Ducati Monster Forum

Not that my rides are all that adventurous, but DP was kind enough to merge all my riding stories into one thread.  I'll just add new things here to keep everything in one spot and easier for anyone who wants to catch up later.

-----------------------------------------

Holy Saturday, Batman!


Catholic joke, sorry.

Finally was able to get in some miles for the first time in a couple months.  threw together some video.

hope you enjoy

https://vimeo.com/63038541

Nice vid :)

To borrow a phrase from 2/5 Marines:

"Turn back?  Hell, we just got here."

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_5129_0004-1024x768.jpg)
Apparently Riverside County doesn't really give a crap about warning you of road closures before you get to the closure.


My buddy Dan and I explored the Rancho Santa Rosa Plateau (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Santa_Rosa_(Moreno)) and the hills of Murietta and Fallbrook.  Or at least the 2 lane road parts of it.  De Luz Rd for those who know...

http://twoslow.com/2013/04/24/post-birthday-hump-day-ride/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/04/24/post-birthday-hump-day-ride/)

Nice.  I need to ride Ortega Hwy!

ortega is fun, but too many yahoos and inattentives for my taste.  It's a means to end for me, just a way to get inland faster than going 91/15.

hmmmm, faster than the 91 to the 15 you say....?

Looking at google, says parts are either private or restricted. I head from SJC to Riverside 215/60 a few times a month...

Like Mulholland on a weekend?  Or not quite that bad?

I don't normally read the LA news but seems like a couple people a month are killed on Ortega.  Either due to their own abilities or someone crossing the center line.

 :-\

Well, perhaps I'll have to play hookie on a weekday...

If thats your red duc.. i notice theres no rear tire cover.

Looks better? any adverse affects?

It doesnt rain much here in cali, so im wondering if i need it.

Yup, that's me.


It does look better, opens up the rear tire area.  The shock gets more dirty but meh.  The under seat area also gets more dirty, again meh.

I dug around and found some better pictures. (click the thumb to go through to a full size)

Nice, yea it looks nice. Much cleaner. Think i might do that..

and doest seem all that difficult to remove.

Nick made mine.  it's just two bolts in the same holes that the plastic mud guard used.

Sorry missed your message before.  I find, even on the weekends, the 91 east comes to a crawl, pretty much from Imperial highway to .. well.. it even sucks on the 15S once you transition, sometimes all the way down to Temescal. If it's early enough, 91 to 15 is MUCH faster.  I mean it's full highway speed.  There's only so fast you can go on Ortega.


I have friends who used to live in Wildomar and I'd take Ortega to get to their place.  They live in East Temecula now, so it's about a break even, but at least I'm not parked on the 91/15.  I'd rather move and get there in the same time, than stop/go for an hour.  I'll take Ortega west bound instead of sitting on the 91 on a sunday afternoon.  Or parked on that big fly-over transition from 15N to 91W.  Eff that. 

Parts of Ortega are private or restricted?  Not sure what parts that would be,  go through there all the time with no trouble.

This past weekend I drove with my buddy so he could pick up a new bike.  I took some video and a bunch of pictures (link below).  Hope you enjoy.

http://vimeo.com/66705665 (http://vimeo.com/66705665)
Glory Colorado! May 2013[/url] from Two Slow (http://vimeo.com/twoslow) on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com).


http://twoslow.com/2013/05/glory-colorado/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/05/glory-colorado/)

Realized Thursday I'd done 50,000 miles on my bike. I know that's small potatoes for some of the folks here, but nevertheless I thought it was significant, so I had to take a moment to reflect. Hope you enjoy.

http://twoslow.com/2013/05/what-i-learned-in-50000-miles/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/05/what-i-learned-in-50000-miles/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/morelife-1024x582.jpg)

 Rock on, Sport!

That's a lot of miles on a bike.  I hope to keep a bike long enough to get that many one of these days.   [Dolph]

 I had a BMW K100 that I put 138000 miles on. Then a couple of K100RS that did about 80k between the 2 of them.
 It's just a matter of staying on them.

No reason why a well maintained Monster can't go over 100K.  67K on mine, over 100k last year on a friend's, and I think around or over 200k on a previous  board member's, Phil B. 

 I managed to put 480 miles on my first Monster!
I'm hoping that the next one is a little more durable............

Nice.

That's a great thing man, I'm hoping my years of riding ahead of me are that promising.

Since ACH opened a couple weeks ago I wanted to get up there.  I usually wait too long and the fire, slides, or snow closes it.  I'd planned a day off work and had a hectic weekend so it was a perfect get-away.

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ACHride_0018.jpg)

http://twoslow.com/2013/05/may-28-angeles-crest-highway/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/05/may-28-angeles-crest-highway/)

thats awesome! i think thats more than small potatoes for the average rider here.  I bought mine in 2010, and only have 8400 on it now. admitedly, I dont ride as much as I do.. and here on the east coast we dont have year round riding. :(     great job man!

Nice pics!

I need a hookie day like that soon...

Bought mine in February,  Has 4k.......

man.. i need to stop commuting with this thing and actually ride it!

OMG, I think I wanna have your babies.

Nice. Tango On!

Nice to see the love for the lil' Monster, mine just passed 40K.

Suzyj, you are too funny. Most of us knuckle draggers are not worthy.

haha, i'm flattered.


admittedly, that repair referenced above I eventually did have to send it off to Nick to be fixed, but I tried.  Once I started breaking tools it was time for a professional to take over.

Nice!  I'm coming up on 2 years of ownership and I have just over 12,000 miles on my bike.

I work with a guy who has over 50,000 miles on a Multistrada and another guy I ride with has 55k miles on a Triumph 955... Triumph guy is having problems with it though.

I was having a spot of trouble around the 40-45k area.  It was bad enough.. there was a weekend wife and I were away from the house so my parents were spending the night watching the kids.  I told my dad "If the house starts to burn down, push my bike into the fire."



But since getting over the hump on electrical problems, it's been pretty smooth.

