We don’t just sell machines in El Cajon and wave goodbye. We ride them. We load up and head out to the desert and trails with our customers on adventure rides. If you have been wondering whether you are “good enough” to come along, this post is for you.
Who the rides are for
Short answer: you. We get brand-new owners who have only ridden around the block, and riders with decades in the dirt. Some people come on a side-by-side with the whole family, some on an ATV, some on an adventure bike. You don’t need to have bought your machine from us, and you don’t need to ride a CFMOTO. Any brand is welcome.
New owners get the most out of it. Riding a new machine for the first time in unfamiliar terrain is a lot easier with a group that knows the way, knows the conditions and knows how the machine handles. You learn more in a day riding with people than in a month of reading forums.
What a ride day is like
Every ride is different, because the destination, the season and the group change. In general, a ride day looks like this:
- Meet up and check in. We gather at the meeting point, go over the plan, the route and the regroup spots, and make sure everyone has what they need.
- Quick machine check. Tires, fuel, fluids, flags, lights. If something looks off, better to catch it in the parking lot than ten miles out.
- Ride at a sensible pace. The group rides to the comfort of the riders in it. Nobody gets left behind, and we stop to regroup at turns and junctions.
- Breaks. Water, food, shade when there is any, and time to talk machines.
- Back together. We finish as a group and make sure everyone is headed home safe.
The route, distance and difficulty depend on the ride. When we announce one, we will tell you where we are going and what kind of riding to expect, so you can decide if it fits you and your machine.
The riding-buddy mindset
The whole point of riding in a group is that nobody is on their own. That works only if everyone rides with the same mindset:
- Ride your own ride. Nobody should feel pushed past their skill level.
- Keep the rider behind you in sight. If they disappear from your mirror, stop and wait.
- Stay on legal routes and respect closures. Staying on legal routes is how we keep these areas open.
- Wear your gear: helmet, eye protection, gloves, boots. Every time.
- Speak up if you’re tired, hot, low on fuel or not comfortable with a section. That is what the group is for.
What to bring
Specifics depend on where we are headed, but plan on:
- Plenty of water, more than you think you need, plus food and snacks.
- A full tank, and extra fuel if the ride calls for it.
- Helmet and riding gear for everyone on board.
- Your registration (green sticker or plates) and any permits the area requires.
- A whip flag if the ride goes into dune areas.
- Basic tools, a tire plug kit and a tow strap.
- Sun protection and layers. The desert can be cold in the morning and hot by noon.
Our desert riding checklist has the full list.
Get your machine ready first
If your machine is due for service, or you have been meaning to look at that belt, now is the time. Our service department gets most jobs out the same day or the next. Want a roof, windshield or lights before the ride? See our first accessories guide.
How to find out about the next ride
Ride announcements go up on our events page, alongside demo days. We also post them on Facebook and Instagram (@cfmoto.of.elcajon). Or call us at (619) 486-6622 and ask when the next one is. Hablamos español: ask for Josear Carrasco at (619) 663-9341.
Don’t have a machine yet? Come to a demo day first, then come ride with us.
See you out there. Check the events page or drop by the shop on N 2nd Street in El Cajon.