Cycle Ranch - New Owner

Johnny Depp
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6433
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Location
Buda, TX, USA
11/11/2017 1:18pm Edited Date/Time 11/11/2017 1:19pm
Derek, Don't think I don't love Cycle Ranch. I don't want to drag this into a prep debate, but when a gang comes up from Austin it's pretty normal not to get up too soon, even with a long drive, knowing that if we wait the track will be better later in the day. I'm OK with that. We ride til late in the day when few are left and the dust starts back up, again no problem.

Personally, I believe that rider's that think like you are what's wrong with the tracks and the sport. Because the demand is for extreme tracks to suit the 10% hoping to be the next Dungey, everyone else gets run off or carted out never to return. If you don't have weekend warriors, you won't have much. Track owners are literally shrinking their own customer base by injuries. When someone (like myself) who has been racing since the 70's can't or won't do the majority of jumps after several visits to a track that should be a clue that anyone under a B rider just isn't that important to them. It always turns in to a debate about how fast you are, when I think as small as our sport is, we need everybody to be welcome. Glen Helen REM races are some of the consistently biggest draws on the West Coast and that track is tamed down for Vets, who still happen to be the biggest part of this sport. http://www.remsatmx.com/

By the way, I did Red Rock once, all 3 of my buddies loaded up just like you said, not because of just the jumps, but the sand wore them smooth out. My 1st lap was my fastest since the track was fresh, and I did 20 laps at a modest pace, doing about 1/2 the jumps, and enjoyed it as a workout and good training. The jumps there are super safe so no complaints about that. That is a deep sand pro training track used by Short and ET3, and it is not for everyone. Nothing casual about it. Of course they don't pull big crowds.

Highsider
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Way Toasty, IA, USA
11/11/2017 6:51pm


GRM is a very localized phone company in Southern Iowa/Northern Missouri.
Sayin'
11/11/2017 7:27pm
Cygrace74 wrote:
For all the Texas people on here, including Cycle Ranch what are some must rides tracks in Texas? Making a trip this January or February
Underground and Johnsonville.
Canuck714
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7
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11/10/2017
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
11/12/2017 12:23pm Edited Date/Time 11/13/2017 10:30am
Yesterday there was a private ride day for all of the riders/people that have volunteered their time to help get Cycle Ranch back in shape.
I will let you know that the track is going to be fantastic. The work that has gone into that track so far has transformed it back to what we had back in 2009-10!!
The best dirt in Texas by far. Track was mint.. inside lines, outside lines, no dust, no puddles deep sandy loam and fast.
There will be ongoing changes to keep the track fresh and fun, after our ride this weekend, there will be changes being made after watching the track flow and getting input from riders that have helped out.

The new owner has riden at Cycle Ranch from day 1... he knows what it can be, and is spending his own money to get it back to prime condition.

The Shop

ktmdan
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1227
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4/1/2008
Location
Houston, TX, USA
11/12/2017 1:08pm
I believe red rock mx is now private only.
Murphy mx, also in Red Rock, is a pretty cool track.

Do these tracks get any support from manufacturers? San Antonio is one of the biggest cities in the country but they don't have a ktm dealer that I know of. My point being that, wouldn't it be in the interest of the manufacturers to have at least a couple tracks around here?
imrpowers
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35
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7/27/2012
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
11/12/2017 1:29pm
Looks great! Dirt prep looks solid. A little bummed they tamed down all my favorite big tables to whip (#8, #10, Finish), and odd to throw so many singles onto the track, but that iconic dirt is all I need.

CrGuy2T
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3/11/2015
Location
Santa Fe, TX, USA
11/12/2017 1:55pm
Cygrace74 wrote:
For all the Texas people on here, including Cycle Ranch what are some must rides tracks in Texas? Making a trip this January or February
I️ would say the most central location would be 3 palms in Conroe. Pretty much drive 1-3 hours and hit a decent track in any direction. Plus it’s a nice facility it’s self.
mb60
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5682
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Location
GRAPEVINE, TX, USA
11/12/2017 3:28pm
Track looks awesome again. I wish it was not 5 hours from the Dallas area.
JAFO92
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5733
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3/21/2016
Location
BFE, TX, USA
11/12/2017 4:06pm
Looking forward to riding that awesome property again !!

