WE PLANNED 100 MILES. THE HEAT HAD OTHER IDEAS.
Training Day at Hungry Valley: Reality Check
Not every ride is about exploring new terrain, chasing epic views, or finding hidden trails. Sometimes, it's about putting in the work.
With several big events on the calendar later this year, the Department of Wander crew headed to Hungry Valley OHV Park for a simple mission: build endurance.
The plan sounded straightforward enough. Ride a 50-mile loop covering all currently open trails in the park - excluding the trails that extend toward Frazier Mountain - and then do it all over again. One hundred miles total. A solid training day for the challenges ahead.
The reality had other ideas.
THE HEAT WINS
Hungry Valley can be a demanding place even on a mild day. Add summer temperatures and the challenge increases dramatically.
We set out with good intentions, determined to keep a steady pace and rack up the miles. The terrain itself wasn't particularly difficult. Most of the trails were familiar, and the riding was flowing nicely. But after a few hours under the sun, the heat began taking its toll.
Hydration stops became more frequent. Energy levels dropped. Concentration started to fade.
By the time we rolled back into camp, we'd covered approximately 48 miles in about three hours of riding with a handful of breaks mixed in. Not even halfway to our planned 100-mile goal.
Sometimes the trail teaches you lessons you weren't expecting.
A HUMBLING REMINDER
Adventure and dual-sport riding often create the illusion that endurance comes naturally. After all, we spend plenty of time on motorcycles.
But long-distance off-road riding is its own discipline.
The combination of standing on the pegs, wrestling bikes through rough terrain, staying mentally focused, and dealing with the elements can drain energy far faster than most people realize. A ride that seems manageable on paper can become surprisingly demanding when temperatures rise and fatigue begins to set in.
This training ride was a reminder that we still have work to do.
BIGGER CHALLENGES AHEAD
The reason for pushing ourselves now is simple.
Later this year, we'll be lining up for events that make a 48-mile training ride look like a warm-up.
The Checkers River Run covers roughly 200 miles of desert terrain. LAB2V stretches that challenge even further, with approximately 400 miles linking Los Angeles to Las Vegas through the Mojave Desert.
Those aren't rides you can simply show up for and hope for the best.
Endurance matters. Preparation matters. Fitness matters.
And based on this outing, we know exactly what needs improvement.
We’ll Be Back
Despite falling well short of our goal, the day wasn't a failure.
Quite the opposite.
Training rides aren't about proving what you can do. They're about discovering your weaknesses before they become problems on a bigger adventure.
Now we know where we stand.
The goal remains unchanged: return to Hungry Valley, complete the full 50-mile loop, turn around, and do it again. One hundred miles. No excuses.
Because the desert won't care how tired we are when Checkers and LAB2V arrive.
And neither will the trail.