I'm catching up to ya... I'm at 49,4XX on my S2R 1K and I'm responsible for (minus 3 dealer/mfgr miles) every mile. Didn't have an issue until 48k when an exhaust valve guide took a dump on me. Quickly fixed and good as new [thumbsup]

Went there the other week.. lemme know next time you go.

Great ride!!

A while back someone had posted something about having more stories about riding, so here's my attempt at such:


For those who have never heard of it, Palomar Mountain is one of those riding areas in SoCal that is kind of the Holy Trinity of SoCal riding:   ACH, Palomar, Malibu.  Really there's probably more than a trinity but let's call it that.

A buddy of mine recently picked up an 09 Bonneville with 5 miles.  No, that's not a typo.  5 miles.  It was ridden home from the dealer and never moved, although the registration was renewed regularly.  So he picked up an essentially new bike for used bike price.  That said, he promptly hooked into the local triumph riding group and sunday they organized a ride to Palomar.  He extended the invite to some others of us, apparently even ducs were welcome, and I wasn't even the only one.

As I said it was my first time there and I'd always heard stories about it, mostly crash stories.  I was more than a little nervous.  The last time I'd planned to go to Palomar, was back in 2007 and I was to go with OCDC.  As luck would have it, I lowsided 2 days before and couldn't attend.  I always imagined it was some kind of sign to not go to Palomar, so since then I've kind of shied away from it.  Not for any reason really, just bad mojo.

Met up early Sunday and headed out.  Across Ortega, through some back roads, up through Valley Center, then hit the base.  Up through South Grade, a short stop at Mothers, across East Grade, down the mountain, then Mesa Grande over to Santa Ysabel.

Amazing roads by the way.  Great scenery not much traffic once we got off the race track portion of South Grade.  I was by far not the fastest in our group, nor the slowest, the good news I could tell when I was catching up the 'fast' guys because one of them was on a 2 stroke and I could smell them coming.  

All told it was about 320 miles, give or take, door to door.

Some pics here:  http://twoslow.com/2013/07/july-28-palomar-with-socal-rat/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/07/july-28-palomar-with-socal-rat/)

Hope you enjoy.

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/520.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/wppa/540.jpg)

and yes, i'll be buying the Rick Clemson photo, before anyone gets on my case.

How do you like the Variant?

You rode Palomar and did not get a ticket?  Good Man!  Even my CHP riding buddies from LA county avoid the CHP in San Diego County as the CHP office there has a mandate from up the ladder stating "Get those sport bikes off the road any way you can".

I have a nightmare story of running afoul of an air officer and ground officer there.  They setup a huge speed trap and every sport bike that day got a ticket.  I fought and won mine but the air officer was so angry he tried to arrest me outside.  I had to run back into the courtroom for help.

Long but whacky story.  I won't ride anywhere near SD county ever again.

I've ridden Palomar a dozen times with everything from one to two others all the way to a 25 bike Monster ride. No tickets, no cops, no nothing for me or anyone else.

Maybe things have changed there.  The day I got nailed for a double yellow pass (ten miles from Palomar and pulled over at the split) there were about 60 of us that got tickets.  The SD CHP was running a plane and the ground guys were running a motorhome and not using turnouts.  As soon as someone passed, bam ticket at the top.  Both CHP officers perjured themselves at the hearing (lied about how it all came down) and despite all that I still won the ticket.

They also used to run equipment checks just for bikes down there.  I know that is now illegal but when my CHippy buds won't ride there neither will I lol.

You are making a bunch of inflammatory accusations about something we aren't supposed to be talking about. Don't ruin the poor guys Palomar thread.

Not wanting to ruin a thread, Palomar was a fun place to ride.  Then off to Julian.  It was my old stomping grounds.  No accusations, just facts  [thumbsup]

I like it, except for when there are cross winds.  Visor is convex so it's optically correct, as near as I can tell, and it feels sturdy when I flip it up/down.  My other helmet, the visor twists when I flip it down, not this one.

My only real complaint is the white rubbery parts used above the "nose", the visor seal, and around the neck get dirty very easily.  I use one of those Mr Clean magic eraser things to scrub it clean every month or so.


I don't think I saw a single highway patrol the whole day.

And I can say, I'm sooooooo glad I wasn't doing something stupid when Rick Clemson took that photo of me.

Even better photos here Andy.


http://www.1904photography.com/Palomar-Mountain-motorcycle/2013/july-28/30795322_7pZm96# (http://www.1904photography.com/Palomar-Mountain-motorcycle/2013/july-28/30795322_7pZm96#)!i=2663393417&k=JR8SX8g


(http://www.1904photography.com/Palomar-Mountain-motorcycle/2013/july-28/i-hMkTjN5/0/L/20130728_Palomar%20Mountain_0168-L.jpg)


and my four cylinder Monster.  ;D

(http://www.1904photography.com/Palomar-Mountain-motorcycle/2013/july-28/i-kL2TTJ5/0/L/20130728_Palomar%20Mountain_0451-L.jpg)

Seemed like a pretty good day on the mtn, no crashes and good riding all morning, I left about noon. [Dolph]

cool thanks, I didn't know about 1904.  As a side note, it was a buddy of mine who asked you at Mother's what kind of bike that was.  One of the yahoos I was with, blue gsxr flame paint job, insisted it was a monster. "Bet you money it's a monster."  me: "you're going to lose that bet, i know my monsters."  So our other friend walked over and asked.  He came back and said to us "MV something or other"

I laughed.

and.. uh.. i missed this guy

(http://www.1904photography.com/Palomar-Mountain-motorcycle/2013/july-28/i-NxFhwTw/0/L/20130728_Palomar%20Mountain_0307-L.jpg)

and this guy
(http://www.1904photography.com/Palomar-Mountain-motorcycle/2013/july-28/i-z77rJdr/0/L/20130728_Palomar%20Mountain_1082-L.jpg)

Perfect bike for the twisties? A stretched, turbine powered handfull.  [laugh]
Does that Yamaha have a Vermont plate?

