Visiting LA area - Questions about PC Highway
06-04-2008, 09:42 PM
#1
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Visiting LA area - Questions about PC Highway
OK, so i am heading to El Segundo next week and have from 11 am till dark Monday to kill some time.
I was thinking of renting a sportbike while there and hitting the Pacific Coast highway going north.
Anyone live out that way got any suggestions. Is that a crazy idea. I can rent the a Ducati 1098 for $200 a day. I figured it would be a once in a lifetime chance to ride there. I only have Monday free.
I can rent a GSX/R or a CRB 600 for $169 so for the diff the 1098 sounds like more fun.
Thoughts, reccomendations!
Anyone.......
I was thinking of renting a sportbike while there and hitting the Pacific Coast highway going north.
Anyone live out that way got any suggestions. Is that a crazy idea. I can rent the a Ducati 1098 for $200 a day. I figured it would be a once in a lifetime chance to ride there. I only have Monday free.
I can rent a GSX/R or a CRB 600 for $169 so for the diff the 1098 sounds like more fun.
Thoughts, reccomendations!
Anyone.......
06-04-2008, 10:04 PM
#2
Duc Hawk
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I'd say do it! Malibu is less than an hour north of El Segundo on the PCH. I just moved to Souther Cal from Nothern Cal and I have to say the mountains above Malibu are as good or better than the best roads in the Santa Cruz mountains in Nor Cal. They have a bit of gravel here an there though so keep your eyes peeled for it.
Just about any of the roads up from Hwy 1 (PCH) in Malibu are a good bet. This site has some reviews of the roads...
http://lateralg.org/roads/orange/malibu.htm
Scroll down to the map and click on the red roads.
Just about any of the roads up from Hwy 1 (PCH) in Malibu are a good bet. This site has some reviews of the roads...
http://lateralg.org/roads/orange/malibu.htm
Scroll down to the map and click on the red roads.
06-04-2008, 10:19 PM
#3
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Moto Man, You rock! those were some of the exact roads i was looking at on mapquest satilite view.
now i just got to see if they got the bike i am interested in. I even thought about and 08 Ninja 250 to just to get out and ride on. It is only $100 / day.
I will have to drag my leathers. boots, and helmet along on the plane, but that can all go into my huge Dirt bike gear bag.
Man i hope this works out. Weather forecast looks good, Sunny 68 degrees.....
now i just got to see if they got the bike i am interested in. I even thought about and 08 Ninja 250 to just to get out and ride on. It is only $100 / day.
I will have to drag my leathers. boots, and helmet along on the plane, but that can all go into my huge Dirt bike gear bag.
Man i hope this works out. Weather forecast looks good, Sunny 68 degrees.....
06-05-2008, 03:05 AM
#4
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Thumper I would love to do that. Back in '99 I got to drive the PCH from South LA to San Fran and loved it. I want to go back and do it in a bike. If you are out there and have the time I hope you get to it is awesome.
Verne
Verne
06-05-2008, 03:38 AM
#5
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You've got to do it! I'm sure the CA riders will chime in some more, but I thought I'd add some out-of-state perspective as well. Last summer my wife and I rode from Tampa, FL to Monterey, CA and back (7000 miles in 15 days, me on my GS and she on her VFR), to go to Laguna Seca for the races. After the races we went south on the PCH to LA. I'd lived in Monterey many years ago and had forgotten how awesome the PCH is. Spend the bucks, rent the 1098, have fun and TAKE YOUR CAMERA! Enjoy and ride safe!
06-05-2008, 04:19 AM
#6
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Where did you find a place that rents sportbikes?
I had the same opertunity a coupe of years ago, except the only bikes I could find to rent were harley's so I had a road king. It was a fun trip and going in the canyons above malibu was a blast. My favorite road was Rt 33 north of Ojai. You just leave town and go up into a mountian forever! Living east of the Mississippi my whole life, it was unbelievable to be able to leave LA and in 2 hrs of riding on awesome roads, end up on a mountian.
There is a company called mad maps (http://madmaps.com). They make maps of different areas for sport cars and bikes. They tell alot about the rout and the roads. They got thier start in California and I was impressed with their maps of CA.
-Karl
I had the same opertunity a coupe of years ago, except the only bikes I could find to rent were harley's so I had a road king. It was a fun trip and going in the canyons above malibu was a blast. My favorite road was Rt 33 north of Ojai. You just leave town and go up into a mountian forever! Living east of the Mississippi my whole life, it was unbelievable to be able to leave LA and in 2 hrs of riding on awesome roads, end up on a mountian.
