Angeles Crest Ride & Thoughts... (w/ pics)

[roguegeek]

[pantablo]

Now you understand why its my favorite road...

Usually, the summer months sees the road open past the tunnels (where you stopped) and truth be told, the best part of that road lies ahead of where you were. Its another 20 miles of widing ribbon of nirvana before it hits the first ski lift area of Wrightwood.

Constructive criticism will be short, since I wasnt there.
1) NEVER ride with strangers that you meet at the shell station. THere are generally 2 groups that meet there. Really fast, and really noob (mostly on 600/1000cc bikes).  There's a forum locally, www.sportbikers.net. Check them out. They do local runs including ACH. They are mostly slower riders that are mature about their riding. Good bunch of guys and gals. Some fast, mostly slower and newer riders there. Check them out if you want to ride with a group.

2)trust the bike. Trust the tires. I was amazed how hard I could push the gs up there. I tired of malibu and discovered ACH before I got the 600rr...I was up there every weekend. My usual saturday was to ride to the top, turn left on Big PInes Hwy for another 9 miles to Mile High Cafe for b'fast. Then head back. I'd start at 8am and be home before 11:30. Mile High is permanently closed.

3) keep working on being smooth and looking where you want to go. These two things will make you faster in the long run. Dont focus on how fast you're going but how smooth you are.

4)most people have more trouble downhill. speaks volumes about the potential rider within you.

5)target fixation. STOP IT. I mean it. Know the bike goes where you look, and look up the road! I used to have to tell myself out loud to "look through the turn...look through the turn", particularly when I went into a turn too hot (above my skill).

Unfortunately, due to last years heavy rain the road above the tunnels has washed away and there's no date for repair currently being proffered. Road is closed at the turnout past the tunnels indefinitely. its a shame really.

The gs is better suited to malibu because of the tighter roads there. ACH has better visibility through the turns (generally speaking) but the road straightens up too much for the gs to keep up with the bigger bikes. When I rode my gs there I would have no trouble keeping up until the first long straight...then it was over. the bandit 1200's I rode with would pass me like I was standing still...

I havent been up there in a long time on a weekend ever since the CHP has started cracking down on aftermarket exhausts and turn signals...and maybe my speeding ticket up there has something to do with it too...

I'm riding malibu on wednesday if you're free.


Angeles crest hwy, angeles forest hwy, upper big tujunga, big tujunga are all my favorites...of any road around here.

[roguegeek]

Alright. Put up more images taken with my camera phone from this weekend's ride. You can see them in my gallery here.

[roguegeek]

NEVER ride with strangers that you meet at the shell station. THere are generally 2 groups that meet there. Really fast, and really noob (mostly on 600/1000cc bikes).

These were mostly the "really fast" guys. Although some were dicks, most didn't mind helping out someone like me. I'll use the site you recommended to look up riders who are closer to my skill level next weekend.

trust the bike. Trust the tires. I was amazed how hard I could push the gs up there.

One thing I had problems with was getting my toes up and out of the way so they wouldn't drag. They never did, but once I got use to lifting them up on the pegs, felt a lot more comfortable going more aggressive with my lean angle.

keep working on being smooth and looking where you want to go. These two things will make you faster in the long run. Dont focus on how fast you're going but how smooth you are.

I'm trying. It's hard not to look down at the speedometer every once in a while.  :dunno:

target fixation. STOP IT. I mean it. Know the bike goes where you look, and look up the road! I used to have to tell myself out loud to "look through the turn...look through the turn", particularly when I went into a turn too hot (above my skill).

Far and wide anytime I got into a little bit of trouble, it was because I took my eyes off my exit path and put them onto the oncoming car in the other lane. This one is going to be a tough one for me to learn. In the MSF courses, they taught you to always keep your eyes tracking and never fixed on any one object. For sport riding, it's completely different. I gotta keep my eyes fixed on my path and use my peripheral vision a lot more that usual. I think this is one of those things were no one can really give you advice on what to do. I just need to do it.

I havent been up there in a long time on a weekend ever since the CHP has started cracking down on aftermarket exhausts and turn signals.

What are people doing to their exhaust and turn signals to have CHP crack down?

I'm riding malibu on wednesday if you're free.

I wish! The weekdays I'm at work from early morning to about 8pm every day. I'm only going to be able to get in more practice during the weekend, but let me know if you ever want to head out somewhere during the weekend.

[pantablo]

If you're in the canyons make it a habit to ride with the balls of your feet on the pegs. This will keep them out of harms way most of the time. Probably all the time until you get into some deep lean or your toes still stick out too far.

Yep, work on peripheral vision. Check out Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist II. I think there are exercises in there to help expand peripheral vision. Also make it a habit to keep your eyes moving, darting to the things in the road-like the road surface immediately ahead of you, oncoming traffic, etc. BUT only for a fraction of a second, then come back to the riding line. Always look for the vanishing point, where the two sides of the road converge. thats the farthest you can usually see up the road and where your eyes should be.

Aftermarket exhausts and turn signals (like the tiny little blinkers) are all technically illegal on the road. My slip on muffler is a perfect example:



although I still have stock turn signals. CHP is ticketing for the smallest things up there, and malibu too. I've talked to people that have gotten speeding tickets for only several miles over the speed limit.

[roguegeek]

Aftermarket exhausts and turn signals (like the tiny little blinkers) are all technically illegal on the road.

Jeez. I had no idea they were illegal. That means just about everyone with a sport bike up there could have been ticketed. There's no reason to buy one and take it up there.

[pantablo]

yup. just about everyone up there. its usually not an issue as they'll just get you for speeding or crossing the DY in the no passing areas (most of the mountain actually). Now as part of their "crackdown", they're ticketing for anything and everything. Watch out on PCH on weekends too. If you're heading up to malibu they're swarming PCH. Guys have gotten tickets while being parked!

[roguegeek]

hehe I think my GS is street legal. So now, where is this great place you talk of in Malibu? A mapquest link would be nice. Any other places you think I should check out? I'm enjoying this high I'm feeling and need to feel it more.

[pantablo]

mapquest as requested

from the star shown, pan up and to the left, and zoom in one button. That will give you an overview of the area.


Try this route:

PCH north->Las Flores, R->ends at T intersection (rambla pacifica), R->ends at T intersection (malibu Canyon), R->first intersection is Mulholland, R->Stunt road, R-> up to end (saddle Ridge), L->to T intersection (Fernwood), R->becomes Tuna Cyn (one way street), to PCH. R to Latigo, R to T intersection (Kanan Dune), R to first intersection (Mulholland), R-> twisty section then Rock Store. Stop there for refreshments and gawking at great motorcycles. Show up on sunday and probably catch Jay Leno there.

Head back on Mulholland, past Kanan and continue down Mulholland until T intersection (Encinal), L. To PCH, R to Mulholland R (more FUN), to T intersection (Decker), R back to PCH, then right to Neptunes Net for more food. or L at T, and continue on Mulholland until...

The thing about Malibu is that its a series of shorter canyons that you have to string together. Thats why I prefer ACH. You can just ride one long ride there.