stickley
08-13-2005, 09:48 PM
Anybody tried out this Santa Clara county run facility in San Jose off Metcalf road?
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Anybody tried Metcalf Motorcycle Park in South San Jose? |
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kx1984
08-13-2005, 10:05 PM
yep. Place is small but can pack a punch. If you want some technical riding in small quantities you can find it at Metcalf. You can almost kill yourself and then be back in the parking lot in 5 minutes. They also have a pretty mellow Motocross track (ther are some small double jumps on this track) .There are some easy trails all over the place but when you venture onto a black diamond ,you may really get a black diamond. The kind of stuff that has you off the bike and wrestling it. depends on your skill level. you should check it out.
Jerulator
08-13-2005, 10:50 PM
I go to Metcalf about twice a week, but that is because it's close to my house. Like KX1984 said, you can cover the whole perimeter of the park in about 7-10 minutes depending on you're riding style. I don't want to say skill because there is'nt much there that requires skill. Although, again like KX said, there are a handful of black diamond trails (mainly tight switchbacks) and they are a challenge the first 2 or 3 times and then can become ho-hum. I don't do the MX track much, but it seems to be the most popular attraction there. To sum it up........good place to tweek you're bike, or just get away from the city, heck, I've ran over at least 3 rattlesnakes there and chased a few coyotes, rustled up a couple of deer (one was a buck). It's sort of fun to dump the clutch on a rattler (there are'nt many other options once you're commited) :excuseme:, but I can't recommend it (roosting rattlers I mean) :p I highly recommend Metcalf !
Jerry
Jerry
MMotohead
08-14-2005, 09:20 AM
Wait a minute, I like Metcalf also but mainly because its close. If you have a park like Hollister or Carnegie that is closer dont drive further. Metcalf is just like described above but the main attraction is that it is nearby for San Jose residents.
RickyD
08-14-2005, 08:19 PM
Definately a fun place, the MX track is groomed pretty good, nice marked trails and Mike, the Ranger is pretty cool IMO..
Rick
Rick
bluepoof
08-14-2005, 08:29 PM
As a new dual-sporter, I think Metcalf is pretty fun and, yes, even challenging. ;)
WheelsUp
08-14-2005, 09:00 PM
Which one is it... Metcalf or Carnegie... that's got a bad reputation... something like three fatalities this year?
kx1984
08-14-2005, 09:44 PM
Which one is it... Metcalf or Carnegie... that's got a bad reputation... something like three fatalities this year?
Um ,that would be Hollister with probably 12 deaths this year. Honestly I don't know what the "dead count" is for any of these places officialy. I have been made aware of deaths at Hollister and Metcalf in the past year though. Hollister is the most populated SVRA in the state of California =fact. I would imagine that Hollister takes the award for deadliest riding area in CA. I watched the helicopter come in three times on one Saturday. Here is what I see. Parent buys teen a cr125 or cr250 . Kid want to be super freestyle guy and start from day one launching off the big table to on the motocross track. Kid breaks neck on big jump on motocross track. You would be hard pressed to go there on any given Sat. or Sun. and not see a kid getting a life flight ride off of that track. Not kidding. Hollister is still more fun than either Carnagie or Metcalf though. Just more traffic.
Um ,that would be Hollister with probably 12 deaths this year. Honestly I don't know what the "dead count" is for any of these places officialy. I have been made aware of deaths at Hollister and Metcalf in the past year though. Hollister is the most populated SVRA in the state of California =fact. I would imagine that Hollister takes the award for deadliest riding area in CA. I watched the helicopter come in three times on one Saturday. Here is what I see. Parent buys teen a cr125 or cr250 . Kid want to be super freestyle guy and start from day one launching off the big table to on the motocross track. Kid breaks neck on big jump on motocross track. You would be hard pressed to go there on any given Sat. or Sun. and not see a kid getting a life flight ride off of that track. Not kidding. Hollister is still more fun than either Carnagie or Metcalf though. Just more traffic.
