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jinx13
  
location:
Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area
Gender: Male
 |  | Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
< on 11/18/2010 5:04 AM >
|  | | | Long trip is loooooooooong.
Did a whole day adventure in Monterey. I woke up at 5, left the house at 6, arrived at about 8.
First stop was the Improbable Villa. On a tip from some particularly awesome members + some helpful maps and my old bike that I hadn't rode since I was 12, I was there.
It took me about 1.5 hours as the easy entrance had some construction going on around it so I had to go through some wooded trails to make my way there. It's off a bike trail on public land so it's not suspicious to be around there. Thankfully I had brought printouts of the maps with me so I managed to find a few alternate routes. The trickiness didn't end there. Suffice to say backpacks + barbed wire doesn't work.
I walked well around the place and tried to go into every building. About 3/4 of the way through they all started blended together so I stopped.
There was an odd shed in the distance that housed some kind of auditorium.
It only took me an hour to get out on bike.
Next stop was a Structure of Religious Significance on Base Rod near the Aquatic Recreational Area.
I had been here before and there were only two things I wanted to take pictures of: the organ and the pool tiles. Yes, weird I know. Last time I didn't have my tripod so all but two of my organ pictures were usable and there was some guy doing a modeling shoot in the pool so that put some limitations on what I could do.
Not much of significance.
The next stop was to try to find the Sslag Factory. Unfortunately what I thought was the Sslag Factory turned out to be a dilapidated auto bay.
I had unknowingly dropped a handful of memory cards here and had to come back to retrieve them. Totally reminded me why I stopped using my old camera bag.
The next attempt at the Sslag Factory found me in the Workhouses.
Still not what I wanted. Very close, but there was a good amount of barbed wire between me and where I wanted to go so I decided to make the best of it.
With my destination in sight I thought I'd make one more go and ended up terrifying two deer who ran between the chain fence and slamming into the metal siding of a Workhouse building confirming my fear that there was no way into the Factory from this end.
I managed to terrify one kid who was probably just dicking around there.
When I drove back to the Auto Bay to pick up my memory cards I saw a decent way in but it was only 30 mins until sunset and I had already walked some ungodly number of miles in Chuck Taylors -- not a good thing.
I took an alternate route home, sticking to Highway 1 all the way home which was an awesome move. Flat all the way so it doesn't burn as much gas or eat my brakes and it's beautiful at sunset.
It's also fucking terrifying once that sun goes down and there's an endless wall of black to your left -- worse still when the marine layer rolls in and you can see the air coming at you.
---
Lessons Learned:
I need to maintain that bike. The seat wasn't high enough and I killed my knees. I still had the tires I had when my parents bought it for me 12 years ago and the back tire lasted just long enough to get me back to my car.
The location is dense and huge. There were some medical buildings that I wanted to get into but the only one with a plausible entrance faced a DoD building and I figured that probably wasn't a good idea.
Maps are awesome. If I ever have to go any kind of distance, I will always bring a map.
note: some pics will be have post-work done on them at a later date
Gravity, it's not just a good idea, it's the law. |
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ensimismada
location:
CA
Gender: Female
...wishing I had time for one more photo...
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 1 on 11/18/2010 7:04 AM >
| | | | Sounds like a fun, if tiring day! I love hearing tales from other biking explorers...
Posted by jinx13
Lessons Learned:
I need to maintain that bike. The seat wasn't high enough and I killed my knees. I still had the tires I had when my parents bought it for me 12 years ago and the back tire lasted just long enough to get me back to my car.
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Both of these things are vital! Remember that for maximum efficiency you should almost fully extend your leg through the downstroke, which necessitates having the seat high enough that you'll almost certainly have to slip forward off the seat when stopping. It takes some getting used to both balance-wise and getting over the initial fear of not being able to touch the ground, but you get so much more power in every stroke!
And riding on a deflated tire? Uuuugh. Definitely have had to do that before. I learned my lesson quickly, too!  Remember to keep an eye on tire air pressure when the weather starts getting colder - that is, if it ever gets cold in San Fran. *fist shake of envy*
| Posted by jinx13It's also fucking terrifying once that sun goes down and there's an endless wall of black to your left -- worse still when the marine layer rolls in and you can see the air coming at you. |
Oh yea and you can get a fairly cheap LED bike light at any Walmart clone. They double as great back-up flashlights! Remember that it's just as important for cars to be able to see you as it is for you to be able to see, and reflectors don't cut it.
Good luck on more bike-assisted explorations.
[last edit 11/18/2010 7:07 AM by ensimismada - edited 1 times]
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jinx13
location:
Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 2 on 11/18/2010 3:35 PM >
| | | | Oh yeah, I totally learned my lesson. I've totally been taking that bike for granted for all these years. I probably could have shaved at least 10 mins on my trip if I didn't have to walk my bike up every hill.
