After climbing up and down Whitney, Glenn and I headed south on 395 till we got to the 9 Mile Canyon Rd./Kennedy Meadows turn off west back towards Kernville again. The first 15 miles or so of Kennedy Meadows Road was a real cool winding road, the last 10 miles of Sherman's Pass to Kern River Hwy. was also fun. But that 40 miles in the middle sucked big brown logs!! The road had no repair at all since the winter season and had pot holes, and leaves, and dirt everywhere. I smashed my forks so hard into a pot hole that I jarred my steering head bearings out of adjustment. Once we found a real road and headed back down to Johnny McNally's to meet the group and check in on them, I was fine again.
The adventure led past Kernville, Wofford Heights, Lake Isabella, down over the Lions Trail, which I had never been on before. A quick jaunt down the 58 to Tehachapi/Willow Springs road and flying past all the windmills, Glenn and I finally made it down to Palmdale where BBQ brisket, ribs, and Margarita's to quench the thirst awaited us.
Sunday we rode up to Willow Springs Raceway and watched Shawn Higbee notch two first place finishes in the twins categories, and a second in the big F1 race.
Headed home towards Frazier Park and over Cerro Noroeste Road where for some strange reason I have to continually show Glenn his uber-fast BMW K1200S is the wrong machine for that stretch of road.
Hell of a trip all told!
A side not from the Cruiser group left up at Kernville was that the new rider Rico, on her Honda Shadow got a flat up at McNally's some how. It has spoked wheels and someone chugged in a can of slime to no avail, and then they just called downed to Kernville to a motorcycle shop there who picked up the bike and changed out the tube. While at the bike shop a "gremlin bell" was given to her to ward off future mishaps. The MSF guy laughed that off as ridiculous and superstitious. The story I later heard was that there was only one crash, and that was a low speed one at a gas station by guess who, yes, the MSF guy.
Looks like a great ride! Wished I knew you were coming by and I would have blown the cobwebs off the 1125. The heat finally made it here quite late, too bad you couldn't do the ride a couple of weeks early as it's been unnaturally cool up til then. It can be just as hot at Kernville and McNally's too. Nice pics too Bert!
I'll be heading over to Willow Springs Raceway on Sunday to see all the boys running, and to see a few who will be tuning up for next weekends Laguna Seca AMA round. Hope Shawn can make it out, I always enjoy watching someone in the unimaginable skill level racing. I am also interested if Jeremy Toye is bringing out the big bad BMW S1000RR to the big track. I still think with a bit of tuning, mostly suspension, that he could put a big worry on the Japanese motorcycles.
See some of you there - and see some more of you up in Monterey.
Re Cafe Desmo Bike Show and Ride Up the Crest, I think I'm gonna head to Glendale HD/B this Sunday and ride up to Newcombs with Ernie Snair and friends. He says meet at 10 at the dealers where there'll be coffee, rest room and kickin' tires. Kickstands up at 11 for the ride to Newcombs via Big Tujunga & AF Hwy to ACH. That should give us approx an hr head start on the escorted ride from Pro Italia leaving at 12:15 to Newcombs.
For those thinking on doing the Crest ride too, be advised that there's bound to be increased LEO presence on the road and in the air, so obey all traffic regulations and have all yer papers in order.
DANIELLE HEBERT ...... rides into the Coffee Gallery Backstage. This is her first U.S. concert performance since she she sang the Canadian national anthem to open the Olympics in February, (in front of 30,000.) You saw her if you watched the opening ceremonies. Passionate singing and playing! Featuring percussionist Forrest Robinson. Opening, hosting, and supplying backup vocals will be Duane Thorin.
This multiple award winning Canadian composer and chanteuse comes with compelling yet nuanced voice, and intricate guitar phrasings. A valued treasure from the North has come to town. With a rich full voice and songs that have been acclaimed as folky, rocky, ethereal and deeply moving, Danielle Hebert will take you deep into her world, and your own emotions as well. Mesmerizing, and a perfect match for the gallery's intimate confines and audience, her French accent will touch on the exotic. She is winner of two Canadian "grammys", the Juno Award, and multiple songwriting awards.
Altadena is honored to be the only town visited twice by Danielle on her amazing one woman motorcycle trek around the United States. Her 13,000 mile trip is as famous on the internet's Blogosphere as are her musical accomplishments. She can claim a loyal following of both music lovers and cycle enthusiasts, all captivated by the drama and passion of a great adventuress. .
FORREST ROBINSON will be providing world class percussion to support it all. Although not a stranger to the Coffee Gallery, and an actual Altadena resident, Forrest travels the globe as percussionist for such "world music" and multi genre acts as Utada Hikaru, Crusaders, Joe Sample, Jonathan Brooke, India.Arie, and Angelique Kidjo.
