Favorite Places to Ride

SSN637

2014
CBR650F
Sep 4, 2019
Living in central Virginia, I am only 15 - 20 miles away from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Not an overly challenging section of roadway. But, it is usually only lightly traveled and it is quite enjoyable to traverse - even at the posted speeds (which, I usually exceed by a tiny bit).
 

baugustine

2014
CBR650F
Staff
May 21, 2016
Ventura, CA
The hills in Malibu got burned pretty bad in 2 different fires in the last 18 months. This tree was a survivor, but if you zoom in you can see the bark was completely burned off. How the rest of the tree survived (and its still growing is pretty amazing to me)

1ABD2A7C-115F-4EC3-A98A-F4464C59A0EA.jpeg
 

sdmichael

2018
CBR650F ABS
Feb 10, 2019
San Diego, CA
Riding Since
2012
Rode State 74 from Hemet to 371 on Saturday morning. It is one of my favorites, if you time it right. Had a lot of fun. It was a good run with my new leathers and bike combo. Ended up being a "short" 200 mile ride that was at least 60% mountains. My favorite though, at least in Southern California, is Angeles Crest Highway (State 2). Gotta time that one right though, as doing it wrong ends up with really slow drivers and lots of idiots on motorcycles thinking it was their personal track.
 

sdmichael

2018
CBR650F ABS
Feb 10, 2019
San Diego, CA
Riding Since
2012
Went over State 74 again (twice this year now) from Hemet to Mountain Center on Wednesday. Lots of fun. Love the "slalom" section, as the locals call it. Getting better with curves on my bike and with my new suit. This time I added all of 243 to Banning. Was very light traffic, which was helpful. Managed 45-55 through the twistiest sections. Also got some old US 99 in near Calimesa with 1925 concrete. Trick with 74 is timing it right. Earlier in the day is best, otherwise you'll be behind RV's or worse going up at 25 mph with no passing zones for long periods.20200708_101523_HDR.jpg
20200708_101429_HDR.jpg
 

sdmichael

2018
CBR650F ABS
Feb 10, 2019
San Diego, CA
Riding Since
2012
I'd also add the bike is more than capable of traversing the Ridge Route between Castaic and Gorman, which is a big plus for me. Also helps I have a key to the gates. The photo is on the Ridge Route near Reservoir Summit with the bike parked on 1919 concrete adjacent to 1920's asphalt.
20200118_113456_HDR.jpg
 

baugustine

2014
CBR650F
Staff
May 21, 2016
Ventura, CA
Balcom Canyon Rd, between Moorpark and Fillmore. This was (I think) the Canyon pass before Hwy 23 was built. Very secluded, no traffic and fun twists. Locals only for the most part.3638DB41-C07E-432E-B549-EBD037F8B98F.jpeg066503BD-C049-42A2-8474-67B2EE429329.jpeg
 

sdmichael

2018
CBR650F ABS
Feb 10, 2019
San Diego, CA
Riding Since
2012
Both Grimes and Balcom Canyon are about the same age. Grimes Canyon (State 23) has always been the main route though. Balcom Canyon was originally known as Sulphur Canyon, due to the oil-bearing strata and likely oil seeps in the area. It is my preferred alternative route when I pass through there as 23 gets busy. Before 126 was fully four-lane, I would also usually take South Mountain Road and Guiberson Road as alternates to it.
 

baugustine

2014
CBR650F
Staff
May 21, 2016
Ventura, CA
Both Grimes and Balcom Canyon are about the same age. Grimes Canyon (State 23) has always been the main route though. Balcom Canyon was originally known as Sulphur Canyon, due to the oil-bearing strata and likely oil seeps in the area. It is my preferred alternative route when I pass through there as 23 gets busy. Before 126 was fully four-lane, I would also usually take South Mountain Road and Guiberson Road as alternates to it.

great history! It’s literally 15 mins from my house (I live off 126 and Victoria). Sort of a shame Balcom Canyon itself has turned into a refuse dump by unscrupulous locals 🙄

BTW, 23 was recently repaved and is amazing first thing in the morning before the trucks and Prius’ get in front of you...
 

baugustine

2014
CBR650F
Staff
May 21, 2016
Ventura, CA
Both Grimes and Balcom Canyon are about the same age. Grimes Canyon (State 23) has always been the main route though. Balcom Canyon was originally known as Sulphur Canyon, due to the oil-bearing strata and likely oil seeps in the area. It is my preferred alternative route when I pass through there as 23 gets busy. Before 126 was fully four-lane, I would also usually take South Mountain Road and Guiberson Road as alternates to it.

I found a pic from 23 back in March. Fresh pavement!

CF2196AA-F6C8-4411-B156-2593D52C563F.jpeg
 
Top Bottom