Hello from LA

[NorDog]

Howdy fellow LSDers.

I've been in LA for a bit over two weeks and I am having a great time (when I'm not working).  Did a stretch of Mulholland today and dropped down the other side of the hill to check out Beverly Hills Ducati.  To my amazement I actually saw a 1100 Monster I liked (no offense to the New Monster Lovers!).  A tail chop and CF Termis go a looong way to cleaning up the lines.

It's amazing how "cool" Angelenos think my S4RS is.  I mean, I'm cruising around very high end cars around here and have been into some of the tonier watering holes.  Seems everyone loves Ducati out here.  There was a very beautiful woman sitting across from me in a cafe last night, and though we were practically facing each other she made an obvious effort to ignore me.  When I was getting on my bike in the parking lot she couldn't be happier to come up and chat about my bike.

This morning I was waiting for a signal to turn left.  In the on coming cross traffic from my left was a guy turning left in a top o' the line Mercedes.  He actually stopped mid turn and stared at me (at first I thought he was going to drive right into me).  He just sat there for what seemed a long time, then he started talking to the guy in the passenger's seat and pointing at me (okay, my bike).  He finally completed his turn and drove away (in awe of course).

Most of my time is in Studio City, Hollywood, North Hollywood, and West Hollywood.  There are probably hundreds of thousands of people here who are waaay to impressed with themselves (or at least way to concerned with impressing others), yet my Monster seems to melt all that ice of "cool" pretense.

Then there's the lane splitting.  It's so much fun.  People actually vere away to give me more room.  When I try that in Texas I get the finger, the horn, and some colorful language.

I really love this place.  And this place really seems to love my bike.

Now, I'm far from being a cool dude, but I'm not going to let on about that to the locals!  It's nice to be appreciated.   

All in all, it will still be good to get back home in about 6 weeks.

[muskrat]

the surrounding areas are great to ride.  go to Big Bear and then cut down from Temecula the back way through 74 I believe into San Diego...........AWESOME roads but the taxes, dear God.

[Ronr]

Sounds like some fun adventures. That'd be great having your own bike while outta town.

[NorDog]

the surrounding areas are great to ride.  go to Big Bear and then cut down from Temecula the back way through 74 I believe into San Diego...........AWESOME roads but the taxes, dear God.

Thanks for the tip.  Have been all over N. San Diego County and love it (despite totally my K100 Beemer on Mt. Palomar way back in "The Day").

Never been to Big Bear, though I might hold off on that trip.  It was only last Monday or Tuesday that Big Bear, and I-5 at the Grapevine, closed due to heavy snow.  Even on nice days, there can still be ice at altitude here in SoCal.

[svoloch]

33 out of Ojai, in between SB and north of LA.  google map it. 

[muskrat]

My bad, it's highway 79 & 76 through Cleveland National Forest (near San Diego).  Be sure to get a map and take every side road you can find too.  Great roads and all day pleasure so get down there.  Elizabeth and I did it in April and I'm not kidding we rode 800 miles in two days of twisty after twisty.  I would not suggest staying in Temecula as the cops there are sick of bikers.  Oh, watch out for  near the observatory.

also, check out this link http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/WestCoast/CA/CA_index.htm

[Cher]

Very cool, Nordog.  I've got family in L.A. and have been cruising out there every summer since I was in junior high.  Love the roads, the scenery; everything... I guess I love L.A.    

Have a great time enjoying the sights but remember - Without pix, it just

didn't

happen


 

[RichD]

76 and 79 are great roads.
Find "S2" -an awesome ride this time of year!!!

[NorDog]

Have a great time enjoying the sights but remember - Without pix, it just

didn't

happen

Mostly work and no play so far.  But I did get out a bit last weekend and took some pix.  More to follow.

[muskrat]

nice shots but now you need to climb those hills behind the bike and take pictures there.  Also, there is a road just south of Oso Parkway on Interstate 5 that cuts across the mountains, relatively close so look at a map.  You will pass the merger of I 5 and I 405, when you get to San Juan Capistrano look for Ortega Hwy.  This road is great and not nearly as far as San Diego runs we gave you earlier in the post.  stay away from hwy 1 south of LA as there is nothing but towns now and stop lights galore.

[NorDog]

nice shots but now you need to climb those hills behind the bike and take pictures there.  Also, there is a road just south of Oso Parkway on Interstate 5 that cuts across the mountains, relatively close so look at a map.  You will pass the merger of I 5 and I 405, when you get to San Juan Capistrano look for Ortega Hwy.  This road is great and not nearly as far as San Diego runs we gave you earlier in the post.  stay away from hwy 1 south of LA as there is nothing but towns now and stop lights galore.

Yeah, Ortega Hwy is on my list.  As is Angeles Crest, and my old fav Mulholland Hwy down to Malibu.

[Cher]

Very cool pix!   

[Duc L'Smart]

So, did you Frolic?

[NorDog]

So, did you Frolic?

Yeah Baby!  Yeah!  Grrrr...

[Samsonite]

Hello from DFW