Video Slideshow of our event!!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOFtQHzaL_s

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Trail Tips - February 2009 In This Issue + AMA District 36 News + This Month's Trail Tip! + FREE Adventure Ride!!! + Video Slideshow + Guides Wanted + GPS & Motorcycles + Yosemite Adventure Tour + Legislative Alert Lawrence Borgens Named as AMA District 36 Dual Sport Liaison At the December AMA District 36 meeting Lawrence Borgens, founder of Family Off-Road Adventures, was appointed as the Dual Sport Liaison by District President, Kay Neely.   Of the nomination Lawrence  said "I look forward to working with AMA District 36 clubs and promoters to ensure a successful 2009 Dual Sport Season"   For more information please see the AMA District 36 web site at: http://www.ama-d36.com/default.aspx Trail Tip! Use your GPS as a "Super-Accurate" clock.  Since your GPS unit downloads time data from multiple GPS satellites that contain multiple Cesium "atomic" clocks, an average GPS is by far the most accurate timepiece that the average person will ever own.  FREE Adventure Ride!   Join our family for some fun on the trail!   Join us on Saturday March 7th, 2009 at Lodi Motorsports for a FREE event!   The "Hogan Dam 100" Adventure Ride Series provides: Tech Tips! Celebrities! Riding Tips! Fun! Click here for "Hogan Dam 100" Ride Information Video Slide-show See the FUN!!!  Click the link to view the video slide show of the Yosemite Adventure Tour: Watch Video Guides and Event Coordinators Wanted!   Family Off-Road Adventures is seeking GUIDES and EVENT COORDINATORS in the United States.  If you are skilled in the use of computers & GPS, have expertise in a specific scenic and historic destination, can create routes and have a desire to plan events and lead clients & employees on memorable and SAFE adventures then we want to hear from you.   The qualified applicant is well organized, a "people person", knows the meaning of "servant leadership" and loves to ride.  If this is you then please contact us for more information about employment opportunities with Family Off-Road Adventures.   Contact Us Quick Links... Our Website Our Events Previous Newsletters More About Us Our Sponsors Visit Our Sponsor Visit Our Sponsor Visit Our Sponsor Dear Lawrence, Welcome to Trail Tips your resource for motorcycle adventure riding, Dual Sport and Off-Road events!    Trail Tips has responded to your input and expanded to include more of what's important to YOU!  This issue includes the first installment of "GPS and the Adventure Motorcyclist", a series of articles about using GPS in conjunction with Adventure & Dual Sport motorcycling.  We also have information about upcoming FREE Rides as well as the dates of our annual events.   2008 was a banner year for Family Off-Road Adventures and I am expecting 2009 to be even better!  With the economy on a down-swing but fuel at a decent price many people are choosing this year to scale back their vacations and take time seeing the sights closer to home.  this is the time to get on your bike and see some new country, re-connect with old friends & make some new friends all from the saddle of your motorcycle on a back-country road.   Choose to have your family join our family for an adventure now! GPS and the Adventure Motorcyclist   Because we promote dual sport and off-road events that utilize GPS for navigation, I often get asked "what is the best GPS?"  I don't know what the best GPS unit for you is, but over the years I have learned a lot about what works and what doesn't work when you combine a GPS and a motorcycle.  Instead of talking about the virtues of each manufacturer and model, each monthly article will focus on a different feature common to various GPS units.  My hope is that this series of articles will help you to better choose the right unit for your needs.   Although I have owned and worked with several different units I have not come close to trying every type of unit out there.  So don't get offended if I don't mention your favorite brand or your particular unit.  