Triumphrat

Groucho · 04-28-2008

OK... the plan was to meet my brother at the Deer Creek Lodge in Ojai for breakfast, do some local twisty carving, and then... well, that was it.

Here's the GPS track overview, looking North.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/234/ridemap1bcq5.jpg

Ojai Deer Lodge is "2261 Maricopa" on the map. It was supposed to be warm yesterday (and it was- mid 90s F), but the mountains I had to traverse were in the low 40 deg F range. Here in Lockwood Valley, for example, it was quite nippy. Great place to ride.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3160/lockwoodgq0.jpg

This large temp swing necessitated bringing the Bags to carry different jackets, clothes, etc. Glad I did.

Here's the Deer Creek Lodge in Ojai, where we met after I descended out of the awesome and infamous Hwy 33, and he rode his Ninja 650 from Newport Beach. He said his ride was awful and uncomfortable on that little rice rocket. I laughed at him and called him a unkind word. :lol:

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9...ercreekmn9.jpg

Groucho · 04-28-2008

Part The Second...

It was hot by the time we left. Mesh gear and skivvies underneath made it comfortable tolerable.

After meeting old friends from the Hawai'i days, and eating omellettes that couldn't be beat (especially when served by a smoking hot Aussie expat waitress), Brian and I went looking for unexplored twisties. I saw a road called "Sulphur Mountain Road" on the DeLorme topo map, but we overshot it by miles and mmissed it at first. I could have found it on the GPS if I would have spelled it properly.

ops:

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7...phurmtnlm8.jpg

Anyhow, we finally found it. Just an incredible one-lane road the slithers & winds its way up a small mountain in Ojai. We chased each other at some pretty crazy rates of speed- and my little brother was quite suprised how well I kept up.

At the top, we gave each other a knuckle high-five like we've not done since we used to surf togther on the North Shore of O'ahu. ****, that was fun.

There was a handy spot to set a camera so I took this timer shot.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3...hurmtn2gl7.jpg

We switched bikes for the ride down- that was fun as hell but it made me appreciate my bike all the more. Brian said it was like a Cadillac compared to his peaky rice rocket. I corrected him- Bentley. :lol:

Brian wanted to meet his friends up at Butterly Beach in Santa Barbara, so we continued west on the 150 to the coast. Fun road, Nice beach.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3214/beachmt1.jpg

Groucho · 04-28-2008

So... I said "Laters" to my brother and went up into the heights of Santa Barbara, looking for a road- Gibraltar Rd / Camino Cielo Road- that appears on the map and looks tasty. Unfortunately, several road closures impeded my path and I finally gave up, taking the crowded 154 over the top.

This took me over the coastal range into wine country. Beautiful, and the roads of Foxen Valley / Tepusquet Road are awesome twistie goodness.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1...countrypf2.jpg

Tepusquet Road rocks.

Unfortunately, on Tepusquet Road, I saw a picture I wanted to take. I slowed, and pulled over onto what looked like a dirt / gravel shoulder. What it actually was was dirt over dead leaves over thick, loamy soil. The bike went down before I had time to do anything about it. Luckily, I fell on the same side as before. Dorked the shifter lever, 120 miles from home and 12 miles from the nearest highway, solo. I was able to bend the shifter enough to get my foot under it, but it then snapped out. *#%@. However, I was able to gall the aluminum and make it stay. Full Triumph toolkit FTW!

I was going to take a picture of the site, but I was too pissed off at myself. I did enjoy the rest of the ride, though... even freaked myself out on the 166. I saw an object on the road while I was cruising around 60mph (just saw a cop), couldn't quite ID it, and adjusted my path a little closer... oh, dead rattlesnake... that was suddenly moving toward my path! :shock: :lol:

Not so dead. Big sucker too. Laughed my rear off after I screamed like a little girl in my helmet.

Well... just under four hundred miles and eight hours in the saddle I got home to a warm wife and a cold beer. Average mileage 45 mpg, top speed 125 mph. I was tired and sore, but man, what a day.

NotSoFast · 04-28-2008

Great story and pics Groucho, beautiful country. One of the great advantages on the Central Valley is easy access to a wide variety of riding. Sorry about your bike, but I think we've all had that happen at one time or another. There was this one time on Carmel Valley Rd...never mind.

Anyway, I sent you pm about Central valley R.A.T., check your box. I will be posting a general message on the R.A.T. board. and Sprint.

ricster · 04-28-2008

Thats a great area of the country to ride! My cousin lives in Santa Barbara and reminds me often that rte 33 is an awesome road to ride. He has told me to get my butt out there and permantly live in that area...eventually the pull of it might be too much and I will go for it.....especially in the winter here