I thought my leatherman would be plenty good to make any quick fixes I needed to do but pliers does not a wrench make.
I'm going to see if there's another place I can explore with a bike, I actually really like it.
Gravity, it's not just a good idea, it's the law. |
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CaptainTonus
location:
San Diego, CA.
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 3 on 11/18/2010 4:07 PM >
| | | | Is this all Fort Ord?
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jinx13
location:
Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 4 on 11/18/2010 4:17 PM >
| | | | Posted by CaptainTonus
Is this all Fort Ord?
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Yeah, but apparently I'm not supposed to use actual names or something.
Gravity, it's not just a good idea, it's the law. |
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ensimismada
location:
CA
Gender: Female
...wishing I had time for one more photo...
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 5 on 11/18/2010 5:21 PM >
| | | | Posted by jinx13
I probably could have shaved at least 10 mins on my trip if I didn't have to walk my bike up every hill.
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Oh, also, if your bike has gears, learn to use 'em properly. I was doing things the incredibly hard way for a long time until I learned to sit down when going up hills, thanks to some online articles: http://sheldonbrown.com/standing.html and also this http://sheldonbrown.com/gears.html ... the guy's got a funny picture but his advice is solid! Don't be like me and be really stubborn when there are easier ways to go about doing things.
I'm going to see if there's another place I can explore with a bike, I actually really like it.
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Sometimes just biking around town is a good way to find locations. Keep your eyes peeled and you could discover something totally new.
Well, something old that's new. You know what I mean.
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CaptainTonus
location:
San Diego, CA.
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 6 on 11/18/2010 5:27 PM >
| | | | Posted by jinx13
Yeah, but apparently I'm not supposed to use actual names or something.
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Haha, oops! I didn't think it was as big a deal in the "local" forums. I freaking love it down there, I got the chance to explore it last summer. I only did the most obvious spots though that are easily accessible.
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jinx13
location:
Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 7 on 11/18/2010 5:36 PM >
| | | | Posted by CaptainTonus
Haha, oops! I didn't think it was as big a deal in the "local" forums. I freaking love it down there, I got the chance to explore it last summer. I only did the most obvious spots though that are easily accessible.
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There's apparently a tank range near the Improbable Villa that I couldn't find. I'll probably go down again next time I have some free time.
Gravity, it's not just a good idea, it's the law. |
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ensimismada
location:
CA
Gender: Female
...wishing I had time for one more photo...
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 8 on 11/18/2010 7:32 PM >
| | | | Posted by CaptainTonus
Haha, oops! I didn't think it was as big a deal in the "local" forums.
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When the post is public, it doesn't matter which board it was posted to, the world can still see it  If you do slip up and mention a specific location name, I believe you have one hour to edit it out of the post be for the message becomes locked against modification...
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decrepitude
 
location:
Norcal
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 9 on 11/18/2010 8:25 PM >
| | | | I like to explore by bike too when the chance presents itself. I see you ran into the same conundrum I had when I tried to access the glass warehouse a while back in "anarchy ally" (the last part of your explore). There is an easy way to the building just PM me and I'll let you know. By the way you don't have to be sketchy about posting Fort Ord by name, the base is common knowledge and almost everyone has been there. Fort Ord has been decommissioned since 1996 so few places have escaped the wraith of taggers and scrappers
That being said,just remember to keep information regarding entry points and sensitive or untouched areas that you don't want ruined to yourself or off the public parts of the site and you are good to go.I know of alot of spots on this base as its my favorite place (as if you couldn't figure that out already) The sense of isolation, space and freedom you get here is liberating. I still haven't been to IM city as no one I know is down for the hike or ride (being a gearhaed I have extra bikes). Let me know if either of you wanna hit up IM city sometime soon.
Later - d
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Vectored Approach
location:
Morgan Hill, CA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 10 on 11/19/2010 2:03 AM >
| | | | Decrepitude- one of these days I definitely want to hit up Ord. If you've got extra bikes, that helps a lot too since I don't have one at the moment (nowhere to store it). We'll see what my schedule looks like and hit this one up sometime.
Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy. -George Carlin (1937 - 2008) |
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jinx13
location:
Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 11 on 11/19/2010 3:50 AM >
| | | | Dude, I will totally fix my bike up to go riding with you.
Gravity, it's not just a good idea, it's the law. |
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lady_elle
location:
Sacramento, Ca
Gender: Female
Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.
| |  | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 12 on 11/19/2010 8:30 AM >
| | | | I love the pics of the organ and of course the Weezer graffiti lol
...and yes, maps are freakin awesome.
We were here...and it was glorious. |
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decrepitude
location:
Norcal
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 13 on 11/19/2010 8:57 PM >
| | | | Good to hear you guys are down for an excursion. I would love to go out to IM city
on bikes, I tried to walk it once from the west garrison but my friend wasn't up for a 4 + mile hike over the hills there.I know of a faster way though so let me know when you guys are free (maybe plan for a certain weekend)I have two extra bikes at the moment, one is a large commuter and the other a medium cruiser, both are geared. I would just ride my downhill bike, bit of a beast but I can lock-out the suspension.