I'll be up front by saying that most of the units I have owned were manufactured by Garmin and currently I am using their "Quest" model. Overall Unit Size & Display Size Some units are designed for use in an auto, RV, boat or aircraft and are therefore designed with a larger case, buttons and display.  For use on a motorcycle it is usually better to use a smaller unit because it fits better on the handlebars.  One of the downsides to choosing a smaller GPS unit is that the display will be smaller, which can be a problem for riders that need to use reading glasses.  So when choosing a unit, make sure that it has a display large enough for you to see clearly and that the case is small enough to conveniently fit on your motorcycle.   Additional things to consider with displays are color vs. gray-scale and the screen resolution.  Most new units come with a color screen which is useful for differentiating between various objects on the screen when navigating or glancing quickly at the unit while underway.  Resolution can also be an issue if you intend to load topographical maps or others maps that have fine detail icons on the screen.   The important thing to remember about screen size is that you will likely be trying to look at this unit while traveling on a motorcycle at a high rate of speed on an unimproved roadway under hazardous conditions.  With all of this in mind you want to get the unit that provides you the best advantage under these conditions.   Happy Trails! Yosemite Adventure Tour   BMW National Adventure Riding Series Event  Saturday & Sunday May 2nd & 3rd, 2009     The Yosemite Adventure Tour is an AMA Sanctioned dual sport event held at the gateway to Yosemite National Park, Buck Meadows California. This two day, GPS based, self-guided tour includes scenic & historic destinations in and around Yosemite National Park using paved and unpaved roads with the option of hard and easy splits for approximately 100 miles of fun each day. It's time to get your bike out of the garage, hit the road and show up for some FUN!!! This event caters to ALL street legal dual sport & adventure bikes, whether it's a large adventure-touring machine or a small trail-bike.   For more information please click: http://www.familyoffroadadventures.com/YosemiteAdventureTour.asp Legislative Action Alert    Tell Congress Not to Close 2.1 Million Acres of Public Land!   Click the link below to write Your Representative to Vote "NO" on S. 22!   The House of Representatives will be considering the omnibus public lands bill, S. 22, as early as next week.  The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) opposes the bill, because it imposes blanket regulations, which may result in restricting the use of millions of acres of federally managed lands. S.22, if enacted, would create 80 new federal Wilderness designations and increase the size of some already existing Wilderness areas. Specifically, the bill would designate 2.1 million acres as federal Wilderness land, which would result in shutting out all motorized vehicles for off-road recreation.    Continued responsible access to public lands is a vitally important right for current and future generations.  This measure deserves to be fully analyzed and thoughtfully debated in the 111th Congress prior to a final vote. All AMA members and anyone else who enjoys outdoor recreation is urged to contact their Member of Congress and ask them to oppose S. 22, the Omnibus Public Lands bill.   Take Action NOW! In closing; We know that your time is valuable and we don't want to waste it.  If this newsletter is not right for you then please unsubscribe.   If you know someone that is interested in organized adventure, dual sport or off-road events or that could benefit from our newsletter then please click the link below to forward them this message. If you choose to remain on our mailing list then I encourage you to use the click the link to subscribe to our mailing list and CHOOSE the subscription that's RIGHT FOR YOU from the list that follows.  This will ensure that you only get messages that meet your interests. Happy Trails, from our family to yours,   Lawrence Borgens and the rest of Family   PS. Keep the rubber side down  :)

