Mightyzeus > Mightyzeus's Blog Posts > Specifics on the 2007 Sheet Iron 300

May 21, 2007 15:52

2007 Sheet Iron 300

Words by Suzanna Boogay (aka Mighty Zeus) Photos by Mighty Zeus, With its sixteenth year in the running, the Oakland Motorcycle Club (OMC) did a bang-up job hosting this years’ Sheet Iron 300. For the unfamiliar, think three hundred miles of carefully selected fire roads and single-track trails comprising a route from Stonyford to Fort Bragg. While this is a non-competitive ride, designed to take two days (a Saturday and Sunday), there may be a few ambitious and talented participants capable of completing the entire trip within one day.

(Note: For those neither ambitious nor talented, I don’t advise attempting the full 300 miles in one day. If you opt to do so anyway, don’t say I didn’t warn you! It’s almost guaranteed there will come a point in a 300-miler like the Sheet Iron 300, where your bum is just too sore, and what started as a fun challenge, becomes a scary chore. Take my advice, and book a room at the half-way point in Fort Bragg. You’ll enjoy the experience much more, and quite possibly break fewer bones.) Riders in this event are of varying abilities, and the route has been thoughtfully planned out to offer both easy and challenging ‘splits.’ Each participant is given a roll chart upon check-in, to which should be mounted in a roll chart holder. You’ll need to provide the holder. The roll chart shows the route, and it gives instructions as well as other pertinent information. Whether you journey in truck, trailer, or simply pack a tent on the back of your bike, you’ll find ample amounts of space to set up camp. The Stonyford Fairgrounds offers an expansive area with generous amounts of space to park your vehicles for the weekend. You’ll also find plenty of places to pitch a tent; some far enough away to avoid being kept up by late night around-the-campfire banter of neighboring parties. (If it’s the late night, around-the-campfire banter that you desire, you’ll have no problem finding it.) How are overnight belongings transported from Stonyford to Fort Bragg? Can’t go unless your hair dryer comes too? Worry not, the Oakland Motorcycle Club provides transportation of small gear bags to and from Fort Bragg. Clearly defined pick-up and drop-off locations can be found both in Fort Bragg and Stonyford. Take note, there are rules, regulations and common courtesies that must be abided if you want to participate in this event (i.e. noise regulations, licensing, etc). Be intimate with these before signing up for the event. You can learn more on the club’s website.

I digress … if you’re an off-highway motorcycle enthusiast, if you revere the outdoors, and if you never tire from the excitement of a challenging trail and the sound of thumpers all around you, mark your calendars for next year’s Sheet Iron 300 and make sure you don’t miss the deadline to submit your entry form.

Entries are limited to a maximum of 400-500 riders, and the event fills up arrestingly fast. Don’t snooze and let some other throttle-happy dirt rider take your spot. To learn things as they become available, keep a watchful eye on the Oakland Motorcycle Club’s website (www.oaklandmc.org) starting around March. There’s also sure to be a buzz brewing about the event on popular online forums such as Adventure Rider (www.advrider.com) or Thumper Talk (www.thumpertalk.com).

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