Dumont Dunes California Mar 2011

[keithb7]

Hi everyone. Thought I'd share some photos of a trip I took my 12 yr old son on. We prepared the bikes for the dunes and drove 5,000 KM, return from Kamloops to the Dumont dunes in California. For reference the dunes are located about a 1.5hr drive west from Vegas. We took an on line Oregon State OHV course to be legal. We got spark arrestors, a flag, paddle tires, and a non-resident Calif OHV permit. We were legal. My son was on a KTM SX105, I on my 06 RMZ-450. Dune riding was incredible. We were very quickly addicted to carving in wind swept bowls, and climbing the huge dunes that are upto 500 ft high. We shared some great laughs and memories we'll both have for life. We bought a Go-Pro helmet cam just to document the trip. I will upload a video on the net to share here. Attached here are some photos. 2 days into the trip I crossed over a dune to be very surprised by nothing but air below me. I dropped very hard on my front wheel. I was knocked out when my chin hit my handle bars. I awoke to a very sore jaw, ribs, sternum, and a fractured ankle and wrist. We had US medical coverage and quickly learned we had to get home. A good friend flew to Vegas immediatly and drove us and our rig home. I had surgery on both breaks leaving me with screws and plates now! I am recovering fine and we can't wait to go back next year. - Keith


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[klrroo]

Looks fantastic, sucks about the injury though. How long did it take you to drive from the loops to there? I have been thinking about doing the same thing one of these days.

[keithb7]

I would say about 23 hrs driving. From Kamloops I recommend this route:
Cross border at Osoyoos, Grand Coolie, Moses Lake, to Pasco Washington.
Then past Ontario Oregon, head S. just before Boise to Winnemucca. From
there to Battle Mtn, Austin Nevada, to Tonopah, Beatty, Vegas, W. to Pahrump,
then a quick jot S. to Dumont.I have done the I5 route through Seattle, Eugene,
N. Calif too. I always seem to experience lots of traffic delays thru Seattle. The I5
route is not quiker than the route I listed above. The route above is more direct, passes
through no major urban centers, and is a lot more enjoyable drive.

[mudPie]

Look like lots a fun. I wana do same with bro in Oct 2012
how do you think a terraflex tire would do there? http://www.bcdirtbikesupply.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=5&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=7&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=67&vmcchk=1&Itemid=67
And you have to take the Oregon State OHV on line course, and a non-resident Calif OHV permit for both to be legal on the Duns? Links?
thanks for info.

[beaver steve]

I would highly recommend Pismo Beach first and Glamis second if you love the dunes. Be careful of the other rigs out there too, some of the rails get major airtime and don't always look before they leap...many medivacs out of the dunes every year. Gotta love it.

[keithb7]

I bought our OHV non resident permits, flags and mounts at a dealer in Fresno Cali on the way. I took the Oregon State free on line OHV course. The wallet ID cards showed up in the mail shortly there after.
I bought a USF approved silencer for the KTM105 and a DB Dog silencer insert with spark screen for my RM-Z4540. We ordered paddle tires here at home and installed them before we left. They were cheap.
Brand new $45 for KTM and $65 for my 450. I would not travel that far to the dunes without a paddle tire, there is no better traction in the soft sand, why short yourself with a knobby tire? I have also been to
Pismo Beach, now Oceano Dunes. The riding area has been severely reduced and is a sandbox in comparison to Dumont. Glamis is probably the largest area, but that much farther. We had one week, driving to
Dumont was plenty far enough for me. Dumont has over 8,000 acres or riding terrain.

[mudPie]

I bought our OHV non resident permits, flags and mounts at a dealer in Fresno Cali on the way. I took the Oregon State free on line OHV course. The wallet ID cards showed up in the mail shortly there after.
I bought a USF approved silencer for the KTM105 and a DB Dog silencer insert with spark screen for my RM-Z4540. We ordered paddle tires here at home and installed them before we left. They were cheap.
Brand new $45 for KTM and $65 for my 450. I would not travel that far to the dunes without a paddle tire, there is no better traction in the soft sand, why short yourself with a knobby tire? I have also been to
Pismo Beach, now Oceano Dunes. The riding area has been severely reduced and is a sandbox in comparison to Dumont. Glamis is probably the largest area, but that much farther. We had one week, driving to
Dumont was plenty far enough for me. Dumont has over 8,000 acres or riding terrain.
Thanks . Yeah we wana spend 3 weeks south. So will be cheak'n other parks out that are not paddle-tire freindly.
The teraflex is a monster knobbie that aperntly will do well in sand. But I may try get two sets of rims and tires on Ebay.