Author Topic: SoCal fires (Read 4152 times)

Chuck in Indiana · « **on:** December 21, 2018, 05:15:53 PM »

Got the MZ out on the road today, so headed for the Santa Monica mountains. I'd heard that the fires reached Malibu, so went there on the PCH and turned up Las Flores Canyon. Looked normal, so down Piuma to Mulholland.
Uh oh.

2018-12-21_01-48-54 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The only green is the new grass from last week's rain.

2018-12-21_01-48-27 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
There were several utility crews putting up new poles..

2018-12-21_01-49-15 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Couldn't go any farther, so decided to make the best of it and get some the Reel Inn's most excellent clam chowder. Ride to eat and all that..

2018-12-21_01-49-35 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Decided not to book a room at the fabulous Topanga Motel..

2018-12-21_01-49-56 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
so headed back to Redondo following the ocean with sea breeze, sunny and 70.

Life is good..

normzone · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2018, 06:08:11 PM »

Good to have you in the state for Xmas - I feel better already.

Kiwi Dave · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2018, 06:09:26 PM »

More importantly, is the Rock Store still standing?

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2018, 06:41:35 PM »

Quote from: Kiwi Dave on December 21, 2018, 06:09:26 PM

More importantly, is the Rock Store still standing?

I couldn't get there from where I was. Bridge out. Next time, I'll take the PCH to Latigo canyon, and back track on Mulholland. .
We shall see.

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2018, 06:41:35 PM »

Motormike · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2018, 06:43:13 PM »

I understand the Rock Store came through just fine. They were serving the fire-fighters during the worst of it. Glad it survived.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2018, 06:47:22 PM »

Quote from: normzone on December 21, 2018, 06:08:11 PM

Good to have you in the state for Xmas - I feel better already.

Thankya Norm, thankya..it's been a year. (!) How time flies.

wirespokes · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2018, 07:07:24 PM »

For those not from the area - PCH = Pacific Coast Highway = Highway #1. It runs all the way up the west coast mostly next to the ocean.

normzone · « **Reply #7 on:** December 21, 2018, 10:08:41 PM »

Quote from: wirespokes on December 21, 2018, 07:07:24 PM

For those not from the area - PCH = Pacific Coast Highway = Highway #1. It runs all the way up the west coast mostly next to the ocean.

Most of the time - I've only ever hitchhiked it or run my first truck, "Bessie" '64 F100 down it. Granted my newly acquired dormant Eldo was in the back. Every other time, it's knocked out by mudslides.

Hey, I think I have a picture of Bessie, myself in my early twenties, my mom and sister someplace ... I'll look for it.

Bessie had seen every post on the farm - I was the third owner, a whopping $465 invested in her (cheapest truck in the newspaper). She had a 12' whip antenna on her, purported to " pick up Radio Moscow " from the seller, but it didn't matter where you went, she'd only pick up one station.

The nearest AM country station. Her farm roots were solid. Didn't matter if you were next to KCBQ, it was her pick.

ken farr · « **Reply #8 on:** December 21, 2018, 11:16:48 PM »

Doood:

The Topanga Motel has been out of service for, like, for ever.......

Welcome back....

kjf

Scud · « **Reply #9 on:** December 21, 2018, 11:41:52 PM »

Welcome back to CA Chuck. Yeah, the fires up there were devastating - but fire and renewal are part of the normal cycle of things in this area. How long will you be around? Fancy a dirt ride? I've got a new-to-me Husqvarna TE310R that'll make you feel like a young man on a Maico.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2018, 09:55:48 AM »

Quote from: ken farr on December 21, 2018, 11:16:48 PM

Doood:

The Topanga Motel has been out of service for, like, for ever.......

Welcome back....

kjf

Yeah, it's been that way ever since we started coming out here..16 years, Ithink. That is some awefully expensive real estate to pay taxes on all that time..
Thanks for the welcome.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2018, 09:59:33 AM »

Quote from: Scud on December 21, 2018, 11:41:52 PM

Welcome back to CA Chuck. Yeah, the fires up there were devastating - but fire and renewal are part of the normal cycle of things in this area. How long will you be around? Fancy a dirt ride? I've got a new-to-me Husqvarna TE310R that'll make you feel like a young man on a Maico.

Thanks, Scud.. Iappreciate it.. but. There is nothing that would make e feel like a young man on a Maico (or my Bultaco or Hodaka) unless you have found the fountain of youth.

LowRyter · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2018, 10:48:44 AM »

There was a good segment on NPR radio about riders going to the Rock Store on Thanksgiving. Don't know if anyone here heard it. Probably available on their website.

Dean Rose · « **Reply #13 on:** December 22, 2018, 11:42:36 AM »

http://rock-store.com/

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2018, 07:46:53 PM »

Quote from: kirby1923 on December 22, 2018, 12:12:42 PM

From many miles away..

Merry Christmas Chuck

California used to be such a great place to live and play....

Still beautiful

In the warm desert for me but wish I was home!
And Merry Christmas to you, Mike! You take care, now..

m

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #15 on:** December 27, 2018, 10:02:48 AM »

Quote from: Motormike on December 21, 2018, 06:43:13 PM

I understand the Rock Store came through just fine. They were serving the fire-fighters during the worst of it. Glad it survived.

As planned, turned on Latigo (Yoo Hoo) and started climbing the hill. It was deliciously fast and twisty for a while. Then, ran into the fire zone.

