Where Are The SoCal Rides?

So I get busy and disappeared for a while, and I look back on here and nobody rides in SoCal?  At least nobody posts a ride?

This is sad.

You gotta join us NorCal riders. :)  :wheel:

I'd love to someday.  Duc2V4 and I just finished a tour of AZ. 

I was looking for day rides in SoCal but I guess people don't post it here or just not enough SoCal VFR800 riders posting here.

What's a day ride?

Just got back from WCRM, leaving for Colorado in a week. Likely on the 94 again with 136K on the clock. 98 is being a bad girl.

PS good to see you posting again. Figured you just needed a break from the internot.

1 hour ago, tc339

You gotta join us NorCal riders. :)  :wheel:

I have! Lol

Where are the SoCal rides?? Here's one:

LOL, just kidding. A little off topic but I actually like this chase scene better. The second half of this video reminds me of riding on Mulholland Hwy. through the Santa Monica mountains.:

2 hours ago, 2FAST4U

The second half of this video reminds me of riding on Mulholland Hwy

That's a little exaggerated. But if you look there are thousands of crash videos on the infamous snake.

Both 2 and 4 wheel dipsticks making the same mistakes and crashing in the same spots. :squid:

I won't go there on the weekend. These idiots are dangerous and attract hard nosed cops.

Same goes for Angeles Crest Hwy 2. :wacko:

For whatever reason the cluster f*** seems to mostly stay on the same roads.

I choose the road less traveled locally. I need a longer distance road trip though. :sleep:

^ I admit I've only been on Mulholland Hwy. once (October or November of last year), but the second half of that chase scene does remind me of it. You've probably been on it at least 100 times, so I'm sure you're much more familiar with it than I am. Again, I'm simply saying it reminds me of it. I was on it the entire length of the highway (if I remember correctly, it starts near Calabasas and ends near Pacific Palisades; it seems to me that near Calabasas, there are a few horse ranches in the area).

1 hour ago, 2FAST4U

^ I admit I've only been on Mulholland Hwy. once (October or November of last year), but the second half of that chase scene does remind me of it. You've probably been on it at least 100 times, so I'm sure you're much more familiar with it than I am. Again, I'm simply saying it reminds me of it. I was on it the entire length of the highway (if I remember correctly, it starts near Calabasas and ends near Pacific Palisades; it seems to me that near Calabasas, there are a few horse ranches in the area).

Mulholland Highway starts in Calabasas and goes all the way to Malibu, just below the Ventura County line at Leo Carrillo State park, Pacific Palasades is closer to Santa Monica I.e. further South, but I can see if you've only been on the road once that it could give one the memory of Mulholland. Unlike VFRLee, I go to Mlaibu and ACH on the weekends and never have a problem. I also do longer rides on roads less travelled but these usually require more than a day, if not all day. 

If if you ever make your way back here, look me up I'd be glad to show you the local riding haunts.

^ I'll take you up on that.

When my father got out of high school, he did a four year stint in the Navy and then headed to California. In his words, it was the place to be and so everyone was going there. Nowadays I frequently hear stories of people that left California (or want to leave it) because its become so unaffordable. That's really unfortunate because it's truly a great place.

9 hours ago, 2FAST4U

^ I'll take you up on that.

When my father got out of high school, he did a four year stint in the Navy and then headed to California. In his words, it was the place to be and so everyone was going there. Nowadays I frequently hear stories of people that left California (or want to leave it) because its become so unaffordable. That's really unfortunate because it's truly a great place.

It used to be the place to be, but too many people had that idea and moved here.  Now it is over crowded and over priced.  I can remember when sales tax was a mere 6% and every road seemed to be freshly paved.  I'm looking to move out, but my job is here.

There are still some of the best roads here, you just have to go find them, and they are the ones less traveled.

I was born and grew up there, but moved abroad 20 years ago.  Things do seem to have got a bit worse in CA over the years, but it's hard for me to gauge that anymore.  I'd still go back if the right opportunity presented itself, though!

