Pala traffic

You guys gave it so good you whine about anything! 

Figure it out! 

Y'all need to come visit Washougal..  LOL.  I guess people don't bitch as much because it has always been this way.  I guess at least the drive out is somewhat scenic.

How is that road going North to Temecula? Many years ago I lived in the neighborhood where it hits Temecula but don’t think I ever drove it (or it wasn't there back then?). 

It was really busy, busiest I’ve ever seen it. Glad I drove my van so I didn’t have to leave. 

Yeah, I had worried about that since nightmare stories of first year and was hesitant to come but remembered I had a solution in the garage. Thanks for Jeremy McGrath and Eddie Cole for bringing this out. Perfect for this use. Parked about 4 miles out, 10am at fruit stand turn put (others parked there too) and rode in. Right where traffic heading west was backed up to. 10 minutes in and out. Plus rode bike around everywhere once inside. 3% charge left when back at the truck. Turned out to be a great day all the way around.

They let you bring that bike inside to watch the race?

Yep. Was thinking I'd have to lock it up outside. I did have a wristband that was not a VIP thing but maybe more special than a regular ticket. Don't know. But rode up to gate and guy waved me in.

Not been for years but I used to park at the 15 and moped in. That would have been for the first couple they held it there. Disappointing after all these years they’ve still not figured it out. 

Motorcycles are a cheat code for events like this. We go right past the car traffic and straight to the front. In an out in no time. 

General admission you cannot bring in an e bike. Imagine that shit show with 1000 kids on E-bikes. 

Absolutely. The one and only time I went to the national at Pala, I rode my Kawasaki Versys. I got to see the traffic madness firsthand but didn’t have to sit in it. Couple of assholes opened their car doors trying to block me though…

I’ve been there done that so planned accordingly. 

Got to the gate before 7am and drove right in. 

Left right after the 2nd 250 moto. Got to my truck which was parked right by the upper entrance… paid $50 btw, thinking I would blast right out. I then see some fucking inconsiderate  fucks had double parked and blocked in entire rows of cars. If I didn’t have 4 wheel drive I’d still be sitting there. I ended up backing down an embankment and was lucky I didn’t need towed out or hit another car on the lower section. Once I got down people were saying don’t go out the way you came in because people have blocked the road out.  So I turned around and headed  out the main lower entrance and got out in 5 minutes. 

Stopped at Nessys for a good burger and was on my way. 

I am guessing the attendance was double of the previous year. Cars were parked all the way to the casino on the side of the road. 

At 66 I think this was my last one. It was exhausting. I’ve been going to Pro MX/SX events for 50+ years,  I think it’s time to stick with SX 

That's crazy you must have had like mechanics credentials or something but even then I don't think I've ever seen the new bike outside of the pit

Traffic getting in was absolutely absurd. We got on the 76 off the 15 around 9:30 am and finally got to the race at 1 pm. And that's after parking the car and walking the last 1.5 miles in to the track. 

Left at the start of 450 moto 2 to get back to the car and avoid the traffic on the way out. I had a lot planned and missed out on the majority of that after sitting in traffic for 3.5 hours. Basically just ran around the pits the whole time and hardly saw the racing. 

We rolled into the facility about 8:30 and had no issues.  Traffic was fine, but apparently it was building up behind us.  I've been to a few nationals over the years - Steel City, High Point, Red Bud, Budds Creek and Thunder Valley.  Pala is not a national caliber track or facility.   Glad I went yesterday,  but I won't go back.

Wait- you left San Diego at 1030 for a 1pm start to the opening round of the most anticipated motocross season in years and complain about access to a track entrance accessible by a single two lane road next to a huge hotel and casino?

Really?
 

Maybe you forgot to read the part where he left at 1030 because he had work in the morning. Maybe you should learn to read and comprehend. REALLY?? 
 
Regardless what time he left, traffic was horrible coming in for some people and miserable for everyone who stayed the entire time to watch all of the motos which they paid for. Shouldn’t have to leave a whole moto early to get out at a decent time. It’s a 15 year issue here. 

It's a typical backcountry twisty 2-lane. Take it slow and you'll be fine.

For those who don't know, Pechanga Parkway in Temecula heads SE toward Pala. Follow it all the way to the "T" at the mission/school in Pala and turn left. The road leads to the 76 at a "Y" junction just a few hundred yards from the track entrance.

I had work bud, thanks for the sassy attitude for absolutely no reason though. 😆

Sorry you had to work on race day but to complain about the fact that you can’t just roll up to the gate seems a little unrealistic to me. 

Because the thread is to discuss the unusually heavy traffic getting in and out of the venue, not sure what your problem is here.

So you think sitting in line for hours on end is acceptable??? 

Bruh... only for you... I got this bridge in Brooklyn.... I'll cut you a screaming deal.. I'll pm you my PayPal details.... 

