redtail
Well-known member
I missed the big "SoCal" end of the year run. There had been a lot going on around here and I wasn't sure I was up to 8 to 10 hours of riding on Monday.
Besides, I was going to ride on Wednesday to Guadalupe. I did the "Year end-Because we can" ride last year, and even though it was expected to rain again this year, thought it would be a good idea!
However, when my 8:00 A.M. leave time rolled around, I was staring straight into a fair sized storm cell. Regular rain wouldn't have stopped me, but the look of concern on my wife's face gave me the answer to my, should I or shouldn't I go, question!
Not sure what I missed really, but I woke up all in one piece with an intact motorcycle ( and happy wife! ). I also woke up to one of the main reasons why I live here... It had rained yesterday... and then it stopped!
I believe it was dcarver who inspired me, with his ride report "another boring local ride", to do a little spin close to home. So I pulled the bike out of the garage and squeezed in one last ride for 2010!
Of course I had to stop for my start time receipt!
Up until lately, downtown Woodland Hills/Warner Center, looked like this.
With Apartments like this.
And then they extended the Metro line to connect us with the rest of L.A.
Now we have had an explosion of these.
I've been here 18 years and my wife remembers when a lot of this was still open fields!
Amazingly It still maintains a lot of small town character, along with flavors from around the world.
I jumped on the 101 FWY towards the east end of the valley and got a chuckle from a lady in a cage next to me when I took this shot at speed.
Then took Laurel Canyon up to the top of the ridge that separates the San Fernando Valley, from the greater Los Angeles basin. On top I went east on Mulholand Hwy and got a shot looking down at Universal Studios.
And then found a spot to look over towards L.A. A mass of humanity we call the city of "Lost Angels"!
Heading home I found a spot to shoot the L.A. basin, towards city and then towards the bay!
Mulholland Hwy pretty much runs this ridge north, clear to the coast. I hadn't been on this part of it in many years and really had a blast. It felt like a new road!
I stopped again to get a shot of Warner Center from the east, (The group of tall buildings near the center of the pic)
The road turns to dirt for awhile, so I dropped down to the valley floor.
I live right off the main blvd which gives me quick access to everything from groceries to accessories.
Still had some time to kill, so I rode up to the Topanga Cyn View point and shot a pic straight down at the hood.
Then I headed west out Mulholand Hwy, into the Santa Monica Mtns, where I spend a lot of my spare time!
Up Stunt Rd.
At the top of which is a view of the Santa Monica/Malibu coast line, and on a clear day like today, you can see all the way out to Catalina Island!
Had a great visit up here with a couple sport bike guys, who were just as excited to be out riding on such a great day!
Here's a close-up for fairlaner. Thanks again for the "Ace Cafe" shirt!
Rode home with a huge smile! Nice little full circle jaunt! It might freeze here tonight, but from these photo's it's kinda hard to believe it's the dead of winter!
The ridge in the background is the top of Topanga, between which is the 101 FWY!
All in all a very good day indeed! 72.9 miles round trip!
Oh, and here's why I don't like to push it when It doesn't feel just right!
P.S. Mr dcarver, if you read this, Thank You for the inspiration!
Also wondering if (having bailed on the first two ride options) does this qualify as a CBA ride?
I hope everyone has a fantastic new year!! Richard
Besides, I was going to ride on Wednesday to Guadalupe. I did the "Year end-Because we can" ride last year, and even though it was expected to rain again this year, thought it would be a good idea!
However, when my 8:00 A.M. leave time rolled around, I was staring straight into a fair sized storm cell. Regular rain wouldn't have stopped me, but the look of concern on my wife's face gave me the answer to my, should I or shouldn't I go, question!
Not sure what I missed really, but I woke up all in one piece with an intact motorcycle ( and happy wife! ). I also woke up to one of the main reasons why I live here... It had rained yesterday... and then it stopped!
I believe it was dcarver who inspired me, with his ride report "another boring local ride", to do a little spin close to home. So I pulled the bike out of the garage and squeezed in one last ride for 2010!
Of course I had to stop for my start time receipt!
Up until lately, downtown Woodland Hills/Warner Center, looked like this.
With Apartments like this.
And then they extended the Metro line to connect us with the rest of L.A.
Now we have had an explosion of these.
I've been here 18 years and my wife remembers when a lot of this was still open fields!
Amazingly It still maintains a lot of small town character, along with flavors from around the world.
I jumped on the 101 FWY towards the east end of the valley and got a chuckle from a lady in a cage next to me when I took this shot at speed.
Then took Laurel Canyon up to the top of the ridge that separates the San Fernando Valley, from the greater Los Angeles basin. On top I went east on Mulholand Hwy and got a shot looking down at Universal Studios.
And then found a spot to look over towards L.A. A mass of humanity we call the city of "Lost Angels"!
Heading home I found a spot to shoot the L.A. basin, towards city and then towards the bay!
Mulholland Hwy pretty much runs this ridge north, clear to the coast. I hadn't been on this part of it in many years and really had a blast. It felt like a new road!
I stopped again to get a shot of Warner Center from the east, (The group of tall buildings near the center of the pic)
The road turns to dirt for awhile, so I dropped down to the valley floor.
I live right off the main blvd which gives me quick access to everything from groceries to accessories.
Still had some time to kill, so I rode up to the Topanga Cyn View point and shot a pic straight down at the hood.
Then I headed west out Mulholand Hwy, into the Santa Monica Mtns, where I spend a lot of my spare time!
Up Stunt Rd.
At the top of which is a view of the Santa Monica/Malibu coast line, and on a clear day like today, you can see all the way out to Catalina Island!
Had a great visit up here with a couple sport bike guys, who were just as excited to be out riding on such a great day!
Here's a close-up for fairlaner. Thanks again for the "Ace Cafe" shirt!
Rode home with a huge smile! Nice little full circle jaunt! It might freeze here tonight, but from these photo's it's kinda hard to believe it's the dead of winter!
The ridge in the background is the top of Topanga, between which is the 101 FWY!
All in all a very good day indeed! 72.9 miles round trip!
Oh, and here's why I don't like to push it when It doesn't feel just right!
P.S. Mr dcarver, if you read this, Thank You for the inspiration!
Also wondering if (having bailed on the first two ride options) does this qualify as a CBA ride?
I hope everyone has a fantastic new year!! Richard
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