Ciao,

We're getting :offtopic:

California (the good parts) in general is expensive, crowded, politically weird, fiscally/hydrologically unsustainable, and culturally broken (in my ever-so-humble opinion).

That said, the unbelievably diverse natural beauty, insanely good year-round riding (and good skiing in winter), diversity, and some of the best wine and food in the world keep me here. For now.

And I love SoCal - would like to join a SoCal VFRD ride at some point. I personally enjoy the Mulholland shenanigans and go whenever I have the chance. It's a car/bike show in motion.

Ask any adult human being, on any random day in the last 1000 years, and he or she will tell you that everything was better 20 years ago.   :wink:

CA is motorcycling paradise.

MBrane, ‎6‎/‎7‎/‎2016 at 9:05 PM

What's a day ride?

Just got back from WCRM, leaving for Colorado in a week. Likely on the 94 again with 136K on the clock. 98 is being a bad girl.

PS good to see you posting again. Figured you just needed a break from the internot.

MBrane, I've been posting in OCMOTO exclusively but not too much.  The older I get the less time I seem to have to do everything!  But I've been riding very regularly (usually with Duc2V4).  I plan to post more here as I ride the VFR more the rest of this year.  I feel like I've come to the realization that the VFR800 fits me the best.

We should hook up this summer.  I heard ACH is open all the way to Wrightwood now so my plan is to ride it all the way across and back on Father's Day.

10 hours ago, ridered

It used to be the place to be, but too many people had that idea and moved here.  Now it is over crowded and over priced.  I can remember when sales tax was a mere 6% and every road seemed to be freshly paved.  I'm looking to move out, but my job is here.

There are still some of the best roads here, you just have to go find them, and they are the ones less traveled.

Absolutely right on.  CA is the most populous state in the USA with 37+ million souls!  I'm going to guess that 60% of those are in SoCal!

Every start of the summer all the douchebags of the riding world come out to SoCal and it's a zoo at the popular places.  Malibu, ACH, Palomar, etc.  Luckily, most of them can't wake up early worth a damn!  LOL!  So if you wake up early enough you can have most of these roads to just a few riders.  Best time to go is during the weekday.  But who has weekdays off right?  LOL!

Anyway, you're right there are still roads less traveled in SoCal.  There are also lots of roads less traveled outside of SoCal but within an overnight stay away.  Perfect VFR getaway.

8 hours ago, JZH

I was born and grew up there, but moved abroad 20 years ago.

I too live abroad but have been fortunate to get to California by bike annually since 1994. Mostly in NorCal, but with the odd jaunt further south.

To the OP: Can't help you with organizing a group but have some favourite roads. Of course, traffic is no doubt lighter mid-week - an advantage to vacationers & retirees - but I really like Angeles Crest. Others include Ca33 from Ojai, Lockwood Valley Rd., Ca166, Ca58 from McKittrick-Santa Marguerita, Santa Rosa Cr Rd out of Cambria.

An annual Death Valley area camping tour might be a nice tradition to start.

Where in SOCAL? I ride with some sportbike guys mostly. We hit Palomar, Banner, Montezuma, etc. 

Occasionally, we make a big loop up north of LA and across ACH, but we're San Diego,  so mostly we stay down here. I never see other VFR riders though. 

That's because I haven't  been to Palomar/Borrego/Montezuma Grade on my VFR800 in a long time.  Maybe at least a year.  I could be the only VFR800 rider who goes down there.  LOL!

Lorne, ‎6‎/‎9‎/‎2016 at 9:48 PM

To the OP: Can't help you with organizing a group but have some favourite roads. Of course, traffic is no doubt lighter mid-week - an advantage to vacationers & retirees - but I really like Angeles Crest. Others include Ca33 from Ojai, Lockwood Valley Rd., Ca166, Ca58 from McKittrick-Santa Marguerita, Santa Rosa Cr Rd out of Cambria.

