her home.

She said there had been drinking, and she portrayed the hoisting of
the rope as a spontaneous event, an account that prosecutor Leigh
Frazier disputes.

"This took some premeditation and some planning to string up a rope
like that," Frazier said.

'I'll never forget'

Olsen spoke about how she cut the line down with a scissors after
Barnes was injured and how she was filled with remorse after seeing
his face "totally rolled up."

"I remember your eyes," she said. "I'll never forget what you looked
like."

Facing toward Barnes, who leaned forward in his seat to hear her
words, Olsen said "If I can help you ... any way I will."

"You should have turned on Ed," shot back Barnes, alluding to her
silence during the trial.

After the hearing, Olsen's mother, Rosetta Allen, decried the
sentence. "It's terrible," Allen said, noting her daughter already
has served a year behind bars.

But the prosecutor said the seriousness of the crime could not be
overlooked.

"This could have so easily killed Mr. Barnes," Frazier said. "Think
of how it devastated his life, emotionally and financially, and the
face he looks back at every day because of the injuries he had. It
was such a pointless crime. I can't understand why someone would do
something so callous."


The "hillbillies" got the message up there. No trouble that I know of since. By the way...I believe those roads are public except in the "locked gate" sense. They have no right to stop you from riding on any public road up there... correct me if I'm wrong.

[almissoula]

Originally Posted by mototifosi

[COLOR="DarkOrange"]
They have no right to stop you from riding on any public road up there... correct me if I'm wrong.

Thank you for the news, mototifosi. I will report back on Summit rd when I ride down there. Should be soon.