All the weenies griping about "prep" need to go into basketweaving or crochet.
newmann
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24437
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Location
USA
11/12/2017 6:49pm
Still looks familiar! Best day I had there, it was misting rain and the track was super tacky. Bike stuck like glue through all the corners, almost instilled a little too much confidence on the 74 CR250. Planning a ride day(weekend) there as soon as we get back in our house and get the motorhome sorted.
JAFO92
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Location
BFE, TX, USA
11/12/2017 7:06pm
newmann wrote:
Still looks familiar! Best day I had there, it was misting rain and the track was super tacky. Bike stuck like glue through all the corners...
Still looks familiar! Best day I had there, it was misting rain and the track was super tacky. Bike stuck like glue through all the corners, almost instilled a little too much confidence on the 74 CR250. Planning a ride day(weekend) there as soon as we get back in our house and get the motorhome sorted.
Let me know when you head out there.
11/12/2017 7:27pm
ktmdan wrote:
I believe red rock mx is now private only. Murphy mx, also in Red Rock, is a pretty cool track. Do these tracks get any support...
I believe red rock mx is now private only.
Murphy mx, also in Red Rock, is a pretty cool track.

Do these tracks get any support from manufacturers? San Antonio is one of the biggest cities in the country but they don't have a ktm dealer that I know of. My point being that, wouldn't it be in the interest of the manufacturers to have at least a couple tracks around here?
A KTM dealer in San Antonio would be nice. We've had 5 different ones over the past 15 years.Dizzy They never stick around for more than a couple of years.

The problem in San Antonio is the extremely low wage scale and a lack of local motocross riders to support the track. San Antonio is 160 miles from Mexico but still thinks it's a border city. As a result, there is not much discretionary income for folks to spend on things here. It's a shame for a Metro area approaching 2 million (that we count).Whistling

The only dealers that have survived in San Antonio have turned into Megaplex types that have all the Japanese brands and survive on SXS and ATV sales. There is very little interest at the dealer level in motocross.

It's a shame that this track isn't in an area that has a larger rider base. If it were in Houston or Dallas it would be covered up every weekend with riders. Unfortunately, it's at least a 4 hour trek for those riders to come here.
Hut
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11/12/2017 7:29pm
What is the best time of year to ride there? For a guy that don't do well in high heat/humidity anymore.
kzizok
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11/12/2017 7:37pm Edited Date/Time 11/12/2017 7:40pm
FWIW, a couple of hours away is one of the best (service, price, shipping speed, knowledge) KTM dealers in the US. You can pretty well get anything taken care of over the phone. Even the most obscure issues, parts, etc.

Hut, September/October’ish to May’ish, in general.
11/12/2017 7:45pm
Hut wrote:
What is the best time of year to ride there? For a guy that don't do well in high heat/humidity anymore.
November to March is the least likely time to experience a 100 degree day around here. No joke, I've seen temps in the high 90's in February. We refer to Fall as the DAY it hits 60. Then it goes back to 80 degrees for the next month.

We can have 80 degrees any month of the year in San Antonio. I did have to turn on the heat 2 days last year. No joke.

Normally the best time for riding in cooler weather is Nov. & Dec. since we have more rain after New Years and the tracks in Texas close whenever the paved roads get wet since no one wants to get their scooters muddy or their trucks stuck.Laughing

Believe me, I'm also a guy who doesn't do well in high heat & humidity. Had a heat stroke back in the 80's riding a 100 mile hare scrambles race in South Georgia in August. Haven't been the same since so I feel your pain.
Hut
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11/12/2017 7:46pm Edited Date/Time 11/12/2017 7:46pm
kzizok wrote:
FWIW, a couple of hours away is one of the best (service, price, shipping speed, knowledge) KTM dealers in the US. You can pretty well get...
FWIW, a couple of hours away is one of the best (service, price, shipping speed, knowledge) KTM dealers in the US. You can pretty well get anything taken care of over the phone. Even the most obscure issues, parts, etc.

Hut, September/October’ish to May’ish, in general.
Thanks, That's kinda what I figured would be nice to haul down there and hit a few places one of these days
Hut
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11/12/2017 8:28pm
November to March is the least likely time to experience a 100 degree day around here. No joke, I've seen temps in the high 90's in...
November to March is the least likely time to experience a 100 degree day around here. No joke, I've seen temps in the high 90's in February. We refer to Fall as the DAY it hits 60. Then it goes back to 80 degrees for the next month.

