Old Dudes Do Old Stuff

01/10/2010

We can't help it. When your over 50 alot of the time all you can do is strive for the past, they heyday of your youth. I'm guilty as any old fool. But WTF...over?

Lee Fabry dropped me an e-mail last year excited and rmabling due to the Derelict Blogger link I posted at the District 37 Message Forum (Memory Lane / Ponderosa Hare Scrambles). Back in the day, in the mid 60's to late 70's, there was a place that had it all when it came to riding a moto in desert competition. Lots of shade, free camping, cold beer, cheap good food as the old race flyers said, and a helluva good time consisting of a 9 mile loop. Many a desert expert and celebrity cut their teeth at this desert oasis.

Officially The Ponderosa Hare Srambles...desert racing in it's golden years, first Sunday of every month. It just happened that my folks owned the ranch oasis and the tavern where on those Sundays I spent my time helping my stepdad stocking the walk-in refrigerator and my mom slinging burgers and deep-fried chicken. During the lulls I was wandering the grounds and in total dirt bike heaven. The bikes Triumph, Bultaco, Greeves, Maico, Husky, Hodaka, the smoke bomb, the starting line, the sound of cracklin' 2 strokes and the smell of caster oil (and burger grease) all made an intoxicating ambience that made a teenage boy's head spin.

Short story, Lee wanted to meet and ride the old course just for kicks. So we met up at 90th and East Avenue J on Saturday at noon. My bud Mike with his X-Challenge and Lee's buddy Dan with his XL650L, Lee a spankin' new KLX250S... Lee is true to his Kawi roots. Turns out, Lee was the two time #1 plate holder for MDRA in the 70's. His first dirt race was at the Ponderosa.

We met at 90th St East and J outside of Lancaster, CA.

We got aquainted and looked through Ponderosa photos and memorabilia that Lee brought.

The L.A. guys followed us out in the truck to the location...

...and staged out back of what use to be the parking lot.

We ripped outta there towards the old smoke bomb location. Nothing found, no old tires, but Lee did find the turn east that lead to the butte.
Neither of us had ever seen this structure. Weirdness in the desert...

The 950 handled very well in the whoops and sand, but a handful I will admit. I got tired quuick. Quite a difference from my Hodaka days.

Soon, very soon, the 3 lighter bikes where off in the distance. Mike floundered about waiting for me as the other two disappeared. As the face of the but became steeper, the whoops became taller and the sand softer.

There was too much riding going on to stop and take pics but this older pic shows some of the easier sections...

I really thought the ground would be firmer since the rains. A year ago or so I'd ridden the old course on my R100GSPD, without much problem.

Chasing the rabbit(s) Icame to a 3' wide ditch from run-off and avoided it by going around..better safe than sorry I stopped to look for Mike who was watching my tail. We could see Lee and Dan's tracks where they just skipped over the ditch.

The big bike just buried itself right there, axle deep.

I needed to stop and take a breather anyhow, even though I began to tug and pull at the orange behemoth like I was in a race. Mike stopped and gave me a hand and we headed back down the side of the butte. Lee and Dan had actually gone off the actual course.

WTF?

Anyhow, this wouldn't be the first time. Mike saved my arse twice....and he seemed obsessed with trail management...

Mikw has worked for Anheuser Busch for 32 years (free beer, good friend to have!). I managed to find him a sidestand prop that he approved of...

Back at the stageing area, the old dudes reminicsed and some swore they would bring the vintage bikes out next time...I get the feeling just for some authenticity.

I'd love to ride a Hodaka again, But ust maybe not here.

You can tell by my bling toof I'm having a good time...

The End....until a month from now.