The best trips begin with a full charge, a route to Inyokern, and a feeling that Trona, California would deliver a story worth telling. On Saturday September 6, 2025, the Unplugged Performance team loaded our cameras, got some snacks, did our final inspection of our UP INVINCIBLE Cybertruck and set course for the Inyokern Supercharger. The target was Trona Pinnacles, a landscape so surreal that it stands in for other worlds in film, yet close enough to Los Angeles to reach in a single afternoon.
Rolling on UP Forged CYBRNOVA wheels in 24 inches wrapped in Nitto Recon Grappler 295/45R24, a wheel spec built around style, range and comfort. You know, a lot of people ask whether 24s can be efficient. The short answer is yes when you choose smart tires and keep driving smooth. In fact, Full Self Driving (Supervised) did the majority of the driving as we talked shot lists and story angles. Along the way, the markers of civilization flickered past like chapters. Small towns with single stoplights, diners with beat up neon signs, freight trains at a standstill waiting for their next haul were all present across this trek. Then came passing Willow Springs Raceway which always hits a little different for our team. The view of Willow Springs in the rearview was a reminder of where our motorsport background came from as we aimed to continue going towards Trona and a very different kind of proving ground.
We pulled into Inyokern at 3 p.m. and found energy in every corner of the lot. Cybertruck owners were already there, discussing their love for the truck and excitement for the weekend ahead. A good Supercharger stop has three things: reliable power, a place to buy essentials, and food. Inyokern checks all three. There’s a nearby market that stocks water, ice, sunscreen, and small comforts that matter in the desert. Classic Burger next door serves exactly what the name promises. We ordered bacon avocado cheeseburgers, crinkle cut fries, a refreshing cup of Coke and can confirm they are worth the stop.
With our trucks charged up and people refueled, we gathered around, said our introductions, and thanked Brian, the founder of Cyber Odyssey, for organizing. By 5 p.m. the lineup stretched long. Thirty Cybertrucks rolled out in a single file formation that turned heads all the way to the Trona turnoff. Bystanders stepped outside to wave and record as the stainless convoy went by.
At the Trona entrance the world opened up. The basin is huge, ringed by ancient looking spires that stack into towers. Before the dirt, Brian led a quick talk for first timers on Off-Road Mode and trail basics.
Off-Road Mode: Quick Guide for New Cybertruck Owners
- Click on the Car icon:
• Go to Controls → Dynamics → Off-Road. - Pick your off-road drive mode (e.g., Overland for general trails; Baja/Sand/Rock on supported trims).
- Then adjust settings as needed
- Roll forward slowly to let the air suspension settle and the systems calibrate.
Special note: If you stop for photos or shut the vehicle down, check the settings before you move again. The truck can revert to a street profile after parking. Re-enable Off-Road Mode to avoid bottoming out.
What changes when you do this? The air suspension lifts the body, giving the front bumper and battery more room to clear things that might block your way or rocks. Damping adapts to filter sharp inputs without losing control. Throttle mapping gets smoother at low speed so traction control has time to work. Regen blends with friction braking on loose surfaces. All this combined makes the Cybertruck surprisingly calm on dirt, and it only gets better when you layer smart protection and wheels. That is where Unplugged Performance heavy duty steel front and rear bumpers and rock sliders come into play. You do not need them to enjoy a trail like Trona, but they expand where you can go and how relaxed you feel going there.
The trail to the main landmark is graded in sections and choppy in others. Groups broke apart naturally, each truck moving at its driver’s pace. That is a defining trait of Cyber Odyssey. It is not a race. It is a place to learn, an event where beginners can get pointers on tire pressures, line choice, and the Cybertruck settings. By the time we reached the main rest stop, every truck had earned a view. The sunset washed the spires in gold and the stainless steel finish cybertrucks reflected the color back. We staged quick photos because the light was perfect.
When night closed in, the event turned from exploration to celebration. We tossed a set of Unplugged Performance lug nuts into the raffle and then joined a coordinated light show. Our UP INVINCIBLE 50 inch Double Row LED Light Bar became a conversation piece. The numbers matter here. It runs 96 high intensity LEDs that produce 38,400 raw lumens, and connects to the Cybertruck’s 48V system. The beam pattern is confident and wide. The useful range is measured in thousands of feet, which means you see washouts before you are on top of them and you can scan terrain comfortably without fatigue.
The next light source came from our UP INVINCIBLE Carbon Fiber Hood System, which sits on top of the stainless hood and uses an inlet and exit duct to move air across the light bar. Produced in prepreg carbon with Kevlar reinforcement to keep the panel stiff and light, this light was perfect for those who don’t want a massive light source on the roof but rather have one in a lower height. As the night went longer, so did our night runs. We ran some night laps with Brian guiding lines, then headed back to the meetup spot under a sky full of stars.
By morning time, we witnessed some owners brewed coffee on tailgates. Others packed up tents and traction boards. We used the time to film a conversation with Brian about his journey. Brian’s story starts early, we was one of the first to run an Unplugged Performance ASCENSION-R front fascia for his Model 3. Years of Hummers, Toyotas, and Chevys gave him a deep baseline for what feels right off road. The Cybertruck changed his rhythm because it delivered real capability without a long list of shop time. He also shared that he loves that a brand new owner can arrive at Cyber Odyssey with a stock truck and participate in all the event and drive back home safely. He also enjoys how the platform evolves when you add parts like UP steel bumpers, UP-03 beadlocks, and sliders for harder terrain.
We later spent time with attendees answering questions about our build, doing some off road excursions around the Trona Pinnacles, and even got to show the prototype bed storage system that adds secure space for recovery gear and camp essentials. Wheel and tire conversations circled back to the same point. Our 24 inch CYBRNOVA with Recon Grapplers handled the highway and the trail. We reached Inyokern on one charge from Hawthorne, wheeled with the group, and returned to the Supercharger without drama. Steering feel remained predictable, sidewall support was solid at trail pressures, and range stayed consistent. If you have avoided 24s because of efficiency worries, this trip is a practical counterpoint. With the right tire, driving style, and route planning, big wheels can work for just about any adventure.
We left Trona with tired legs, dusty tires, and a long list of moments we want to repeat. The Cybertruck community is generous with knowledge and encouragement. Cyber Odyssey gives everyone a place to learn, share, and go a little farther each time. Big thanks to Brian for hosting and to every owner who came out. If you want to join the next run, visit cyberodysseyusa.com for the schedule. We will be there, ready to explore, test, film, and talk with anyone who wants to learn. Mars can wait. The Pinnacles are calling.
Watch our recap on Youtube:
