San Diego Off-Road Coalition

August 1999

Our August meeting will be on Tuesday the 3^rd, at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, 9353 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard at the corner of Ruffin Road. Their phone number is 619.279.6700. A buffet including all-you-can-eat pizza, salad and soft drinks for $7.00 will commence at 6:00 p.m., and the meeting proper will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Don’t forget to bring some extra money for raffle tickets. Each month the pot gets bigger and the prizes get better. As with all our income, proceeds go to toward preserving and increasing our off-highway recreation opportunity.

I am a little reluctant to recount our progress toward obtaining a close-in OHV park. It seems a little like talking about a no-hitter before the end of the game. But things do seem to be going rather well.

Roy Denner and I flew up to Sacramento on July 23 for the regular bimonthly meeting of the OHMVR Commission. We had earlier requested that the subject of an SVRA site in San Diego County be placed on the agenda. We introduced our project to the Commission, and requested that they change the location of their September meeting to San Diego County for the purpose of taking public testimony on this issue, and hopefully then voting to direct the OHMVR Division to purchase the property. The Commissioners unanimously approved our request.

Accordingly, the September meeting of the OHMVR Commission will be held somewhere in San Diego County on September 17. We are hopeful the meeting will be at the Lakeside Community Center. It is felt that having the meeting as close to the proposed site and the local community as possible would be advantageous. The final time and location will be announced in our next issue of this newsletter, on our web site, and in various local media.

The next step is the actual acquisition of the property by the State using OHMVR "green sticker" funds, which have already been set aside for the purpose. This could conceivably be accomplished by the end of the year. After that follows a lengthy CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) process which includes public hearings and environmental analyses, all of which are required before the State can actually turn this property into an off-road park.

Please plan on attending the Commission meeting in September, and speaking on behalf of the need for such a facility in our community.

What a neat place! I've known it was there for a long time, but until now I never went past the ruins of a building that you come to just past the signs explaining Table Mountain. There is also an informative write up about the Prehistoric Kumeyaay Indians.

This area is a limited use area open to all green stickered vehicles. We did go down one road that had a sign that said "wilderness boundary Hwy legal vehicles only", but most of the trails are open to all vehicles. If we want places like this to remain open we must stay on designated trails, and please if you pack it in, pack it out.

Table Mountain is in the high desert among lots of rocks. The trails are in good condition, and we were able to see the desert floor from several areas. Two things we will do differently next time, and there will be a next time. First, we will allow for more time. Two to three hours is not enough time, there are a lot of trails. Second, we will go with someone else. We had to turn back on two of the trails because it got a little hairy for being out there all alone.

To get to Table Mountain take Interstate 8 east to In-Ko-Pah Park Rd, just past Jacumba. Make a right onto Old Hwy 80, go about 1.3 miles down and on the right there will be a wide dirt road marked by an old post with a red and white striped tape wrapped on top. Go down to the end where you will then go left for a short distance. Then go right under the bridge that goes under the freeway. Follow that road back a ways and you’re there.

I thought it might interest some of you to get a glimpse at a typical month in the life of your Board members and other active members of the Coalition. Following are some of the events we’ve attended during the month of July.

Jan McGarvie went to a hearing in Hemet in which a congressional sub-committee headed by Congressman Pombo, in the process of reviewing the Endangered Species Act, thoroughly roasted the Carlsbad office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

John Elliott, Harold Soens and Jan and Jim McGarvie attended a quarterly meeting with the folks at the Cleveland National Forest, at which the current grant situation was discussed along with other issues of local interest.

Roy Denner and Jim McGarvie attended the OHMVR Commission meeting in Sacramento, successfully making a case for relocating the September meeting to San Diego County for the purpose of taking public testimony in an effort to acquire property for an OHV park.

Jan McGarvie manned our booth at the Tankslappers race in Carlsbad.

Linda and Jerry Berman, Roy Denner, Alan Klumph and Jan McGarvie manned our booth and display of off-road toys at the Lindo Lake "Day in the Park" function in Lakeside.