There is a company called mad maps (http://madmaps.com). They make maps of different areas for sport cars and bikes. They tell alot about the rout and the roads. They got thier start in California and I was impressed with their maps of CA.
-Karl
06-05-2008, 04:25 AM
#7
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06-05-2008, 05:53 AM
#9
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I could rent a cruiser as well from other locations at a reduced cost.
06-05-2008, 06:21 AM
#10
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Please take the locals advice over mine as I've only done the tourist thing like you but in a car with the family.
I'd suggest getting off PCH1 fairly soon. It's gorgeous with incredible views and is the best way to reach NoCal but it has pretty heavy traffic in many areas and more patrols so sample it for the experience and some pics but get off and head for the mountains after that.
I'd suggest getting off PCH1 fairly soon. It's gorgeous with incredible views and is the best way to reach NoCal but it has pretty heavy traffic in many areas and more patrols so sample it for the experience and some pics but get off and head for the mountains after that.
06-05-2008, 07:56 AM
#11
Simi Valley, CA
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The 600 is all you need for the Santa Monica Alps (Roads above Malibu).
PCH does not get really interesting till you get to Cambria.
You could do the Alps in the morning and then jump over to the Angeles Crest Highway to Wrightwood in the afternoon
one hour transition and 70 miles each way on the crest
Two different type of roads.
Roads above Malibu Tight, twisty, narrow, and never more than 10 miles from the ocean. Piuma, Latigo, Mullholland, Lower sycamore, Deer Creek, Toganga, Malibu Canyon, and others all tie together that you cna spend all day doing them.
The Crest:
Bottom part til Newcombs is a sedate dance with constant radius corners at CHP speed to enjoy the vista of a receeding LA Basin as you climb into the Angeles Natl. park. Once past 'nukes the road becomes a connecting group of high speed sweepers in the higher Alpine reaches and thinning tree line. Flying through tunnels and past closed ski spots gaze out over the high desert and the dry lake bed that services the Shuttle on occasion. Diving back in the mountians you close in on the city of Wrightwood that last had snow over Memorial Day!
PCH does not get really interesting till you get to Cambria.
You could do the Alps in the morning and then jump over to the Angeles Crest Highway to Wrightwood in the afternoon
one hour transition and 70 miles each way on the crest
Two different type of roads.
Roads above Malibu Tight, twisty, narrow, and never more than 10 miles from the ocean. Piuma, Latigo, Mullholland, Lower sycamore, Deer Creek, Toganga, Malibu Canyon, and others all tie together that you cna spend all day doing them.
The Crest:
Bottom part til Newcombs is a sedate dance with constant radius corners at CHP speed to enjoy the vista of a receeding LA Basin as you climb into the Angeles Natl. park. Once past 'nukes the road becomes a connecting group of high speed sweepers in the higher Alpine reaches and thinning tree line. Flying through tunnels and past closed ski spots gaze out over the high desert and the dry lake bed that services the Shuttle on occasion. Diving back in the mountians you close in on the city of Wrightwood that last had snow over Memorial Day!
06-05-2008, 10:14 AM
#13
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OK so it looks like i would have about eight hours of daylight to explore. If i bite the bullet i would most likley be heading north around noon out of venice and back to el segundo late evening or after dark.
I am thinking on doing a 24 hour rental noon to noon and then run the bike back on my lunch break Tuesday. (leave rental car at the sportbike rental place overnight)
crest run sounds like the ticket.
right now they have a GSXR 600 and a VFR800
I am thinking on doing a 24 hour rental noon to noon and then run the bike back on my lunch break Tuesday. (leave rental car at the sportbike rental place overnight)
crest run sounds like the ticket.
right now they have a GSXR 600 and a VFR800
06-05-2008, 10:23 AM
#14
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The 600 is all you need for the Santa Monica Alps (Roads above Malibu).
PCH does not get really interesting till you get to Cambria.
You could do the Alps in the morning and then jump over to the Angeles Crest Highway to Wrightwood in the afternoon
one hour transition and 70 miles each way on the crest
Two different type of roads.