DUANE THORIN has starred here at the gallery as the driving force behind the Bohemian Soul Rustlers, as well as sibling balladeer with the Swinging Armani Brothers. He brings a rich baritone, romantic balladry, and a lively witty presence to open the show and introduce Danielle and Forrest to the gallery audience. . Prepare for top notch and memorable excitement.
So, now that I am back from the Smokies and Buelltoberfest, I am looking into planning my third motorcycle trip of the year...
I HAVE to take eleven days off December 23rd through January 2 because we have a MANDATORY shutdown of operations at that time... ten hours may be unpaid... or paid on sick time...
I was thinking of going to Miami to visit a friend and riding to the Keys to camp, hauling the bike down.
But now I am thinking, what the heck? If it involves a trailer, why not shoot through the rockies down to New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California?
I would be taking camping gear and doing it real cheap, staying with people and maybe sacking out in National Forests...
Any thoughts? Anyone in those areas want a visitor? Spending X Mas in Albequerque or San Diego sounds real nice!
Sunday Nov 7, 9 am - 3 pm The 39th annual Griffith Park Sidecar Rally happens at the lot above the Merry Go Round area. I'll guarantee you'll see some of the most interesting 2 and 3 wheeled contraptionscontrivances there. And it's free!
Since mostly I'm paying retail, except for Antelope Valley Buell, I can't even pretend to be sponsored - SO... I am SPONSORING a performing musician in her US Tour - Danielle Hebert.
Inspired by a friend (Charlotte Dawn's) decision to start a moto-tour of the US, we are working a celebratory gig-of-sorts this Friday the 21st at Taylor Made Racing in Van Nuys. Danielle will provide her music, accompanied by Forrest Robinson (Percussion, vocals, keyboard)
This is inspired by Charlotte Dawn's recent start on her US Tour and enouraged by Danielle's 17,000 mile (so far) moto-musical journey, Melanie Doerman's round-the-USA on her Triumph last year.
Charlotte Dawn just lost her job in Madison - and instead of moping, she simply decided to RIDE for a month (or so) so this in a way, is a celebration of women in motorcycling and motorcycling in general.
Danielle's music is a mix of styles ranging from folkesy to flat-out rocking music and she ONLY does her own music. In fact the last time she "covered" another artists' work was when she sang the Canadian national anthem at the torch lighting ceremony at last February's Vancouver Winter Olympics... but I digress.
Paul Taylor is springing for dinner and requested a head-count so he can order food and set up chairs. You can let him know if you or any others might make it.
Apologies for short notice but this was set up with no real planning, it has just evolved from Danielle saying we should all meet Charlotte for her LA stop on her ride - now to Paul Taylor getting enthused about making a small concert just HAPPEN.
Hope you might make it.
Invite those who you think may enjoy a somewhat laid-back evening of music and moto-socializing.
There's a benefit concert type of event being held for legendary surf music guitar player Eddie Bertrand who fell and broke his hips. The surf music community is coming together to help him with his medical bills.
Eddie was a member of the Belairs in the early 60s and later a founding member of Eddie and the Showmen. The Belairs are best known for Mr. Moto, Eddie and the Showmen best known for Mr. Rebel and Squad Car.
Sun. Mar 6 Pasadena MC Club is having their annual Spring Poker Run. Goes from Pasadena to the Ortega and back on mostly little used highways and back roads through some of the greenest scenery you probably haven't seen in quite a few months.
Starts at Holmes Powersports, 1200 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena. Signup from 7 to 9am. $10
I'm meeting some of my retired and still working riding buddies at the start. Let's get out and ride!!!
Man, so far this year my motorcycle riding has been relegated to an afterthought. It is either raining ( a lot), or my back is hurt, or I'm working and can't make any of the SCAB rides. It finally got nice enough to ride a couple days ago, and I ventured out after work to take some pictures of Twitchell Reservoir on the 166 which is usually empty.
I have felt like the snow bound folks so far this winter, but I hope that spring is finally here and I can ride again.
Hey, if you're not planning to go to Infineon for the AMA races, there is always the Pasadena MC Club's Greenhorn 2-day Poker Run starting at 7-9 am at Cycle Gear in Newhall on May 14th which overnights in Coalinga. $20 to sign up.
This club has a reputation for putting on memorable road rides through some of the most scenic terrain that So Cal offers.
Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2011 - 12:59 am:
Sunday! Sunday!! Sunday!!! It's the 40th ANNIVERSARY Griffith Park SIDE CAR RALLY November 6, 2011 Sunday 9 A.M. - 3 P.M. Come Early! Lot 2, Merry-Go-Round (see map) Griffith Park, Los Angeles
40 Years in the same location!
SPECTATORS FREE !!! Learn all about sidecars and see some of all the best and most unusual sidecars in the world at this years Griffith Park Sidecar Rally. Besides, there's always a pretty cool gathering of spectator's bikes that usually show up.