Later on the same day Roy Denner, Robert Molay and Jan McGarvie then took the booth to the East County Kick-Off for Fleet Week at Gillespie Field.

John Ellis, Jim Karasek, Alan Klumph and Dave Konstantin have all chipped in to help Robert Molay man our booth at various times during the past couple of months at the Barona Sand Drags.

Roy and Nancy Denner manned an off-road toy display at the MDA tailgate fundraiser at the stadium.

Roy Denner and Jim McGarvie conducted a tour of the proposed OHV park site for two representatives of the OHMVR Division from Sacramento, along with Curt Itogawa and a member of his staff from the Ocotillo Wells SVRA. We were assisted in this effort by Doug Goodman of Tierra Del Sol, who provided his CJ-5.

Roy Denner and Jim McGarvie made a presentation on the proposed OHV park to the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Karasek and Jim McGarvie attended a meeting of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Technical Review Team.

Roy Denner attended a meeting of the Eucalyptus Hills Landowners Association and made a case for an OHV park in Lakeside.

In addition to the general membership meeting, most Board members, as well as Harold Soens, attended our monthly Board of Directors meeting. As a reminder, any member of the Coalition is welcome to attend any of our Board meetings. Let one of us know if you are interested, and we will let you know when the next meeting will be.

Roy Denner, Harold Soens and Jan and Jim McGarvie met with Assemblyman Jim Battin, who is running for Senator David Kelley’s seat. Senator Kelley is term-limiting out.

Roy Denner and Jan and Jim McGarvie attended a fundraiser dinner for Jay La Suer, hosted by Congressman Duncan Hunter. Jay is running for Steve Baldwin’s assembly seat, as Steve is term-limiting out. It was nice to be publicly recognized and acknowledged by politicians of this caliber and local esteem.

I’ve probably missed something. And the month isn’t over yet! As you can see, we’re all getting spread a little thin. Robert especially could use more help with the booth at various events. It is a fun, interesting and educational thing to do. Give Robert a call or e-mail.

The Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), a popular off-highway vehicle desert playground adjacent to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, has added 18,000 acres over the past two years and plans to acquire an additional 21,000 acres in 1999, bringing to a total of more than 75,000 acres of opportunities for enthusiasts from throughout southern California.

"With the California Desert Protection Act diverting OHV enthusiasts to other desert riding areas," explained Curtis Itogawa, superintendent of the park, "we really felt compelled to enlarge our park and offer enthusiasts the best possible facility for riding and family recreation."

Itogawa, of Julian, said that attendance figures have been growing every year and in 1998 more than 400,000 people visited the park. The majority of visitors come from San Diego County, with the second largest density of OHV enthusiasts in the state; however, Itogawa said he is seeing an increase in visitation from the Orange County area, the Inland Empire area, and a new group of visitors is arriving from the Los Angeles basin.

The park first opened as a SVRA in 1976 with 14,000 acres with few amenities. Today it offers more than 100 shade ramadas, vault toilets and a shower building was completed in 1996.

For Jim and Jan McGarvie, of El Cajon, Ocotillo Wells SVRA has been their home away from home since the early 1970s. "This unique park offers us all types of riding challenges with the wide variety of terrain," McGarvie said. "The many washes that weave their way through the park offer wonderful sand riding. The Devil’s Slide has steep hill climbs for the experienced rider and there are marvelous historical rides bearing names such as Tarantula Wash, Wolfe Well Road and Gas Dome Trail."

While the main attraction at Ocotillo Wells SVRA is off roading, Itogawa said many other people visiting the park are rock-hounders, hikers, photographers and some come for wildlife observation. "We have many folks come out here to explore old abandoned oil wells, long-deserted homesteads and the remnants of Patton’s army as it was preparing for battle during World War II."

Roy Denner, of Santee, and his family have been frequent visitors of the park for more than three decades. "There are many evenings, when weather permits, that we have family members of all ages – from the little ones in playpens to grandparents with kids on their laps – gathered around the campfire. What other activity has teenagers and young adults eagerly waiting to spend their weekends and holidays captivated at a remote site by their parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents?"