Roads above Malibu Tight, twisty, narrow, and never more than 10 miles from the ocean. Piuma, Latigo, Mullholland, Lower sycamore, Deer Creek, Toganga, Malibu Canyon, and others all tie together that you cna spend all day doing them.
The Crest:
Bottom part til Newcombs is a sedate dance with constant radius corners at CHP speed to enjoy the vista of a receeding LA Basin as you climb into the Angeles Natl. park. Once past 'nukes the road becomes a connecting group of high speed sweepers in the higher Alpine reaches and thinning tree line. Flying through tunnels and past closed ski spots gaze out over the high desert and the dry lake bed that services the Shuttle on occasion. Diving back in the mountians you close in on the city of Wrightwood that last had snow over Memorial Day!
PCH does not get really interesting till you get to Cambria.
You could do the Alps in the morning and then jump over to the Angeles Crest Highway to Wrightwood in the afternoon
one hour transition and 70 miles each way on the crest
Two different type of roads.
Roads above Malibu Tight, twisty, narrow, and never more than 10 miles from the ocean. Piuma, Latigo, Mullholland, Lower sycamore, Deer Creek, Toganga, Malibu Canyon, and others all tie together that you cna spend all day doing them.
The Crest:
Bottom part til Newcombs is a sedate dance with constant radius corners at CHP speed to enjoy the vista of a receeding LA Basin as you climb into the Angeles Natl. park. Once past 'nukes the road becomes a connecting group of high speed sweepers in the higher Alpine reaches and thinning tree line. Flying through tunnels and past closed ski spots gaze out over the high desert and the dry lake bed that services the Shuttle on occasion. Diving back in the mountians you close in on the city of Wrightwood that last had snow over Memorial Day!
Thanks guys for the comments, looks like the creat run woul dbe more fun than the Malibu area if i only had time to do one. I would liketo hit Mullholland east to west and then maybe back into LA on the PCH at teh end of the day.
06-05-2008, 10:48 AM
#16
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OK so i will have to spend an extra $20 for the additional 100 miles (150 mile limit per 24 hour period) but it looks like it would be worth it.
I would most likely run this route and play around Mullholland roads and then work my way back down the PCH around sunset to El Segundo
I would hav to go thru LA around 12:30PM to get to the crest and deal with traffic, but thats looks like the only option..
Thoughts on the loop guys....
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/el+segu...:::::f:EN:m:/e
I would most likely run this route and play around Mullholland roads and then work my way back down the PCH around sunset to El Segundo
I would hav to go thru LA around 12:30PM to get to the crest and deal with traffic, but thats looks like the only option..
Thoughts on the loop guys....
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/el+segu...:::::f:EN:m:/e
Last edited by Thumper; 06-05-2008 at 10:53 AM.
06-05-2008, 12:05 PM
#17
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I would head El sendgo to the PCH via the 405 to the 10
Run to Topanga and then up to Old Topanga. and wind over to stunt, piuma, malibu canyon, mullholland to the rockstore up to Kanan, left and left on Latigo back to the coast right to Decker (23) up to mullholland, left to Little sycamore and then down to the coast and neptures nest.
Crest ride I would just the 10 thru downtown (LANESPLIT) to the 2 thru Glendale to the 210. Left on and off the 210 to the crest Hwy 2. JUmp up the hill to wright wood. Left out of WW over Mt Emma road to Angeles Forest. Turn down Sand Canyon to Valencia and then that the 405 back to El segrindo
Run to Topanga and then up to Old Topanga. and wind over to stunt, piuma, malibu canyon, mullholland to the rockstore up to Kanan, left and left on Latigo back to the coast right to Decker (23) up to mullholland, left to Little sycamore and then down to the coast and neptures nest.
Crest ride I would just the 10 thru downtown (LANESPLIT) to the 2 thru Glendale to the 210. Left on and off the 210 to the crest Hwy 2. JUmp up the hill to wright wood. Left out of WW over Mt Emma road to Angeles Forest. Turn down Sand Canyon to Valencia and then that the 405 back to El segrindo
06-05-2008, 04:10 PM
#18
Duc Hawk
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I would head El sendgo to the PCH via the 405 to the 10
Run to Topanga and then up to Old Topanga. and wind over to stunt, piuma, malibu canyon, mullholland to the rockstore up to Kanan, left and left on Latigo back to the coast right to Decker (23) up to mullholland, left to Little sycamore and then down to the coast and neptures nest.
