Okay, how about quick local ride LA county folks? Keep in mind that very soon it’s going to be way too hot to do some of these rides. So let’s see if we can get enough interest for a little Hornet Swarm on an upcoming weekend in May (17/18 or 24/25?). First, lets see where people are trying to ride.

Angeles Crest – from the bottom to Newcomb’s Ranch
Angles Crest Review (http://lateralg.org/roads/orange/foot1.htm)

Glendora
Glendora Mountain review (http://www.lateralg.org/roads/orange/foot6.htm)

Malibu – a plethora of canyon runs to the Rock Store
Canyons of Malibu review (http://www.lateralg.org/roads/orange/malibu.htm)

Highway 33 - Ojai
Review of the 33 (http://www.lateralg.org/roads/sbarbara/2.htm)

Palms To Pines – mountain/dessert run
Review of the 74, and such (http://www.lateralg.org/roads/orange/river1.htm)

I voted for ACH, but would be cool with most options.

ACH - A nice ride would be ACH -> AFH -> Upper Big T -> Newcombs for lunch. -> then back down ACH to the 210...

Azuza/GMR (Glendora) is also a nice ride, but kind of short if ridden straight through.

Malibu is nice, you probably know this area a lot better than I do.

I'm not yet familiar with the last two options. They sound interesting , the distance may complicate things a bit but i guess this depends on where most other riders are from...

In short, options 1-3 get a +1 from me, the last two are a definite maybe...

I have to work on May 18th, so that wouldn't work for me.

I really want to ride the Palms to Pines (vice versa), but I dunno. As Carl said, being that it would take much more time (1.5 to 2 hrs to get to palm springs), it may be harder to get ppl on board for a "quick local ride" on that road.

But then again, this looks F'N AWESOME!

http://www.lateralg.org/roads/orange/palms7.gif
Picture towards Palm Desert from view point.


However, it's also F'N HOT out in Palm Springs! This is a ride that should probably be done during the Fall or Spring, and perhaps even winter. It's not that I'm unable to ride in the heat, I grew up in AZ!, it's just that i'd rather not! :wink:

I still have yet to vote, but I am leaning towards ACH or maybe Ojai

Yeah, the last two choices on here are going to be the hottest - temperature wise. Which is why, if we do those runs, it will have to be very soon. Malibu is usually pretty cool - Glendora and Angeles crest get cool up in the mountain, but are hot along the way there. Anyhoo, keep the votes coming, we're running out of time.

Wherever you go - grab a camera. :wink:

i voted GMR (apparently the only one!) but, i can try and make any of em... My weekends are open from here on out for a bit. Let me know what's doing. (Email/PM if it's imminent, i don't check these forums as much as i used to.... :oops: )

Interest only seems to be mild at best. Does anyone want to do this? Unfortunately, this weekend throws everything off. Rain and snow up on the best runs + a holiday weekend full of people drinking and driving make for bad rides. :(

How about heading up ACH to Newcomb's next Sunday?

Cesu, I think GMR is still closed (http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/conditions/conditions-road.shtml), If it opens back up I wouldn't mind a ride up that way. That road is always good fun.

yeah, i think you're right. I'm willing to try a new road.... it'll obviously slow me down a bit... but, that's probably for the better. keep me posted.

Sooooooo are we looking at Angeles Crest on Sunday June 1st?

Sounds good to me :)
What time? I generally like to ride early up there on weekends. Say ~9:00?

damnit, I'm working Sundays right now.

Wow, there is a lot less interest than I'd have thought based on the number of so cal users?
I guess it may be better to plan for a day when more people would show up. If you plan something in the future, please PM me.

Cheers.

Wow, there is a lot less interest than I'd have thought based on the number of so cal users?

I know! :?

it's official: LA area riders are losers!

I figure we have a few more LA area riders added to the forum since this was last toyed with, so - with suggestions for new dates and routes...
BUMP

I figure we have a few more LA area riders added to the forum since this was last toyed with, so - with suggestions for new dates and routes...
BUMP

Yeah! all you SoCal ppl... come out of your dark, incessant lairs and let's go for a ride!

Malibu? Angeles Crest? Glendora Mtn Road (may be a bit hot)?

c'mon!

we could be ridin' up Angeles Crest Hwy:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/58/166900874_f9cef6eb4d.jpg

another random photo of the "2" I got off flickr: (http://www.flickr.com/photos/klackeyimages/459519823/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/253/459519823_80715cac5a_o.jpg


Or perhaps a ride up PCH and then into the Santa Monica Mtns is more your fancy...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/427404769_5a92afcb38.jpg

Latigo Cyn:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2750390003_9b0071cd25.jpg

I'd try to make it, just let me know when. We should make it happen before "winter" kicks in, as after that the temps may drop below 80 8)

alright, let's do this already.... who's up this weekend? anywhere... i recently moved to the westwood/santa monica area, so i'd be willing to try some new roads... though, my vote is still glendora mtn.

Hello LA 599 riders. You mention more 599 owners adding to the forum, well you might have one more...

Problem is, I waited so long to get a 599, it's near impossible.

2 years ago, I bought the bike I have now (BMW F650GS). I thought it was perfect because it's a cross breed between street bike and dirt bike and I'd grown up riding dirt bikes (YZs). My friend back east, who had a Suzuki SV650, thought it was OK, but thought I should look at other bikes like the SV or the 599. After about a year I started to grow out of the BMW and realized how basic and slow it was as a single cylinder.

When I went to finally take my friend's advice and look at a 599, they were out of production. I looked online and there were still some at dealers, but none close. I tried to go see one in Ontario, but it was gone before I could make it. I finally saw one, but the people were very tight and didn't want to let me test drive it as I guess I didn't sound so serious about getting one then. Over the past year, the more serious I've become about getting one, the harder it has grown to find one. Now, there are not only none left at any dealers in the country, there are very few for sale and none locally. The best way to get one seems to be online and get it shipped.

Problem is...I've never ridden one and although it looks better than any bike out there, I can't be absolutely sure I'd like it. If any 599 owners out there would be willing to sell a ride on their bike, I'd be willing to pay. I know this is a bit of a strange request and nobody wants to see their bike at risk or dropped or anything (incidentally, I've had no accidents), but I would appreciate any help.

Thanks and hope to be a member of the club soon.

I'm down for this weekend. Sunday?

cesu pro, are you saying you just moved to the Westside and haven't ridden the Mailbu canyons?

My vote is for Malibu/Santa Monica Mtns. I really like GMR, but it's hot and smoggy this time of year. Ok, so maybe it's not that smoggy once you're up in the mountain, but still...

that is exactly what i am saying, leather. I'd like to try the malibu canyons, i've just hear they are much more sweeping corners, compared to gmr's hairpins. also, i'm actually staying in orange county this weekend, i'd rather do malibu when i'm back at home.

i've had no issues with smog up gmr, though i'll admit that it's hotter than a .... you know what. Ah, the beauty of perfed leathers.

so, what i'm saying is, if i'm going to do santa monica/malibu, it'll probably be next weekend. I will probably do GMR this sunday at around the 9-Noon range.

I've already agreed to another ride this Sunday. And after looking at my front tire this morning, think I might need to wait a couple of weeks after that until I've got new tires before doing much more 'fun' riding.

cineaste: There are a pair of 599's in the LA area on cycletrader.com (http://www.cycletrader.com/find/search-results/Zip-90026/Radius-50/Type-Motorcycle/Make-Honda/Price-0,/Keyword-599/Sort-Year:DESC/) right now, maybe you and the sellers can arrange a test ride.

Carl - Thanks for the acknowledgment and the info. Those have been sold. The Huntington one has been on cycletrader for at least 6 months. Why they stay on there, I don't know. I'm just gonna have to keep waiting or drive to bay area or something.

cineaste -

do what I did when I found my 919: look on craigslist and cycletrader every single day... literally!

599's are even harder to come by than 919's, so good luck

Have totally been checking cycletrader, ebay & craigslist every single day for a month. There's no way I'm going to let one slip by me, but it could take a while. 599s are very rare with only 2 production years, hence my trying to "hitch" a ride somehow as I would definitely buy one and have it shipped, if I were sure I like the ride.

Sorry folks. Life has been quite hectic for me lately and I haven't been checking the forum too often.

I'm hearing the CHP has stepped it up for bikes out here in LA and with the holiday weekend approaching I'm sure they're gonna be like hawks. So ride carefully.

If I'm in town this weekend, I'm down for a ride. Let me know if you all want to try to make something happen for sat or sun.

I posted a quick blurb about my ride in one of Leather's other posts, but I figured I'd update this thread as well.

