For my sweetheart’s birthday, I decided to go out and rent a cruiser and take her up the California coast starting from where she lived. I rented a brand new 2007 Honda Shadow Aero. It had 2 miles on the odometer when I picked it up. The bike had a really nice exhaust sound. I don’t like loud bikes like the many Harleys out there. I now know how important it is to have a full-face helmet or a windscreen. The wind killed me when I was wearing the open-faced helmet that they provided me. After riding on the freeway to her house and back home afterwards, my eyes was red for 2 days.
We had alot of fun riding and relaxing up the coast from Long Beach to Malibu. Even took her out through Mullholand and then back down PCH. We took frequent breaks to stretch out. Unfortunately, her back pains got to her at the end so it made it painful to sit longer than the 7 hours we were gone. It’s definitely an experience I’m willing to try again. But maybe not that long all at once. We all that was said and done I brought the bike back with close to 200 miles of riding. Motorcycle rental was provided by Eagleriders. The one in Santa Monica / Marina Del Rey is the only one that rents out the Japanese bikes in the Southland. Most places rents out Harleys or BMWs. They don’t rent out sports bikes if you’re wondering.
I’ve been riding about 3 years now but never really got to go canyon-carving or taking myself to the twisties in the canyons and mountains. Sunday’s impromptu ride took care of that last riding goal of mine. We met over at Garrett’s place at 10:30am. I sent my invitation to a group of riders I know at work and besides Garrett, Praveen was the only one who showed up. The Friday before, we were playing at a poker tournament at Douglas’ place and found out that he bought a bike that day. So we invited him on the ride as well. He came with his friend Brad. Brad is probably one of the most “hardcore” riders that I’ve ever met. He started riding when he was a kid and now he rides to work everyday plus he services his own bike. He also did some long riding trips with his father when he was younger. You know, the kind where you ride somewhere far, camp out, and continue riding. I can only wish I was able to ride as early as he did.
So at 10:30, we all suited up and rode towards Sunset and PCH at the Unocal gas station to top off our bikes. When we were done, we took PCH up to Las Flores Canyon Road where our adventure began. Las Flores eventually forked to Piuma Road. We eventually got on Mullholland either through Cold Canyon Road or Mullholland Highway. I’ll have to ask Brad. We past Malibu Lake and eventually ended up at our first stop for lunch. The place was called Rustic Canyon Grocery & Grill. One of the popular places where bikers hang out.
At this point Douglas had to go solo to run a few errands so he took off. Unfortunately for Douglas, the ride became much more interesting afterwards. We past The Rock Store and was all over the place in the mountains and canyons. We took roads such as Latigo Canyon Road, Mullholland coming from PCH, and one other one that I forget. Mullholland from PCH was one of my favorites. You’re able to hit 100mph on this road because the road was much cleaner than the rest and the turns are not as twisty so you can really practice your lean. After about 2 or so hours we ended up back at Rustic Canyon Grocery store for some well-deserved hot beverages and fire.
The day ended with a casual ride from Mullholland to Las Virgenes Road / Malibu Canyon Road near Pepperdine University to finally PCH. We all eventually split away from the pack to our relative homes. I had the furthest ride so I got to see everyone go.
I learned alot on this ride and feel much more comfortable with my bike. I guess it made up for some lost time in the 3 years I shied away from riding the twisties.
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