Lorne, been there done that on all those roads.  Most of those are my favorite roads in the Central Coast of California.  I like revisiting all of them once a year.

As soon as I get my fairings done, I'd love to join you guys on a socal ride or meetup.

Well, following "Brexit", I think I may be back riding the lovely California roads sooner rather than later!  What to do with my non-US bikes, though, is a bit of a concern... :unsure:

Ciao,

JZH, I think the whole internet world is making too many doomsday scenarios with Brexit.

I strongly believe that the Micro/Macro Economics of this whole thing will find its equilibrium point sooner rather than later.  Money will talk and bullshit will walk.  Everyone will be clamoring for the least painful way to navigate the legality of Brexit and things will calm down.  This is because human nature will always follow their own self-interest and so everyone will try their best to minimize the cost of Brexit.  Result, not too much will change.  Europe will continue to trade with the UK and vice versa.  And despite what Obama warned the people of the UK, as far as the US is concerned the UK will always be at the FRONT of the line.  Nobody is going to want to jeopardize anything by making drastic changes.  The European Union, primarily Western Europe, is just butt-hurt that so many people in the UK don't like their views and so want to divorce!  LOL!  They'll get over it.  The UK will be stronger in the end and will continue to be a staunch military and economic partner of the USA.

I hope you're right.  A lot depends on the leadership the UK has during the negotiations to come.  Both good and bad deals are possible...

Ciao,

What leadership?

I believe the Brexit vote was all about self-determination by a majority of the British.  It seems like they feel the EU leadership is disconnected from what is happening in other parts of the EU, and because of this it is hurting the very same people that it is supposed to benefit.  A similar thing is happening here in the US where the establishment elites are dictating terms that may not benefit the whole of the US.  Enough people are disgruntled to bring rise to an anti-establishment.  Who amongst us want to be told what to do and how to live our lives, especially if that authority doesn’t care how it affects those that disagree and those they are asking to bear the burden?    I know I don’t like it when someone tells me I should stop riding motorcycles because it’s dangerous and I go too fast and therefore I am a menace to society!  Or when someone tells me I should pay more into a system to support those who choose NOT to pay into it or who have not earned the privileges I worked so hard to achieve.  I keep telling people around me:  just because YOU believe something is right, does NOT mean it is right for everyone!  Also, a person’s freedom to choose should not impinge upon the right of another person’s freedom.  I choose to ride my motorcycle and ride it fast when it’s safe.  But I do not put other people’s lives in danger while doing so.   

I think we may be off topic, slightly...

Ciao,

Rogue_Biker, 6/9/2016 at 7:25 PM

Every start of the summer all the douchebags of the riding world come out to SoCal and it's a zoo at the popular places.  Malibu, ACH, Palomar, etc.  Luckily, most of them can't wake up early worth a damn!  LOL!  So if you wake up early enough you can have most of these roads to just a few riders.  Best time to go is during the weekday.  But who has weekdays off right?  LOL!

I'm usually leaving Palomar before they show up.  I get there before Mother's opens most of the time.  It gets too hot later anyhow.

01ragtop, 6/11/2016 at 6:34 PM

Where in SOCAL? I ride with some sportbike guys mostly. We hit Palomar, Banner, Montezuma, etc. 

Occasionally, we make a big loop up north of LA and across ACH, but we're San Diego,  so mostly we stay down here. I never see other VFR riders though. 

We are around.  Mostly early in the morning.

2016 at 8:01 PM, Rogue_Biker, June 7

So I get busy and disappeared for a while, and I look back on here and nobody rides in SoCal?  At least nobody posts a ride?

I'm planning on riding Angeles Crest Hwy tomorrow AM, and maybe getting some grub at Newcomb's Ranch.  I'll be leaving the Shell station at the bottom of the hill at 9am if anyone wants to tag along.

Have a local OC group going to GMR, so we'll be on the other side of the mountain range! Probably should start posting rides here more often. Seems that the So Cal VFR riders are too spread out, hence the local OC riders have been getting the attention.

