SoCal Daytrips

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Like some others, I'll be using this as an ongoing thread and adding new rides as I go. I hope I can come within the same universe of some of the inmates.


Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, I decide it's a gorgeous day for a ride. Lake Arrowhead is a wonderful ride from LA and has a bit of everything; Highway, twisty roads and even an unpaved section from Hesperia up to Lake Arrowhead on CA Rt 173.

Off I go eastbound on the 210.

Traffic not too bad, the temp just right to make for comfortable riding in full gear...an hour later I reach the junction of the 210 and the 15 and BAM, sideswiped by strong, steady winds. My light, GS500f gets thrown to the shoulder of the hwy. Just ahead of me another bike is also creeping along the shoulder at 5mph. We chat a minute about how great the day was...a mile ago and slowly make our way to the next exit, massive big rigs zipping past us mere inches away the whole time. The other guy takes a right as he was heading to work and I take a left on Sierra Drive to a Del Taco / Gas Station to weigh my options and do a quick check on Google Maps. Just jup Sierra Drive there's a small town called Lytle Creek, CA...a "what the hell" thought later and I'm off.

A few miles up I see a service road shooting off up a hill and decide to explore.



Quite a nice view, but it seems the trail heads back down towards the windy 15 fwy. Back the other way!

I pass through Lytle Creek, almost missing it because I blinked and continue on up Lytle Creek rd until the pavement ends...This is what I was hoping for!


The scenery is gorgeous, but the road is like crushed cement. Rocky, gray and dusty, but a fantastic challenge.






I stop to take a photo or two and a "built for off road" 4x4 bangs by and the two guys in it are looking at me like I have two heads. I guess seeing what is essentially a "rice rocket" style bike this many miles down a bumpy, unpaved road isn't something they normally see.

I continue on for a bit, but I look down and realize I stupidly forgot to top off at the last gas station. So, I begrudgingly turn around and make my way back.

I do, however, come across a nice creek, a rarity in SoCal and stop one more time before heading home.



On the way back at the gas station I happen to run into another inmate who was also a victim of the Cajon Pass winds that day. Not sure about his inmate name, but he called himself Jesse and was riding from Chicago to Lake Isabella, CA. Hope you made it home safe.

Bump?

wow, I never knew about this road.......hope you go back on it.

There's tons of roads scattered around SoCal. Finding them is half the fun

A link to help find those roads...

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/hiras.shtml

Area Name
Click on area name to view map

This leads you to maps like this that show where you were...



Many of the trails are open due to the help of the OHV Volunteers at http://nationalforestassociation.org/ohvprograms.php

Oh Cool. Way Awesome!!

Two wheels, handlebars, an engine and some imagination.

Love it! Always nice to see sport bikes pulling touring and adv duties. Goes to show the versatility of these bikes. It's why I love my 2009 Ninja 650R

What are those saddle bags, how do you like them?

I love them. I got them online from Nelson-Rigg along with the tank bag. They're called CL-950s. The newer version actually has MORE space and side pockets.

I ride this thing 5 or 6 days a week, (the wife drives the Element, I ride to my job downtown, rain or shine) and the saddle bags give me the flexibility to actually carry stuff and the tank bag is the best purchase ever. This bike is the gs500f which has been around forever so the engine is tested time and again and is known for workhorse reliability.

If only I could find some more agressive tires with deeper treads.

Thanks, I thought they looked Nelson-Rigg. I'm debating between those or the cortech sport bags which come with the waterproof covers.

Always impressed by those that commute on their bikes- and to downtown no less!

I'm just 6 miles (in Glendale) so it's a quick ride. Plus, I can park right in the garage and not pay, which is cool. A buddy I work with lives in Fountain Valley in the OC and rides the 43 miles each way everyday.

BTW, the Nelson -Riggs come with the slip on rain covers.

Cool, thanks for the info. Yeah I drive south about 60miles one way

How do I change the title of a thread so I can keep updating with other rides?

Ask the moderator to change it: http://www.advrider.com/forums/member.php?u=1565

Right on. Thx

Here's some more from the LA area.

Getting packed up to head north to Lake Isabella and Kernville.


In and Out Burger...ah, so good after a couple hours on the road.


This is an abandoned house, right off the 5, south of Lebec CA

Me and my bike. Ok, ok, it's not an adventure bike, but you'd be surprised what it can do.

Somewhere in the hills above LA

This is a GORGEOUS stop on the 14 on the way to Lake Isabella.


The cliffs

A forest of Joshua trees on rt. 178 about 135 miles from LA

Getting a quick pic before heading onward


Breakfast...tired...food.


Belly full, tank full, map checked.


Hey, the air here...I...I...I can breathe!!! This ain't nuthin' like LA.


Checking the gear at the artistically named "Campground #3"
Not camping, but just a quick stop to check out the gorgeous forest.


Campground #4, yep that's what it's called, 215 miles from LA


Hmmm....is it this way...


...or that way?



Why are there cows in the woods? Bear food?


And I'm not afraid to pick up hitchhikers...


Ever feel small?



I was told to stop and I did. Ben said it looked cool

Thanks for posting...I ride by Sierra Ave and the I-15 about 5-10 times per month and I haven't thought about going up Lytle Creek in a long time! Maybe next weekend...

Cheers,
Steve
1150 GSA

The 15 certainly is painfully boring. I've yet to try it, but apparently there's a back road, (dirt) from the Ranger station, just south of Lytle Creek over to Hesperia. Certainly a lot more interesting than the 15. And just south of there, there's another one that goes over the hill to Glen Helen Road in San Bernardino.

Digging it! San Bernardino is my home town, and love getting back as often as I can. I have family up near Running Springs and every time I go, I'm caged, but seeing all those fire/service roads just makes me wish I was on two wheels!

Somewhere, I have a picture of a guy jumping across 330 on a 125 Honda!