SuperThumperGuy
08-15-2005, 08:01 AM
If anyone in the bay area is thinking of trying a Hare Scrambles race, there is one at Metcalf on Oct 1-2. The course uses just about every trail in the park and many of them are run backwards..
novaman64
08-15-2005, 10:01 AM
IS that the one Timekeepers puts on? If it is its a killer race. Even though its small I love ridin gmetcalf, its great to go down there with the supermoto wheels and practice on the MX and the gran prox track, you should see the looks people give though...... :foul:
JSanfilippo
08-15-2005, 10:55 AM
Not kidding. Hollister is still more fun than either Carnagie or Metcalf though. Just more traffic.
I agree with you on Hollister being more fun than Carnagie or metcalf but have you been to Carnigie on a saturday or sunday. The average weekend at carnigie is still MORE crowded than Hollister on a holiday weekend :thumbsup:
I agree with you on Hollister being more fun than Carnagie or metcalf but have you been to Carnigie on a saturday or sunday. The average weekend at carnigie is still MORE crowded than Hollister on a holiday weekend :thumbsup:
SuperThumperGuy
08-15-2005, 11:06 AM
Yes, I am refering to the Timekeeper's Prime Time Hare Scrambles. I'm a member of the club and thought I would mention it on this thread.. :>) It is great having (and working) a race so close to home!
drokes
08-15-2005, 11:58 AM
Metcalf is cool if you live close by and want to get a few hours in. Some fun single tracks, lotta rocks on the back side. I would rather ride Hollister or Clear Creak, but close is good..
stickley
08-15-2005, 12:20 PM
OK, I was going to check out Metcalf, but my riding buddy (who has also never been there) wants to go to Prairie City instead. We're both out of Oakland and don't want to go to Carnegie...so, Prairie City or Metcalf?
SCCRF450
08-15-2005, 03:12 PM
metcalf is cool if you are close. Everyone should go there so I can have Hollister to myself :p
kx1984
08-15-2005, 06:05 PM
Metcalf smokes Prarie City. That one was simple. Prarie City is all flat. All all all flat.
kx1984
08-15-2005, 06:29 PM
I agree with you on Hollister being more fun than Carnagie or metcalf but have you been to Carnigie on a saturday or sunday. The average weekend at carnigie is still MORE crowded than Hollister on a holiday weekend :thumbsup:
A few years back, Hollister bought a whole bunch more land to expand the place. This land has been tied up in red tape ever since. When they bought the land ,they were handing out flyers giving updates on when the new land was gonna be opened up .They explained in this letter that all of a sudden there were all these sound and dust issues. They also mentioned in this letter that Hollister was the most used SVRA in Califrornia beating out the second most used SVRA (GORMAN/Hungry Valley) by like 2 to 1. I think Carnagie appears more crowded because there are way fewer trails that the average weekender will use at Carnagie. Hollister this past winter was turning people away after 11:30 a.m. because they were FULL. This happened weekend after weekend and I started calling ahead before driving down (if I was getting a slightly late start). I was glad to see that most of the big crowds left with the winter. One weekend I could'nt find parking and the next I could park just about anywhere. I have never ever had a hard time parking at Carnagie but I also can't figure out why everyone thinks they have to park next to skips. I think that there is about a 3 mile stretch to park on at Carnagie but people park right by skips and then call the place a shithole ,complaining about ATV's and punks all over the parkinglot. :excuseme: I have never had to park next to anyone at Carnagie and I've never had to be bothered with ATV's or "Punks" ruining my day there. It's like some people can't get out of thier own way :excuseme: . I'm in San Jose. I've ridden Metcalf ,Hollister and Carnagie over and over for the past 21 years. I think all of these parks have plenty to keep a person busy. I think that unless you can go around every corner in a particular park in 5th gear pinned ,then you are not above the park. Even Prarie City ,if your bored ,you not riding fast enough ,that all. :thumbsup:
A few years back, Hollister bought a whole bunch more land to expand the place. This land has been tied up in red tape ever since. When they bought the land ,they were handing out flyers giving updates on when the new land was gonna be opened up .They explained in this letter that all of a sudden there were all these sound and dust issues. They also mentioned in this letter that Hollister was the most used SVRA in Califrornia beating out the second most used SVRA (GORMAN/Hungry Valley) by like 2 to 1. I think Carnagie appears more crowded because there are way fewer trails that the average weekender will use at Carnagie. Hollister this past winter was turning people away after 11:30 a.m. because they were FULL. This happened weekend after weekend and I started calling ahead before driving down (if I was getting a slightly late start). I was glad to see that most of the big crowds left with the winter. One weekend I could'nt find parking and the next I could park just about anywhere. I have never ever had a hard time parking at Carnagie but I also can't figure out why everyone thinks they have to park next to skips. I think that there is about a 3 mile stretch to park on at Carnagie but people park right by skips and then call the place a shithole ,complaining about ATV's and punks all over the parkinglot. :excuseme: I have never had to park next to anyone at Carnagie and I've never had to be bothered with ATV's or "Punks" ruining my day there. It's like some people can't get out of thier own way :excuseme: . I'm in San Jose. I've ridden Metcalf ,Hollister and Carnagie over and over for the past 21 years. I think all of these parks have plenty to keep a person busy. I think that unless you can go around every corner in a particular park in 5th gear pinned ,then you are not above the park. Even Prarie City ,if your bored ,you not riding fast enough ,that all. :thumbsup:
DirtDaddy
08-15-2005, 09:02 PM
OK, I was going to check out Metcalf, but my riding buddy (who has also never been there) wants to go to Prairie City instead. We're both out of Oakland and don't want to go to Carnegie...so, Prairie City or Metcalf?
