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As of 2025, the Trump administration's EPA has made changes that affect the emission standards and regulations for dirt bike motorcycles in California. Previously, the California Air Resources Board (CAR
had phased out the Red Sticker program for model year 2021 and older bikes, but the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) continued to issue Red Sticker registration for 2022 and newer model year competition motorcycles under California Vehicle Code §38010. This means that law enforcement is treating all off-highway motor vehicles with current Red Sticker registration as valid, regardless of model year, as long as the registration matches the VIN.23
The Trump administration's EPA is expected to deny any pending waivers or authorizations for California's mobile source regulations, which could make any provisions mandating emission standards unenforceable by California. Additionally, there is a possibility that the EPA might attempt to "claw back" previously granted waivers, either through the Congressional Review Act or by withdrawing them.2
These changes have led to a situation where competition-only vehicles, which are specifically exempt from EPA regulations, are now being registered and can be ridden in OHV-designated areas, similar to the rest of the U.S. This effectively reverses the previous restrictions that limited the use of non-compliant dirt bikes to private property or seasonal riding3 [3].
However, the long-term implications of these changes are still uncertain. It is unclear whether the registration for 2022-2025 bikes will continue to be renewed or if this is a temporary extension. Unless a specific law is made to regulate competition vehicles, the current situation
is expected to remain the same indefinitely3 [3].
Highly recommend going when you have the chance. It’s worth it
Saticoy bridge, Oxnard side, on the South side, next to the bridge. Take a look at some older google earth images, 10/2016 in the History icon. I made a pretty long turn track with minor elevation changes. I used every square inch of that spot. It would take no time to break it back in. I worked in a lot of options, so alternatives from one lap to the next. When you see the Sat image, it defo would take some time to work out your own flow.
At the end of N. Vineyard(T). Sitting in the left turn lane, you can look left across the small field and see a couple trees and some fenced in electrical power stuff. Right before you get onto the bridge. I parked back in there, unloaded and entered between the barricades. Head in and go left over the embankment onto the hall road. Enter the shrubs where ever there's an opening. I never had any popo issues over a stretch of a couple years. In fact, I first parked far away at the old Century theater back parking and entered under Hwy101. I once pulled in to load and the popo was in the lot and just watched! Another time from that parking, I went into the river bottom from the bike path and two cops jumped out from behind some bushes and stopped me. I says hi, they said hello and told me they're looking for kids riding there. Then said, have fun and be sure to have a cell phone on me! Tripped on that, bc way back in the day, they used to have cops on bikes and the county even used helicopters.
A couple of guys on here that dont post too much now that know are SCR and rongi#401.
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Yeah, I hit the tracks here with a couple groups and each one is old farts to a couple college kids. We all wired wrong!
I sure miss my VC days, being so close to MTB and great weather. Close enough to Mojave dez after some rains and Hungry Valley with 70 mile loops in the Nat forest. Never take it for granted, not many places like it.
Rongi especially. Haven’t had the chance to go ride with him out that way yet, but he definitely knows most of, if not all the places.
There’s a gnarly sand track an hour north but we would only ride it after a rain.
I grew up in Santa Barbara. We used to have Indian Dunes, Spillway Park in Santa Maria, Valley Cycle Park in Simi Valley and Baymare in Moorpark, all within an hour's drive. We even had a cool little track on the west end of the SB airport in the 70s.
I used to have some great hidden practice tracks all over the county. But even in the 80s, you could only ride them for 10-15 minutes on your street legal dual sport and split before the cops showed up. I bailed out of there for good 20 years ago. No regrets.
713N ——in the late 80’s early 90’s we had at least 20 tracks between Oil Piers and Glen Annie to ride. The only one that was a bust was the sand whoop track off Bailard in Carp. And Mora Mesa. A fun one was behind the Goleta drive in. Good times! W cell phones it’s hard to get away w moto.
Rongi posted a lot of cool pics, SCR had a pic of Simi valley cycle park on his XR75 mod with factory style frame, so he is as old as me maybe older haha
Know all those spots.
I’m guessing you were a local at Arnold’s!