Infrastructure, roads, the ability to get in and out are common reasons better tracks in the Southeast (Monster Mountain) and Texas (Cycle Ranch, Swan) were commonly denied consideration for Nationals...in addition to heat and any other excuse they can come up with to keep the same schedule (closed promoter society) year after year.

"Growing the Sport"😂

Hey Sumdood!

I'm not educated in traffic management.  I'm simply an engineer and a technologist.

I spent some time this morning thinking through both getting into the venue, and getting out.  It's 100% solvable without building new roads.

For getting out, you're right.  The traffic light by the casino may be the main bottleneck.  Turning off the light and directing traffic there, and the 2 exits from the venue may be all that's needed.

For getting in, processing payments is most likely the bottleneck.  This is easily solved.

I have a plan.  This is a rough draft.  There are reasons for each step.  There are a few details left out.  It's simply a starting point for discussions.

• Make sure there is internet access for workers, so that payments can be processed, or prepaid parking verified via workers scanning QR codes.  This may require a Starlink modem (and WiFi) to connect the payment tablets.
• Make sure workers are trained ahead of time.
• Direct incoming traffic into around ten lines.  Keep a queue of 2-3 cars in each line, and enough space so that no line blocks or delays keeping the queues full.  Most likely, the first row where cars are parked will need to be pushed back to make room for the queues.
• The leftmost 8 lines are for cars that are paying with a credit card. These lines will move quickly.  This should take a maximum of 25 seconds.
• The rightmost 1 or 2 lines are for cash.  There's no reason for all ten lines to have cash boxes, or for all cars to be slowed down by making change, checking for counterfeit bills, etc...
• Optional: Provide drivers a way to prepay, and have a QR code available to scan when in line.  This can be done in the credit card lines.  Depending on the software features, it may be best for each worker to have 2 tablets with the correct app running, instead of having to switch between apps to process credit cards vs verify prepaid.  Drivers should not require internet access to access the QR code.  It would need to be sent via email.  If this option is implemented, it's recommended to provide Guest WiFi for accessing the email.  The connection can be time limited.
• After payment, in order to prevent a bottleneck of cars waiting to park, cars are directed around the side, and to the far end of the parking lot, in the center, heading back toward the entrance/exit.  They'll be directed to park close to the exit first, and drivers are encouraged to back in, for easy exit.  First in, first out.
• The major rows will be rotated 90 degrees from how they've been over the years, so they are perpendicular to the entrance (horizontal, like concert seating)  This will cause fewer rows of cars all converging on the exit.
• For exiting after the race, the majority of cars are headed west.  The goal should be to keep a steady stream of cars moving past the traffic light in front of the casino.  If there aren't big spaces between groups of cars just past the light, then we'll all get home quickly.
• So, direct traffic at both exits to the track, and the light at the casino.
• Few cars should be exiting via the track's main exit.  If directed correctly, traffic will flow better if there's a single exit.
• At the parking lot exit, allow cars approaching from the east on the 76, to wait no more than 2 minutes.  The rest of the time, cars from the parking lot will be directed to enter the road.
• At the main entrance, cars exiting the track, and cars approaching from the east are given equal access to traveling west.  This, essentially is a merge between cars exiting both exits.
• At the traffic light in front of the casino, workers should direct traffic, keeping a steady flow of cars heading west, with few gaps.  Cars from the casino and from the side road should wait no longer than 2 minutes before being directed through the light.  When side traffic gets a turn, all traffic from the casino should be directed to the 76.  Traffic from the side road should be taken for 60 seconds max.  The majority of the time should allow traffic traveling west from the track to move through the intersection.

Until I know the exact details, that's all I've got.  This should get us in and out in a timely manner.

I went o Pala last year as I was working in cali (went to hangtown too!! lol) and the road that Monster is on is probably a better road than the one feeding pala.  I don't think Monster would be that big of a deal as there are several routes to get in and out.

I hear lots of complaints about not enough parking but who knows. I know davey visited about the time they picked Muddy Creek years ago.  I think he also visited the Durhamtown on the same swing. I only went there once so i cant comment on their ingress/egress.

Muddy Creek wasnt a bad choice though. Viewing is great there, just like it is at Monster.  Viewing at Pala was only a tad better that that flat ass WW Ranch race.  All this to say, I agree its some bullshit reasons we cant get another southeast race. I don't give a damn how hot it is. It gets hot everywhere in the summer!! lol 

I remember it being harder to get in Pala last year than getting out. I think, by luck, we got parked in an ideal spot and left with like 5 minutes to go in the 450 2nd moto.

I use common sense and experience and either stay in my motorhome at the track when I have riders racing the event or at the resort when I am just watching. I live really close to the track, but over the years have learned to never show up after 6AM on race day.

Not criticizing anyone for showing up there on race day morning, but every year I hear the same complaints about a single road being difficult to get in and out of,  This race has been going on and off since 2010, and the same traffic problems getting in and out quickly happen every single year. 

the organizers can’t make a wider road,  what do you expect them to do?