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BARF Rallies 2021

Basically yeah Jeff.

A long ride where focus is so important

Not a rookies task but doable for most.
 
PrinceMeerkat said:
Hey guys I love the sound of this rally. Im am just curious as to weather or not i will be able to make that ride. I am a new rider with just around 500 miles in 2 weeks of riding. I am current located in San Ramon and ride a Yamaha R3. Do you think this is doable for a new rider like me?
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It's a lot of seat time, so there's that, if you're not used to being on the bike that long (just in terms of physical comfort).

Long trips also require solid concentration, it's easy to get relaxed on such a long ride whether experienced or not, but we've seen bad accidents occur in seemingly safe conditions.

My biggest advice - ride your own pace, don't try to keep up with others, whoever is leading the general group will not mind waiting. Safety first! Good luck. :ride
 
PrinceMeerkat said:
Hey guys I love the sound of this rally. Im am just curious as to weather or not i will be able to make that ride. I am a new rider with just around 500 miles in 2 weeks of riding. I am current located in San Ramon and ride a Yamaha R3. Do you think this is doable for a new rider like me?
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Practice. Get more miles and get more seat time. See how you do riding 50 miles, then 100. Take note of your concentration while riding. It’s fatiguing. Taking breaks is a good healthy thing. It allows you to rest your brain and refresh.

I feel like if you can get a couple thousand miles under your belt you can probably make it. Just learn to pace yourself and take it easy.
 
If you can pull off extra days break the trip up into 2 days there and 2 days back. There are plenty of free camping or cheap hotel opportunities along the way for either rally.
 
PrinceMeerkat said:
Hey guys I love the sound of this rally. Im am just curious as to weather or not i will be able to make that ride. I am a new rider with just around 500 miles in 2 weeks of riding. I am current located in San Ramon and ride a Yamaha R3. Do you think this is doable for a new rider like me?
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As someone from the East Bay who brought a 250cc motard to last year's rally (although I've been riding for much longer than 2 weeks), with anywhere between 150K ~ 200K miles under my belt rain/shine/or snow, here's my two cents:

1) If you take the R3, starting from San Ramon (my folks still live there), you will likely be physically exhausted by the time you finally arrive at Weaverville, it's definitely doable, but plan on taking hourly breaks to stretch (your wrist and back will thank you).

2) If this is your first rally/long distance riding, I would highly suggest finding a partner to ride with, at a similar if not the same pace.

3) Start planning a route that's suitable for your experience and current physical stamina. You might have to take the most boring freeway route via I-5 if that means getting to Weaerville 2~3 hours earlier than the crazy, sometimes back tracking, zig zag route some folks prefer (and they tend to get to the destination after sunset).

4) Honestly, it was much more challenging for me both physically and mentally riding the 250 last year, versus taking the liter bike in 2019. It's definitely doable but I'd say you have to be prepared on what you are getting into, since there's no quitting halfway (you still have to ride back home).

5) You have another two months left, gradually try to see if you can ride 300 miles in one day on the R3 (basically an all day ride) without losing your mental focus or the ability to plant your butt on the seat. If it's not an issue I'd say you can definitely make it.

Or, you can always rent a truck and drive the R3 up to the hotel. The roads up in Weaverville are gorgeous and very nicely paved, with very little traffic. This option gives you more time to socialize and party with the BARF'ers.

C4535-E9-E-8-DAD-4204-B872-FDD21-B06091-F.jpg
 
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Another option is borrow, rent a pickup, van, or trailer and drive your bike up in order to partake in some AMAZING riding and social opportunities. If I had a hard plan in place or any kind of stability ion life I would opt to be your riding buddy/ den mom.
 
Mellowtonin said:

3) Start planning a route that's suitable for your experience and current physical stamina. You might have to take the most boring freeway route via I-5 if that means getting to Weaerville 2~3 hours earlier than the crazy, sometimes back tracking, zig zag route some folks prefer (and they tend to get to the destination after sunset).
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Why do I feel like you're talking about me? :x
 
We all need a den mother.
 