During the spring months when the park receives an exceptional rainfall pattern, thousands of people flock here to view the extraordinary array of wildflowers. "It’s quite exciting to get out of your vehicle and observe the blooms close up," said Itogawa. "One morning 26 varieties were easily identifiable." Because of the unpredictability of the winter rainfall, he suggests calling ahead to see if the flowers are in bloom.

With temperatures soaring well above 100 degrees during the summer months, Itogawa said visitors should plan their park visits during the fall, winter, and spring months.

John Ruddley, of Borrego Springs, has been a ranger at Ocotillo Wells SVRA for the past 16 years. "All of us are public servants and we do our best to serve up a quality product to our off-roading visitors," said Ruddley. "We occupy the front lines, being most visible in our code three vehicles, badges and peace officer gear. We provide 24 hour response to emergencies and we serve the OHV public through visitor assistance and tangible presence that stimulates safe and responsible off-roading."

"The staff at Ocotillo Wells is very helpful and considerate of everyone who visits the park," said Alan Klumph, of Santee, who has been visiting the park with his family for the past 25 years. "In addition to the great park staff, we are attracted by the diverse terrain, the open cross country travel opportunities and it is an ideal place for families to spend time with each other."

As Itogawa escorts visitors around this spectacular desert park, it is clear that he is very proud of the work that has been accomplished by his staff and he thoroughly enjoys managing the largest off-highway vehicle park in the Golden State.

"We are not resting on our laurels," said Itogawa. "We feel very strongly that our biggest challenge this year and in years to come is to continue to provide recreational opportunities to all Californians, not just the off-road community. Every day we read that another piece of our public lands is being closed to the public and we must do everything we can to offer a quality product and quality service to all of our visitors."

For more information on Ocotillo Wells SVRA, write: Ocotillo Wells District, P.O. Box 360, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 or call (760) 767-5391.

AMA District 38 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:45 p.m. in the North Park Community Center. This month, on August 18, the meeting will be a special open house. As members of a District 38 charter club, all SDORC members are invited.

We will be holding our Annual Summer Beach Party on Sunday, August 29 at the Silver Strand Beach State Park. For details contact H.P. Tietz at 619.561.2387.

This is a crucial meeting for us. The location of this regularly scheduled meeting was changed to San Diego County in order to designate it as the public hearing for the purpose of acquiring the property of the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of East County, north of San Vicente Reservoir and east of Highway 67, for the ultimate purpose of creating a multiple-use off-road park. Please plan on attending this meeting and making your wishes known. Time and location will be announced in the September issue of this newsletter and on our web site.

Many thanks to Dave Bongiorno, owner of San Diego Sportcycles, for his three-year business membership renewal! We would also like to thank Kent Nicholls for his donation.

Thanks to the following new and renewing members:

Ryan Atlas, Brian Farnsworth Roofing, Burro Bend Cafe, Mike & Marci Clarke, Chris Daniel, Bruce Faz, David Forbis, Warren Foy, William Gay & Family, Bill Good, Brad Guske, Earl Hardesty, Wayne Lunde, M.I.T. Drivetrain Specialists, Mike McCrae, Craig Moore, Kent Nicholls, R. A. Randolph, Dennis Rieck, San Diego 4 Wheelers, San Diego Sportcycles, Carson Schmidt, Gary Skerl, Streamline Graphics, Doug Teasley, Allen & Kevie White, Kevin Wright and Yarnell Specialties, Inc.

Need a membership form? They are available online at http://www.sdorc.org/join.html. Membership questions? Contact me, via e-mail: billq@san.rr.com

Just a reminder to support our Preferred Merchants, as they support us with their discounts, donations and contributions. For locations, phone numbers and discounts check our web site.

Alignment and Brake Specialties, Arma Coatings, Aros Trailers, Burro Bend Cafe, C&D Cycle Center, County Motor Parts, Cycle Parts West, Descanso Trading Post, Fun Bike Center, House of Motorcycles, K-CO Construction Inc., Law offices of Gary Quackenbush, Lemon Grove Motorcycles, Mail Boxes Etc., Motorsport Warehouse, Motoworld of El Cajon, Off-road Warehouse, Party Time Liquor, Rhino Linings of El Cajon, Webb's RV Supply and Wilson Machine Works.