Try Metcalf. What do you have to lose? 5 bucks and some gas? It's a small but fun place. Oh, bring your bike with tires you don't care much about. The place has lots of stoney rocks. The rangers are nice too, long as you are cool and don't wheelie in the parking lot.
have fun!
:thumbsup:
Try Metcalf. What do you have to lose? 5 bucks and some gas? It's a small but fun place. Oh, bring your bike with tires you don't care much about. The place has lots of stoney rocks. The rangers are nice too, long as you are cool and don't wheelie in the parking lot.
have fun!
:thumbsup:
superslyko
08-15-2005, 09:17 PM
:ride: I love Metcalf!
It was one of my 1st riding experiences ever. I crashed heavy there. I know its small, its busy, its pretty easy, & its way too close to San Jose. :naughty:
But just like your 1st girlfriend, she just gets better looking the older you are! :thumbsup:
It was one of my 1st riding experiences ever. I crashed heavy there. I know its small, its busy, its pretty easy, & its way too close to San Jose. :naughty:
But just like your 1st girlfriend, she just gets better looking the older you are! :thumbsup:
brown77
08-16-2005, 07:27 AM
The average weekend at carnigie is still MORE crowded than Hollister on a holiday weekend :thumbsup:
are u crazy ?????????????? hollister is way worse, at least most of the people at carnegie can ride ,when you go to hollister its all beginers and quads
are u crazy ?????????????? hollister is way worse, at least most of the people at carnegie can ride ,when you go to hollister its all beginers and quads
04CRF450R_58
08-16-2005, 07:46 AM
are u crazy ?????????????? hollister is way worse, at least most of the people at carnegie can ride ,when you go to hollister its all beginers and quads
screw the state parks... head to the hills... georgetown, stoneyford, washington, clear lake (upper lake), any national forest is better riding than carnegie, hollister, and metcalf combined. i live 5mins from carnegie and would still rather drive 90 mins to twane harte.
screw the state parks... head to the hills... georgetown, stoneyford, washington, clear lake (upper lake), any national forest is better riding than carnegie, hollister, and metcalf combined. i live 5mins from carnegie and would still rather drive 90 mins to twane harte.
TahomaTom
08-16-2005, 04:32 PM
Are there more trails at Metcalf than at Carnagie?
Carnagie was good but didn't seem to have to many trails. Mostly hill climbs.
Carnagie was good but didn't seem to have to many trails. Mostly hill climbs.
MrGadget
08-16-2005, 08:03 PM
Head ons are rare at Metcalf. All the trails are one way. :thumbsup:
sxy rider 39
08-16-2005, 09:10 PM
are u crazy ?????????????? hollister is way worse, at least most of the people at carnegie can ride ,when you go to hollister its all beginers and quads
There are plenty of fast riders at holister. Also, they have so many trails, no matter how many people there are in the parking lot the trails are never crowded. If you're so upset with all the beginers and quads, hit up the big mx track right on the main road.