I would have liked to check out the jet bike in person even just for the novelty factor.

As for the Vermont plate, we see a lot of that due to the large military presence here in SD county. Many choose to keep their vehicles registered in their home state as it's also much cheaper and many end up leaving/transfer/back home too. Fine by me, I support the military volunteers. [thumbsup]

I was more concerned with what he's wearing than his tags...

Yesterday was the fall equinox.  Kind of bummer, because the days will only get shorter after this.  Not that riding season ever really ends in SoCal, but still  Robert and I finally found a day we could hang out, blocked out a couple hours, and took him for his first trip on ACH, and first real street ride on the KTM.

ACH and Mt Wilson - more (http://twoslow.com/2013/09/end-of-summer-ach/)


(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/IMG_6085_0028.jpg)

Hehe, used to fly my paraglider there once in a while ( :  Nice pic with the KTM

Make it over to Wrightwood?

That area was my home turf for 15 years.   [thumbsup]

;D ;D

Nice pic, nice bike  [thumbsup]

we actually started from the wrightwood side.  I wanted to ride it all the way through again before it closes.



that's my buddy's KTM.  Not much juice on the highway, but it does fine on the crest.

Not to belabor the obvious....but the days have been getting shorter since the Summer Solstice in June.  Can't let that stop a good ride!   ;D

You're right.  I guess I wasn't as articulate as I thought.  Thanks for keeping me astronomically accurate.  [beer]

My buddy Jon had been hankering for a while to ride ACH and the timing just never worked out.  When I was going, he couldn’t make it.  When he was free, I wasn’t.  Not that I needed to be there, I’m am by far NOT an expert at riding ACH (or riding anything, for that matter).  But it’s nice to have someone familiar when you’re hitting a new road.  Everything was going great until…

http://twoslow.com/2013/10/bad-day-at-islip/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/10/bad-day-at-islip/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1014-ACH_0009.jpg)

Not so much a bad day as a story to tell. Funny to see that there's already snow up there. I feel it's going to be a wet/cold winter.

Pretty much the same conclusion I had as i was finally getting onto the 210 to head home.  It really wasn't THAT bad, but my buddy who has no money for a new front tire is pretty bummed out.

Grand scheme of things, not so bad, but still a bummer :)

What is ACH?

Mark

Angeles Crest Highway I believe

Tis a great road with a great sportbike scene and a million LEO's on weekends........  I think we have a better set of roads up here in Nor-Cal.  Can you say ICEHOUSE?

http://goo.gl/maps/0T8xr (http://goo.gl/maps/0T8xr)

cept it's in NorCal. :P

that does look pretty cool, but yeah, it is about 7 hours away from me.  can't really pull that off on a monday-off from work.

I bet this bad day on ACH still comes close to if not fully beating a good day in the office cubicle....

ha, indeed.  Actually before I wrote the article, my status on FB was "A bad day riding is better than a good day at work."

No belt? :D

one of my riding buddies pointed out, after much studying of his ass, that he's not wearing a thong, it's just a weird combination of shadow and his shirt.

foggy and chilly.. lots of porsche and ferrari today

http://twoslow.com/2013/10/oct-26-cars-and-coffee/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/10/oct-26-cars-and-coffee/)


(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1026-Cars-and-Coffee_0037.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1026-Cars-and-Coffee_0038.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1026-Cars-and-Coffee_0039.jpg)

You cannot go to C&C and only post 3 pictures.  A dozen should be the bare minimum.  I demand more!

Yea, what he said^^^^^
I was scrolling down and came to an unexpecting abrupt end >:(

I commend you for going. I took one look at the skies down here and made other plans. 8)

I didn't feel like duplicating everything.  if you follow the link there are 39 pictures.

The new Vette......rawr.  the rear is somewhat bigger than I'd like, but it's still pretty hot.  Nice pics of the old MG's.

Safety First!

Taking my son and visitors next weekend if the weather is looking better than this past weekend.

 

Yesterday my former USMC buddy and I jumped on our two-wheeled freedom machines to honor our veterans/servicemembers and celebrate freedom.

http://twoslow.com/2013/11/nov-11-big-bear/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/11/nov-11-big-bear/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1111-Ride_0009.jpg)

This is about as much fall color as we get in SoCal:
(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1111-Ride_0025.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1111-Ride_0022.jpg)

he has excellent taste in 2 wheeled machinery!

[thumbsup]

Its sergeant.  ;D

you're right.  for some reason 'Sargent' gets through spell check, but sargent doesn't.

I just use SGT and it never is a problem!

>>What follows is a shameless threadjack for which I apologise in advance.<<

Sargent/Sergeant... at least we all agree how to pronounce it.

Lieutenant is the one that gets me.  

You say Loo-tenant, I say Leff-tenant (although how the make the beast with two backs we got leff-tenant out of that I have NFI).

When I look at the word my brain sees Loyt-en-ant.  So the Germans got it right.

>>End threadjack.<<

Nice pics  [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

We had this drilled into us in the academy. I still to this day say to myself "ser ge ANT" and "lie u ten ANT" to myself as I type them. As well as "meth amp phet a mine".  :)

I worked with a Marine. He was great except he wanted to kill everybody. And he always "forgot" his wallet at lunch time.

sounds like a .. great guy.. ? 

I was lucky, my buddy owed me a lunch when we got up to big bear.  I was ready to buy for Vet's Day, but he insisted.  Who am I to say no?

was invited to join some friends/friends of friends, up to hwy 33/lockwood today

http://twoslow.com/2013/12/dec-1-ojai/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/12/dec-1-ojai/)

Absolutely beautiful day

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1201-Ojai_0020.jpg)

Indeed, I have a friend whom lives at the bottom of 33, I need to get up there for a ride/visit.

Saturday over in Idyllwild was a bit cool near the peak but otherwise a great day.

same in ojai.  was cool/chilly all day, never a bad thing.  I almost took my liner out when we were leaving OC, but really glad I didn't.  wasn't really warm until we were heading home through sylmar.