Jinx,if need be I can give yer bike a once over and safety check as well as I have worked as a bike mechanic in the past. A well running bike is a happy rider.Vectored and jinx, let me know when is a good time so we can plan this. I've done a lot of bike trips in the past and this should be pretty easy (keeping in mind the hills). By the way PM for that entry location is on the way jinx. Cheers - d
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SnuggleBear
location:
South Bay Area, CA [831]
Gender: Male
| |  |  |  | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 14 on 11/19/2010 9:35 PM >
| | | | Heh... I'm trying to find the pic of that rabbit being painted... ahem...
EDIT: 
Here's my GF's rappel down the tallest building there.
[last edit 11/19/2010 9:37 PM by SnuggleBear - edited 1 times]
. : FMK : .
408/831
Let's meet up. |
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Calvin Kaneda
 
location:
West Coast Ninja/East Coast Pirate.
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 15 on 11/19/2010 10:28 PM >
| | | | Posted by SnuggleBear
Heh... I'm trying to find the pic of that rabbit being painted... ahem...
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So, you tag locations? Sweet.
"By the prick of my thumb something wicked this way comes..."
"Under the cover of night, I travel across rooftops while you dream of adventure."
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SnuggleBear
location:
South Bay Area, CA [831]
Gender: Male
| | | | | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 16 on 11/19/2010 11:46 PM >
| | | | Posted by Calvin Kaneda
So, you tag locations? Sweet.
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Did I say I did that?
Plus, it made it onto the site, so someone found it cool/interesting/funny/artistic.
I also do rope work and rappel off the side off of them. Hate meeee.
. : FMK : .
408/831
Let's meet up. |
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jinx13
location:
Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 17 on 11/20/2010 4:03 AM >
| | | | Here are some pics from my trip that I decided to work on.
Enjoy.
1. Health Packs!
Ord-AA-health-pack-v by jackylicious13, on Flickr
Ord-AA-health-pack by jackylicious13, on Flickr
2. 9ft
Ord-Pool-9ft by jackylicious13, on Flickr
3. 7ft
Ord-Pool-7ft by jackylicious13, on Flickr
4. Organ guts
Ord-Chapel-brand by jackylicious13, on Flickr
5. Escape
Improbable-Villa-Stoned by jackylicious13, on Flickr
6. Trap Door
Improbable-Villa-Floor-Wind by jackylicious13, on Flickr
7.
Improbable-Villa-dry-run by jackylicious13, on Flickr
edit:
Some more I worked on.
8.
ord-files by jackylicious13, on Flickr
9.
Ord-chapel-chair by jackylicious13, on Flickr
10.
Improbable-Rabbit by jackylicious13, on Flickr
[last edit 11/20/2010 6:51 AM by jinx13 - edited 1 times]
Gravity, it's not just a good idea, it's the law. |
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Calvin Kaneda
location:
West Coast Ninja/East Coast Pirate.
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 18 on 11/20/2010 4:50 PM >
| | | | Posted by SnuggleBear
Did I say I did that?
Plus, it made it onto the site, so someone found it cool/interesting/funny/artistic.
I also do rope work and rappel off the side off of them. Hate meeee.
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-Someone new to this community found it cool/interesting/funny.
You should look through some of the forums on this site in regards to ethics and exploring.
I won't hate yoooooou.
But I will not share information with you as far as locations, entry points and security issues.
And when or if you apply for FM I'll be sure to raise the issue of your cool/interesting/funny/artistic whatever. Looking back through your posts here on UER it seems that you may have already run across this argument before so this really is just wasted breath.
And for the record, I like graffiti. Fuck dude, you should see my Flickr avatar. But what sucks is, I'll never be able to take a picture of that room without your spray paint on the wall. I'll never be able to create my own artwork from this location without your cool/interesting/funny whatever.
I'd be happy to talk about this more in PMs or a phone call, or face to face at a meet and greet.
"By the prick of my thumb something wicked this way comes..."
"Under the cover of night, I travel across rooftops while you dream of adventure."
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decrepitude
location:
Norcal
Gender: Male
| | Re: Improbable Villa, Base Rod, Engineseer Temple, Sslag Factory Workshops
<Reply # 19 on 11/20/2010 8:42 PM >
| | | | Posted by SnuggleBear
Heh... I'm trying to find the pic of that rabbit being painted... ahem...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be honest I have no problem with graffiti. I was a graffiti artist while in high school, even then I knew to stick to active places as I didn't want my hang-outs ruined, but to announce that on THIS site, well...
[last edit 11/20/2010 9:43 PM by decrepitude - edited 1 times]
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Ethics