This GMR ride is going to have at least four VFR's in it.  So Rambler, why not join us on this one?

Rogue_Biker This GMR ride is going to have at least four VFR's in it.  So Rambler, why not join us on this one?

55 minutes ago, Rambler358

When is the GMR ride - did I miss it?

It was today. There will be more rides to come. We are going to try and be more "cross pollinating" with our post. Since we have more riders closer to us in the OCMoto forum so we usually get more takers. Today there were 4 VFRs. One 5 Gen (mine) and three 6 Gens, two of which were RWBs. We can discuss more on next weekends ride.

Cheers!

From some of the vids of be seen, you guys aren't exactly slow. So I'm not sure how much fun it'll be for you all having to wait for an old slow guy like me. 

3 hours ago, Rambler358

From some of the vids of be seen, you guys aren't exactly slow. So I'm not sure how much fun it'll be for you all having to wait for an old slow guy like me. 

I can't speak for the GMR rides, but for next week's ride, everyone should ride their ride. I'm about middle of the pack with the guys I normally ride with. One of them is faster than I ever hope to be most are similar to me, and a couple of guys are slower. I'd much rather wait on someone who is riding within their comfort zone than urge someone to keep up so I didn't have to wait as long. I've seen a couple of crashes by guys trying to "keep up".  I'll ride hard up to a point, but beyond that I have no problem letting someone disappear on up the road. They'll wait for me at the next turn the same way I'll wait for those behind me. 

I'll second what ragtop said, although I'm probably one of those who you would consider fast (as I'm the camera man in some of those videos), I don't always need to be up front. I can turn the knob down and not go to 11 all the time. If someone wants to play up front I'm usually game for it but if we want to keep it sane, I'll often volunteer to take the sweeper position. I'd rather everyone make it home in one piece than have to tell stories of how so and so almost got to finish the ride!

Many who have ridden with me before know that I'm more about being safe than being fast, so please don't let these videos deter you from coming along, you never know who you'll meet and bond with. You may find that you ride a similar pace and style as someone who rides with us and find a good riding partner. That's kind of how Rogue and I ended up riding together so much.

We don't belittle anyone or make them feel bad if they're not keeping our pace. We encourage you to ride your own ride and if you need to take your time, do so, we can wait if/when we have to.

Thanks guys - comforting to know. I'm not sure what category I'd put myself in - some are slower than me and some are faster. Though I'm not the knee-dragger type and just tend to let those guys pass me.

We ride with people of varying skill/speed levels.  I'm not the knee dragger type and I keep promising to slow down.  LOL!  So don't worry about going fast or slow.  Ride your own pace. As OOTV said, we would rather wait for others than wait for an ambulance (if you know what I mean--been there done that).  People always wait for me anyway so you may be in good company.  The key is to have fun, meet new like-minded riders, repeat.  We don't go out there to try to impress anybody. 

In case your confused by Rougue's reference to OOTV, I use that name elsewhere...

Rogue_Biker We ride with people of varying skill/speed levels. 

Are you by chance on www.sport-touring.net ?

Both Rogue and I were on Sport-Touring.net but kind of drifted away, in favor of here, VFRW and OCMoto. Found more takers for ride post on the latter forum.

I thought rogue sounded familiar. I was on ST-N years ago, and I think rogue may have even been on one of the rides I was on with the group.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Rambler, did you ever ride an ST1300 or something in the past?  Did you do the Central Coast Tour with me around 2003/04-ish?

Rogue_Biker Rambler, did you ever ride an ST1300 or something in the past?  Did you do the Central Coast Tour with me around 2003/04-ish?

I see ok, the guy I was thinking of wasn't you. 

Ken passed away a few years ago.

Yeah, I know - heard about Ken. Very sad...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yawn....  <looks left, looks right, looks left again>.