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1201-Ojai_0024.jpg)


I think I see sasquatch off to the right. ;D


Nice write up Andy. [thumbsup]

I remember the first time I rode with Privateer (Andy) was a ride up the 33! Ryan- Bacon junkie had bacon and maple bacon cupcakes and  [bacon] at the house before we all rode off.. Was cold that time and recall snow and some patchy black ice on the back side.

 [thumbsup]

Ha, I remember that ride! I was the one that met you at Gelson's on Franklin before heading to Ryan's.

Actually, I think that was the last ride with Stu, Ryan, Robert (Orangelion03), and Miles (duc_poultry).

And those cupcakes were unbelievable!!

that route we took from moorpark to santa paula to ojai is what I tried to talk this group into, but they weren't hip on it.  so we slabbed it.  whatever, i'm more about hanging out with good folks than what % of my miles are twisty.

+1

That's Right !!.. You had the green Duc... I dug that ride.

I got home and told the wife about those cupcakes... she's been making them regularly since.

Coincidentally, every year I ride to Laguna Seca for the GP (not for 2014 though [thumbsdown]) through that section.... taking the back way all the way up [thumbsup]

Thank God for WSBK so i can still ride up and catch some racing

Thanks man.

Fun day all around!

You guys are making me sick.  I'm finally living in SoCal and with no f*cking bike!! !! !!
 [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang]


I rode with Bacon, SacDuc, Orangelion and DantheMan to Ojai during Dimby.  IIRC..we were supposed to head out on that route but the rain started and nobody had raingear.   

Well, you said you're probably gonna be here for a little while. Time to start the search!! [thumbsup] [Dolph]

http://www.rentaducati.com (http://www.rentaducati.com)


Just saying......... [Dolph]

Forgot about that!

Looks like we've got it all worked out for you IZ. [thumbsup] [Dolph]

……. I think we can come up with a bike for you to ride [thumbsup]

I'll have to look into the rental duc deal one of these days or just go test a bike at Newport.  I am seriously going crazy here.

for the problems of SoCal, the 300+ riding days/year make up for most of it.

well first ride for me, of the new year, I suppose.

Anyway, chalked up my first one, as is my custom.  I like heading out on the 1st, usually very few people out and about, but I chose a poor destination this time, I think.  Or at least a poor route.

I wanted to check out a new place (to me) out in the sticks.

moar: http://twoslow.com/2014/01/first-new-years-ride/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/01/first-new-years-ride/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0101-Big-Bear-Pioneertown_0007.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0101-Big-Bear-Pioneertown_0022.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0101-Big-Bear-Pioneertown_0027.jpg)

That looks just flat out nice to me in Michigan, got any more.  I see a little snow but at least it is above zero!

I always thought 38 was a better route than 330, although, I've never taken 330.

Nice photos.

not sure if you followed the link but there's more there.



I did 38 back in November.  38 is more scenic, and usually less traffic.  330 is usually in better condition.  Oak Glen Road is a nice diversion off 38, but you can't really rail it or anything, as it's more residential.

http://twoslow.com/2013/11/nov-11-big-bear/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/11/nov-11-big-bear/)

Nice pictures!

Is this a stock handlebar?

Don't think that is.

JM

Suburban Machinery.

correct.

 I loved those bars on my Monster!

ACH seemed like a good idea

http://twoslow.com/2014/01/jan-20-ach/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/01/jan-20-ach/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0120-ACH_0001.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0120-ACH_0014.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0120-ACH_0017.jpg)

 You suck! (in the best way)
While it was nice and sunny here it was under 40 degrees F. and windy as the dickens.
 Frickin first world problems!

Great pics!  [thumbsup]

Nice!  Like that helmet too.  Must've been a cool ride up there?

80* so we went to Laguna Beach.  [thumbsup]

the high pass at Pacific Crest was chilly, down in the 50's I think.  wrightwood was pretty chilly too,

hot helmet!

Wow, I hate you.

 ;D

-5 here in MN right now, snow and ice everywhere.  :P

Yeah, what helmet is that? looks like a cross between a dirt and street helmet...

 [popcorn]

Icon Variant, /methink

correct.

https://vimeo.com/86171613 (https://vimeo.com/86171613)

http://vimeo.com/86171613 (http://vimeo.com/86171613)

Company Holiday - MLK Day (https://vimeo.com/86171613) from Two Slow (http://vimeo.com/twoslow) on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com)

iMovie effed up the audio in a couple clips, and I don't have the will to try and fix it.  sorry about that.

not actually to the lake itself, but the little cafe near the lake.  With the lack of rain we've had the lake and reservoirs are down pretty far.  But all in all a very good non-work day of riding.  Even found some of my riding buddies up at he cafe when i got there, just by chance.

more pics in the link.

http://twoslow.com/2014/02/crystal-lake-feb-17/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/02/crystal-lake-feb-17/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/217-Crystal-Lake_0006.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/217-Crystal-Lake_0007.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/217-Crystal-Lake_0013.jpg)

Crystal Lake, eh? That sounds eerily familiar...

(http://anythinghorror.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/crystal-lake-memories-cover.jpg)

haha.  i never made the connection.
no homicidal maniacs, far as I know.  just a cash-only cafe/store (scary enough) at the top with some campgrounds and cabins.

Got in this convo late, but if you guys ever come up this way, drop me a line.
By the way, I live in Santa Paula now, one block off Ojai Road (150)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/bandittour33_zps4a608bb6.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/bandittour33_zps4a608bb6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/bandittour33_zps4a608bb6.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/orangelion03/media/bandittour33_zps4a608bb6.jpg.html)

I'd love to ride up since I'm in Irvine now.  No bike at the moment though.   :'(

I remember hearing about your move.  This ride wasn't mine to lead and truth be told I didn't know were we were going until I showed up.  Originally was going to be ACH but turned into Ojai once we all got together.

