Big Pine Flat Trail Ride - Photo/Video Slide Show

[BusyWeb]

Big Pine Flat Trail

Location: San Bernadino National Forest, near Big Bear Lake. California
Trail Mileage: 25 miles
Top Elevation: 7,600 feet

This trail is the easiest and funiest trail I have ever had; (just in few out of my total trail experiences.. ^^;)
Very nice road conditions, hard graded dirt road are most of them.
There are some deep sandy and loosed gravel parts on the road, at the Crap Flat Road where Big Pine Flat road meets.
Just few (couple) of miles long at those conditions, and many OHV's are on those sections. (Traffic at the mountain trail !!!)
At the entrance, I saw this trail does not permit those OHV and green stickers.
I was wonder why?
That section isn't the Big Pine Flat Trail, but Crap Flat Road.
It is little bit easy to be lost the directions if not careful to follow the road.
Thre are WEB of trails around.

Some couple of small streams crossing... ha ha ha, I did first time water over riding at this trail.
It's very short length, but looks just a bit deeper for me.
So, I found very shallow edge and successfully crossed without wetting the my feet.

Very nice sceneries and clean air quality..
Bright sunny weather helped my happy and fun trial riding.

Here is some photo and short video slide show at the trail.
I tried to put mainly for road sceneries only in the trail riding to share.
All the saddle time videos are from newly acquired Kodak ZX3 Play Sport (water proof, budget pocket type).
And camera is mounted on my chest by camel-pack shoulder straps; recording is triggered by remote control while riding.
IMHO, quality isn't that bad (actually good enough) for this budget camera. ^^;

[youtube:2e5tdrpt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzmI86sqVCs[/youtube:2e5tdrpt]

Thanks

[blaine]

I think the video quality is excellent.Beautiful scenery.I always enjoy your videos.Thanks for sharing.

:2tup: :popcorn:

[Moedad]

Nice pics and video, Busy. BTW (heh-heh), it's CRAB Flats Rd., not CRAP Flats. You're really getting some long rides on that little bike. Did you ride all the way from your house on the TW200?

[Water Warrior 2]

Simply excellent Busy. We get to see what you see(envious here)and also watch your dirt skills improve with each ride. Will have to check out that camera for myself. Glad to see the water crossing was a success too. They can be somewhat of a surprise if the water gets deeper and the bike slows too much. My first water crossing was a wet affair. I neglected to consider the drag effect of deeper water and the bike powered out in the middle of a creek and I stopped. But I did find out if my boots were water proof. They were............not a drop leaked out of them. lol.
This area is obviously well maintained and popular which is a bonus if anything breaks so that is another big plus for you as a lone rider. Keep the videos coming, we all enjoy them and your comments.

[BusyWeb]

:2tup: :popcorn:

Thanks Mr. blaine for the comments.... ^^

Nice pics and video, Busy. BTW (heh-heh), it's CRAB Flats Rd., not CRAP Flats. You're really getting some long rides on that little bike. Did you ride all the way from your house on the TW200?

Oops... I thought that little bit strange road name it was.... ha ha ha
Thanks for the correction!!
Yes, I did go and back home with TW200 to the Trail.
Little bit tired after the last weekend riding, as it is not that comfortable bike for high speed.
But, it did good job for me without any troubles like GZ did for me. (very dependable !!)
So, I'm thinking that if I have small pick up truck for the longer destination ????
And searching for old used good priced one ... hope I could find one. (then, other street bike will be gone ...sadly, but don't want to be )

Simply excellent Busy. We get to see what you see(envious here)and also watch your dirt skills improve with each ride. Will have to check out that camera for myself. Glad to see the water crossing was a success too. They can be somewhat of a surprise if the water gets deeper and the bike slows too much. My first water crossing was a wet affair. I neglected to consider the drag effect of deeper water and the bike powered out in the middle of a creek and I stopped. But I did find out if my boots were water proof. They were............not a drop leaked out of them. lol.
This area is obviously well maintained and popular which is a bonus if anything breaks so that is another big plus for you as a lone rider. Keep the videos coming, we all enjoy them and your comments.