I finally checked out a few roads up in the Malibu Canyons. They were pretty nice. I first went up Latigo Canyon road, which was nice and tight, but the road was a little dirty for my liking, and there was quite a few completely blind decreasing radius turns (scary). But, given a few more rides, I think I could enjoy that road. Then i took Muholland just for a mile or so to the rock store, and that stretch of road was pretty fun. Nice newly paved road with some tight corners... it was just too short. I kept going on muholland and it got rather boring before i got to Topanga canyon, which was...okay... but there's lots of traffic, i got stuck behind a trail of 15 cars... there wasn't much tight corners on that road anyways.

I heard going back up muholland the other way of Kanan dune (north westish?) is fun. I'd like to try that still. And, some other roads may be fun as well. All in all, i enjoyed it, and it's much closer to me now than GMR (which is still the dang best) so, i'm down to meet up with someone who knows the roads. let's do it. soon.

...heh heh heh. You've had but a taste. Yes, Glendora is prime, but don't count the Santa Monica mountains out yet. Have you been to the Crest yet? Anyway, I digress.

Okay, yeah, ride Latigo a couple more times to get used to it and it will quickly become a road you love. Mulholland has two really nice spots. The best is the run from the Rock Store to Vista point. Some people just hang and out and do that back and forth all day. (check it honda599.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3390 (http://honda599.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3390)). The other is the freshly paved section of Mulholland that overlaps with Decker for a bit - way too short though, and the lane hugging the side of the mountain is sometimes very sandy.

Fernwood-to-SaddlePeak-to-Piuma combo is fun too. So is Fernwood-to-SaddlePeack-to-Tuna. In fact, Tuna is one of the more challenging ones in the area. Super tight turns. But it's a ONE WAY STREET!!! You just have to watch out for people living in the woods who might be on meth waiting to jack you so they can afford their next hit. I'm only slightly kidding about that. If you see a mysterious random piece of wierdness in the road, don't stop to check it out, just keep going. Oh, and to get to Fernwood, take Topanga and hang a turn at the Firestation (www.lateralg.org/roads/orange/malibu3.htm (http://www.lateralg.org/roads/orange/malibu3.htm)).

My favorite roads out there are Decker and Yerba Buena. Yerba Buena i like better (it's longer) but the conditions of the road are not always so great. Decker, however, is where I finally scrapped a peg. And Decker is good going up or down the hill, whereas Yerba is much much much much better going up than it is coming down. (No description of Decker, but here's one of Yerba www.lateralg.org/roads/orange/malibu19.htm (http://www.lateralg.org/roads/orange/malibu19.htm))

MY favorite multi-route route out there is this:
Start in Santa Monica, PCH to Topanga to Fernwood - Saddlepeak - Piuma to Las Virgenes (north) to Mulholland. West on Mulholland to Decker to PCH. North/West on PCH to Yerba Buena to Mulholand East/NE to Kanan. South on Kanan to Latigo, back to PCH and then the what-feels-like-forever-ride home. Along the run, I stop at both Neptune's net (featured in that Bud (light?) spot with the blind guy guessing which Harley was passing by) and the Rock Store.

I've only done this entire ride once, because the traffic coming home from that ride SUCKS!!! Late afternoon weekend traffic on PCH is a nightmare. The worst mix of tourists in cages who don't know to look out for bikes, cagers looking for parking instead of looking out for bikes, cagers looking at the view and scenery and half naked women instead of looking out for bikes, and then the only people actually looking out for bikes—cops with a knack for hunting down impatient bikers and dudes with feraris/lambos/nobles/bugattis/etc. so they can pull them over in front of all the tourists.

Is it worth it...


hell yeah it is!

Fernwood-to-SaddlePeak-to-Piuma combo is fun too
the thing i'm not too fond about Fernwood is how there are soo many driveways due to it being a more populated residential area. From PCH, Las Flores is good cuz it leads to Piuma and Stunt Rd as well, but has significantly less driveways and neighborhood traffic.

I think Yerba Buena would be a great road if it were repaved, but as it stands now, it's too rough and gravel-y for my taste.

Topanga canyon, which was...okay... but there's lots of traffic, i got stuck behind a trail of 15 cars... there wasn't much tight corners on that road anyways.


Topanga, when there is little or no traffic, is actually a fantastic road. nice, clean, smooth pavement, and medium-speed corners. But unfortunately, tons of ppl use this road to get to and from The Valley.

But anyways... judge for yourself

How's about a ride on Sunday morning? It's gonna get pretty hot out there later in the day so i'd prefer a relatively early meetup at 8:30am or so.

Was out this morning. Cops everywhere after 11am. Here's the rub, the damn marine layer didn't start to burn off till about 10:45. So it was actually quite cold in most spots. Once you get a little further out (closer to the valley) it warms up plenty, but my visor could have used windshield wipers with all that fog this morning.

Road conditions were good though. Didn't hit Latigo, or Piuma, but the rest of the roads looked great. Even Yerba Buena was in pretty good condition (probably the best I've seen it, which still isn't saying much since the road is very cracked and rough). I talked to one of the guys posting photos, seems like the competition is heating up for the photogs out there. Anyway, he's got a great series of crashes from Labor Day... www.rockstorephotos.com

If you guys ride later on in the day tomorrow, I'll try to join you, maybe meet you at The Rock Store or Neptune's at a certain time? But that 8:30 am thing aint gonna happen for me this weekend. Maybe next time?

Last Sun went out for a ride (see Field of Glory post for an amazing sight) but while I was out, twice I crossed paths with a group of Hornet riders (919ers). I turned around and caught up with them on Las Flores and one of the guys told me to find them online at westchesters.com - or so I thought. I can find no such site. Maybe he said wrist twisters? I don't know. But anyway, it was tiight to see that many hornets in the canyons together. There were about 7 of them total, black, burgundy, yellow. A very nice sight.

So, any takers for this weekend?

I'm down for a ride Sunday.

You have anything in mind, DJ?

Not yet. But if response is a little slow here, maybe we can call the gang and set something up. As for a route, don't have anything in particular in mind. If the cops have eased up, Angeles crest would be nice to hit though - maybe come up the backside to avoid some of the speed traps.

Hey kids! Now is the time to run the 33/Ojai..... the weather is cool in the morning, about 85 in the afternoon. Usually head out of this area around 7 if there's no fog.... I'd prefer 8 haha...

Try and avoid Malibu on Sunday late mornings/afternoon, that's primarily the look at me on mah bikez crowd running around. 33 can get that way too. Saturdays are fairly calm out there.

I'm out of this town this coming weekend, but October should be nice before it gets cold and I have to buy my electrics to not freeze like last year. AGH!

Amy

i'd love to join but i personally think i need more exp. i've run santiago canyon to cook's corner a few times but haven't done the rest.

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/regions/ca_orange.html

Howdy! What type of riding experience do you have? I know when I rode with a very experienced group six months into my riding, they were all very considerate of my ability on a two day ride in 115 degree heat and full leathers.... lol... I rode in back with my buddy but was never that far behind. I'd be more than happy to take it easy!

Indeed. Sill levels vary and are very much respected. We always adjust and don't leave people behind. When the time comes for kneedraggers to put on some speed, they do and pick a spot along the way to pull over and wait for the rest to catch up, but do not force anyone to ride over their limits. Hell when I've ridden with Leatherwings, sometimes I can manage to stay pretty close to him, other times he's little more than a whisper of a shadow somewhere in the distance. But we always manage to work it out and have a good ride.

On a side note, MrD, I don't know any of the OC runs. But if you know some and we can get enough interest, maybe we can do a trip down there???

I'm kind of out of comiision for a couple of weeks though. Pinched nerve in my neck - which got aggrevated by me riding tired and sore with my relatively new and heavier Scorpion 1000 last week - further aggrevated by a VERY VERY VERY BAD Thai massage that I had to start going to a chiropractor afterwords just to undo the damage from. I can probably handle a short ride this coming week, but I'd rather wait until I know I can handle a full day. THAT BEING SAID - please, you all go ahead and plan away. If I can roll I will, if not, hopefully there will be other rides.

Oh, by the way, the blissfully smooth and twisty 33 in Ojai is going to be perfect in October. Not too cold, no where near to hot - and best of all, no rattlesnakes crossing the road in front of you. Just something to consider - although that will be one long ass and tiring trip for riders from the OC to do in a day.

It's been forever since I've ridden (only like three weeks actually) and I'm dying to ride. The neck is strong enough now and trying to roll. Anyone want to do this SoCal thing? As long as the ride is not a marathon, I should be good.

New member, new owner, first post...

I've got some guys from work that are planning to ride the Crest the day after Turkey Day. We're working out the time since some will be coming up from the South Bay. I'll post up the time when we settle on it, but it'd be cool to have a few other 599s to counter the plastic clad monsters... :D

Oh yeah- I picked up an '06 599 black with 5400 miles on the clock so I could put my project back in the garage. :wink:

New member, new owner, first post...