Spring started this week.  The days are getting longer and I was itching to get some miles in and things worked out for me to get on the road today.  I’d been down (up?) to Palomar with the RAT group (http://twoslow.com/2013/07/july-28-palomar-with-socal-rat/) a couple months ago and I wanted to get out there again with some time to stop and grab some photos.  Such a beautiful day – spring has sprung.  A little overcast and fogged in through the morning but cleared up by 11 or so.  Cows everywhere on the ranches.  And bugs, lots of bugs on the road.

more pics and story after the jump

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Mar232014_0026.jpg)

Yup East grade is like a whole different world.  

Froze my fingers off over on South Grade yesterday.

Must have been very satisfying.
God, I miss bugs.  [laugh]

(http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o508/jobo12/emoticons/winterpic_zps2f6729ab.jpg) (http://s1145.photobucket.com/user/jobo12/media/emoticons/winterpic_zps2f6729ab.jpg.html)

Helps when I include the link

http://twoslow.com/2014/03/rite-spring-palomar/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/03/rite-spring-palomar/)

Great post! That area + Anza-Borrego is one of my favorite as well.

Btw what helmet is that?

 Spring is here in the NorthWet as well, yesterdays ride was only 55 miles butt it had some nice curvy bits. It was the first time that I've started to push the bike a little, and boy did it respond! I had a little powerslide coming out of a tight left hander that makes understand why some people like traction control! Sliding my K1200RS was a doddle, with the smooth power delivery and the long wheelbase it was fun, butt with this puppy everything happens a bit quicker!
 I got the pp3s scrubbed up the edges anyway and never felt like it was getting ragged save for that one little bit of drifting.
 I sure do love this bike, the challenge is using some of its potential without binning it!

it's funny how many people ask that.

it's an Icon Variant.

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Mar232014_0055.jpg)

We had a company holiday today and a couple buddies from work all got hall passes so we hit the road. One guy, you know who you are, wanted a 6 hour run up the coast. Uh, pass. How about Angeles Crest Highway?  [more] (http://twoslow.com/2014/04/good-friday-2014-ach/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/0418_ACH_0008.jpg)

Spectacular  [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

Good times!

i'm wondering... after getting some comments on another forum, if I should keep all my posts like this to one thread?  Do people care?  admins, do you care?

Doesn't bother me but it would probably reduce clutter, and be more useful to us, the viewers, to follow your adventures in one running thread.

It doesn't really matter from a server point of view. The amount of extra space required to start a new thread in miniscule compared to our capacity. I pretty much read everything here anyway so it doesn't matter to me if it's a new thread or a continuation.

Whatever floats your boat.

OK, thanks.  Some forum's users feel more strongly about it apparently.  Not sure what their concern was.

the best part about socal is being able to be in the mountains, the desert, and the beach all in one day.  Two out of three isn't bad.

http://twoslow.com/2014/06/june-21-saturday-fun-day/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/06/june-21-saturday-fun-day/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/0621-Saturday-FunDay_0004.jpg)

went up to big bear today with some buddies from work: http://twoslow.com/2014/08/end-summer-big-bear/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/08/end-summer-big-bear/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0824-Big-Bear-Ride_0010.jpg)


And I hit 70k.
(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0824-Big-Bear-Ride_0009.jpg)

Izzat a Monster 1200?


(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0824-Big-Bear-Ride_0002.jpg)

12S, yes.  The guy on the Speed Triple had a MTS1200 until yesterday.  surprised us all with a new bike.

My kids went back to school today so I celebrated by playing with my camera on GMR

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/0902-GMR_0006.jpg)

http://twoslow.com/2014/09/first-day-school-gmr/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/09/first-day-school-gmr/)

I've had better days (http://twoslow.com/2014/10/ive-had-better-days/)

Work has been pretty crazy lately so I decided to take a day off and get some riding in.  Let’s just say I’ve had better days.  It started off like a lot of my riding days do.  I hem and haw over where to ride until I land on a route I’m feeling good about that fits into the time and weather.  Usually ends up pretty well.  As a friend pointed out, I’ve had worse days, but I’ve definitely had better.


(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/1013-ACH-break-down_0020.jpg)


http://twoslow.com/2014/10/ive-had-better-days/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/10/ive-had-better-days/)

Balls.

Time to upgrade to MOSFET?

I think it's time for a new bike.

days off are awesome when your bike doesn't break down.  And I saw a freaking bear!

http://twoslow.com/2014/11/crystal-lake-nov-12/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/11/crystal-lake-nov-12/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1112-Crystal-Lake_0100.jpg)

No picture of the bear?

didn't have time to get my camera out, but I thought the same thing when I got around the bend.  There are pictures on FB somewhere of the bear at the Cafe however.

and I have to say how impressed I am with my luck in the pic above, getting myself in the mirror by fortunate accident.

you're getting your money's worth for sure, sucks to see it on a flat bed.
Hope the side stand survived OK.
I just parked mine yesterday, probably until April.
I'm a ways behind at about 59200 miles.
Lots of dark, dirty, cold and wet miles lately but I wouldn't trade a one of em.

I notice the de-soled boot - your boots look similar to my Dianese TRQ Tour ('cept my soles still intact besides where I ground the toe).

indeed they are dainese torque out boots, the predecessor I think to the TRQ.
Little gorilla glue the other night solved the sole problem.

hit Long Beach IMS today

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/wppa/1151.jpg)

http://twoslow.com/2014/11/long-beach-ims-2014/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/11/long-beach-ims-2014/)



(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/wppa/1174.jpg)

went to Cars and Coffee today. http://twoslow.com/2014/11/cars-coffee-nov-22/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/11/cars-coffee-nov-22/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1122-Cars-and-Coffee_0042.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1122-Cars-and-Coffee_0043.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1122-Cars-and-Coffee_0048.jpg)
predictably leaking oil

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1122-Cars-and-Coffee_0045.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1122-Cars-and-Coffee_0049.jpg)

Palomar on Black Friday? Great idea. My buddy Marco and I rode out in lieu of spending money we didn't have on things we didn't need.