Run to Topanga and then up to Old Topanga. and wind over to stunt, piuma, malibu canyon, mullholland to the rockstore up to Kanan, left and left on Latigo back to the coast right to Decker (23) up to mullholland, left to Little sycamore and then down to the coast and neptures nest.
Here is the route lowell is talking about layed out on google maps right from the rental place to netunes net...
http://tinyurl.com/3u5jud
Enjoy the twisties and the ocean view!
06-05-2008, 10:03 PM
#19
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Thumper: The route that you have is mainly highway. If you don't mind a fellow hawker taggin along that has rode angeles crest, and the pch-malibu mountains, i can take you on a ride that has a little bit more twisties.
This is more or less what i was thinking.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/el+segu...:1:::f:EN:m:/e
This is more or less what i was thinking.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/el+segu...:1:::f:EN:m:/e
06-06-2008, 02:43 PM
#20
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Thumper: The route that you have is mainly highway. If you don't mind a fellow hawker taggin along that has rode angeles crest, and the pch-malibu mountains, i can take you on a ride that has a little bit more twisties.
This is more or less what i was thinking.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/el+segu...:1:::f:EN:m:/e
This is more or less what i was thinking.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/el+segu...:1:::f:EN:m:/e
I went ahead and re
Last edited by Thumper; 06-06-2008 at 08:48 PM.
06-06-2008, 03:11 PM
#21
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If you're gonna do Angeles Crest, may I suggest bypassing Hollywood. Take the 405 N. to Mulholland Dr, and ride that over to Cahuenga (make left), then pick Barham up from there. Step #12 on the A to B directions. Strange directions by the way. #14 has you drive by Hollywood Way (you'd make a left) the turn onto Riverside then Hollywood Way. Regardless, the bridge on Hollywood Way is closed in that direction for repair. FYI Monday forecast Malibu = 72°, Palmdale = 90°.
P.S. I haven't ridden many of the Santa Monica mountains (my bad) but I think you'll enjoy Westlake Blvd (rt 23). Some very sharp turns and the road is in pretty good condition. Watch for loose gravel though.
P.S. I haven't ridden many of the Santa Monica mountains (my bad) but I think you'll enjoy Westlake Blvd (rt 23). Some very sharp turns and the road is in pretty good condition. Watch for loose gravel though.
Last edited by Gregw; 06-06-2008 at 05:14 PM.
06-07-2008, 04:09 AM
#23
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I'm guessing you watched the video. I've never been to the Dragon, but the videos don't look as twisty as Decker.
06-07-2008, 07:30 AM
#26
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Once you get out of the L.A. area the only problem with PCH is......I didn't want it to end!! Took it from San Diego north to the Redwoods in '05. Was on of the best trip I've ever been on.....ever if it was in a car.
Took it from San Diego north to the Redwoods in '05. Was on of the best trip I've ever been on.....ever if it was in a car.
06-07-2008, 08:00 AM
#27
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Just my opinion but Decker Canyon, esp. near PCH is better suited for a 250cc super motard, or a ten speed bicycle, than a 1000cc sportbike.
I've only ridden it once on the VTR from the ocean side. If you ride it real early in the am watch out for that first uphill hairpin. It is hairy, and the sun will be in your eyes.
I've only ridden it once on the VTR from the ocean side. If you ride it real early in the am watch out for that first uphill hairpin. It is hairy, and the sun will be in your eyes.
06-07-2008, 09:50 PM
#28
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Thumper: The route that you have is mainly highway. If you don't mind a fellow hawker taggin along that has rode angeles crest, and the pch-malibu mountains, i can take you on a ride that has a little bit more twisties.
This is more or less what i was thinking.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/el+segu...:1:::f:EN:m:/e
This is more or less what i was thinking.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/el+segu...:1:::f:EN:m:/e
06-08-2008, 09:36 AM
#29
Simi Valley, CA
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Just my opinion but Decker Canyon, esp. near PCH is better suited for a 250cc super motard, or a ten speed bicycle, than a 1000cc sportbike.
I've only ridden it once on the VTR from the ocean side. If you ride it real early in the am watch out for that first uphill hairpin. It is hairy, and the sun will be in your eyes.
I've only ridden it once on the VTR from the ocean side. If you ride it real early in the am watch out for that first uphill hairpin. It is hairy, and the sun will be in your eyes.
Not as scary as a SUV loaded with surfers on that narrow road.. BTDT