We can have 80 degrees any month of the year in San Antonio. I did have to turn on the heat 2 days last year. No joke.

Normally the best time for riding in cooler weather is Nov. & Dec. since we have more rain after New Years and the tracks in Texas close whenever the paved roads get wet since no one wants to get their scooters muddy or their trucks stuck.Laughing

Believe me, I'm also a guy who doesn't do well in high heat & humidity. Had a heat stroke back in the 80's riding a 100 mile hare scrambles race in South Georgia in August. Haven't been the same since so I feel your pain.
Right on thanks for the info. I was born in AZ but anything over about 65 is hot to me nowadays.
yz133rider
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Avondale, PA, USA
11/12/2017 9:01pm
26 hour drive. Making me consider it , sounds amazing.
kzizok
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USA
11/12/2017 9:12pm
kzizok wrote:
FWIW, a couple of hours away is one of the best (service, price, shipping speed, knowledge) KTM dealers in the US. You can pretty well get...
FWIW, a couple of hours away is one of the best (service, price, shipping speed, knowledge) KTM dealers in the US. You can pretty well get anything taken care of over the phone. Even the most obscure issues, parts, etc.

Hut, September/October’ish to May’ish, in general.
Hut wrote:
Thanks, That's kinda what I figured would be nice to haul down there and hit a few places one of these days
No problem. It is a cool track.
kkawboy14
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11/13/2017 3:15am
tylermx967 wrote:
WOW I JSUT GET UP TO WATCH SATURDAY MORNIG CATOONS AND SOMEONE TELLED ME TO CHECK THIS I DIDN NO CYCUL RANCH MAKED A NEW TRACK...
WOW I JSUT GET UP TO WATCH SATURDAY MORNIG CATOONS AND SOMEONE TELLED ME TO CHECK THIS I DIDN NO CYCUL RANCH MAKED A NEW TRACK I CANT WAIT TO GO THERE AGEN I RITED ALL ABOUT THIS ON THE BLOG
kzizok wrote:
How many decades ago has it been since Saturday morning cartoons were a thing? Someone knows who you are:;)
How many decades ago has it been since Saturday morning cartoons were a thing?

Someone knows who you are:Wink



He probably loves Johny Quest
BS15
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1
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11/3/2016
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Wichita, KS, USA
11/13/2017 7:45am
I went there once over the holiday break in 14, me and some buddies made the 10 hour trip from the midwest and man was we glad we did. It was actually a "closed" ride day and we had the place to ourselves. It was a misty few days and they had all the tracks prepped and even bladed the parking lot, nice! I had come down with the flu on the way there but I didn't even care, the dirt was prime time! I am an old guy, just a weekender but that was some of the best riding I have ever done in my life. The prep was so good I could stay on the gas all the way thru a flat corner. Not too deep or shallow just massive traction everywhere. We stayed an extra day to get all we could, felt like I could push it more than ever. Must have hit it at the right time, sadly a few months later the ride days were gone and no more closed day to reserve a spot. been itching for a chance again, hope they are open during Christmas break because I am planning to make another moto adventure and will be traveling south in hopes that is on the list.
Landonious217
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Grapevine, TX, USA
11/13/2017 8:17am
Moto Mofo wrote:
I’ve been paying $35 to ride River Valley lately, and that place isn’t nearly as good as Cycle Ranch was at it’s peak.

$35 for reefer valley?!!!! Good grief. I miss riding but glad I got out when I did.
Landonious217
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555
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Location
Grapevine, TX, USA
11/13/2017 8:18am
Cygrace74 wrote:
For all the Texas people on here, including Cycle Ranch what are some must rides tracks in Texas? Making a trip this January or February
Thelen20 wrote:
There is a new track to add to the texas must see list: The Edge MX in edgewood, tx (15 minutes off I-20 north of canton...
There is a new track to add to the texas must see list:

The Edge MX in edgewood, tx (15 minutes off I-20 north of canton on hwy 19) (about an hour east of dallas)

It is Shannon Niday's new training compound and they have opened to the public the past couple Sundays. Man, what a place they have going out there! They have several tracks to choose from, a Loretta's replica, Mini O's sx replica, Vet track, and a monstrous National track.