http://twoslow.com/2014/11/black-friday-palomar-mt/ (http://twoslow.com/2014/11/black-friday-palomar-mt/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1128-Palomar_0022.jpg)

I followed custom this year again and fit in a solid New Years Day ride with Mike and Marco from work and my very good buddy Jon here at Two Slow.  Jon and I rarely hook up because our schedules don’t match so it was great to see him after so long.  The lovely Adell joined us as well, always good to see the both of them.  The weather has been so frigid lately I was honestly thinking about cancelling but Mike and Marco’s enthusiasm convinced me to get out.  We met up a little later than we usually do and headed up into the Malibu hills for the World Famous Rock Store (where we saw Jay Leno but I couldn’t get my camera out fast enough) and Neptune’s Net for lunch.

http://twoslow.com/2015/01/new-years-day-ride-2015/ (http://twoslow.com/2015/01/new-years-day-ride-2015/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0101-Malibu_0004-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0101-Malibu_0010-1024x768.jpg)
(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0101-Malibu_0012-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0101-Malibu_0013-1024x768.jpg)

poor lil 996. :'(

yeah it was pretty beat.  maybe it goes like shit through a goose, I don't know, but it looked like it was painted with a paintbrush.  more than once.

IMO it's kind of refreshing to see a Ducati that's been ridden hard and put away wet.
Or is it abused and neglected  [laugh].
Anyways, a little unusual and different.
Thanks for sharing.

nothing breaks my heart more than seeing a couple-or-more year old bike with no miles on it.  

I will give the guy points for the copious use of zip ties to hold the fairings on.  very macgyver.

such a beautiful day Friday...

http://twoslow.com/2015/01/red-sky-warning/ (http://twoslow.com/2015/01/red-sky-warning/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Work-Day_0001-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Work-Day_0035-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Work-Day_0043-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Work-Day_0048-1024x768.jpg)

Indeed it has been nice to see green. [thumbsup]

Had been invited on a group ride to Julian today but things feel through and it had to be postponed a couple weeks.  well I had the day blocked off already, so I went up to ACH to try an exorcise some demons.

http://twoslow.com/2015/02/angeles-crest-highway-feb-15/ (http://twoslow.com/2015/02/angeles-crest-highway-feb-15/)

Newcomb's was pretty busy, seemed like it at least.

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0215-ACH-ride_0018-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0215-ACH-ride_0026-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0215-ACH-ride_0030-1024x768.jpg)

this is what we call 'snow':
(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0215-ACH-ride_0031a-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0215-ACH-ride_0059-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0215-ACH-ride_0069-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0215-ACH-ride_0063-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0215-ACH-ride_0077-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0215-ACH-ride_0092-1024x768.jpg)

not a ride or anything, but this happened today:

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/wppa/1196.jpg)

Rock on dude!

As hesitant as I was to ride GMR after all the shenanigans going on up there lately, I wanted to get a shorter ride in before I met the wife for lunch on St Patrick’s Day.  We’ve made it a small tradition to have lunch, just the two of us, at our local.  She always gets corned beef and cabbage, and I always get a corned beef sandwich.  I took off soon as the kids were off to school and hit the hill early before most people were out of school or bed.

If you aren’t from SoCal and you haven’t heard, apparently a local resident is unhappy with the motorcycle traffic on Glendora Mountain Road, aka GMR, and has been pouring motor oil in the road to cause people to crash or at the very least stay away.  There have been plenty of pictures of the oil and even some video of a suspect red SUV but unofficial word as of 3/17 is no action has been taken.

http://twoslow.com/2015/03/gmr-grr-st-patricks-day-2015/ (http://twoslow.com/2015/03/gmr-grr-st-patricks-day-2015/)  (more pics in the link)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/317-StPatrickDay_0013-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/317-StPatrickDay_0031-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/317-StPatrickDay_0044-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/317-StPatrickDay_0049-1024x768.jpg)

Still looked like someone's pouring oil on GMR, but there was nothing fresh this morning.

http://twoslow.com/2015/04/april-11-gmr/ (http://twoslow.com/2015/04/april-11-gmr/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/0411-GMR-SoCal-Moto_0010-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/0411-GMR-SoCal-Moto_0011-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/0411-GMR-SoCal-Moto_0012-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/0411-GMR-SoCal-Moto_0017-1024x768.jpg)

What's the story with the Mustang.

I wish I knew more.  There was no one with the CHP that I saw.  I saw some sport-compact guys at the top of GMR and they said they had passed the car earlier and there was no one around.

I'll take a guess and say it happened over night.  Either way, whoever was driving was pretty lucky.

I took a ride for my birthday.  The weather didn't really cooperate

http://twoslow.com/2015/04/2015-birthday-ride-crystal-lake/ (http://twoslow.com/2015/04/2015-birthday-ride-crystal-lake/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/0424-Birthday-Ride_0011-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/0424-Birthday-Ride_0012-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/0424-Birthday-Ride_0018-1024x768.jpg)

HBD Andy. [thumbsup]

thanks buddy. I'd planned to go down to palomar that day, but schedules got hosed and the weather didn't cooperate.  I don't mind getting caught in the rain if I'm near home.  I don't want to be 2 hours away and caught in the rain.

I took a couple vacation days over Memorial Day weekend and ended it by hitting GMR, aka Glendora Mountain Road.  I've been up there many times, and lately been going more due to its proximity to home.  It's a darn good road that's not usually busy off-peak.  Jon had never been, surprisingly, so that sealed the deal.  I'm by no means an expert at GMR, far from it, but I know enough to take someone who has never been.

Click for more... (http://twoslow.com/2015/05/memorial-day-gmr/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/05262015-GMR-Ride_0008-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/05262015-GMR-Ride_0011a-768x1024.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/05262015-GMR-Ride_0022-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/05262015-GMR-Ride_0027-1024x768.jpg)

The oil thing makes me sick to my stomach. Any word on whether any progress has been made in catching that asshole?

no idea, but the last 2 times (end of april, and this last weekend) I've been up there I haven't seen any new oil.  I have a feeling the pressure got to the guy.  Allegedly the cops had their suspect but no proof so they couldn't do anything.  I'm sure that got the guy to stop, at least for now.