Following is a list of all those businesses that currently support our Coalition by virtue of their membership. Please show your appreciation by patronizing these businesses:

Alignment & Brake Specialties, American Metal Processing, Arma Coatings, Brattin Motors, Brian Farnsworth Roofing, Brigantine Restaurants, Buffalo Metal Works, Burro Bend Cafe, C&D Cycle Center, Chenowth Racing Products, Crazy Keven's, Cycle Parts West, D&R Automotive, Daily Californian, Douglas Wheels Inc., Duncan Racing, Escondido Cycle Center, Event Photography, Explorer Competition Products, Fabcom, Fiber-Tech, Fritz Garage, Fun Bike Center, Gilmore Off Road, Gold Belt Line. Inc., Green Fascination, Hansen Loan Services, House Of Buggies, House Of Motorcycles, Johnson's Bug Machine, Kawasaki Motors Corp., K-CO Construction Inc., Law Offices of Gary Quackenbush, Lemon Grove Motorcycles, M.I.T. Drivetrain Specialists, Mail Boxes Etc., Mark Price & Assoc., Mazzone Sandcars, McMillin Realty, Mike's Metal Works, Motorsport Warehouse, Motoworld of El Cajon, North County Yamaha, Oceanside Cycle Supply, Party Time Liquor, Quackenbush Construction, Rick's Buggy Works, Ron Bishop Motorcycles, San Diego Sportcycles, Sand Tires Unlimited, Scrib's Motorcycle, SMD Motorsports, Streamline Graphics, THOR, Tops International, Unique Mortgage, Webb's RV Supply, Wilson's Machine Works and Yarnell Specialties, Inc.

We especially want to show our appreciation for those clubs which choose to belong to SDORC. After all, that’s what a "coalition" is all about!

Beach N Toys, San Diego 4 Wheelers and San Diego Outbacks 4X4 Club

WANTED! Volunteers to help SDORC with anything and everything! We need help manning our booth at events, cleaning up our designated highway section and area trails, acting as liaison at your favorite off-road dealer, making occasional phone calls, and other tedious (and, of course, unrewarded) tasks. Please give us a call if you’d like to help out once in a while. Thanks!

KTM 1997 360SX motocross motorcycle for sale. Great condition! Seldom ridden. Many accessories. $3300 OBO. 619.443.9101

(1) WINNEBAGO 1985 $15,500 or best
31 foot, all new shocks, steering, etc., $5,000 worth solar system, 70,000 miles

(2) TRUCK 1993, F250 XLT $13,800 or best
fully loaded, super cab, bedliner, new carpet kit and shell, excell. cond., 68,000 miles

(3) BAYLINER outboard 1991 $5,800 or best
21-1/2 feet, open bow, new rebuilt engine, excel. cond.

ALL THREE, CALL LAURIE OR JACK 619-593-2600

The wonderful folks at Slime have contributed to SDORC an entire dealer display rack with a full stock of Slime. Now all SDORC has to do is convert that into money!

According to Slime, the retail value of the stock is over $1,100 and the dealer's cost is over $500. The display stand has a small footprint, and includes a demonstration tire and ice pick!

Please call our Business Representative Roy Denner at 619.443.9101 or e-mail rdennerjr@aol.com with your offer. Free delivery in the San Diego area.

Proceeds from the sale of these tickets will be used by San Diego Off-Road Coalition to protect and increase OHV recreation opportunity in Southern California

Tickets available at participating SDORC member businesses
Tickets will also be mailed to members in the September issue of the SDORC newsletter

Drawing to be held January 1, 2000 during the awards presentation for Fud’s Dunaway Dash and the SDORC New Year’s Eve Fun Time Off-Road Rallye in Plaster City West

Need not be present to win

Buggy frame donated by Mazzone Sandcars

619-561-3838