Thanks Mr. WW always.
Many advices that I could use for the my ridings...
My boots may/might be not all waterproof at all, I had some leakage at the rainly day riding... sad.
The stream wasn't that deep, but I felt some worry
"If bike down or engine cut-off while on...what a my ego-damage could go...first of all >> no others are near there at the time !!!" ha ha ha

[Water Warrior 2]

Busy, never worry about falling in front of onlookers. They will also be the folks who rescue you if things get to be too much for a single body to handle.

[BusyWeb]

Busy, never worry about falling in front of onlookers. They will also be the folks who rescue you if things get to be too much for a single body to handle.

O.K.
But in a reality, it hurts... ^^
Thanks alot.

[Water Warrior 2]

Of course it hurts to mess up around others and the ego takes a hit BUT........picture this in your mind. 30 inches of water, bike died and fell over on your leg trapping you. It can easily happen. Do you want to be alone or have witness' to save your sorry a$$. I stopped off road riding years ago because I had lost touch with other buds with dirt bikes. Some of the places I liked to ride were very remote and being hurt and alone was not a pleasant thought.

[BusyWeb]

Some of the places I liked to ride were very remote and being hurt and alone was not a pleasant thought.

Sorry, to hear your sad memoies...
I'll keep in mind your words whenever I go to ride, and be carefule myself at the best; as I do mostly riding alone.
That's why I have some plan to have a small bike transporter (pick-up truck at the least), so that I can have some physical power left over for the dirt riding, if I go far and remote distance to ride.
Thanks

[Water Warrior 2]

A small pick me up would work great with a decent ramp. Best for me was a trailer that was lower than a pick-up bed and less loading/unloading worries. A trailer also gives you the option of a small car or small truck. Of course you need somewhere to park the trailer at home too.
At one time I also had a carrier across the back of a full size Bronco to haul my KDX 200. Worked great and was made from scraps of whatever I had accummulating dust. My only expense was a couple lights on it because the bike blocked the Bronco tail lights. It also had a ramp so I never had to lift the bike up.

[mrlmd1]

There's a variety of hitch mounted bike carriers with ramps included for ~$120 or less on Ebay for carrying bikes up to 400 lbs. so that may work for you.

[BusyWeb]

A small pick me up would work great with a decent ramp. Best for me was a trailer that was lower than a pick-up bed and less loading/unloading worries. A trailer also gives you the option of a small car or small truck. Of course you need somewhere to park the trailer at home too.
At one time I also had a carrier across the back of a full size Bronco to haul my KDX 200. Worked great and was made from scraps of whatever I had accummulating dust. My only expense was a couple lights on it because the bike blocked the Bronco tail lights. It also had a ramp so I never had to lift the bike up.
There's a variety of hitch mounted bike carriers with ramps included for ~$120 or less on Ebay for carrying bikes up to 400 lbs. so that may work for you.

Thanks for the information.
These are my analysis for the my options.
1. No cage (car nor turck) this time.
2. Buy used one for specifically to use bike transportation to the destination.

*. Small pickup truck
>> Advantage:
>>>> nothing else needed except ramp.
>>>> could go over highway speed for the longer trip, save some time
>>>> if hitch is installed on the truck, I could rent U-Haul motorcycle trailer only when I needed it. Also can buy a good/cheap carrier (not sure small pickup could handle bike weight ??)
>>>> Can use it as regularlily when the bike is out-of-order or whenever needed
>> Dis-Advantage:
>>>> Gas mileage (20 mpg) more than small sedan
>>>> little bit discomfort for highway riding

*. Small sedan (Cage):
>> Advantage:
>>>> Gas mileage, about 25 to 30 mpg
>>>> Comfort riding
>>>> Can use it as regularlily when the bike is out-of-order or whenever needed
>> Dis-Advantage:
>>>> Have to buy Hitch Kit
>>>> Have to buy Trailer or rent at the time I needed
>>>> could not go over 55 mph at the highway
>>>> Don't have space for trailer (or buy Trailer-In-A-Bag which is expensive but looks good)
>>>> could not use hitch-carrier at all

*. Bigger vehicle (SUV, 1/2 ton, Van)
>> Everyting looks same as small cage, but much less MPG
>> Can use Hitch Carrier for SURE, and nice highway riding without problems.

