16th Annual Smokey Bear Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride I Monday, July 29 - Friday, August 2, 2024 I Cloudcroft

[sanderjavant]

16th Annual Smokey Bear Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride
Cloudcroft, New Mexico


Ride days: Monday, July 29 thru Friday, August 2, 2024

This is an unofficial, no routes, no cost to participate ride; ride when, how, with whom and where you want.

"Its like Summer Camp for Hard Dual Sports"

"Share the Joy of Motorcycling"​

This is a mountain dual sport ride, most ride on plated (meaning street legal) dirt bikes or the most dirt oriented dual sport bikes. This is called a Dual Sport ride in that its the most convenient to ride to and from town to the trails, and to connect trails. ***NOTE - The trails can be very challenging.

At your own risk if your bike isn't plated and you ride on the street... its more beneficial to our cause, and if you need them later, to donate to the fire department rather than to pay a fine to the police department.

There are parking areas at most motorized trailheads.​

There are adventure opportunities as well, usually an adventure group forms up. The New Mexico Backcountry Discovery Route goes through the area.

Bring your non-riding husband / wife / partner / kids / siblings also, make it a family vacation.

Ride Goals
The Smokey Bear Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride is about giving back, camaraderie, exploration, growth, and being safe; in addition to developing and renewing friendships so no one rides alone.​

*Plus, escape the summer heat, ride in the cool mountain air in an alpine environment. And maybe the desert depending on the conditions or time of day.

1. The trails need more riding in, responsibly. If we don't use the trails we risk losing access.
2. More riders over a short period of time will demonstrate the positive economic impact of motorcyclists responsibly using National Forest land.
3. Although there is no cost to participate in the ride the riders make a donation to the Cloudcroft Fire / EMS on Monday morning at the pre-ride gathering to give back and further off-road motorcyclists cause as a responsible user group.

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The dollar amount is whatever each rider feels is appropriate, and is made directly by the rider to the Fire Chief.
Write a check directly to the Clouldcroft EMS and get the tax deduction.

Unofficial 2024 Smokey Bear Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride calendar:

Sunday, July 28 - Prep Day
*Pre-ride dinner @ 630p Cloudcroft Brewing Company - Good time to meet & get to know each other, and plan for the week; rides, dinners / cook outs, designate group leaders, etc.
And pickup your 2024 ride sticker.

Monday, July 29 - Ride Day
Acclamation Day & Cloudcroft Fire / EMS donation @ 9a @ the pre-ride gathering - Meet at the Cloudcroft Pavilion about 845a.

Tuesday, July 30 - Ride Day
Exploration Day - Meet at the Cloudcroft Pavilion about 845a.
*Dinner - Taco Tuesday @ 630p - Western Bar and Cafe $1.50 Tacos & $6.00 Margaritas

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Wednesday, July 31 - Ride Day
Hero Day IE The Hard day - Meet at the Cloudcroft Pavilion about 845a.

Thursday, August 1 - Ride Day
Rediscover Day - Meet at the Cloudcroft Pavilion about 845a.

Friday, August 2 - Ride Day
Safety Day - Meet at the Cloudcroft Pavilion about 845a.
*Dinner - Post-ride banquet @ 630p - Ski Cloudcroft *BYOB
Giveaway for a ride mug and banner.

Groups take off about 9a, on truly street legal dual sport motorcycles, with a day's worth of fuel or a full charge, ready to ride just after filming the daily video.
From the Cloudcroft Pavilion.

Willing group leaders are encouraged and appreciated.

The more group leaders there are, the smaller the groups will be which offers a better chance for similarity of bike size, ride goals, etc.​

You don't have to be any expert on the area to lead a group, just have an adventurous spirit and know how to read a map. Or the Avenza Map.​

*The Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) show where you can and cannot take a motorized vehicle. They show where you can legally drive, take your motorcycles, ATVs or UTVs and where you can disperse camp (aka road-side camp).​

As the ride is self-guided join a group or LEAD ONE; it is beneficial if possible to group up by:

• Technical desire
• Expected pace
• Hours to ride
• Fuel Range
• Bike size
• Etc.

Group sizes of 4 to 6 riders, or less seem to flow the best.

• Similarity of daily ride goals equals more enjoyment and comfort for each rider.
• If the group groove isn't what you expected, be prepare to split the group up further to increase enjoyment.
• Be prepared for 80 miles or so between fuel stops. If not plan ahead to split off from the group on your own to get fuel.

The small group I lead will take a lunch break in the woods about 1p each ride day, I usually bring a sandwich and a snack.

Group etiquette:
Daisy Chain method to avoid the dust and keep the group moving

***To keep the group moving, avoid the dust and so no one gets separated, the daisy chain method works great if everyone simply makes sure the rider directly behind them, and so on, makes the corner/turn, etc when the direction to continue isn't 100% obvious.​

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Just because you see the rider behind you it doesn't mean the rider behind sees you, and the proper direction to continue. Wave or make some other gesture to the rider behind before you take off, the rider behind you should make an acknowledgement gesture as well, this not only confirms they see the direction to go, but that they acknowledge they will stop to wait for the next rider.​

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To work though, each rider (except the sweep rider) must take responsibility for the rider directly behind them. If not its a total failure.​

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Also, take off from any stops in order of expected pace, and respect the spacing of the other rider(s) trying to avid the dust.​

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Lost

If you do get separated, stop at the last known spot the group has ridden, the group with backtrack to you.​

Breaking off

If you decide to break off from the group, tell the group leader before you do.​

For your bike:
Prepare your bike properly in advance, with tires that will last 500 miles in rocky terrain, and be self prepared during the ride, you'll be in the mountains and maybe the high desert, have:

• Plenty of fuel - be prepared for a minimum of 80 miles between fuel stops. If not be prepared to split off from the group on your own to get fuel.
• Tools, and know how to use them.
• Tubes, tire irons, air supply, etc.
• Tow strap
• Extra plugs, levers, etc.
• Two stroke oil, if riding a two stroke
• Be self sufficient

For you:

• Food for lunch and a snack later
• More water than you think you'll need
• Rain gear
• Money

What to expect.