The chook's last ride in the Santa Monica mountains

[Chuck in Indiana]

Blame Dusty. When I told him today would be the last day for the Mighty Scura in SoCal, he said, "take pictures.." So I did. The chicken was affixed by Todd at MPH (RIP) and he's been my good luck talisman for years. We sometimes have an animated conversation when I do something stupid..
2016-07-07_01-16-21 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
So I told him, "One more flight up the mountains" and headed up Las Flores canyon. He gave me a wings up and said keeping me from harm lane splitting the 405 and 10 down to the PCH had been tiring.
2016-07-07_01-15-01 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
2016-07-07_01-16-51 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Roared around a bit, and stopped to water the chicken on Stunt road.. 
2016-07-07_01-17-33 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Onward and upward..
2016-07-07_01-15-55 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
One last look at the (deserted during the week) Rock Store.
2016-07-07_01-17-47 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
And a trip through The Snake. This is the overlook..
2016-07-07_01-18-09 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The chook said, "WTF were you doing hanging off through there?" "Uhh, I was practicing in case I ran into that grey Yamaha that spanked me and the MZ a couple of days ago.." He said, "Get over it, you're old. I'm good, but you're pushing my Ju Ju. Besides that, he probably had 60 horsepower on you.."
Suitably chastened, I headed back to the PCH and some of the world's best clam chowder at the Reel Inn.
Found a seat in the shade,
2016-07-07_01-18-40 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
and dove in. This isn't just some potato soup that a clam has scuttled through, there's a couple of clams in every spoonful. 
2016-07-07_01-18-23 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Rode back to Redondo Beach, got rid of the riding gear, and started to take the chook off his perch and put him on the MZ. He said, "Hey!! Hey!! I'm old in chicken years and am more than ready to go into semi retirement.  Some of your escapades have taken a few years off my life, to boot. 14 thousand miles of twisties has taken it's toll. Take me back to Indiana with the Scura...."
Couldn't argue with his logic, really. 

[Tom]

Good to see that you're still having fun.  Dorcia still with you or did she fly home?  I think if you had the V9 Bobber you'd have to put all your input through the handlebars only.

[twowings]

So happy that you are actually getting to do this ride instead of being back home reading about somebody else having fun...ride on, Chuck!! 

[BMWDavid]

Chuck...glad to see you having fun. Are those Staintunes on the Scura?

[oldbike54]

 Bring the Chook to Cedar Vale next year , we will find him some twisties 

 Good job Chuckie , don't worry about the sport bike rider being faster , hard to overcome a 70 HP deficit 

 Dusty

[bad Chad]

The moments that make up a life...😎

[Chuck in Indiana]

Chuck...glad to see you having fun. Are those Staintunes on the Scura?

Yeah, it's a full Staintune system.. headers, xover, mufflers. It's a little raucous. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Good to see that you're still having fun.  Dorcia still with you or did she fly home?  I think if you had the V9 Bobber you'd have to put all your input through the handlebars only.

Hi, Tom.. Dorcia's still here. We're going to camp our way back to Indiana, stopping at Zion and Bryce on the way. Neither of us have been there. Actually thinking of taking 70 across Colorado, of all the times I've been in Colorado, I've never taken 70, and understand it's actually a nice road. Maybe 36 across the plains? I'm open to suggestions, and good places to camp.
Oh, the Bobber? Yeah, that's what it would have been like.  The Chook would have been upset to say the least..

[twowings]

I don't know your time constraints, but one highway I can HIGHLY recommend is CO-145 from Cortez, CO to Telluride, CO...it's a stunner!  Be sure you stop for a spectacular photo op at Trout Lake on Lizard Pass...if you care to, continue on CO-145 to Naturita and follow CO-141 around to Grand Junction....this route can be run easily in reverse from Grand Junction (on I-70) by taking US-50 south to the junction with CO-141...plenty of camping en route...

[BMWDavid]

Yeah, it's a full Staintune system.. headers, xover, mufflers. It's a little raucous. 

Thanks...I have Staintune slip-ons on my '02 LeMans. Have the db killers pulled. It kinda loud but sounds wonderful.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I don't know your time constraints, but one highway I can HIGHLY recommend is CO-145 from Cortez, CO to Telluride, CO...it's a stunner!  Be sure you stop for a spectacular photo op at Trout Lake on Lizard Pass...if you care to, continue on CO-145 to Naturita and follow CO-141 around to Grand Junction....this route can be run easily in reverse from Grand Junction (on I-70) by taking US-50 south to the junction with CO-141...plenty of camping en route...