I've got some guys from work that are planning to ride the Crest the day after Turkey Day. We're working out the time since some will be coming up from the South Bay. I'll post up the time when we settle on it, but it'd be cool to have a few other 599s to counter the plastic clad monsters... :D

Oh yeah- I picked up an '06 599 black with 5400 miles on the clock so I could put my project back in the garage. :wink:

Yo, welcome!

I will most likely be outa town Thanksgiving weekend, but perhaps some other time I can make it.

Can't make Thanksgiving Day week(end) either, but am down for another weekend of gallivanting with fellow Hooners. OH, I created a SoCal group - I don't really know what to do with it, but check it out in the quick links section.

Anyone been paying attention to the forecast in So Cal for this weekend??? 80s to 90s depending on which run you take. Any ideas?

Anyone been paying attention to the forecast in So Cal for this weekend??? 80s to 90s depending on which run you take. Any ideas?

yes,

we take Highway 1 up through Big Sur and into San Francisco. From there, we continue up until Hwy 1 merges with the 101 and take that up past Eureka and into the Redwoods where we will camp with our leathers, a multi-tool, and our wits as our only gear. And as for food, if don't we don't catch anything, we don't eat.

yes,

we take Highway 1 up through Big Sur and into San Francisco. From there, we continue up until Hwy 1 merges with the 101 and take that up past Eureka and into the Redwoods where we will camp with our leathers, a multi-tool, and our wits as our only gear. And as for food, if don't we don't catch anything, we don't eat.

That's a bit too "Deliverance" for me, but hell if it don't sound like a good time!! Ya'll enjoy!
I'm on wife birthday duty, so I'll be lucky if I get to uncover the bike this weekend!

Thanks for the welcome, btw.

As far as Turkey Day weekend-
I'll post up the details for the Friday run as we nail them down- anyone is welcome. We have pretty diverse skill levels so there will be someone to ride with no matter how fast you are. Hope some of you can make it.

Here's the message that went out to the group here at work:

It’s the day after Thanksgiving. The wife/girlfriend/mom/significant other has been out of the house for hours waiting to get the best deals when the stores opened at 5AM.

After three days of rain, it promises to be a nice day to get out on two wheels.

So let’s go- get off the couch, put down the turkey sandwich and squeeze your bloated butt into your riding gear.

We want to meet at the Shell Station off the 210/2 North freeways at 9 AM on Friday November 28.

Email me if you’re going to make it, I’ll be the last one out of the gas station, since I’m the slowest anyway!

We can meet at the top at Newcomb’s Ranch for a little food and beverage.

If I’ve missed a rider who might want to make the ride, please forward this message on. I’ve missed a few for sure!

It’d be cool to get everyone together for a photo as well- hope to see you all on Friday!

Hope to see a few more folks there!

I finally rode Ojai a few weeks ago. A nice road, albeit dirty, with lots of variations in speed and scenery.


I'm planning on going solo up Highway 1 to San Francisco over president's day weekend. Should be the most awesome thing ever. It may rain on that Saturday, but oh well.

I've driven up Highway 1 through Big Sur once, but that was in an SUV and the whole time i was fiending for two-wheels. Pretty much the most spectacular road imaginable... 120 non-stop miles of everything from highspeed sweepers to tight twisties; with mountains and hills on one side, the ocean on the other.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=morro+bay&daddr=36.018004,-121.530762+to:carmel-by-the-sea&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&sll=36.094609,-121.356354&sspn=0.527094,0.878906&ie=UTF8&ll=35.823102,-121.357727&spn=0.132228,0.219727&t=h&z=12

I finally rode Ojai a few weeks ago. A nice road, albeit dirty, with lots of variations in speed and scenery.


I'm planning on going solo up Highway 1 to San Francisco over president's day weekend. Should be the most awesome thing ever. It may rain on that Saturday, but oh well.

I've driven up Highway 1 through Big Sur once, but that was in an SUV and the whole time i was fiending for two-wheels. Pretty much the most spectacular road imaginable... 120 non-stop miles of everything from highspeed sweepers to tight twisties; with mountains and hills on one side, the ocean on the other.:/



I just took a google earth tour of that route. A couple of years ago, the wife and rented a SUV and drove down from Monterey to San Diego. South of Morro Bay we took the scenic route via Hwy166 over to Route33 and south to Ojai.

Beautiful area and more than once, I wished I had been on two wheels.

I just took a google earth tour of that route. A couple of years ago, the wife and rented a SUV and drove down from Monterey to San Diego. South of Morro Bay we took the scenic route via Hwy166 over to Route33 and south to Ojai.

Beautiful area and more than once, I wished I had been on two wheels.

some photos i found off flickr:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/3035004555_0665ac2a3c.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bethandphil/3035004555/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/604599554_437c7cddbf.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47748104@N00/604599554/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/3060005846_f6ca3a8776.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antydiluvian/3060005846/


seriously man, how outrageously unbelievable is this road?

I did SF-LA on a bicycle (Schwinn Varsity behemoth) twice when I was a kid. It really is a beautiful view from Hwy 1 through Big Sur, as well as just south of there through San Simeon, Cambria, Morro Bay, etc. Just watch out for logging trucks crossing the center line in Big Sur area. Last time I did the route (popped into Cambria crossing over from the 5 out of Colinga or so, which actually should be a pretty good route on a bike if you want to make up some time) I was driving a Saab Aero Wagon, which was fun in the curves, trying to show my wife how pretty it was. Unfortunately, she fell asleep just outside of Cambria and didn't wake up until Monterey . . . .

Speaking of Cambria, how sweet would it be to roll up to Hearst's Castle on the Hornet and snap a few shots out by the Neptune Pool!!! Although the wine I'd undoubtedly drink would not be good for riding back down the mountain in that area. LOL.

So, I am studying for the GRE which I take on April 4th, thus I have not been able to do many good rides recently. I am planning on spending most of the following day (Sunday 4/5) in the canyons around LA and figured if I posted this on here now some of you might be able to plan on coming out as well. This of course depends on the weather but I am just throwing it out there to see if there is any interest.

So, I am studying for the GRE which I take on April 4th, thus I have not been able to do many good rides recently. I am planning on spending most of the following day (Sunday 4/5) in the canyons around LA and figured if I posted this on here now some of you might be able to plan on coming out as well. This of course depends on the weather but I am just throwing it out there to see if there is any interest.

Let me know if you plan on riding ACH that weekend. If so, I'd likely join you.

Haven't actually done ACH yet and would be interested in riding it. Heard it gets heavy traffic, however, compared to the Malibu area?

Traffic on ACH varies greatly on weekends. Generally the earlier you're on the hill the better. I don't think it's worse than Malibu. Since the road was closed before Wrightwood, ACH past AFH doesn't really lead anywhere so it's mostly local traffic, hikers, etc..

Traffic on ACH varies greatly on weekends. Generally the earlier you're on the hill the better. I don't think it's worse than Malibu. Since the road was closed before Wrightwood, ACH past AFH doesn't really lead anywhere so it's mostly local traffic, hikers, etc..

...what carl said.

There's gonna be a bit of gravel and wet road for a lil while due to the melting snow run-off.

But ACH is sooo great. The pavement is relatively new, smooth, and in great shape. It's only 30 minutes from West LA and when you get up there into the pine-covered mountains, it feels like you're in a completely different region that's hours away from the mind-numbing hustle and bustle of the city.

Has anyone done Ortega Hwy in the recent past? A riders group from work is proposing a ride up there (from San Juan Capistrano to Lake Elsinore), early on a Sunday morning, with a continuation to a charity ride down in Temecula. I'd skip the Temecula portion and double back to SJC, but wanted to get some insight on the ride, especially since I'd have to leave by 6 am to join up at 7 and also ditch visiting family as well as the wife and kids.

Unsure how to vote but a Pines to Palms would be something I am definitely up for. Please place my vote for that opyion Mr. Administrator. Thank you.

Did the Ortega Hwy (CA-74) from San Juan Capistrano (intersection with the 5 Fwy) to Lake Elsinore yesterday. Lots of fun, good twisties and sweepers, and not a lot of traffic given that we left SJC around 7:15 a.m. Our group had a 599 (me), two newer Interceptors, one older Interceptor/VFR 800, one CBR 1000, two Honda cruisers (VTX somethings), two Gold Wings (one two up), a Silver Wing scooter and maybe another bike or two. We moved pretty quickly going over, with the sport bikes, the cruisers and the two up Gold Wing taking the lead. (The Gold Wing took the twisties amazingly well -- I thought he was going to scrape some chrome.) We only had one car that impeded our progress for a bit until it pull off in a turn out, and we only saw one or two other bikes. The temperature at the top got cold for SoCal standards -- 37-40 degrees for a decent period -- but the views were cool and the road pretty fast. (The repairs to 74 turned it into a pretty nice surface, though there was one section where the asphalt felt funky on the back.) Got to Elsinore around 7:50 or so and had breakfast at Hunny's (just west of the Chevron station, on the north side of 74).

