So, you
want to go to the desert? Most people across the country would say “why the hell would you want to go out there? There ain’t shit to do, it’s all flat and hot, sounds like a shitty place to go.” Those of us that are in the “know” just laugh at these people because they don’t have the slightest clue as to what they’re missing. A lot of people that live in, I’d venture to say, the South Western U.S., California, Nevada, Arizona, and even parts of New Mexico and Utah are lucky enough to have a fun haven to go blast around in motor vehicles of all sorts. The biggest question of going to the desert is what do you want to do? Do you want to rail the dunes, blast whoops and run WFO across the desert, crawl over boulder fields in canyons most would think only mountain goats roam, dodge cactus and Joshua Trees at high speeds, or maybe if you’re lucky a little of everything? How do you want to do this? What do you own? What do you want to buy? How much $$$ do you have? If you’ve never been to the desert but heard all about it and want to be part of it, these are all questions you need to ask yourself. Some are self answered, others aren’t. The best way is to get your ass out there with the people that you “heard” about the desert from in the first place and bum rides in or on whatever they take out there. Decide what you want to do, and start some research. If you’re reading this in the first place you’re either in the sport and checking out a bitchin webpage or probably doing just that, some research. There are forums online for everything you want to do. Read them!!!! You want to build a prerunner or race truck? www.dezertrangers.com or www.race-dezert.com You want to ride a dirt bike, www.dirtrider.net or www.thumpertalk.com You want to rock crawl with the best www.pirate4x4.com You want to rail the dunes www.glamisdunes.com Read and read and read some more. Ask questions but first every forum I’ve seen has a “search” button. You got a question? Type in a major word in that “search” button and you’ll have answers. READ A TON!!!! It’s evident who knows their shit on these forums and who’s blowing smoke. Listen to people… Not many out there are going to flat out lie to you. They’re probably giving advice from there experience, mistakes, friends mistakes, and friends experiences. So, now hopefully you know what you want to do from some test riding, bumming rides out in the desert and playing or research. Are you going to build or buying a Prerunner, Jeep, Dirt Bike, Quad, Sandrail, Desert rail, or whatever? You got a toy now? Ready to go? Probably still not... What did you buy or build? Did you build a prerunner? Is it safe and ready to rock? I should have a quality built cage. You don’t need suspension to run with the big dogs. That’ll get in more trouble then you’re probably ready to handle unless your name is Robby Gordon or Dan Vance. Start small; buy a Fabtec, RCD, Pro Comp, Rancho or if you want something a little more performance oriented but still entry check out Camburg, H&M or SLR… Something to get you some bigger tires, better shocks, and some clearance. Did you get that cage yet? Why not? You don’t care if you or your friend dies? Did you take the advice you read online? You’re gonna go ride a dirtbike? Are you ready to crash? The ground hurts!!!! I hope you didn’t by a 500 two stroke for your first bike you misread something or have some MAJOR balls, hold on tight!!! Did you read up online and buy a bike that’s fitting for you? You got that safety gear? Where’s your helmet, boots, and chest protector? You like walking? Did you get knee braces? I will 100% back www.asterisk.com for affordable VERY good knee protection and they have probably the best customer service I’ve ever dealt with to boot. You think your knees are good and can’t get busted up? Email me and we’ll talk. Did you buy a quad? Get the same riding gear I listed above. Take my word, unless you’re a complete pussy, you’re gonna fall of eventually. WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING!! I’ll stop right here and throw down the warning… Anything motorized in the desert is inherently dangerous. Just cause you’ve gotta cage doesn’t mean you won’t die!!! What about that little kid learning to ride that you run over cause you’re hauling ass into his dust? Ride/drive within your limits and experience. Have a safe capable vehicle that matches your skill. Build up your experience, and you’ll gain confidence. Last I heard Dan Vance still hadn’t hit the Gordon double so what makes you think you can!!!! Wear your riding gear even if you’re just cruising ½ mile to the canal for a swim, trust me, a stick through the shin HURTS cause you were too lazy to toss on your boots!!!! Think about that 2mph fall that tossed your head into the rock or at the very least that expensive ticket you’re gonna get for no helmet! Okay, now are you ready to go to the desert? What are you taking? A cooler of beer, some clothes, a sleeping bag, and a combo #3 from subway right? You need A LOT more then that!!!! Off the top of my head here’s some things that no matter what you’re doing out there you should bring. -Water!!!! Do you realize we’re becoming endangered out there in the desert? You’re local hippie friends are doing a REALLY GOOD JOB at making sure we can’t have our fun. If you think you’re going to like the desert, don’t fight the war for them, fight the war for us!!!! Don’t litter, stay on established roads, run a flag on your ride (including dirt bikes) if you’re in the dunes and stay outta the closed areas, 15mph within 50’ of camps, don’t be a dick, don’t DUI it and basically follow the rules. Trust me, all the rules out there can be followed and you can still have obscene amounts of fun!! Okay, you got that? Lets go have some fun!!!! What are you driving again? I forgot? Is it a prerunner? Did you air down a little? Air down your tires to 18-20PSI to begin with. This will smooth the ride and give you more traction. You can go lower but get educated about how low you can air down, changing tires sucks!!! Where are you going? Are we in the dunes? Do you have 4WD or have someone in your group with 4WD? If not, don’t go to deep in those dunes cause you’re not gonna make it out. You got the cooler or at least some water and the 1st aid kit? Cool, lets go!! Shoot I forgot, we’re riding a bike or a quad, not cruising the prerunner or buggy. Get that gear on!!!! Dumbshit, you forgot to buy gloves, here borrow my extra pair. Lets go… Are you new on a dirt bike? If so, stay outta the soft sand, it’ll make your life WAY easier till you learn to ride good. Squeeze the tank with your knees and ride up towards the front of the seat. Look at some magazine photos… See what they look like, notice their elbows are up, they’re looking forward and not just 5’ in front of their tire, they’re sitting up on the front of the seat and they’re squeezing the tank. This gives you decent control in most situations. Hey man, get that backpack from my list above or better yet a camelback with some storage pouches? Either way, fill that sucker with water and throw some first aid stuff in there. It sucks riding 30 miles back to camp with a broken finger on your throttle hand that’s not splinted!! Alright, let’s roll!!!! Hey hey hey… Wait up man, don’t take off alone!!! Always have more then one running vehicle on the trail. Two people in one truck doesn’t cut it. Always have at least two separate vehicles in your group. What happens when you get stuck or broke? Sitting in the middle of nowhere and waiting for help sucks bad enough when you’re just waiting for a friend to run back to camp and get the trailer. Imagine what it’s like when you gotta walk out for help or worse, just sit and wait for someone to come along and give you parts, a tow, or first aid!!! If you’re the one rolling back to camp or to get help, drive sensible. Two broken trucks out of two available doesn’t do shit. If you’re going for help cause of an injury, use your judgement. Transport the person if necessary, leave them alone if it’s your only option, send someone for help, you know, just like if you were backpacking hippie style. Figure something out but keep your head on straight or you’ll be useless. Okay, that’s enough preaching for now. I realize this sounds like a lot and may seem like a pain in the ass but really a lot of it’s just common sense. Grow into the sport and you’ll have a lot of fun, save a lot of $$$ on broken or wrecked stuff from driving or riding over your head and maybe even save a lot of pain. Even following all the rules and stuff that seems like a pain above, I can’t even begin to describe the amount of fun and cool shit you’ll end up being involved in. Consider joining a club, AMA, Blue Ribbon, CORVA, Los Pretots, SDORC, etc… Every little bit helps and being in a club you’ll learn a lot! Khris |