Ballinger Canyon near New Cuyama is a legal OHV area with a few tracks near the staging/camping area that people cut in. It's a 2 hour drive from SB. If you're desperate to ride, that could be an option.
In the mid 90s I lived really far from any MX track but near some OHV trails. So the MX riders in the area made a DIY mx track in a little "hidden" canyon. The enduro/trail riders would zoom by on a fast trail and unbeknownst to them a few of us MX dudes would be spinning laps nearby, sometimes putting in some work with shovels, etc. It was pretty isolated and far from civilization. Not sure if you can utilize such a strategy near Santa Barbara though.
Ballinger (whole area really) is a bust for non-stickered bikes for sure. Took me 7 hours r/t to hit up Cahuilla on Saturday. That is not feasible long term for me and my limited free time.
Please, for the love of God, re-open LACR.
After all the MX tracks closed in the mid 80s, I started racing enduros. They had one at Ballinger in '87. Still have the trophy.
The track at Kern County Raceway (KCRP) was being closed due to them building a drag strip in the area where the track is/was, but i've heard those plans may have changed? So not sure what is going to happen.
It's still really far but since LACR closed, been going to CalCityMX, which is a solid track. We usually camp.
For those of us in North LA, situation sucks too. Losing Piru, then HV, AVMotoPlex, now LACR.
I'm headed to Cal City this weekend (if I have a day off) as I have been wanting to get out there and try the place out. I only went to Cahuilla this weekend as I made some bike changes and tried to keep things apples to apples with where I rode last.
I don't mind windshield time as long as I am moving. The stop and go traffic shit all the way home from the I.E. infuriates me. I am not holding out hope for HV to ever get their well issue sorted out.
Pit Row
Don’t forget Sunrise, Motoplex and Comp Edge
Last time I rode Cal City was about 6 years ago. I remember it being pretty fun with a couple big ass table tops. Epic place to go camp for the weekend to ride the track and rip around the desert. How’s the cal city track these days?
I rode Glen Helen last weekend at the arroyo track since I’m just getting back riding from a few year hiatus. I think I’m going to check out Honolulu Hills this coming Saturday.
In the end, eMTB for your short stay in SB. Fine if you plan to keep your bike, but on the regular, hit the many MTB trails. BTW, the trails are all natural, no jumps or berms. Maybe the DH trails have some things built, but nothing extensive.
It's a good track. Well prepped, not too crowded and yeah - you can camp wherever you want. We usually pick a spot about a 1/2 mile away so it's more secluded and just rip over there for motos. Compared to Glen Helen its way less crowded/stressful
Miss all of those. Happened to drive by Sunrise a few weeks ago and it's just sitting there. Looks untouched since they last closed. That place was awesome in its day. Motoplex was fun and Comp Edge was a big loss too. For me, losing Piru sucked cause it was 40 minutes. LACR was 70. Now I'm up to 90 for GH or 120 for Cal City. Going to Cahuilla next weekend and camping at the KOA in temecula. First time there, stoked to try it.
Yeah, I prefer Cal City for exactly that reason. Traffic is predictable and you're generally rolling. Have fun. Owners are super cool and have been doing this a long time. They deserve all the support they can get for sure.
I felt the same about HV but recently spoke to someone who would know who said things are actually moving and it'll be back. Don't hold me to that lol
What is Honolulu like, lots of triples? Whats the dirt like?
https://youtu.be/3Lig_6eFFo4?si=32Rtxhdxh1jmEtmo
Here’s a video of the main track from 2023. Not sure if they’ve changed the layout since the.
They have a really fun step up and mostly tabletops. Maybe a double or two. It’s changed a little bit since I was there last since they now have a vet track and a main track. The dirt is usually really really good in the morning and some deep ruts will develop. It does tend to turn typical So Cal track toward the end of the day getting a bit dusty a dry/hard packed. I really like that though because in the morning I get to ride it deep and rutty and by afternoon I get to work on throttle control.
I liked Carlsbad, greasy as hell in the morning then hard pack blu groove in the afternoon. Whats not to like?
The river-bed in Santa Maria…?
Rode there in the spot where Spillway Park used to be a lot in the early '90s. I don't know what it's like at this exact moment but was all brush and homeless down there as of a couple of years ago.
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