Came back over following the CBR 1000 around 9:30 a.m. There was a lot more traffic, both auto and bike. A lot of the bikes going east were screaming down in packs. I was able to keep right on top of the CBR through the twistest portions (even with him leaning off and me staying more seated -- my fat head gives me more weight off the side of the bike), but on the more sweeper turns and straights he definitely could pull away. Most of the cars would pull off at turnouts or create some space, but a few weren't going to do anything for anyone. There aren't many good places to pass (much less dotted line portions), which result in the situation where we passed a Harley chopper who then passed us and the cars blocking us around a blind curve. The chopper kept doing these passes that we (or at least I) were not willing to do, with the ultimate effect that he made it to SJC before we did. Even with the traffic, we made pretty quick time, and it was amazing the speed that you could hold in the turns (with really good road conditions). Over all, lots of fun.

This could be a good ride for the Nest, though it's a trek to get to for everyone but the OC folks (assuming they're in South or Central OC) -- I left my house in San Pedro at 545 to be sure I'd make it by 7 (I did, with about 20 to spare). I'd also suggest that you meet up early to avoid as much of the traffic, and perhaps even avoid summer time -- I'd think that the rider traffic would keep increasing through the summer.

...I am planning on spending most of the following day (Sunday 4/5) in the canyons around LA and figured if I posted this on here now some of you might be able to plan on coming out as well...
Are you still riding this weekend? We haven't had rain in a while so the canyons should be sweet. ACH would be nice, but the snow is going to make it kind of crappy until all the runoff is gone next month. To give you an idea, this pic was taken on the Crest (Leather and me in this pic) last April. This particular stretch of road was clean, but it shows the snow build up, and when you consider how warm the days have been lately, you know the corners are going to be wet and gravelly...
That aside, is anyone trying to roll out in LA on Sunday?

Yeah, I will definitely be riding on Sunday and possibly Sat. as well. We'll see, since I want to get the other bike (pedal version) out for a good long ride as well this weekend.
I would like to do the ACH but not sure if this weekend would be ideal since I still am inexperienced enough to not have confidence on slippery/gravelly roads.
That plus the fact I live in Santa Monica, I will likely be going to the PCH/Malibu canyons unless anybody is willing to 'hold my hand' :mrgreen: through the ACH.

Does anyone live near ACH who might be able to shed some light into the riding conditions out there? If it's not too crappy, I'd be down to hit it, otherwise I'm always down for the canyons in Malibu. The weather has turned on a dime though so we'll have to keep an eye out. Riding the day after a rain makes the canyons even crappier than ACH during the snow melts. I guess I should'nt have mentioned that we had not had rain in a while in that last post eh? Anyway, is anyone trying to do this ride? And what day works?

I went up ACH on wednesday morning. The snow has cleared all the way up to Newcomb's and the roads were pretty clean. Here is a link to the cam mounted @ Mt Wilson which is pretty useful to get an idea of what the conditions are like up there: http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~obs/towercam.htm

If you guys decide to ride over in the Malibu area, let me know what time you're going and I'll try to meet up with you... I haven't been out there in quite a while though.

Did the Ortega Hwy (CA-74) from San Juan Capistrano (intersection with the 5 Fwy) to Lake Elsinore yesterday. Lots of fun, good twisties and sweepers....

Sounds like you had a great ride :thumbsup. I'm definitely going to try and get out there one day, Ortega sounds like a lot of fun.

Completely clear up to Newcombs!? Nice. The rain looks like a myth, so as long as the Santa Annas keep dying down, I think ACH could be a plan! So what day are we talking? I think the original day was Sunday. If so,how does everyone feel about meeting at say 10:30am at the Shell gas station at the bottom of the run off the 210fwy and Angles Crest Fwy2 (just off foothill blvd) and leaving at 10:45-ish to run up to Newcombs and back down?

Anyone leaving from Westside of LA, if you want, we can meet at like 9:45am at the Chevron Station on the corner of Olympic and Bundy first then roll out around 10-ish to the Shell station from there.

That would be my suggestion, but I'm open to other times locations and canyons.

Yeah, it's looking like the weathers going to be pretty nice this weekend.

Your plan for Sunday sounds good to me. I'd prefer ACH (since I was probably going there anyway :) ) but I'm certainly open to other rides.

LedZep, what would you prefer? I certainly don't mind riding an easy pace up ACH, although if you guys prefer to ride Malibu, I wouldn't mind checking it out since I haven't been there for a while.

Any other So. Cal riders?

Count me in for ACH on Sunday.

djamalt, i think the westside meetup point should be further east than Bundy so we don't have to backtrack.

would anybody object to the McDonald's/Coffee Bean on La Cienega, south of pico, about a half mile north of the I-10? GOOGLE MAPS (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1845+S+La+Cienega+Blvd,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90035&sll=34.048535,-118.37348&sspn=0.016037,0.027466&ie=UTF8&ll=34.045086,-118.376634&spn=0.008445,0.013733&z=16&iwloc=addr)

I'm in for ACH! I can meet at the McDonalds/Coffee Bean or djamalt if you want to meet at Olympic/Bundy that works as well. Doesn't matter to me what time.

Cool! I'll be at the Shell on ACH/210 @ 10:30.

I'm in for ACH! I can meet at the McDonalds/Coffee Bean or djamalt if you want to meet at Olympic/Bundy that works as well. Doesn't matter to me what time.

well, i'll be at the McDonald's at 9:30am so i can get myself an egg Mcmuffin :mrgreen:

if i don't see any of you guys there by 10am then i guess i'll just seeya at the Shell in La Cañada at 10:30am.

MCDs is fine, hell it's much closer to my house than Bundy. So if that is where folks are going to meet up, that's where I'll be. We can meet up anywhere from 930 to 950 so we have enough time to meet and chat a bit figure out who wants to lead and sweep depending on how many folks show up and try to leave there at or before 10AM. Meet up with Carl and any inland folks at the Shell at the bottom of ACH around 10:20 - 10:40ish, and get ready to hit ACH before 11. That should give the air and pavement up the mountain enough time to warm up, and hopefully well be on our way back down by the time the cops show up with their speed traps. :thumbsup

Okay, so I've got some bad news.:-( 3 weeks back when I first posted about doing this ride, I soon after dropped my bike (will post details in the crash thread later). Luckily, there was no serious damage to me or the bike, just knocked off the speedo/instrument cluster & frame slider. I took it in a week and a half ago and Honda sent the wrong parts, etc., etc. and long story short, it was supposed to be done early this week and is still not today when I had arranged to pick it up after my exam. So, the intelligence of organizing/committing to a ride when you don't have a functioning bike aside, I hope you guys have a great time and I will be along for the next one.

Hopefully you all read this between now and tomorrow and aren't expecting/waiting for me. Also, let me know how the conditions are up there as I am going to try ACH as soon as I can.

Damn, sucks to hear that man. I'm sure we'll still have at least 3 of us who show up. So when you get it all back together, we'll just have to do it again. Or, if you have a car and a video camera...

One quick note - CHP is cracking down on riders lately. Make sure you have your paperwork, insurance and a DOT approved lid. Hope to see lost of us out there in the AM.

Come ready to ride, and please wear all your gear. :thumbsup

Great ride guys! Clean roads pretty much the whole way, and we couldn't have asked for better weather...

LedZep, sorry to hear about your bike. Def. post back when you get back on the road and we'll try and set up another ride.

Cheers!

Great ride guys! Clean roads pretty much the whole way, and we couldn't have asked for better weather...

LedZep, sorry to hear about your bike. Def. post back when you get back on the road and we'll try and set up another ride.

Cheers!

yes. good ridin today, sirs.

Indeed.
Quick recap - AWESOME!

pic 1 - Carl's boy (not on the forum so I won't name him, great rider though, owner of that CBR) Leatherwings, and Carl as we were getting ready to leave the Shell station.

pic 2 & 3 - Parking lot was crazy full at Newcomb's Ranch.

pic 4 - People couldn't resist the allure of the Hornets!!!

And then we went to visit our step-family, the Ducatis

Pic 5 - Ducs look really good when they have help from Hornets. What's that they say about the company you keep... :lol2::lol2::lol2:

Pic 6 - This guy couldn't take the heat, and had to leave the Honda kitchen.

Pic 7 - Ferrari makes a 599 too, this isn't one, but hey...