For Information call (818) 780-5542 ask for Doug Bingham
Not too long ago, the Park Rangers allowed only this group (besides the Boy Scouts) to camp out on Saturday as part of the Sidecar Meet weekend's activities. That was a lot of fun camping out on the grass where one of the oldtimers would set up a screen and show vintage sidecar racing films and such.
Recently though, the event is limited to one day, Sunday, and has been moved from the Mineral Wells Picnic area, then Crystal Springs Picnic area and finally the Merry-Go-Round parking lot.
You know, I did ride to the IMS Long Beach show and I believe I may have talked to you Sparky! I believe it was by the 1190RS. Plus I think I recognize your bike from the parking lot. Are there much for Buell groups in so cal? I haven't seen too much for activity on here.
$10 entry, 50/50 Charity Raffle, Coffee & Donuts at start. Start time is 7 - 9am. Optionally, you can download the flyer & send in lower half to pre-enter. Optional $5 BBQ at finish in Rancho Cucamonga.
This ride is always fun as the club is composed of friendly folks who put on a great event over local roads and oftentimes unusual scenery.
Southern California has become a rather dull site here recently with SCAB having there own site with rides and events. I am a bit north of the Santa Barbara area and try to find rides that I can do within reason of course. With this in mind I am hoping, with great interest, the upcoming Moto West Grand Prix events at Willow Springs Raceway will be a successful replacement for the old WSMC series. It will alternate between the big track and the streets every other month starting on the big track on March 9th and 10th.
A friend from work who use to race his R1 Yamaha there got me hooked on watching and sometimes helping out in the pits years ago, and even though he hurt his hand in a crash and had to stop racing I still met lots of new friends that made me continue to come back. A weekend away from the every day humdrum, with a good ride going and coming from the track, was always something I looked forward to every month.
I hope to see some old friends from the past who continue to love motorcycle racing, and meet new friends in the months to come.
Short notice I know, but I just found out that the guys that were supposed to organize the riders end of this dropped the ball.
My father-in-law's VFW post in San Diego (Pacific Beach) is hosting this event and it would be great to see some patriotic Buell riders show.
Here is the blurb from the post newsletter:
Fundraiser and Rider Community Event: August 13th at 5PM. Glen Russell has just ended a cross country trek from Jacksonville Florida at VFW post at Pacific Beach Post No. 5985. It is located at 853 Turquoise Street San Diego, CA 92109. The BBQ hamburger meals will be available for a $3 donation. There will be local bikers from California veterans organizations and motorcycle club chapters accompanying him. Come out and welcome them. http://diesellife.com/vet-trike-run-18.html
This is a disabled veteran rider on his custom made Diesel trike who has made a coast to coast journey. Apparently the liaison to the motorcycle clubs dropped the ball.
Same place as last year's and the year before that, and the year ...
This is the place and time to see some really different and unusual things one can do with his motorcycle. There might even be a Buell with a sidehack attached to it (I've seen it!).
International Motorcycle Show next weekend in Long Beach.
I should be there next Saturday the 21st weather permitting. This weekend I have to go to the final round of the MWGP in Willow Springs to watch Rob Wever run.
With the good news that EBR will be attending the Long Beach IMS this year, PCH Powersports of Marina del Rey is offering EBR 1190RX & SX Demo Rides now thru 10/30.
The Day After...The Day After... Just got back from Laguna Seca for the WSB/MotoAmerica round there and had a great time. Bumped into Rob Weaver and Stacy, and Steve Slaughter and Sunny by the Pirelli Tire center in the pits. Wearing my Buell shirts while walking around met a few still very passionate Buellers. In Ducati Island someone walks by me and yells out "Now that's a proper motorcycle shirt"!
Talked with Bill ( I hope I got that right ) from down south, for a long time while a Uly owner interrupted us just to say HI.
Saw Smoke and crew, and kept trying to say hi to Cory West but he was duing time announcing and was never in the pits when I was there. I hope the crew told him some dumb guy with a Buell shirt was here and bought a shirt from us too. Dang it Cory, I was rootin for ya!
I think it was better than last year in the Market Place and even bought a couple Galfer rotors for $225 each for my bikes in the future.
Three laps on the fan laps with one real blitz down the front straight through turn one, and a couple of decent double apex turn two corners without screwing up like Tony. All good fun!!
are there still any active so-cal buell groups? it looks like all these forums havent had much activity for a few years. I just got my 1125 and im looking to hook up with anyone in the la/socal area for a meetup/ride.