I've heard of Castillo Ranch before I moved to California. It's in a valley between flowing hills and far from any new housing developments, cities, or anything else that can destroy a track. Often covered in the bright California sun, it's a private facility reserved for only the greatest motocross riders around, and we were We fortunate enough to get an invite to go ride with them.

Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex

Of course, we had little business riding against some of the best, including the King of Supercross, Jeremy McGrath. Also in attendance were guys like Cody Webb, Brett Cue, Lance Coury and Destin Cantrell.

READ MORE: Bell Moto-9 Carbon Helmet - Review | RideApart

Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex

Bell Helmets introduced the new Moto 9 - Flex—the most technologically advanced motocross helmet Bell has ever produced. Luckily, the presentation about it was kept short, and riders were able to hit the track shortly after arriving.

Castillo Ranch has been pasted down a few times, and it's currently owned by a friendly couple who we met while wondering the track. They guessed it to be about a mile in length. According to Jim Castillo, the current owner, little remains of the original track built by Mark Peters. The gate entrance by the pits used to feature a kiddie track, but now that's a part of the main track. According to Jim, most kids would just ride the main track and ignore the smaller track. It now makes for fun whoops and a quick switch back before heading up the first major hill in the course. There's also an obstacle track with logs, rocks and tires, along with a smaller track by the road.

READ MORE: Hell on Wheels - Vintage Motocross | RideApart

Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex

The main track is located inside the valley. It starts with a jump, a few whoops and s quick turn, a couple more jumps, and then you head into the whoops that used to be the kiddie track. There's also two small jumps up the first major hill that leads to the top of the big hill. You go back and forth a few times and then head up onto the tallest part of the track, where you ride along the wide edge of the main hill. Here, you can see Highway 101 below and the mountains that's close to the water a couple miles away.

Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex

Riders disappeared from view of the pits, and then were back into view to a small table top. Then, a steep downhill (that resembles a gnarly ski slop) sends you all the way back down to the bottom of the valley into a series of more jumps and back and forths. You eventually hit a small hill heading down. Once at the bottom you are back to the start to do it all over again. It's pure riding nirvana.

READ MORE: News: Bell Helmets Launch Custom Fit Scanning | RideApart

Watch for our Bell Helmet Moto-9 Flex review soon.

Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex

Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex

Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex

Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex

Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex

Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex


Motocross with the Pros at Castillo Ranch, Bell Helmets Moto 9 Flex
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