I am so looking forward to seeing my friends and giving them each a big ole hug.
 
Let do it! okay so after reading ALOT!!

SO the last 2 days i took the challenge and did 150 miles on the bike 50 the first 100 today. The most tiring part was when I was by my self but up and down the Calavaras pass when I was with other riders it was way less stress full and not as tense for me. (could be new rider scared of everything trying to kill me.)

Is there anyone who would possible be down to swing by any east bay spot and ride together? Also I will have to service the bike its coming up on its first 600 miles let me know if you think I should do the 1k mile service before i try this as well? I have a Nelson gear 40L back pack that I had on my rear seat and a regular size back pack while riding. It wasn't too to bad except for some of the windy parts.


UPDATED:

Alright guys I'm Doing it! i have decided looked at the map and everything. Gmaps says it will be 3:51. So even if I add 2 hours time in bettwen for rest stops. That will put me @ 6-7 hours. Leaving the house at 6AM I should reach there by 1 in the afternoon.

My only concern here is that there are 2 routes. One is along HWY 88 which seems like it is a mountain road and the other is I-80. Which one do you think is better?
 
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It’s easier when you follow other riders.

A back pack strapped to the seat should be okay. Go buy some rokstraps AND a bungee net to secure loose bits.

Yes, get that 1000 mile service done!!! You want to get those miles in before the rally. :) good on ya for doing your homework.

Don’t worry about route immediately. There are often groups that ride up together. Find one who says they’ll do a noobie friendly pace and join them.
 
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PrinceMeerkat said:
SO the last 2 days i took the challenge and did 150 miles on the bike 50 the first 100 today. The most tiring part was when I was by my self but up and down the Calavaras pass when I was with other riders it was way less stress full and not as tense for me. (could be new rider scared of everything trying to kill me.)

Is there anyone who would possible be down to swing by any east bay spot and ride together? Also I will have to service the bike its coming up on its first 600 miles let me know if you think I should do the 1k mile service before i try this as well? I have a Nelson gear 40L back pack that I had on my rear seat and a regular size back pack while riding. It wasn't too to bad except for some of the windy parts.


UPDATED:

Alright guys I'm Doing it! i have decided looked at the map and everything. Gmaps says it will be 3:51. So even if I add 2 hours time in bettwen for rest stops. That will put me @ 6-7 hours. Leaving the house at 6AM I should reach there by 1 in the afternoon.

My only concern here is that there are 2 routes. One is along HWY 88 which seems like it is a mountain road and the other is I-80. Which one do you think is better?
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Calaveras is not necessarily a road for beginners, although doable. I-80 is easy but straight and boring. I sometimes took I-80 to Roseville in order to meet a group from the Sacramento area and go to the sierras, it was quick but I was always waiting for the 2 hours to finish. Hwy 88 has nice sweepers and a nice landscape, although sometimes there is a little traffic and you need to see where you can safely pass RVs and trailers (no crash + no ticket).
 
Try to figure out how to lose the back pack. You'll be much more comfortable. You really don't need much stuff. A change of clothes, flip flops, a light jacket, toothbrush and a few pair of chonies.
 
dravnx said:
Try to figure out how to lose the back pack. You'll be much more comfortable. You really don't need much stuff. A change of clothes, flip flops, a light jacket, toothbrush and a few pair of chonies.
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Sounds like he plans to attach it to his seat.
 
"I have a Nelson gear 40L back pack that I had on my rear seat and a regular size back pack while riding"
 
two wheel tramp said:
It’s easier when you follow other riders.

A back pack strapped to the seat should be okay. Go buy some rokstraps AND a bungee net to secure loose bits.

Yes, get that 1000 mile service done!!! You want to get those miles in before the rally. :) good on ya for doing your homework.

Don’t worry about route immediately. There are often groups that ride up together. Find one who says they’ll do a noobie friendly pace and join them.
Click to expand...

Best advice ever!!! Rock Straps are THE bomb!
 
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