Thanks for that, but we've been in that area with the Jack-All rig. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thanks...I have Staintune slip-ons on my '02 LeMans. Have the db killers pulled. It kinda loud but sounds wonderful.

I've been looking for a right muffler ever since I took over being the Mighty Scura's "keeper" from Pete. Thought I'd found a pair, but the Staintune x over is *different,* as is the muffler that fits the system. I'm thinking the chook is xenophobic, as he let Roper bin it right off the bat  when he was riding from MPH to the Malibu nationals.  <shrug> At any rate, the right one is scraped up. I'd like to find another..

[Tom]

If you haven't been to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  I15 to I40 might be a better way to the East.  Less fighting the elevation changes with the the van and the trailer.  I70 will be a haul uphill, downhill, uphill through the Rockies.  Once in Flagstaff a left to the canyon on 64.  If you can afford it helicopter tour through the canyon.  Then 160 through to 4 Corners.  Most of it will be on the flats.  You could stay on I40.  I70 going East of the Rockies is easy for your rig going home.  If you've been to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon......."nevah mine". 

[Chuck in Indiana]

If you haven't been to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  I15 to I40 might be a better way to the East.  Less fighting the elevation changes with the the van and the trailer.  I70 will be a haul uphill, downhill, uphill through the Rockies.  Once in Flagstaff a left to the canyon on 64.  If you can afford it helicopter tour through the canyon.  Then 160 through to 4 Corners.  Most of it will be on the flats.  You could stay on I40.  I70 going East of the Rockies is easy for your rig going home.  If you've been to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon......."nevah mine". 

Thanks, Tom.. we've been there, done that, too. I've been everywhere, man.. wrote a song about it.  I'd really like to avoid I70 from Denver to Indy. We've done that, and it sucks. Her Kid used to live near Denver.

[ohiorider]

Beautiful pics along with a beautiful bike!  Think we've seen the last of the big block sporty bikes from Guzzi?  If so, a shame.
The Scura might have been one of the best looking bikes MG built, including all the new stuff.

Bob

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thanks for the pic Chuck.
Sorry I can't see you this time but I know the roads.

Should be in the states part of August and part of September, and maybe traveling east to near your area.

Like to meet up and we can discuss things of aviation and motos.

So happy you are OK and having fun!!

Like to see your collection and maybe sometime you can see mine when in SoCal. How about a nice barrel roll in  UPF7??
Cheers!!!

:-)

Mike, the door to the 36-18 B&B is open.    Just let us know in time.. we'll leave the light on for ya.  Late July-August-September is our busy time with OSH, the national and midwest antique fly ins ,and Wisconsin and Kentucky Guzzi rallies. We'll try to work it out, though.
Never have been in a UPF7. So, how do you like it?

[pete roper]

It's a bike that is very easy to be 'Over Enthusiastic' on. Yep! I trowelled it somewhere east of Santa Fe on the first decent bit of twisty stuff we hit after the west Texas deserts. All my fault, I ignored my '15 Minute rule', (More like a five minute rule nowadays!) about acting the goat, especially on roads I don't know .

Anyway Chuck, if you ever feel like selling it I want first dibs on it. Most Spiney's don't do it for me. That bike is exceptional.

Pete.

PS. Sorry about the muffler.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Beautiful pics along with a beautiful bike!  Think we've seen the last of the big block sporty bikes from Guzzi? If so, a shame.
The Scura might have been one of the best looking bikes MG built, including all the new stuff.

Bob

I sincerely hope not, but I don't like the look of the way things are shaping up. Thanks! The Mighty Scura is bad... :grin:It took me a while to get re acclimated to it after riding nothing but the Lario, Monza and MZ for a good while. It grumbled to life and said, "You bringing your A game, boy??"  It did feel strange for the first half hour or so, then I fell back into the groove. I *love* the Mighty Scura..

[Chuck in Indiana]

It's a bike that is very easy to be 'Over Enthusiastic' on. Yep! I trowelled it somewhere east of Santa Fe on the first decent bit of twisty stuff we hit after the west Texas deserts. All my fault, I ignored my '15 Minute rule', (More like a five minute rule nowadays!) about acting the goat, especially on roads I don't know .

Anyway Chuck, if you ever feel like selling it I want first dibs on it. Most Spiney's don't do it for me. That bike is exceptional.

Pete.