Back in the day I used to organize ACH-BigBear, Palomar-borrego springs, hesperia-crestline-idlywild and I think GMR twice.  Oh those were the days.  Tracking up 350+ miles on low-traffic back country roads...

Yawn...  <looks left again, sneezes, then starts washing the bike>

Give me a little bit and I'll throw something together.

So my suggestion is to post up rides here and look on other bike forums for socal riders. I have never had much luck finding a day ride here but when i ha e posted a ride with enough notice people surprise me by showing up. 

14 hours ago, ShayneJack

Yawn....  <looks left, looks right, looks left again>.

Back in the day I used to organize ACH-BigBear, Palomar-borrego springs, hesperia-crestline-idlywild and I think GMR twice.  Oh those were the days.  Tracking up 350+ miles on low-traffic back country roads...

Yawn...  <looks left again, sneezes, then starts washing the bike>

Give me a little bit and I'll throw something together.

I remember one of the rides you had thrown together, it was my first VFRD ride I believe. I think you had slipped at work and hurt your leg and thus you could not attend. We did though, had a good turn out and did have a few SNAFUS with losing a few riders momentarily but we were able to all make it back home in one piece. 

Right now my riding schedule is hit or miss but schedule it and I'm sure we can get a group together, I may have to change my other "obligations" to make it but I try my best to attend rides.

If you build it, they will come...

If anyone can throw a ride together in SoCal, Shayne can do it.   :wink:

Honestly it's going to take a bit for me to be ready to start organizing again.  Bike needs some work, been sitting patiently for the past 6 years while I was off skydiving and learning photography (both very expensive hobbies!)  Always missed those rides though.  Averaged 10-15 riders with a max of 33 that one time at ACH.  Good times.  I'll check in about late July probably...

[image: IMG_2017-05-31_16-57-27.JPG]

ShayneJack you old salty dog! I still have a rear rim that belongs to you in my garage. Glad to see you are still around and have an interest to ride. 

I am open to any ride plans you guys come up with. Single or multi day. I once posted up a late notice day ride to GMR and 3 VFR riders joined us. 

I am checking back here more now that i have a VFR once again.

ShayneJack, 5/31/2017 at 5:01 PM

Honestly it's going to take a bit for me to be ready to start organizing again.  Bike needs some work, been sitting patiently for the past 6 years while I was off skydiving and learning photography (both very expensive hobbies!)  Always missed those rides though.  Averaged 10-15 riders with a max of 33 that one time at ACH.  Good times.  I'll check in about late July probably...

[image: IMG_2017-05-31_16-57-27.JPG]

Is that Jay Leno walking up to the bikes at Newcombs?   :goofy:

I'm planning two trips out to the desert next week.  

Monday: Temecula to Anza, 74 to breakfast/brunch in Idyllwild (Cali Greens Cafe).  74West to home. KSU 730am.

Wednesday: Temecula to Anza to Palm Desert, north through Joshua Tree to 29Palms, brunch in Yucca Valley (Tommy's Kitchen).  I-10 back home. KSU 7am.

Its an early start, but anyone should feel free to join me.

It should be pleasant on the way out, hot on the way back.

This will be a casual ride, minimal hooliganism.

Paul in SoCal

#MotoPC2017

12 minutes ago, otmaximus

I'm planning two trips out to the desert next week.  

Monday: Temecula to Anza, 74 to breakfast/brunch in Idyllwild (Cali Greens Cafe).  74West to home. KSU 730am.

Wednesday: Temecula to Anza to Palm Desert, north through Joshua Tree to 29Palms, brunch in Yucca Valley (Tommy's Kitchen).  I-10 back home. KSU 7am.

Its an early start, but anyone should feel free to join me.

It should be pleasant on the way out, hot on the way back.

This will be a casual ride, minimal hooliganism.

Paul in SoCal

#MotoPC2017

Unfortunately, I have to work on both those days, unless you are referring to Monday July 3rd, then possibly I could make a trek out there.

If I was only retired...   :sad:

Next week.

New job, new schedule...