Ride To Malibu - Sat, 1/5

[Rogue]

Sorry for the last minute invite.  Wasn't sure how the weather & my schedule would be like.

Anyone interested in doing a ride to Malibu/Rock Store this Saturday, 1/5?

I am not familiar with the area so I just plan on heading out to the Rock Store then the coast via Mulholland Hwy to PCH.  After that is up in the air.    It will be a low profile ride as it's my first time on a bike there in 10+ years.  Not familiar with the roads at all.

Let me know if anyone is interested.

[viffergyrl]

M.Brane and I will meet you at the Rock Store at what time?  

[Rogue]

Cool!  

Leaving north OC around 7:30AM.

I'm guessing I need 45 min to an hour to ride over, fuel up, and be at the Rock Store.  So I will be there around 8:30AM.  Should be at the Chevron station (I think that's the brand) on Kanaan Rd exit before 8:30AM.

I have one other rider coming from the VFRd group (Duc2v4).  You know him?

I'll PM you and MBrane my cell# in a bit.  

[viffergyrl]

Know of him - will be good to meet him. Back atcha with the cell phone thingy....

We'll see you at the Rock Store around 8:30-ish.  

[squeezer]

If you don't mind me breaking up the viffer parade, I'll try to meet you at the Rock Store. Don't wait for me, though. If I'm going to make it, I'll be there early.

[M.Brane]

If you don't mind me breaking up the viffer parade.....

 lol

 Not a problem. Meet time has been moved to 9 AM. Things could get a bit tight for a FJR, but I'm sure you can hang.

[squeezer]

Woo-hoo! Thanks everyone for those kickass roads.

[viffergyrl]

Heh. Your shit-eating grin today at the overlook said it all.  

Pretty funny to see you guys as we turned right from Tuna Canyon onto PCH.... I hear y'alls got a little delayed....  

[M.Brane]

 Yes a good time was had by all. Felt good to get out for a real ride for the first time in over a month.

 Teaser pic:

[squeezer]

I like that pic.
"One of these things is not like the others..."

[rgbeard]

I like that pic.
"One of these things is not like the others..."

When do you explore San Diego county?

[Rogue]

Thanks all for a great ride.  MBrane, Viffergyrl, and Duc2v4 (from VFRd Forum) were our most excellent guides around the Malibu hills for the day.

The roads in this area are a haven for motorcycles and sports cars.  The roads we visited where mostly made up of tight decreasing radius turns that were wicked!  Not for noob riders for sure!  If you don't like decreasing radius corners this ain't the place for you!    I now understand why this place has such a dynamic community of motorsports enthusiasts of all kinds.  They have all kinds here from cruisers, to tourers, to cafe racers, rat bikers, collectors, etc.  If you want to view exotic machines the Rock Store is where you will find it, along with custom road machines you probably will never see anywhere else.  I was really impressed!  

Here are a few pics that I was able to take.  We spent 80% of the time riding so there was little time for posing in front of the camera.  

Here is the group at Malibu Inn:  Duc2v4, Viffergyrl, MBrane, and Squeezer.


Here is the only group bike pic I took.  That's Viffergyrl and Squeezer checking out the VFR's with MBrane's '99 VFR800 with the Corbin bags in the center.  Someone remind me what this wicked road was.


A view of the Malibu Hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  In the distance, just visible within the haze is Santa Monica.

[squeezer]

When do you explore San Diego county?

Good question. It should be soon.

Rogue: I think that road was Piuma, but I think we should have our guides confirm that.

[Rogue]

Did I mention it was freakin' freezing in the morning?  Oh yeah.  28 degrees up through the hills around 9AM!  I never really thawed out until around 11AM when we got back out onto the coast.  Unfortunately, I was so busy trying to warm up at the Rock Store I neglected to take a few pictures of a few unique bikes we saw there.  Damnit!  

We also made it through That Infamous Turn where all the You Tube crashes seem to host.  Yup. The turn was NOT even that sharp.  But it comes right after a series of tight, decreasing radius, steep climbing turns (after leaving the Rock Store), and it does catch riders off guard because it looks like the turn is fast and open but it isn't.  It appears after a rise on the road (so you don't see it coming) and it looks decievingly fast compared to "the snake" area.  Thus, I can understand why so many go too fast and lose it.  However, thanks to my excellent guides, plus many opportunities to review this infamous corner, I had plenty of advance warning not to make an ass out of myself in You Tube!  

[Rogue]

Squeezer, yeah I do remember now.  There were so many different roads it was tough to keep track.  Wish I had a GPS to leave "bread crumbs" so I can re-trace my steps.  BTW, what happened to you when we switched to the 405 South.  Did you veer off to go somehwere else?  There was some congestion on the transition ramp and we split lanes for a bit.

[squeezer]

Yeah, I changed my mind about how to get home once we hit I-10. I signalled to Darryl that I was going straight on and was about to beep at you, but you were just coming up on the traffic and I didn't want to be a distraction.

 I went 60 to 57 south. That's how we usually go when visiting my kid in Santa Monica. It's a little longer distance-wise but my son swears it's worth it because traffic moves better.

[Rogue]

I agree with your son.

For some reason, we got lucky on the 405 as there was no traffic.  Maybe it's only bad during summer or when the weather is really nice?  Don't know.  Sometimes when I take the 405 near LAX on a Saturday afternoon the traffic is just horrendous and it's tough to split lanes because the lanes are narrow.  It's better on Sundays (although this is just my theory that has proven to work a few times).  Who knows?  

Good to know we didn't "lose" you.

[viffergyrl]

Yes the overlook was on Piuma. Here's a map of what M.Brane and I did yesterday.  


View Larger Map

[Rogue]

I like that all routes lead to the coast and that the coast is relatively wide open once you get passed the busy Malibu area.  

Still waiting for Rock Store Photo to post our pictures.  

[squeezer]

Still waiting for Rock Store Photo to post our pictures.

I saw a note on the site that Saturday's pics would be posted Monday by noon.