There are plenty of fast riders at holister. Also, they have so many trails, no matter how many people there are in the parking lot the trails are never crowded. If you're so upset with all the beginers and quads, hit up the big mx track right on the main road.
MMotohead
08-16-2005, 10:25 PM
The trails are never crowded? Thats a good laugh. I have been to Hollister alot over the last 20 years and it is scary crowded now. On weekends, headons can happen at any time. The fast guys dont go to Hollister, they go to Clear Creek. And for the MX track, it is easy enough for me to overjump everything on my TTR 125. Hollister is good when it is empty and wet on weekdays. Thats it. The weekends keeps the local hospital very busy.
desert rat 2
08-17-2005, 11:40 AM
This might help for anybody that hasn't actually been to Metcalfe and is interested in exploring the park.
http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/features/2005/santaclara/
http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/features/2005/santaclara/
sxy rider 39
08-17-2005, 03:52 PM
The trails are never crowded? Thats a good laugh. I have been to Hollister alot over the last 20 years and it is scary crowded now. On weekends, headons can happen at any time. The fast guys dont go to Hollister, they go to Clear Creek. And for the MX track, it is easy enough for me to overjump everything on my TTR 125. Hollister is good when it is empty and wet on weekdays. Thats it. The weekends keeps the local hospital very busy.
you can overjump the uphill double and the downhill on a ttr, my ass. I'm not talking about the lodge mx, I'm talking about the main mx track. The only person I've seen do all the jumps on a ttr is Adam Miller, who wins all the 250 pro rces in the mutant series. And as for trails, I stopped riding them a long time ago. you're just like some people I know who think hollister is crowded when you see five cars in each parking lot, it's not. I go every weekend during the winter and it's never too crowded. If you think hollister is crowded, you should see Glammis and Pismo.
you can overjump the uphill double and the downhill on a ttr, my ass. I'm not talking about the lodge mx, I'm talking about the main mx track. The only person I've seen do all the jumps on a ttr is Adam Miller, who wins all the 250 pro rces in the mutant series. And as for trails, I stopped riding them a long time ago. you're just like some people I know who think hollister is crowded when you see five cars in each parking lot, it's not. I go every weekend during the winter and it's never too crowded. If you think hollister is crowded, you should see Glammis and Pismo.
MMotohead
08-17-2005, 09:02 PM
I know a few pro BMXrs that can do those jumps on their bicycles. Anyone that actually races MX would consider the MX track an easy mini track. If you are comparing Glamis with 150,000 people to Hollister Hills I guess you have me there. Glamis is probably busier. Arent you sick of riding Hollister every weekend? Enough already, we are way off topic.
CRF230Fmelike
08-17-2005, 10:28 PM
Metcalf is pretty fun but like everyone already said, you can ride the whole park in 15 mins. Then again it only takes us 15 minutes to get there so that's cool.
My dad and I ride Hollister almost every weekend when we can actually ride our 450's :banghead: Hollister never gets old to me. Yes it is kinda scary on busy weekends, but I know almost every turn there so I try to play it safe on blind corners.
And as for Stoneyford.... :jawdrop: Wow, that place is BE-U-TIF-FUL! Ive only been there 4 times, and each trip is better than the last. They have wide open fire road's where you can really unleash the power of the 450, and they also have some great single track stuff. It seems like that place goes on forever! Now that we both have lights on our bikes, I'm really looking forward to doing some night riding out there!
My dad and I ride Hollister almost every weekend when we can actually ride our 450's :banghead: Hollister never gets old to me. Yes it is kinda scary on busy weekends, but I know almost every turn there so I try to play it safe on blind corners.
And as for Stoneyford.... :jawdrop: Wow, that place is BE-U-TIF-FUL! Ive only been there 4 times, and each trip is better than the last. They have wide open fire road's where you can really unleash the power of the 450, and they also have some great single track stuff. It seems like that place goes on forever! Now that we both have lights on our bikes, I'm really looking forward to doing some night riding out there!
DirtDaddy
08-18-2005, 08:38 AM
If you guys think you can ride Metcalf in 15 minutes, you are missing out on a lot of good trails.
Have you seen or ridden the black diamond trails? They're all over the place.
:cool:
Have you seen or ridden the black diamond trails? They're all over the place.
:cool:
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