PS. Sorry about the muffler.

Uh.. yeah. I've always been aware of it's ability to spit my arse off with a heavy throttle hand and/or a moment of inattention.  It *is* special. Power is addictive, of course.. and the last time I was out I was thinking that maybe when I got it home I'd do a leak down and see if it hadn't lost something. After riding small blocks and the MZ.. uh.. no. That sucker rocks.
The muffler? Meh. I blame the chook. He probably just doesn't like Austrians..

[LowRyter]

Chuck,  I'm in Breckenridge CO now.  If you are heading on I70, there are  some nice campsites around Dillon Reservoir and Keystone.   Beware some of the Forest Service campsites are closed for AGGRESSIVE  BEARS.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Chuck,  I'm in Breckenridge CO now.  If you are heading on I70, there are  some nice campsites around Dillon Reservoir and Keystone.   Beware some of the Forest Service campsites are close for AGGRESSIVE  BEARS.

Thanks, John.. :) Good info.

[LowRyter]

Just left Breck and lounging in Taos.  A few good roads in the Breck area like CO#9 to Hoosier pass, Montezuma Road, and  of course, Independence Pass east of Aspen.  Unfortunately, some of the pavement is showing some age (don't ask me about potholes and new right front on a Corvette).  And traffic.

[kirby1923]

Mike, the door to the 36-18 B&B is open.    Just let us know in time.. we'll leave the light on for ya.  Late July-August-September is our busy time with OSH, the national and midwest antique fly ins ,and Wisconsin and Kentucky Guzzi rallies. We'll try to work it out, though.
Never have been in a UPF7. So, how do you like it?

Hey Chuck I extend the same, lots to see here in the high desert, I know you will like it. Maybe can get some of those  arkies, mo-muleies and okies to come west to the ranch sometime.
I have about 30 hours in a UPF7 but I haven't flown the new one as I'm out of the country. Friend of mine delivered it to the hangar. He says its a jewel.
Compared to a Stearman or ...gulp a Greatlakes, its the best. You won't believe the ailerons (little adverse yaw!!)
Yipeeee.

:-)

[nobleswood]

Chuck,
Will you be bringing the Scura to the Zanesville OH rally ?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Chuck,
Will you be bringing the Scura to the Zanesville OH rally ?

I seldom make the Ohio rally.. it's the same time as the National Antique Airplane fly in at Blakesburg, Iowa. Generally, I pick the best weather for flying/riding.  The fly in gets priority, though.

[LowRyter]

Thanks, John.. :) Good info.

There were some nice spots off Swan Mtn Rd.  About a mile of dirt road to the campsites.  But plenty were open, Swan Mtn Rd nice drive by itself.  I didn't see electric there but there was fishing access, so it must be more than just a view to the lake.  The campsites around the reservoir were filled. 

Traveling past Keystone is forest camping but it was banned due to "aggressive bears".

Bev and I check out camping spots even when were in the car to plan for the next trip.

[charlie b]

Since you're going to Bryce, take UT12 then 24.  If you want another interesting road but a bit out of your way, try 95 over to US191 and then up through Moab.  Good camping all around there, but, hot this time of year.

Beware, I70 between Salina and Green River has nothing but asphalt.  Be sure to have plenty of gas.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Since you're going to Bryce, take UT12 then 24.  If you want another interesting road but a bit out of your way, try 95 over to US191 and then up through Moab.  Good camping all around there, but, hot this time of year.

Beware, I70 between Salina and Green River has nothing but asphalt.  Be sure to have plenty of gas.

Thanks, Charlie.. will do. We've been to Moab and the area, then down through Mesa Verde, Durango/Silverton, etc. on the Jack-All rig. I've been in much of Utah with the old 1000 SP. This trip should pretty much finish up Utah.  Move along.. nothing to see here..  Need I say we love Utah? We called it the wow state. Every time we would come around a corner, one of us would say, "Wow.."

[charlie b]

Yep, I kinda agree with that.  But, I apply it to a lot of AZ, NM, CO and UT.

[LowRyter]

There were some nice spots off Swan Mtn Rd.  About a mile of dirt road to the campsites.  But plenty were open, Swan Mtn Rd nice drive by itself.  I didn't see electric there but there was fishing access, so it must be more than just a view to the lake.  The campsites around the reservoir were filled. 

Traveling past Keystone is forest camping but it was banned due to "aggressive bears".

Bev and I check out camping spots even when were in the car to plan for the next trip.