My best option is the small pick-up or small sedan with higher loading capabilities !!!
Anything that I have to consider more for my option ???

[ncff07]

If it were me looking I'd go for a small truck. Ford Ranger or Chevy S-10 or the likes. They can handle ALOT of weight. At one time or another I've owned a chevy s10 with a 4.3 v6, a ford ranger with a 4.0, a chevy blazer with a 2.8 and a gmc s15 jimmy with a 4.3 and now i drive a blazer with a 4.3. The 4.3 is a strong motor, the jimmy had the 4.3 same motor as my s10 truck and we used to pull a dual axle race car trailer loaded with a dirt track car plus tools and race stuff. It can definately handle the weight of a bike. Plus with a small truck you would have it if you ever needed to haul something. The ranger i had, when i bought it a class 3 hitch was already installed on it. You may be able to find a nice used truck with one already on it. And if not most trucks have a place to install a ball on the bumper. And I think it was northern tool you can buy a small trailer kit you put together yourself for $200 that includes everything except the flooring you have to put thick plywood or something on it but it would work to haul a bike on easily.

EDIT: i went and found that small trailer. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_7262_7262 They also sell motorcycle shocks too.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395524_200395524

[Water Warrior 2]

Busy, given your needs and space requirements I would suggest a Ranger or Mazda pickup. A 4 cylinder model or 3 liter V6 is quite economical and will easily haul your bike without effort.
I had: 96 4cylinder/r speed manual
02 3 liter auto extended cab
07 4 liter/ manual 4x4 is my present driver.

The Mazda is a clone of the Ranger with slight trim and styling changes. They are very satisfying for my needs both past and present.

[ncff07]

I dont know about now but at one time Ford did buy into and own alot of Mazda's stock which is why i think the mazda truck looks almost identical to the ford ranger now days. And your right about gas mileage. My blazer with the 4.3 gets about 20 mpg. If i remember right a Nissan has 2 spark plugs on each cylinder which makes it more efficient. My dad used to own one of those.

[BusyWeb]

If it were me looking I'd go for a small truck. Ford Ranger or Chevy S-10 or the likes. They can handle ALOT of weight. And I think it was northern tool you can buy a small trailer kit you put together yourself for $200 that includes everything except the flooring you have to put thick plywood or something on it but it would work to haul a bike on easily.
EDIT: i went and found that small trailer. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_7262_7262 They also sell motorcycle shocks too.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395524_200395524
Busy, given your needs and space requirements I would suggest a Ranger or Mazda pickup. A 4 cylinder model or 3 liter V6 is quite economical and will easily haul your bike without effort.

Thanks for the information/advice to make my decision.
Tonight, I searched the craigslist all night... ha ha ha
And, the Ranger looks pretty good candidate for me.
Hopley, I could get some nicer one and searching....searching..
My street bike will be gone by the time when the truck comes in (sad, but no choice for me ^^)
Thanks again.

[Water Warrior 2]

Busy, I would give you my Ranger if the lotto ticket wins but I commited it to a local rider here. He really needs something newer and safer.

[BusyWeb]

Busy, I would give you my Ranger if the lotto ticket wins but I commited it to a local rider here. He really needs something newer and safer.

Ha ha ha, I hope you win a lotto in the next drawing.....
My biggest winning was $10 in my life just couple of weeks ago...
Thanks, and wish to good luck for you and for ME... ^^;

[Water Warrior 2]

Thank you Busy. The odds are millions to one but if you don't play you can't win.

[ncff07]

Apparently I made one heck of a typo, it was suppose to say Northern Tool had bike CHOCKS not shocks. opps.

[Water Warrior 2]

You are forgiven. We all get a little doozie on ocassion.