Great day for a ride in LA

[socalrob]

Took a great 70 mile ride up the crest today. The sky was blue, cool & crisp. A bit of fall foilage here n there. Leather jacket zipped to BMW Airflow pants, & IPOD. Kept to the speed limit or 5 over as I still have a ticket to do traffic school on, but the bike rode perfect.

Started out at the Chevron station, topped her off with premium as gas has gotten a bit cheaper here, only $2.80. Not sure why but the bike does seem to ride a bit better on premium.

Saw literally packs of cruisers & spot bikes on some turnouts on the way up, but traffic was pretty light. At Newcomb's Ranch there were alot of bikes, maybe 50. Saw both a Ducati 749R & 999R, both in all their carbon fiber splender, as well as two just drop dead beautiful MV Agusta Brutales. Also saw a very nice BMW K75 naked roadster (with ABS), 1991 model. One of my favorite bikes of the day was a smashed up Honda Hawk that looked like a fine hooligan bike. Just missed seeing a R1200ST owned by a lady rider, would have liked to seen the bike.

While I was getting an egg McNewcomb (egg & bacon & lettuce & tomato sandwich) I was looking out the window & saw a cruiser pull up with his girl on the back & promptly fall over. Actually flipped him off the bike at first I though he whipped up & high sided. Maybe 20 people rushed to help, but I think his pride was the most hurt thing.

On the way down passed Officer Stout lying in wait, looked down & I was 5 over, but he let me slide. Later, on 9 mile road, 20 or so riders coming at me head on at high speed let me know it was ok to pick up the pace, so got to ride most of 9 mile at about 75-80 (45 mph limit, but has very open curves with great sight distances for the most part, & near perfect pavement, if going all out 100mph would be ok, just not the ticket). From the end of 9 mile took it easy down the hill to home.

When I got home looked carefully at the back tire (Z6, 6,500 miles), could see a gleam of steel in a crazed area, was hoping to make it last until Nov. 29 as I have a service apointment. I better keep a pretty good I on that.

All in all, a very satisfying ride. Sorry, no pixs as I took no camera.

[yjleesvrr]

So, like, Rob - when is it NOT a good day for ride in Southern California? I was in San Diego late July of '04 and everyday was perfect.

[BobFV1]

Rob -

Thanks for the report from my old haunts of SOCAL. The "cruiser falling over" story is priceless.

Don't push that tire - bro! Not worth it. If you plan to ride much between now and the 29th, like over T-Day weekend, just get it replaced.

Take care and thanks again for sharing your ride story.

[beekstersocal]

hey rob ,i go to L.A about once a month [ downey to be exact] and would love to run up the crest with ya some sunny saturday. just keep me posted ...the samich is on me