Pic 8 - Now that's just classic sexiness.

hell ya, deejay. those are some sweet pics :thumbsup

soo cool to see all four of our black & silver Hondas lined up like that

http://www.honda599.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=399&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1238980112 (http://www.honda599.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=399&d=1238980112)

:thumbsup

Thanks for posting those DJ...

SWEET! I really need to make an effort to get down there for one of your rides. You really need another asphalt in the pics anyway...


-Michael

Hello everyone!
Anyone for a ride tomorrow? I am close to Westwood&Santa Monica.

Hello everyone!
Anyone for a ride tomorrow? I am close to Westwood&Santa Monica.

hey, welcome!



i will probably be riding Angeles Crest this sunday morning. probably be at the Shell sometime from 8:30 - 9am, if anyone is interested

my better day is Saturday a.m., as the wife has a standing appt. on Sunday a.m. when I need to take care of the kids. (Of course, can't complain much -- wife approved the bike purchase after we had two.) Someday I'd like to get up to Angeles Crest, as well as just Mulholland. Some day . . . .

Just now getting to this. Sorry about that. But is anyone interested in trying to make a real deal ride in the next few weeks?

It looks like the road past Islip is being re-opened this week! I've heard there is some really nice riding that way. I'm just hoping that it doesn't increase traffic too much...related article/video:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-crest19-2009may19,0,6585700.story

Wish I could join you guys but likely won't be riding anytime soon; got hit by a car a couple of weeks ago which left me with a broken leg :yell

Have fun and ride safe!

I just saw that article this morning. Sounds great, but I don't like the thought of dodging deer and BEARS!!! I've heard of a few people hitting them before, but that new stretch is going to be couple of months before the wildlife stop using it. I'll still ride it!!! It will just be a bit more tense.

Sounds great, but I don't like the thought of dodging deer and BEARS!!! I've heard of a few people hitting them before, but that new stretch is going to be couple of months before the wildlife stop using it. I'll still ride it!!! It will just be a bit more tense.

just install one of these things onto your bike, like the old trains had, to scoop meandering critters out of the way:

http://www.thesneeze.com/art/loose_art/cowcatcher.jpg

I just saw that article this morning. Sounds great, but I don't like the thought of dodging deer and BEARS!!! I've heard of a few people hitting them before, but that new stretch is going to be couple of months before the wildlife stop using it. I'll still ride it!!! It will just be a bit more tense.

did you see the video online as well? Still have snow up there and lots and lots of rocks/debris. But it looked cool.

Wish I could join you guys but likely won't be riding anytime soon; got hit by a car a couple of weeks ago which left me with a broken leg :yell

Have fun and ride safe!

On or off the 599? If on, what happened?

Either way, heal up quick.

did you see the video online as well? Still have snow up there and lots and lots of rocks/debris. But it looked cool.

i was up there on Sunday and went past newcombs up to Islip saddle. there was a very small amount of snow in one place off the side of the road on the hill, and some debris, but wasn't really much of an issue.

On or off the 599? If on, what happened?

Either way, heal up quick.

I was on the bike. I might post in accidents once I feel up to it... and thanks.
There did seem to be quite a few wrecks on this forum in April, :wtf Hope that's over with...

Hopefully, I'll be back on the road soon. In the meantime, I'll just be browsing the sale forum for parts to fix up the bike, but I've still got to finish up with the ankle "mods" and repairs first :-( .

WHOA!!!
I was up on the crest last weekend. From La Canada Flintridge all the way to Wrightwood and back. It was phenomenal! Close to 120 miles round trip (that's about 60 each way if you're counting) of nothing but twisties. Mostly wide, fast sweepers (I prefer tight technical turns but hey I'm not complaining) and a view that makes you want to smack yo momma. We have to hook up a group ride out there my Cali Kin.

Rode Malibu yesterday, Venice today (Vintage Moto Show was today). Summer is coming late to LA, but before we start seeing those 100+ consecutive days, I say we do this group ride thing!!! Any takers?

I'd like to, but not quite back to riding just yet. I just started putting the bike back in order today :mrgreen:, hopefully I'll be back on the road within the next couple of weeks.

I'm right behind Carl, but once it's done, it's on like Donkey Kong!

i changed my front brake calipers and lines and things seem to be working alright. however, i need new tires badly and it's hard for me to spend money on that crap right now when i got another bike with perfectly good tires on it. so if this ride happens any time soon, i'll be doin it on my SV.

Okay. Seriously folks. One month left of summer (not that that really matters in SoCal). What's up with this? Who's down for a ride?

Got my bike built yesterday, riding the Crest in the morning. Did I mention I live off Tujunga Canyon? :D

Check the Accident forum for the pics of the resurrection. And I'm down to ride, DJ!

I could be up for a ride this coming weekend; saturday or sunday. I heard Angeles Crest has recently been resurfaced...

Repaved in 2007 up to the closure - then the closure was opened and repaved late spring/early summer. You can ride all the way through to Wrightwood. It's about 115 miles or so round trip through the twisties from La Canada Flintridge to Wrightwood and back. I'm not suggesting we do that, maybe just up to Newcombs for some socializing and back down. Anyone else up for it?

SV??? Well, okay. Kidding Lthr, it's all good.

SV??? Well, okay. Kidding Lthr, it's all good.

hey, at least it's a naked! yeeaargh

I'm free for a ride saturday morning. Prolly mount the camera and head out to la canada 9-9:30-ish.

I'm free for a ride saturday morning. Prolly mount the camera and head out to la canada 9-9:30-ish.

i might be down for this

i'm not sure if i'll be able to make it. i promised a friend i'd help him change his oil. but if i can make it, i'll let ya know tonite.

I'll leave from that Shell station around 9:30... right behind any other hornets that show up.

not gonna make it. have fun. catch ya next time

Have had an interesting weekend (unfortunately none of it involving being on two wheels.) Did anyone ride? If so, how was it? If not, is there still interest?

I gotta check this thread more often- rode the Crest on Saturday. I think I was the only Rhino-lined bike on the mountain, pretty damn sure the only 599! ;)

Got a crew of buddies who are going to ride from Los Feliz to Mulholland this Saturday. PM me for details if you want to go with!

Just got this forwarded from a guy at work:

This is from a friend of mine that knows people that work and live at Newcomb's.

**************************************************


I got a text message from Carlos last night at 11:30 saying that Newcombs had caught fire. I called this morning and he said that Victor was the last man standing and that he called to say he was evacuated as the flames over-took the building. He said they tried to save Chilao but lost that battle in addition to Fish Camp, Pacifico, the Cal Trans yard, and pretty much everything else on the mountain.

Looks like Newcomb's is a goner. Let's hope for a speedy rebuild, that place was awesome.

Just got this forwarded from a guy at work:

This is from a friend of mine that knows people that work and live at Newcomb's.

**************************************************


I got a text message from Carlos last night at 11:30 saying that Newcombs had caught fire. I called this morning and he said that Victor was the last man standing and that he called to say he was evacuated as the flames over-took the building. He said they tried to save Chilao but lost that battle in addition to Fish Camp, Pacifico, the Cal Trans yard, and pretty much everything else on the mountain.

Looks like Newcomb's is a goner. Let's hope for a speedy rebuild, that place was awesome.


yeah, i read about this somewhere else.

but then someone was also saying they don't know 100% sure if it has burned down or not. let's hope for the latter.


edit 4:05PM 9/1/09: according to someone named Stew Goddard at Socalmoto.org:


Here is the latest from the people on the hill:

Quote:
new news!!!!!..... Chilao IS burned along with most of the buildings.... caltrans yard, christian camp, visitors center.... all gone...... THE RANCH IS STILL STANDING!!!!!!

Doesn't surprise me. That place was right in the middle of the action, firewise. But still, that sucks. Big time.

I remember my first time there. Breathing in clear, smog free mountain air just minutes from LA. Blue skys like I had forgotten existed. Pine trees so green you forgot you were in SoCal. And the biggest shit eating grin on my face from one of the best (at the time) rides I had ever had on a bike!

... we'll always have zucchini wedges.

Someone in another forum posted at 9:00PM that Newcomb's is "still hanging in there"

however, Hidden Springs Cafe on Angeles Forest is gone. Never stopped or eaten there before, but nonetheless, it's a shame.

http://hiddenspringscafe.homestead.com/


I would have to imagine they've got full fire insurance coverage, so hopefully it's not too devastating for all those who will have to rebuild.

There is a thread on advrider with some updated info on the status of newcombs:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=502104&page=4

This is a real shame, A.F. was like a sanctuary for Los Angeles.

unwashedmass: I remember you posting you moved to the area recently, how are you doing? Hope everything is O.K.

In case anyone is interested, LA Cyclesport in Inglewood is have Triumph demo rides this weekend.

http://www.otdcyclesports.com/?content/view&conId:17

Too tempting... I know that if I were looking for a sportbike, this one would be at the top of my short list:

http://imgur.com/91zWh.jpg

Have any of you L.A. guys heard anything about the reopening of Angeles Crest Hwy lately?