Me and a buddy on the Vet track last week:




National track will be open to the public for the first time this weekend, these clips do not do the entire layout justice. I can't wait to ride it!


Did the Niday's close down I35 for good then?
kkawboy14
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USA
11/13/2017 8:37am
Only at vital can you get a world class track to reopen and then get a bunch on no bike wanna bee potatoe Eatin Yankees complain about it!
Mouse153
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548
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Virginia Beach, VA, USA
11/13/2017 9:03am
Indymxer wrote:
$35 is pricey, but still less than a round of golf for a day of fun.
Not really. Not after you consider the cost of 8-12 hours of diesel fuel for the 1-2 dozers, a skid-steer, maybe a tractor (not including maintenance), paying flaggers, paying someone for signup, paying the EMT crew, and the minimum $1M insurance policy you're required to purchase per event.

I don't know anything about Cycle Ranch or the new owner but I do they they will not get rich off running the track. In fact, they might not make any money at all. Most likely they will lose money.
11/13/2017 9:27am
Mouse153 wrote:
Not really. Not after you consider the cost of 8-12 hours of diesel fuel for the 1-2 dozers, a skid-steer, maybe a tractor (not including maintenance)...
Not really. Not after you consider the cost of 8-12 hours of diesel fuel for the 1-2 dozers, a skid-steer, maybe a tractor (not including maintenance), paying flaggers, paying someone for signup, paying the EMT crew, and the minimum $1M insurance policy you're required to purchase per event.

I don't know anything about Cycle Ranch or the new owner but I do they they will not get rich off running the track. In fact, they might not make any money at all. Most likely they will lose money.
$35 is for a practice day. No flaggers, no signup, no EMT, no event insurance.

Very likely they will still lose money anyway based on the way tracks come and go around here.

Hopefully the new owner has an actual business plan that includes promotion, marketing, and a realistic vision for what is possible with a track of this caliber. It could be a destination track if everything is done correctly.

I'm pulling for it to succeed!
CrGuy2T
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Location
Santa Fe, TX, USA
11/13/2017 9:39am
Did they revamp the kids track or just the main track for now? Thinking about making the drive Saturday.
Canuck714
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7
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11/10/2017
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
11/13/2017 10:40am
CrGuy2T wrote:
Did they revamp the kids track or just the main track for now? Thinking about making the drive Saturday.
The main track was the focus to get going.
There will be a kids track and likely a SXS UTV/ATV track as it is still there in the back, its just a matter of time and money.
CrGuy2T
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Santa Fe, TX, USA
11/13/2017 11:03am
Looks great from the video. Reminds me from back in 03-04 days. I’m sure there is somewhere the kids can ride out there. I hope it goes well.
bigmaico
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971
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Kingwood, TX, USA
11/13/2017 12:07pm
Mouse153 wrote:
Not really. Not after you consider the cost of 8-12 hours of diesel fuel for the 1-2 dozers, a skid-steer, maybe a tractor (not including maintenance)...
Not really. Not after you consider the cost of 8-12 hours of diesel fuel for the 1-2 dozers, a skid-steer, maybe a tractor (not including maintenance), paying flaggers, paying someone for signup, paying the EMT crew, and the minimum $1M insurance policy you're required to purchase per event.

I don't know anything about Cycle Ranch or the new owner but I do they they will not get rich off running the track. In fact, they might not make any money at all. Most likely they will lose money.
$35 is for a practice day. No flaggers, no signup, no EMT, no event insurance. Very likely they will still lose money anyway based on the...
$35 is for a practice day. No flaggers, no signup, no EMT, no event insurance.

Very likely they will still lose money anyway based on the way tracks come and go around here.

Hopefully the new owner has an actual business plan that includes promotion, marketing, and a realistic vision for what is possible with a track of this caliber. It could be a destination track if everything is done correctly.

I'm pulling for it to succeed!
First off this is the perfect job for Dave, He has tons of Moto knowledge & he knows the area well.

He would be the guy to Market Cycle ranch to the masses & knows what would & wouldn't work. He's done sales & marketing most of he life! (Cycle Ranch are you reading This?)

Second believe him when he speaks about heat stoke! I was there when he had one at Swan, It wasen't pretty!

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