 Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:28 am Subject: So. California meetup to celebrate Alaska riders, Nov. 4 |
|
| This is a ride-to-eat through the Santa Monica Mountains and along the Pacific coast. We are celebrating David Dennis, who round-tripped Prudhoe Bay on a Ninja 250 several years ago (after round-tripping Key West first!), and David Chillin, who round-tripped Anchorage on a 250 this past summer. Come say congratulations, have some lunch, trade war stories, and enjoy great weather, great scenery, and excellent twisty roads.
Initial meetup point is the Rock Store, 30354 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 4. This is a major gathering point for motorcyclists from posers to pros. Should be some eye candy there on a Sunday morning. From there, we ride "The Snake" portion of Mulholland, then the even twistier 10 miles of Latigo Canyon down to Pacific Coast Highway. Cruise 12 miles along the ocean to Neptune's Net for lunch. 42505 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265. More twisties, starting with Yerba Buena Road, after lunch, and the ride will officially conclude at the junction of Mulholland Highway and state highway 23, although folks will no doubt want to fan out from there on one of the many fun roads nearby. We will arrange pause points along the way to allow regrouping, since various riders will take these curves at various speeds. Bring a few bucks to chip in to treat the two Davids to a free lunch. After all they went through, it's the least we can do. 
Please send me a private message if you're coming, and I'll start putting together some contact info. Mark |
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:38 am Subject: I'll be there!! |
|
| Most likely with a passenger on the v-strom and a friend riding my 250
Looking forward to finally having a SoCal meetup!! |
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 10:32 pm Subject: here's what i get for logging on :) |
|
| I am a most likely. My bf and I were already talking about going to santa barbara for a gi gong class that weekend. It would be great to see you all again.
- (the long lost) emily |
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:30 pm Subject: Sunday Ride |
|
| I'm gonna try and make it Mark, the Ninja has an almost threadbare rear tire at the moment, so will probably ride the BMW or the CBR250. I may just meet you at NN.
Dan |
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 11:37 pm Subject: Do we get to choose? :) |
|
| I didn't know you had a CBR250. It would be interesting to see that. But it'll be great to see you regardless. My cell phone is 818-919-1776 - I'll check it at various stops if you want to leave a message.
Regards, Mark |
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 11:38 pm Subject: Remember, back to Pacific Standard Time that Sunday morning |
|
| We "fall back", so we gain an hour. Make sure you don't show up an hour early for the ride.
Regards, Mark |
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:13 am Subject: David, David Ride |
|
| Sure, why not? If I'm able to make it, I'll be on the CBR, just got it July 27th, thanks for the time reminder!
Take Care & Ride Safe, Dan |
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 2:50 pm Subject: Scouted the route, had fun! |
|
| I had my closest-ever encounter with a deer, a muley buck that popped out of the chaparral on the slope on my right, crossed the road, and plunged down the slope below. I probably got within 30 feet or so, because the thick brush hid the deer until the moment it reached the asphalt. That was on Yerba Buena Road, a narrow, rough 2-lane that winds through some jaw-dropping views of the Santa Monica Mountains.
I rode the whole route as described in the original post. It was great! I started a little after 9:00 in the morning and saw only about 10 motorcycles in the whole 55 miles, but I'm sure the later start of tomorrow's run will generate a little more traffic. "The Snake" is challenging, Latigo Canyon even more so, with its hundreds of tight turns. Latigo at low speed is like a trip to Disneyland, at high speed is a house of horrors. But the pavement is clean. The run along the ocean on Pacific Coast Highway is beautiful, relaxing, and blissful. Yerba Buena Road, which we tackle after lunch, is very technical, with many small patches of sand in the middle of the lane, demanding attention. I was riding at a moderate pace and still had three instants where I lost some traction. Almost no traffic, though, and lots of wilderness. Yerba Buena makes you appreciate what a jewel we have in these Santa Monica Mountains. The last few miles, where it crosses into L.A. County, have been repaved well and you feel like you've been given a bonus. The ride officially ends near the end of Yerba Buena Road, but I hope some folks will take beautiful Mulholland Highway with me back to Kanan Road - maybe even run The Snake in the reverse direction and stay in the mountains for a while. I'll be at the Rock Store at 11:30 tomorrow morning. Yellow 2004 250, white helmet. Perfect weather, great roads! Mark |
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:37 pm Subject: Back Home |
|
| Back home safe & sound from the big Dennis/Dennis ride today, 447 miles total for me. It sure was great seeing everyone again!! I can hardly believe how bad those LA freeways have gotten in the past few years, they're unbelievably rough, almost like a motocross track in concrete. When I got off the freeway at Hwy 79 to head for home, it was like riding on glass compared to those Freeways. I feel like my back has been beaten with a board all day, still a great ride though. I hope everyone enjoyed the ride, I sure did.
Take Care & Ride Safe All, Dan |
|