(https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11406932_10206786261040333_3623524482013371129_n.jpg?oh=1d4459baf0292a13577e4ceb78acf258&oe=55EB25C0)

june had been really busy so I didn't get to ride much, but after an 8 day road trip I decided to knock some dust off and go for a spin.

http://twoslow.com/2015/07/july-5-dust-it-off/ (http://twoslow.com/2015/07/july-5-dust-it-off/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/0705-Sunday-Ride_0002-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/0705-Sunday-Ride_0010-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/0705-Sunday-Ride_0028-1024x768.jpg)

... Im 10k behind ya!

 [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

I think I'm at 78,3xx now.

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/wpid-wp-1438131208109.jpg)

We are well and good into the dog days of summer. It's way too hot to do much of anything, even riding in this heat isn't fun. But I haven't really been on my bike for fun in quite a while so I decided to brave the temps and just get in a quick ride around town. Can't wait for milder temps to return so I can start getting some longer rides into the rotation.

http://twoslow.com/2015/08/quick-summer-ride-aug-15/ (http://twoslow.com/2015/08/quick-summer-ride-aug-15/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/0815-Quick-Ride_0007-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/wpid-wp-1441067467928.jpg)

 [thumbsup]

Havent quite hit 40k miles on my old girl.

busy summer and this lingering heat has been bullshit, but I managed to put in some miles today


http://twoslow.com/2015/10/its-been-a-while-gmr-oct-16/ (http://twoslow.com/2015/10/its-been-a-while-gmr-oct-16/)


(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/multi-pose2-1024x498.png)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/101615-GMR_0010-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/101615-GMR_0031-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/101615-GMR_0044-1024x768.jpg)

man it's been a while since I did any riding worth writing about.

http://twoslow.com/2015/12/socal-norton-run-roses/ (http://twoslow.com/2015/12/socal-norton-run-roses/)

Buddy and I joined SoCal Norton club for their annual ride

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/123115-SoCal-Norton-ACH_0004-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/123115-SoCal-Norton-ACH_0005-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/123115-SoCal-Norton-ACH_0013-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/123115-SoCal-Norton-ACH_0024-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/123115-SoCal-Norton-ACH_0045-1024x768.jpg)

Never seen a Ural solo before. Not a bad look!

yeah we couldn't figure out what the lever is on the left side above the footpeg

Kickstart lever, same format as the BMW's.

As demonstrated by the lovely Naomi Watts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyrDoGdif_o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyrDoGdif_o)

I had a day off work so I decided to take a spin up to GMR.  I’d heard the road up to Crystal Lake was damaged and closed so I wanted to see what was going on.  GMR is so close, it’s a quick getaway with minimal freeway time and I’m not so far out in the hinterland if something goes bad.  After my electrical problem on ACH a while back I’m a little hesitant to head out that far again, especially alone.

It was a bright, sunny, windy day.  Blustery, as Pooh would call it, and unseasonably warm.  It was in the 80’s yesterday for the Superbowl, and I slept with the window open after too much post-game sushi celebrating (and beer of course)...

http://twoslow.com/2016/02/gmr-feb-8/ (http://twoslow.com/2016/02/gmr-feb-8/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/0208-GMR_0009-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/0208-GMR_0018-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/0208-GMR_0027-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/0208-GMR_0037-1024x768.jpg)

what helmet is that?

 You oughta be arrested for having that riding available to you!!

Awesome pictures

this made me laugh

because

It's an Icon Variant.  I just got the mirror shield a few weeks ago.  Not really fan.  do not recommend.  would not buy again.

guilty as charged, your honor.  there's a bunch more if you click through the link.  no ads, no spam, no evilness.  i'm too dumb to build a site that does that.

The mirror shield, or the helmet?

the mirror shield.  it's slightly reflective on the inside as well, so I can see my eyes, glasses, nose, etc.  distracting.  Took me a few days to learn to ignore it, but it's still there, and sometimes I catch myself focusing on the reflection of my pupil and iris.

does it vent pretty well?  I'm assuming they have dark shields too

it vents as well as other helmets I've owned.  It is on the quieter side, and I noticed it was even quieter when I took off my small chatterbox and helmet camera.  I did have to remove my bike's fly screen when I got this helmet because the wind hit right in the neck area and made it really noisy.

they do have dark shields, which is what I replaced.  The dark one had swirl marks on the inside after a trip to mexico and a stupid attempt to wipe it clean.  There are pics of the dark screen earlier in this thread.  I'd never used a mirrored so I wanted to see how it was.  Like I tell my kids, you have to try new things to find out if you like them.

I haven't been on my bike 'for fun' in months, since beginning of Feb.  Work has been kicking my ass and family life has been busy.  But I had a long weekend so I squeaked in a short ride.

http://twoslow.com/2016/05/memorial-day-2016-azusa-gmr/ (http://twoslow.com/2016/05/memorial-day-2016-azusa-gmr/)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/0527-AzusaGMR_0001-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/0527-AzusaGMR_0012-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/0527-AzusaGMR_0016-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/0527-AzusaGMR_0023-1024x768.jpg)

so this happened today

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/87654odometer-1024x1024.jpg)

I'd had a rough patch of luck with the bike in the last 12 months. Lots more down time than up time.  It resulted back in September of a total failure of the dash (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=74384.0).

Thank you Nick aka Speeddog (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=8) for getting me running again with some creative solutions, and for catching me up on all that deferred maintenance: forks, fork seals, valve service et al, brake rotors, a rear tire with not one but two nails.