I read on another forum recently that it's expected to reopen in late November, but a couple of weeks ago I read a mention in the LA Times (I think) about it being closed into 2010 (I can't seem to find the article now).

Anyone heard any news?

Have any of you L.A. guys heard anything about the reopening of Angeles Crest Hwy lately?

I read on another forum recently that it's expected to reopen in late November, but a couple of weeks ago I read a mention in the LA Times (I think) about it being closed into 2010 (I can't seem to find the article now).

Anyone heard any news?


for now, looks like it's closed til Sept 30th of 2010

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/orders/StationFireRecoveryOrder-01-09-08.pdf

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/orders/

for now, looks like it's closed til Sept 30th of 2010

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/orders/StationFireRecoveryOrder-01-09-08.pdf

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/orders/


I'm thinking those reports/closures are intended for the forest areas like hiking trails, fire-roads and campgrounds, etc.

Just saw this article from the La Cañada Valley Sun which also quotes a reopening in early November. Intersting stuff on newcombs in there too. Full article: http://www.lacanadaonline.com/articles/2009/10/15/news/lnws-highway-101509.txt

I'm thinking those reports/closures are intended for the forest areas like hiking trails, fire-roads and campgrounds, etc.

Just saw this article from the La Cañada Valley Sun which also quotes a reopening in early November. Intersting stuff on newcombs in there too. Full article: http://www.lacanadaonline.com/articles/2009/10/15/news/lnws-highway-101509.txt

to be honest, i didn't really take the time to thoroughly look over the stuff i posted. I had seen it in another forum. but it would obviously be much better if you're right about the november thing.

however, snow season will be upon the mountains in the next few months, and in the spring when the snow runoff begins, i can't imagine the mudslides, resulting from scorched earth, will be very fun to deal with. but when the road re-opens, i'd still head up there to check it all out.

I'm thinking those reports/closures are intended for the forest areas like hiking trails, fire-roads and campgrounds, etc.

Just saw this article from the La Cañada Valley Sun which also quotes a reopening in early November. Intersting stuff on newcombs in there too. Full article: http://www.lacanadaonline.com/articles/2009/10/15/news/lnws-highway-101509.txt

I'll make a point to run up ACH and see how far it goes- Tujunga Canyon is closed for through traffic as of last weekend, but I haven't been to the 2 in a few weeks.

Carl- I'm doing great, running around like a mad man, but my work and fam are keeping me hopping with little time to ride(for pleasure) as of late.

We've got to get a group ride going before it gets too damn cold!

According to the LA Times, ACH fully reopened this morning (November 30), before being closed due to high winds and debris, and then reopened again. Here's an article: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/angeles-crest-highway.html. And here's a picture essay. http://www.latimes.com/la-me-angeles-crest-html,0,7834380.htmlstory

Yeah I'm gonna just wait till spring. Even in the car. With runnoff from snow (it was 80 last week!!!), rock slides, mudslides all running free with no help from vegetation to stay put, I just don't see it as worth it. Plus, all the ash!!! I couldn't go outside this past week without brushing bunch of dust off my car everytime I parked, and I'm a good 25 min of freeway driving from the Crest. I'd hate to have to actually breathe it in from on the mountain. That being said, if you all want to do a group ride somewhere else, I'm all ears!

Vehicles stuck on SoCal highway after mudslides:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7168000

I've seen video on the news. Pretty crazy out there. I bet Newcomb's could use the business, but DAYUM!!!!
http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/weather/angeles-crest-highway-landslides-trap-drivers-20091213

Had a nice ride this a.m. on the Ortega Hwy. Not much traffic, but the hands got frozen going over. Took video on the way back; will post some day.

Hello guys

I just took a google earth tour of that route. A couple of years ago, the wife and rented a SUV and drove down from Monterey to San Diego. South of Morro Bay we took the scenic route via Hwy166 over to Route33 and south to Ojai.

And its my trick to find any of things. its worth use.
Have a good time.

To go on this ride you must wear these shoes.

http://lagearnews.com/LaGearShoes.jpg

:lol2::lol2::lol2:
Was LA Gear the first shoe to have the lights in the heel?

I used to rock some BK's back in the day.
http://www.sojones.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/british-knights-1989-collection-2-300x200.jpg

http://imgur.com/qRhJZ.png


More on topic..

For you LA people, Newcomb's (http://www.newcombsranch.com) is open (Fri, Sat & Sun only) again! :thumbsup

The bottom (west) part of Angeles Crest is still closed, but you can get up there from the 210 by riding Big Tujunga -> AFH -> Upper Tujunga (9 mile) -> ACH. I went up last Saturday and it's a nice ride. Once you get past the road work at the bottom of Big Tujunga, the roads are fairly clean up to Newcombs. Past newcombs and to the closure there is still quite a bit of snow, and the road gets really dirty approaching Mt Waterman.

[not sorry for the repeat post, but you may have seen this already]

Hey LA/SoCal riders, the LA Ride for Kids -- which benefits the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation -- is scheduled for May 2, 2010. Go to www.rideforkids.org (http://www.rideforkids.org/) to get a registration packet and other info. (Note that the bike that you could win via a raffle -- The Good Fight -- is a Roland Sands modified 2009 CBR1000rr that at first glance looked a bit like a modded up 06 599. [Looked at the specs - the headlight is from a 599] Well, maybe one modded by 370Steve.) There's an article about the bike in the current HRCA online magazine.

The Los Angeles Ride for Kids starts and ends at Honda's national headquarters (1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501), and is a ride around the South Bay area (likely including some sections around the PV Peninsula). Registration opens at 8, closes at 9:45, and the ride departs at 10. There's a Celebration of Life, when pediatric brain tumor survivors and their families speak, that follows the ride back at Honda.

The minimum donation to ride is $35, and it's set up as a fundraiser where you get donations from third parties.

Let's see if we can get a contingent of 599s/919s on the ride this year.

Jack

I received a message from the LA Ride of Kids event organizers, and they are still in need of some volunteers. If anyone is interested in volunteering (which does not necessarily preclude riding -- just don't sign up for a "NR" position), please click on the following link: www.mysignup.com/larfk2010

Thanks!

[not sorry for the repeat post, but you may have seen this already]

Hey LA/SoCal riders, the LA Ride for Kids -- which benefits the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation -- is scheduled for May 2, 2010. Go to www.rideforkids.org (http://www.rideforkids.org/) to get a registration packet and other info. (Note that the bike that you could win via a raffle -- The Good Fight -- is a Roland Sands modified 2009 CBR1000rr that at first glance looked a bit like a modded up 06 599. [Looked at the specs - the headlight is from a 599] Well, maybe one modded by 370Steve.) There's an article about the bike in the current HRCA online magazine.

The Los Angeles Ride for Kids starts and ends at Honda's national headquarters (1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501), and is a ride around the South Bay area (likely including some sections around the PV Peninsula). Registration opens at 8, closes at 9:45, and the ride departs at 10. There's a Celebration of Life, when pediatric brain tumor survivors and their families speak, that follows the ride back at Honda.

The minimum donation to ride is $35, and it's set up as a fundraiser where you get donations from third parties.

Let's see if we can get a contingent of 599s/919s on the ride this year.

Jack

sounds cool, but i'm broke. i mean, so broke that i'm cuttin back on canyon rides cuz i don't want to spend the gas money... :(

I might still try and join you Jack, if work permits a day off.

-Michael

Bump

i say we do ACH. and by that, i mean the route that is open, which is apparently Big Tujunga > AFH > Upper Big Tujunga > ACH > Newcombs. From there, If we so choose, we can go up further towards Islip Saddle.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=8399+Foothill+Boulevard,+Sunland,+CA+91040+( Starbucks)&daddr=Angeles+Forest+Hwy%2FCo+Hwy+N3+to:Upper+Big+ Tujunga+Canyon+Rd+to:34.32974,-118.001693&hl=en&geocode=FUjDCgIdE6Xy-Cktv7NhWZPCgDG9sRN5nYdcfA%3BFcLQCwIdLp31-A%3BFej2CgIdIM32-A%3B&mra=mi&mrcr=2&mrsp=3&sz=18&sll=34.32927,-118.001769&sspn=0.002259,0.003428&ie=UTF8&ll=34.27878,-118.12294&spn=0.289364,0.438766&z=11

c'mon, you guys know you want more of this:

http://www.honda599.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=399&stc=1&d=1238980112

If all the stars line up, I'd be up. It's just hard getting the stars to line up.

Count me in if you guys do decide to go up the crest! I haven't been checking the forum much but I'm always up for a ride...