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April 2008 - Spring is here and we’re heading for the hills!!!

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and MAN IS THE TRACTION GOOD!  It’s time to get the dual sport bikes out of the garage, dust them off, kick the tires, gas ‘em up and hit the trails!  What better way to kick off your 2008 riding season than attending the Yosemite Dual Sport Adventure?  This is the first event of AMA’s 2008 BMW National Adventure Riding Series.

Based out of Buck Meadows California, this event is a paved and unpaved, scenic, historical, street legal motorcycle event held at the gateway to Yosemite National Park, Buck Meadows California, in the Stanislaus National Forest.  It’s time to get your bike out of the garage, hit the road and show up for some FUN!!!  This event caters to ALL dual sport & adventure bikes, whether it’s a large adventure-touring machine or a small trail-bike.

Please see our schedule page for more information and to sign up for the fun!

Happy Trails!

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December 2007 – Getting Ready for the Desert!

Hello again!

Just a quick not to make sure that everyone knows about our up-coming desert ride and adventure on the week between Christmas and New Years.

For the past several years we have been camping at the “Wagon Wheel” staging area (also known as “Charlie’s Place”) and riding the Spangler Hills OHV area maintained by the BLM.  This year’s dates will be December Saturday December 29th 2007 through Friday January 4th, 2008.  If you are interesting in meeting up with our group for a ride or just to say “Hello!” then please drop me a line.

We are also revving up for our 2008 Adventure Season with the long-anticipated Yosemite Dual Sport Adventure!  On April 12th & 13th, 2008 we won’t be able to get the smiles off our face while we take a group of adventurous souls into the absolute best that California’s Yosemite Valley has to offer.  For details regarding this adventure please see our website.

Happy Trails!

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10/09/06 - Ride Report, Baja GPS Event

Just a short note to let everyone know what a great trip that we had to Baja this past weekend.  My email blast For a "riding buddy" created not just a “riding buddy” but four other daring souls willing to take a quick trip down South and experience what Baja had to offer and new friendships that will last a lifetime.

We wasted no time getting on the road for the long drive South on Friday morning.  During the drive we visited, chatted and got to know each other better.  Lucien and I hit it off well and shared many common experiences.  Crossing the border at Tecate was the usual secondary inspection to see what’s in the big box trailer we were towing (5 dirt bikes!  What else?) and we arrived at Santa Veronica at about 7pm, just in time to pre-register and get some diner at the Hacienda’s bar / restaurant.  The food was exactly what I expected and I did not even need to look at the menu to know what I wanted.  YUM!  We checked into our rooms and got some rest for the next days ride.

The next morning we estimated that there were about 60 or so people entered in the event and we took care of breakfast, getting our GPS download with the routes, gearing up and unloading bikes in record time.  We were ready to RIDE!  There was a short class and a walking course to get people familiar with using a GPS to navigate a predetermined route and then we were off to the starting point under the big arch at the well maintained Hacienda’s gate.  Entrant’s got the choice of navigating a single track or a two track course and since the single track would take longer, due to slower expected speeds, riders taking the single track were allowed to leave first in numbered groups about 2 minutes apart.  This gave each group a chance to navigate themselves without just following someone else’s rear wheel and allowed the dust to settle before the next group came by.

After Lucien, Shannon and all the single track people had gone it was time for the 2-track riders to depart.  Although our course was about 65 miles our ride was expected to take only 3 – 4 hours due to higher speeds possible on the 2-track.  We were the 3rd group of 2-track riders to leave, Neil (KTM525), my mom Janet (CRF230) and I (XR-440).  The trail headed through the little dirt roads of the village of Santa Veronica passing the school and the bull-fighting ring on the way out of town.  Shortly after getting started Neil had a radio problem and headed back to the Hacienda then went on to ride around the area for the rest of the day while Janet & I continued on the 2-track route.

What can I say about the rest of the trail that day….?  I think Janet said it best, “It had a little of everything!” (said with a big smile on her face).  I’ve been to Santa Veronica and ridden the area several other times but Kacey Smith (Lizard Lady Publications: http://bajagpsguide.com/index.php) continues to serve up the best routes at her events.  Kacey’s dedication to opening new routes by her friendly and professional rapport with the local ranchers and property owners and her love for the people there is evident in every event she has done.  We all made it back safely that night and Neil, Lucien & Shannon had such a great time on the trail that, after returning, they went back out on the trail to get some more miles under their belt!

After getting our gear off and cleaning up we went to the restaurant for a great buffet diner.  Kacey was soon sitting on the bar in the front of the room thanking her awesome staff that helped put the event on and handing out TONS of goodies from her sponsors including GPS’s, mapping software, Fox riding boots, gift certificates, tubes, jersey’s, t-shirts, hats…  The list goes on.  Kacey made sure that EVERYONE left the event with something!  Afterwards we hung out, chatting, telling stories (bench racing) and meeting lots of old friends for the very first time.  Later I commented that some of the coolest people on the planet ride motorcycles…

The next day we slept in a little later but still got up early enough to enjoy the buffet breakfast laid out for us and get in an hour or so’s riding before loading up and heading home.  Getting across the border coming home was the same experience as always, long lines waiting to go through inspection then the usual secondary inspection to see what’s in the trailer…  The drive home was full of talking about our experiences, calling friends and family and telling them what they missed out on and in silent appreciation of the awesome experience that we were able to be a part of.

If you would like to enjoy an experience with family and friends (or with people that just seem like family) similar to the one that you have just read about then please contact me to learn more about joining us on one of our upcoming tours in California or Baja.  We are currently seeking people interested in accompanying us during a 10-day tour of Northern Baja during the SCORE Baja 1000 Off-Road Race from November 10th – 19th 2006.

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02/01/05 - "Getting Ready for Baja!"

Hello friends.  Were getting ready to ride Baja!  The staff of Family Off-Road Adventures have been riding, traveling and exploring Baja for many years now but at the end of February we'll be taking our first annual adventure tour South of the border in conjunction with the 2005 SCORE San Felipe 250 Off-Road Race.

This adventure will consist of two separate but consecutive three day adventures.  Baja is a land of contrasts and these adventures will be no different as we'll ride from sea level to an altitude of over 10,000 feet into the pine forests and "High Sierra" of Baja then back to the crystal clear and pristine beaches and bays of the Gulf side of Baja.

Both adventures start and end in San Felipe, the first adventure will start on Saturday February 18th .  We'll ride through the Laguna Diablo to lunch in San Matias then on up to world famous Mike's Sky Ranch and meet our support truck for diner, a shower and a bed.  The next day we'll ride out to Melling Ranch for lunch then on up to the National Observatory perched on the pinnacle of the San Pedro Martir National Park.  After visiting the observatory we'll return to Mike's "the back way" for some more of Blanca's great cooking!  The next day we'll backtrack our way to San Felipe touching on some of the racecourse for the upcoming SCORE San Felipe 250.

Once we return to San Felipe that adventure has ended but there is still plenty of fun ahead for those who chose to GO BIG and stay for the second adventure and those just joining us.

Tuesday morning the next adventure will leave heading south from San Felipe.  Again we will touch on some of the race course on our way to a lunch and fuel stop with our support truck in Puertecitos.  After a hearty meal of hotdog's and soda at the famous "cow patty" we'll continue South along the Gulf side coast.  The rugged beauty of this coast is amazing.  After a full days ride we'll arrive in Gonzaga Bay for a seafood diner and a clean, comfortable room.  The next day we'll explore the Gonzaga Bay area and visit many local points of interests such as Coco 's Corner, the Oasis, Punta Final and Calamajue Mine then return back to Alfonsina's for diner.  The next day we ride back up the coast to our base hotel in San Felipe.

Now you would think the fun is really over.  But wait!  There's more!  Today is Thursday and all the fun and excitement of the race starts on Friday!  If you bought the full six day adventure or joined us for the second three day adventure then your hotel room for the race is included!  The price of these adventures is practically worth the hotel rooms alone!

If you've never been to one of these races you'll want to make a point of doing so soon!  The smell of high-octane exhaust along with the sound of race engines revving and mariachi bands playing in the setting of a marketplace festival fronting the beautiful Gulf of California in a foreign land is awesome to behold.  And this is just the tech inspection and contingency row!

The next day the bikes get an early start off the line for a short afternoon ride in the desert.  A little while later the 4-wheeled vehicles, lead by the trophy trucks, get off the line and launch into the desert.  The race is a 250 mile loop in the desert around San Felipe so it's all over within a few hours.  We will have the unique opportunity to watch the race from just about anywhere since we'll have our bikes, radios and support vehicle with us the whole time.  You have got to try this sometime, the only better way to watch a race is from a helicopter!

After the race is over we'll join in all the after race festivities then head back to our hotel room for our last night in Baja.  The next day will be Sunday and we're heading home.

If you can't join us this year then please consider joining us next year or perhaps on one of our upcoming California adventures.  The Dual Sport to Yosemite adventure will be at the end of April and will be a mix of adventure, history and scenic beauty that few have ever experienced.

Happy Trails!