Those who know what this means...
(http://i.imgur.com/ejhFCoi.jpg)


Nick was buttoning up the headlight area
(http://i.imgur.com/5sDU4MJ.jpg)


He used this awesome woven sleeve to bundle up the wire harness after I chopped it all apart looking for a short (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=73631.0).
(http://i.imgur.com/qKP4L11.jpg)


800SS clocks inside my monster shells, since my dash let out it's magic smoke (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=74384.msg1378656#msg1378656)
(http://i.imgur.com/zrXjCiD.jpg)


I needed new rotors, along with a bunch of other stuff
(http://i.imgur.com/DIqZ6Mu.jpg)


And back at home where it belongs
(http://i.imgur.com/G5Xg7NR.jpg)

after far too long of a break, i'm back to riding for fun.

http://twoslow.com/2017/04/azusa-april-1/

My buddy Robert had never been to Azusa Canyon, and I hadn’t been on a pleasure ride in.. months.. since before my bike broke.  What?  Since May of last year?  Holy Crap.  The weather has cleared up and been beautiful the last couple weekends, but I’ve been busy.  I cancelled some things so I could have a weekend for myself, wife had the little one at a dance workshop.   Called my buddy, and we rolled out nice and early.  We hit the Southern California Motorcycles Open House after and called it a day.

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/IMG_5434-768x576.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/IMG_5420-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/IMG_5432-1024x768.jpg)

and I saw this at the local dealer's open house (http://twoslow.com/2017/04/socal-motos-open-house-2017/) later that day

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/IMG_5450-1024x768.jpg)

Glad the issues are sorted and you've been able to get in a few rides! 👍🏻👍🏻

http://twoslow.com/2017/10/confidence-matters/

SoCal is pretty deep into Autumn now so the mornings are chilly, the days are warm, and the evenings are chilly again.  The weather was great, clear with a little chill in the air-enough to keep it too hot.  I’d taken Robert up to Crystal Lake, jeez, a year ago, but he hadn’t seen GMR so we took it easy and just cruised to the top.  Then down the back side, through Azusa then off to East Fork Supply for their coffee and donuts, courtesy of Black Top Society.

http://twoslow.com/2017/11/gmr-donuts-cold-brew/

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_5598-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_5609-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_5614-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_5619-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_5620-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_5628-1024x768.jpg)

Lightning TT/Catalina?

I'm a little behind, but I went riding on Black Friday:

http://twoslow.com/2017/11/black-friday-2017/

Black Friday.  Ugh.  One of the days a year we only hear about the worst of our humanity.  I make it habit to go riding on this day to get away from the TV and insanity.  Jon and I haven’t gone on a ride in a long time, and I hadn’t seen him and Adell since their wedding so I really wanted to connect and catch up with them.  They’d never been to Pappy and Harriet’s, so I decided I’d take them for lunch to check it out.

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5630-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5638-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5656-1024x768.jpg)
Hard to see but that sign says 7,000 feet.

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5674-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5685-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5690-1024x768.jpg)

(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5709-1024x768.jpg)

nameservers are fickle.  changed hosts.  updated nameservers.  worked great yesterday, suddenly now pointing at the old host.

http://twoslow.com/2018/01/womens-motorcycle-show-3/

i went to the motolady show.


(https://i2.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_5786.jpg)

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(https://i0.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_5793.jpg)

(https://i1.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_5802.jpg)

had a company holiday so I was able to get a day of riding.  took wayyyy too many pictures.

http://twoslow.com/2018/03/good-friday-2018-ach/

(https://i1.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6121.jpg)

(https://i1.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_5975.jpg)

(https://i0.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6103.jpg)

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(https://i0.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6155.jpg)

it was kind of an adventure -



http://twoslow.com/2018/08/a-day-like-any-other/

good writing Im right there holding onto the handle bars; my knee and head hurts after reading that; glad to hear your fine; sucks about bike, expenses etc

Can totally relate, did a high-side when I was 12 on a suzi ts 75; on a dusting of snow-ey oiled dirt road while goosing the throttle around a long corner; getting nervier until I saw the sun melted the snow and gto full traction; I could see it coming so started to compensate; bike went straight up but not over; wobbling, rode it over the embankment trying to control a bucking bronco  that was trying to throw its rider; on impact chin hit the bars; ribs hit tank; bike ended up pinning one foot to the boulders I was 40 ft down ... no one was around; I dragged that bike over the boulders with cracked ribs, sore foot; idled back to the cabin; bars a little bent ... hurt to breath deeply; limped a little... in retrospect I should-a jumped off ...didn't realize I did a half high side msybe tank slapper; until I was telling an experienced rider about that years later ...  [evil]

Sorry to hear. 

Glad you're ok. I've also experienced the single digit mph high side.

Jeez, it's been a long time since I rode and wrote about it.

http://twoslow.com/2018/11/post-thanksgiving-azusa/

(https://i1.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1128-Azusa02.jpg?fit=736%2C552)

(https://i1.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1128-Azusa03.jpg?fit=736%2C552)

[thumbsup]

http://twoslow.com/2018/12/dainese-oc-toy-ride-2018/

Dainese Orange County hosted a Christmas toy ride for Orangewood Foundation - we hit Ortega and the Lookout, then back to Ducati Newport Beach for lunch.

(https://i2.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DStoreToyRide2018-09.jpg?fit=736%2C552)

(https://i2.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DStoreToyRide2018-10.jpg?fit=736%2C552)

(https://i0.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DStoreToyRide2018-19.jpg?fit=736%2C552)

(https://i1.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DStoreToyRide2018-25.jpg?fit=736%2C552)

(https://i2.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DStoreToyRide2018-32.jpg?fit=736%2C552)

(https://i.imgur.com/amcgXFS.jpg)

I don't think I've ever seen it get this high.

(https://i.imgur.com/nJAN15W.jpg)

thanks to this:
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Anaheim-Angels-Game-Traffic-57-Freeway-Crash-543063971.html

it was brutal.

I went riding today and took a noob'ish with me.

http://twoslow.com/2020/01/new-years-ride-2020/

(https://i0.wp.com/twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RideJan0120-13.jpg)

Nice!

little chilly and crowded up there with yahoos, but not a terrible way to spend a day off.