Another great weekend for riding :thumbsup

http://imgur.com/N8oUMl.jpg

I posted some pictures of my ride up ACH this morning in the pictures sub-forum:

http://www.honda599.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8109

OMG! Like no way, they repaved Mulholland!!! We just have to go!

In all seriousness. They have repaved a major portion of Mulholland and should be rapping up the rest in the next couple of weeks. Not only did they repave it, but they made it wider too! They did parts of Encinal too! I'm going to see if I can make my way out to Yerba Buena soon to see if they repaved that road also. Because if they did --- HOLY XXXX!

I'm certainly interested in sampling the newly paved roads in Malibu, but i'm more anxious to get back out to ACH, which i've not done in a LONG time. I say we do that first, then we should do Malibu for the following mini-swarm.

How about next weekend? Sunday?

How about next weekend? Sunday?

I'm down. Let's f'n do it!



I'm certainly interested in sampling the newly paved roads in Malibu, but i'm more anxious to get back out to ACH, which i've not done in a LONG time. I say we do that first, then we should do Malibu for the following mini-swarm... in 2011.

fixed my previous post... :mrgreen:... :|... :?... :-(

I should be good for this ride - unless my bike is already at Racetech. Yep, I'm gonna take them up on the offer. Got off the phone with them today. Now I just gotta pick a day and rent a pick up to cart her up there in. Can't wait!!!? I'm tired of riding as a 210-220 lb dude on suspension designed for a 150-160 pound rider.

So that's three of us - anyone else?

I should be good for this ride - unless my bike is already at Racetech. Yep, I'm gonna take them up on the offer. Got off the phone with them today. Now I just gotta pick a day and rent a pick up to cart her up there in. Can't wait!!!? I'm tired of riding as a 210-220 lb dude on suspension designed for a 150-160 pound rider.

so does that mean you're also gonna finally take your bike to the track with its upgraded racetech suspension goodies?



damnit, my plan was to do 4 track days this year, or as many as i could afford... as of now, i'm 0 for 4 :cry:

I even have spare wheels (for mounting my track tires) sitting in the closest. sigh...

Cool! Let's ride :ride

How about meeting at the 7-11 on Foothill & Oro Vista (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=8363+Foothill+Boulevard+Sunland,+CA+91040&sll=34.265871,-118.315544&sspn=0.078169,0.154324&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=8363+Foothill+Blvd,+Sunland,+Los+Angeles,+Ca lifornia+91040&ll=34.263743,-118.315544&spn=0.07817,0.154324&z=13&iwloc=A), say 9:30ish Sunday? (don't forget to use your turn-signals when entering the parking lot :lol2:)
I'm planning for a nice mellow ride.

Who else is in? :thumbsup

Cool! Let's ride :ride

How about meeting at the 7-11 on Foothill & Oro Vista (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=8363+Foothill+Boulevard+Sunland,+CA+91040&sll=34.265871,-118.315544&sspn=0.078169,0.154324&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=8363+Foothill+Blvd,+Sunland,+Los+Angeles,+Ca lifornia+91040&ll=34.263743,-118.315544&spn=0.07817,0.154324&z=13&iwloc=A), say 9:30ish Sunday? (don't forget to use your turn-signals when entering the parking lot :lol2:)
I'm planning for a nice mellow ride.

Sounds good to me, except my right rear turn signal doesn't work! :shock: ...I'll just hafta make sure i use some hand signals.

awesome! i can't wait to finally do ACH again after all this time!

Hey, umm... I wanna go...

:(

1030 matinee for Toy Story 3 with the kids . . . so next time.

1030 matinee for Toy Story 3 with the kids . . . so next time.

Doh! I just realized this Sunday is fathers day. I hope you have a nice one, and hopefully we'll get another ride going soon when it's more convenient...

Hey, umm... I wanna go...

:(

Cool! You should make it on time as long as you leave by 8:00 (P.M., on Friday) :mrgreen:

How about meeting at the 7-11 on Foothill & Oro Vista (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=8363+Foothill+Boulevard+Sunland,+CA+91040&sll=34.265871,-118.315544&sspn=0.078169,0.154324&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=8363+Foothill+Blvd,+Sunland,+Los+Angeles,+Ca lifornia+91040&ll=34.263743,-118.315544&spn=0.07817,0.154324&z=13&iwloc=A), say 9:30ish Sunday?

Alright gentlemen. tomorrow. let's DO this

Completely forgot about this thread since I'm doing the Racetech thing and am not thinking about riding for 3 weeks or so. Hope you guys have/had a great ride.

Completely forgot about this thread since I'm doing the Racetech thing and am not thinking about riding for 3 weeks or so. Hope you guys have/had a great ride.

Cool, I'm also curious to hear what you think of the improvements as I've been considering the racetech springs myself. Post back once you've got your bike back and we'll get another ride going.

Nice day of riding today, We had 2 hornets show up, which makes it our second biggest group ride as far as I know :clap

Great weather and miles and miles of twisty canyon roads. I didn't get too many pictures as I was trying not to fall too far behind. :lol2:

Taking a little break @ Newcombs on the way up:
http://imgur.com/HR1N3.jpg

And to give you an idea of the roads and nice weather you all missed :mrgreen: (Pictured: LeatherWings)
http://imgur.com/eNrLJ.jpg

Hopefully see more of you guys out there next time... :thumbsup

thx for posting up those photos, carl!

Nice day of riding today, We had 2 hornets show up, which makes it our second biggest group ride as far as I know :clap

hahah! seriously...

Great weather and miles and miles of twisty canyon roads...

Hopefully see more of you guys out there next time... :thumbsup

yeah, c'mon guys! let's try to beat the current all-time-high record of 3 Hornets with at least FOUR next time! i know you guys are out there, come out from the shadows and join us! young and old, fast or slow, handsome or ugly...

I'm already representing the handsome department... 8)

Finally, a ride for us old, slow, ugly guys!

-Michael

Finally, a ride for us old, slow, ugly guys!

-Michael

:lol2:


you gonna show up on one of these?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1054/1452603083_5b6647adf4.jpg

Nice...

OMG! Like no way, they repaved Mulholland!!! We just have to go!

In all seriousness. They have repaved a major portion of Mulholland and should be rapping up the rest in the next couple of weeks. Not only did they repave it, but they made it wider too!

I went out to Malibu directly after work yesterday. they weren't finished with painting all the lines, but they finally repaved one of the best -to me, anyways - sections of Mulholland... the 3-mile medium-speed (45 -65mph corners) stretch between Las Virgenes and Cornell:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=34.10349,-118.712897&daddr=Mulholland+Hwy&hl=en&geocode=%3BFZuGCAIdlgLs-A&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=15&sll=34.107043,-118.724098&sspn=0.018122,0.027423&ie=UTF8&ll=34.107185,-118.732638&spn=0.018122,0.043774&z=15

i did quite a few 'laps' while i was out there :mrgreen:

I went out to Malibu directly after work yesterday. they weren't finished with painting all the lines, but they finally repaved one of the best -to me, anyways - sections of Mulholland... the 3-mile medium-speed (45 -65mph corners) stretch between Las Virgenes and Cornell:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=34.10349,-118.712897&daddr=Mulholland+Hwy&hl=en&geocode=%3BFZuGCAIdlgLs-A&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=15&sll=34.107043,-118.724098&sspn=0.018122,0.027423&ie=UTF8&ll=34.107185,-118.732638&spn=0.018122,0.043774&z=15

i did quite a few 'laps' while i was out there :mrgreen:

You lucky dog! What about Latigo Canyon Road just SW of there which seems to lead down to the PCH?

You lucky dog! What about Latigo Canyon Road just SW of there which seems to lead down to the PCH?

Latigo is actually my second favorite canyon road in Malibu after Decker. Unfortunately, I don't forsee Latigo getting a facelift for years. The residents don't seem to like "us" flying up and down their "driveway," and the road is only really chewed up for bikes. Cars have no problem with the ruts and to be honest, the road isn't in that bad of shape - bumpy in a few places, but sticky enough and not crumbling. Now if they would only repave Yerba Buena!

...they finally repaved one of the best -to me, anyways - sections of Mulholland... the 3-mile medium-speed (45 -65mph corners) stretch between Las Virgenes and Cornell:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=34.10349,-118.712897&daddr=Mulholland+Hwy&hl=en&geocode=%3BFZuGCAIdlgLs-A&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=15&sll=34.107043,-118.724098&sspn=0.018122,0.027423&ie=UTF8&ll=34.107185,-118.732638&spn=0.018122,0.043774&z=15

i did quite a few 'laps' while i was out there :mrgreen:

i already posted this pic (along with alot of others) in the Mulholland Hwy pic thread, but here's a great shot of the phenomenal new pavement everyone's been raving about!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4782328086_cab8d7535d.jpg

Stunt and Piuma are almost done now too! There may be some hope for Latigo afterall - and dare I say, maybe they'll hit Yerba Buena!?

and dare I say, maybe they'll hit Yerba Buena!?