2018-12-26_02-11-28 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The fun was over. Around the next corner just might be dirt and/or rocks in the lane from the recent rains. Slowed down and smelled the roses.. if any roses had lived through this. Turned on Mulholland and rode down to the overlook on the Snake. I've posted pix from here before, but you can see a lot more of the road now..

2018-12-26_02-11-00 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Some of the slow guys..

2018-12-26_02-10-44 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Sure enough.. the Rock Store was standing.. must have been good Karma.

2018-12-26_02-10-10 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

2018-12-26_02-09-53 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
It was lunch time, so decided to run to a roadhouse Ifrequent near the Rock Store. It's only a quarter mile or so as the crow flys..maybe 2 or 3 via surface transport.
Uh oh..

2018-12-26_02-08-53 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Talked to the kids on the Yamahas, and it was pretty bad north.. the way I normally go.. so ran out to the Ventura Highway and south to get around the closed bridge. Looks like I'll have to stay south on this trip.
Greener down here.

2018-12-26_02-08-29 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

2018-12-26_02-08-10 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
We'll see how fast vegetation grows back, but my

prime riding area is toast.

Tom H · « **Reply #16 on:** December 27, 2018, 01:12:41 PM »

Thanks for the pictures. I was wondering how it actually looked up there.

Tom

Unkept · « **Reply #17 on:** December 27, 2018, 07:22:44 PM »

Nice photo journal Chuck, sad to see the damage.

Let's hope it grows green again soon.

Bigtime · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2018, 03:57:14 AM »

Chuck, Great pics. Glad to see you enjoying some excellent riding weather. Are those Conti Road Attack 3s on the MZ? Thanking of putting a set on the Stelvio. Are you pleased with them? JohnB

ScepticalScotty · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2018, 08:50:41 AM »

Lovely post Chuck, and glad to see one of the bikes I once very greatly desired getting a good run!! Instead of a Skorpion I ended up with a SZR660 and that was fun in its own way. Especially with race type exhaust system from Supermono racing.......

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2018, 11:05:04 AM »

Quote from: Bigtime on December 28, 2018, 03:57:14 AM

Chuck, Great pics. Glad to see you enjoying some excellent riding weather. Are those Conti Road Attack 3s on the MZ? Thanking of putting a set on the Stelvio. Are you pleased with them? JohnB

Good eye, John.

They are the best I've ever had. Period. *I don't know how long they will last,* but they are wonderful in the canyons. Very round profile that transitions effortlessly from edge to edge. Can you tell that I'm a fan?

Bigtime · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2018, 05:40:27 AM »

Appreciate the feedback on the Contis. Most likely my next set of tires. Continental has released a new Trail Attack 3 in Europe but wont be in the U S till mid summer.I have no plans to take the big girl off road any way. By the way, I have a 1100 Sport in pieces all over my garage. Any idea where Todd caught the Sport fever from?

Enjoy the west coast sun. JohnB

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2018, 11:07:23 AM »

Quote from: Bigtime on December 29, 2018, 05:40:27 AM

Appreciate the feedback on the Contis. Most likely my next set of tires. Continental has released a new Trail Attack 3 in Europe but wont be in the U S till mid summer.I have no plans to take the big girl off road any way. By the way, I have a 1100 Sport in pieces all over my garage. Any idea where Todd caught the Sport fever from? Enjoy the west coast sun. JohnB

Brad told him that he didn't want to ride it. .

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #23 on:** December 31, 2018, 06:49:54 PM »

Rode Decker canyon today..not good

2018-12-31_04-41-01 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
If it weren't for the road, I could have been riding on the moon. :smiley:Cold, surprisingly, and windy. It blew my glove off the seat when I took this picture.

2018-12-31_04-39-57 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

kirkemon · « **Reply #24 on:** January 01, 2019, 08:23:21 PM »

I rode Kanan Dume about two weeks after the fire - looked terrible, lot of work to do.
Our annual New Year's Day Drive was not very good. Really windy, burnt scenery, resulted in a low turn out.
Rtore Store was open but not The Old Place.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #25 on:** January 01, 2019, 08:30:35 PM »

Bummer. Actually, its worse than I expected. The good riding (selfish content ) will return. .eventually.

Gappy · « **Reply #26 on:** January 01, 2019, 08:45:46 PM »

The pictures are incredible :(

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #27 on:** January 01, 2019, 09:16:47 PM »

Thank you, sir.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #28 on:** January 03, 2019, 06:29:48 PM »

This morning dawned cool(30s!)and crystal clear. Remimded me of one of those cosmic days in the fall in Indidna. CAVU (Ceiling and Visibility unlimited.) Had to go for a ride, so put on my Winter gear and stayed south of the fire zone. Rode up Topaga to Old Topanga (Yoo Hoo) to Mulholland to Stunt road. Here, you can see Stunt snaking up the mountain..

2019-01-03_04-06-49 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
View from the top..

2019-01-03_04-07-19 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The other direction

2019-01-03_04-07-40 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Never have seen visibility this good here. That's LA in the distance. (!)

2019-01-03_04-08-01 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Found a road I'd never been on. I just assumed it went to a bunch of houses. Well, it did, but they have to get off the mountain in case of fire.

Pretty cool, don't know the name of it.

2019-01-03_04-08-28 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Another 100 or so quality miles

Time to lube my chain.

twowings · « **Reply #29 on:** January 03, 2019, 07:42:11 PM »

Nice going, Chuck! NIce to see somebody riding...it's nothing but cold, freezing rain, and popsicle trees here in the Dust Bowl...

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Author Topic: SoCal fires (Read 4152 times)

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