WOW, that plastic surgeon dude who drove off a cliff last night lived off Yerba Buena. Anyhoo. Summer is finally here in LA (sux for the school kids, they were robbed of a warm weather summer!) Is anyone thinking a group ride is in order...

Is anyone thinking a group ride is in order...

thinking and doing are two completely different things altogether, as this thread has shown, time and again...

but yes... i am, of course, up for riding.

WOW, that plastic surgeon dude who drove off a cliff last night lived off Yerba Buena.

and Mel Gibson crashed his Mazzeratti on Malibu Canyon!

thinking and doing are two completely different things altogether, as this thread has shown, time and again...

but yes... i am, of course, up for riding.

and Mel Gibson crashed his Mazzeratti on Malibu Canyon!

I'm in. When?

I'm in. When?

This Saturday is no good for me. Sunday would be fine. The earlier, the better...

Sunday works for me. Shall we say (ouch) 8:45 am meet and greet, then ride out at 9 - 9:10? Meet up at the 76 station on PCH and Sunset - on the Taco Bell side of the parking lot. There are a few food places around if one should want to grab coffee, grub or a quick piss.

Keep in mind, this will be the first warm weekend we've had all summer that follows a week of warm and clear weather. The beaches will be packed, so we'll want to get out there early to avoid the cagers who can't seem to remember that weekends on PCH belongs to bikes!!! LOL.

Anyone else coming out? Pepper? Carl? JWA? N2?

EDIT - One more thing... from all acounts, there were a record number of LEOs on PCH and in the canyons in new hiding places. Me have to keep our eyes peeled and speeds more or less reasonable unless/until we find out that they are not as omnipresent this weekend as last.

Me have to keep our eyes peeled and speeds more or less reasonable unless/until we find out that they are not as omnipresent this weekend as last.

I always prefer to keep my speeds less reasonable... :wink:

oh wait, i forgot... my parents are gonna be in town this weekend, so i may not be able to make it. I'll keep you guys posted on my status.

I think we should all get together on the eve before 2012 and all ride our bikes strait into the grand canyon. We could time it so we are all mid air as the clock strikes 12:00AM and the world comes to an end.

I think we should all get together on the eve before 2012 and all ride our bikes strait into the grand canyon. We could time it so we are all mid air as the clock strikes 12:00AM and the world comes to an end.

:thumbsup

Well, seems our numbers are already dwindling - should we push this to next weekend?

:thumbsup

Well, seems our numbers are already dwindling - should we push this to next weekend?

next Sunday would work better for me

:thumbsup

Well, seems our numbers are already dwindling - should we push this to next weekend?

Oh weak. I'm already suited up and ready to leave! I'm going to stop into the 76 lot for breakfast anyway. If you want to ride - Find me there between 8:30 and 9!

Oh weak. I'm already suited up and ready to leave! I'm going to stop into the 76 lot for breakfast anyway. If you want to ride - Find me there between 8:30 and 9!

sorry dude, i hate to be flaky mcflakerson, but i just can't do it today

sorry dude, i hate to be flaky mcflakerson, but i just can't do it today

It happens. Check out what I found on Mulholland:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs183.ash2/44588_1576274852799_1413431155_31545235_6250579_n. jpg


That's lunch. Looked like a rabbit when I rolled by.

I know a couple of cats in the LA Lotus crew, so I ended up hitting the canyons in my cage with the Lotus gang. I saw two 599s out (not together). One I stopped and talked to and invited him to the forum. Now that I think about it, I need to email him. The other we passed somewhere along Mulholland.


Anyway, long story short, take a look at this vid I shot while rolling with them. I thought it might serve as some inspiration for the newly paved glory that awaits us if we can get a group ride off the ground!!!


Ed9-oqhFczo

I know it's late notice, but anyone interested in a short/quick ride through the canyons in the AM (say meet around 9ish to get out by noon, before the drunks hit PCH and the canyons)? PCH will be under fog, but the canyons should be warm and clear. Just thought I'd put it out there, hell I'm not even sure I'm gonna sleep in, but ...

I don't know how many of you are fans of Tuna - but they took the road closed signs down! I drove (yes, in the cage) down there last weekend after b-fast. I got halfway down, right where the glorious, downhill, insanely twisted, 4 mile, ONE WAY STREET begins and BAM! Road closed. Bastards! They could have kept the signs up at the top of the mountain (big hill really) and not wasted my time. It's really really really awkward going UP tuna. But anyway, good news. The signs did say the road would be closed until NOV 30. That means, most likely, freshly paved blacktop on Tuna soon!!!

Anyone wanna do Angeles Crest tomorrow?

The 2 is closed for about 14 miles or so from La Canada, but it's open from Sunland: Big Tujunga > Upper Big Tujunga > ACH > Wrightwood.

Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Foothill+Blvd&daddr=CA-2+E%2FAngeles+Crest+Hwy&hl=en&geocode=FS_DCgIdTKXy-A%3BFTv3CwIdSov3-A&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=18&sll=34.259788,-118.315249&sspn=0.002248,0.003428&ie=UTF8&ll=34.283319,-118.152466&spn=0.287645,0.438766&z=11)


Who's down?

That run around the side is depressing. I can't wait till they open the Crest all the way back up. But if you go, watch for ice if you go past Newcombs. I assume GMR is iced over by now too, but does anyone know for sure?

No ice past Newcomb's, at least up to Islip Saddle, which was as far as I went. It did get a bit chilly up that way, but that was mainly because I wasn't wearing any cold weather gear.

Bumped into michael_mus at Newcomb's as he was leaving with his posse:

http://i55.tinypic.com/11qlpgo.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/2ylvdqx.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/e9j20z.jpg

Bumped into michael_mus at Newcomb's as he was leaving with his posse:

http://i55.tinypic.com/11qlpgo.jpg


Hey look at that! You're quick with the camera! 10 West Bikerz represent represent!

Good seeing you out there. Your 919 is TOUGH!

That was one of my fastest Crest days to date, if you don't count the 8 mile section. Whoever paved and painted the lines before smoothing it out needs a punch in the eye.

Angeles Crest Hwy has re-opened from La Canada all the way through to Wrightwood!!!

It's Time, mofo's...


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/06/angeles-crest-highway-to-reopen.html

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef014e88d44146970d-640wi

Just came here to post this! Great news :thumbsup

Remember that this is only a couple days after the announcement (http://montrose.patch.com/articles/chp-gears-up-for-motocycle-safety-as-angeles-crest-highway-re-opens) of a CHP grant to provide "enhanced enforcement effort by CHP officers through September 30" :| Coincidence? :lol2:

Lot's of LEO up there over the last couple of weeks, ride safe!

The new paved sections are nice, but the re-opened bottom part is a lot shorter than I remember!?

If you plan on heading up, be aware there is still construction a little bit after the Mt Wilson turn off where they have only 1 lane open and a stop light. Also, lots of LEO presence (and tickets, apparently)...

Newcomb's was packed this morning, I haven't seen that many people up there in a while!

Cheers,
Carl.

My Dad was out to Wrightwood this weekend to camp and hike but said that the Angeles Crest wasn't open all the way to Wrightwood, and that the newly opened section was just within LA County. They ended up having to go out to the 15 and around.

The new paved sections are nice, but the re-opened bottom part is a lot shorter than I remember!?

If you plan on heading up, be aware there is still construction a little bit after the Mt Wilson turn off where they have only 1 lane open and a stop light. Also, lots of LEO presence (and tickets, apparently)...

Newcomb's was packed this morning, I haven't seen that many people up there in a while!

Cheers,
Carl.

LA Times reported that there will be increased LEO presence all summer...

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-me-0605-angeles-crest-20110605,0,3778077.story

The roadway, which tempts more than a few motorcyclists and drivers to step on the gas, is also one of the county's most dangerous. In anticipation of increased traffic, the California Highway Patrol will beef up its surveillance of the route throughout the summer.

Angeles Crest Hwy has re-opened from La Canada all the way through to Wrightwood!!!

It's Time, mofo's...


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/06/angeles-crest-highway-to-reopen.html

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef014e88d44146970d-640wi

Finally. Hopefully Malibu will be less crowded now.

LA Times reported that there will be increased LEO presence all summer...

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-me-0605-angeles-crest-20110605,0,3778077.story

The Crest is always LEO heavy, but you can still have a blast if you're not riding like a complete bat out of hell.

Last few times I've been up there (pre-Station Fire), I only noticed a couple of CHP up there along the entire route. They were definitely busy, but fairly predictable...

I'd be willing to give it a go sometime.