Sat 11/15 Santa Monica Mountains Ride & Lunch

[Marcf]

On Saturday the 15th I'm going for a ride through the Santa Monica Mountains (canyon roads between the 101 Freeway and PCH) and plan on ending up at Neptune's Net for lunch on PCH near the LA and Ventura county line at around 12:30 or 1pm. I'm normally on the road by 9am to beat traffic and get a good three and a half to four hours of riding in before stopping for lunch and then calling it a day. Because I live in downtown LA I normally shoot down to Santa Monica and head north on PCH from there or I ride North/West on the 101 and take one of the canyon roads down towards PCH / Malibu. I'm up for meeting anywhere as a starting point. Please reply if interested in joining.

I'm open to any other rides/routes for that day if anyone wants to make a suggestion.

Thanks,
Marc

[meese]

Neptune's Net is about 20 miles from me. I'm interested in meeting for lunch, unless work gets in the way (as it too often does for me). I'll check in again later in the week.

Anyone else interested?

[Rock1098]

Where do you plan to meet/start? I may be free that weekend, but I'd have to leave early to get up to LA. Not a bad excuse to visit my brother in Sylmar when we are done. I'll check the forum during to week for final details.

[sorchilla]

I'd be interested in meeting you guys for lunch. It's a 3 hour ride for me to get to the LA/Ventura county line area but I can find an interesting way there and home. Does anybody have the exact location or GPS coordinates of Neptunes Net.

[meese]

Does anybody have the exact location or GPS coordinates of Neptunes Net.Yes, Google (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=neptune%27s+net&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=) does (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Neptune%27s+Net+Seafood&fb=1&cid=0,0,10269290971136366024&near=Malibu,+CA&oi=manybox&ct=10&cd=1&resnum=1), as does the Neptune's Net (http://www.neptunesnet.com/) website. :D

Neptune's Net Seafood
42505 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-3095

http://www.google.com/mapdata?Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=34053059&Point.longitude_e6=4176004295&Point.iconid=15&Point=e&latitude_e6=34053059&longitude_e6=4176004295&zm=2400&w=300&h=200&cc=US&min_priority=1

[Rock1098]

Is Neptune's Nest the meet point? Or the final destination? Or both? :confused:

[Jim]

Diana is taking me to Catalina for my birthday next weekend so I'll have to miss this one but will be on the lookout for future meetings now that non LT riders are being accepted. ;)

[zippy_gg]

I will have my daughters next weekend, and Saturday is soccer day so I will miss that one!

[Marcf]

Folks,

How about we make the final destination Neptune's Net at 12:30pm for lunch. Those who want to meet up for the pre lunch ride should be at Gladstone's 4 Fish here at 10am:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=17300+Pacific+Coast+Hwy,+Pacific+Palisades,+CA+90272&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.150864,78.75&ie=UTF8&ll=34.041067,-118.554153&spn=0.007948,0.019226&z=16&g=17300+Pacific+Coast+Hwy,+Pacific+Palisades,+CA+90272&iwloc=addr

Meeting address is:
Gladstone's 4 Fish
17300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Near the intercection of PCH and Sunset
If the parking lot attendand wants to charge you for parking advise (ask nicely) that you are simply waiting for a friend and will be leaving shortly...

This will give anyone coming from OC or further a chance to get there without having to get up at "O Dark Hundred". Also gives us two and a half hours of canyon riding through some incredible roads and beautiful scenery before stopping off at Neptune's for lunch.

The Rock Store is nearby off Mulhulland Hwy and a nice place to stop and check out a hundred other motorcycles... Not to mention, they've got free popcorn!

I'm up for riding a bit after lunch as well in case there are a few more roads we'd like to try.

All suggestions for routes, meeting times, etc are welcome of course. Let's say that by Wednesday evening we finalize the meeting location and route. If no suggestions then we'll stick with the plan above.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Thanks,
Marc

[Marcf]

Diana is taking me to Catalina for my birthday next weekend so I'll have to miss this one but will be on the lookout for future meetings now that non LT riders are being accepted. ;)

Hey Jim - I got accepted by the skin on my teeth and I'm riding a GS... You'll be on double secret probation with that Ural! :D

I love those things!

Marc

[zippy_gg]

Meeting address is:
Gladstone's 4 Fish
17300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Near the intercection of PCH and Sunset
If the parking lot attendand wants to charge you for parking advise (ask nicely) that you are simply waiting for a friend and will be leaving shortly...

Marc, I see a bit of a problem with meeting at Gladstones is that when leaving their parking lot you are only allowed to make a right turn on PCH, therefore going Southbound while your destination is Northbound.:(
Perhaps meeting at the Northwest corner of the PCH and Topanga Canyon would be easier and there is no parking attendant to contend with...:)
Just food for thought...:)

[meese]

Marc, I see a bit of a problem with meeting at Gladstones is that when leaving their parking lot you are only allowed to make a right turn on PCH, therefore going Southbound while your destination is Northbound.:(I don't think they were planning on heading straight up the coast. :D

[XMagnaRider]

Me too. Thanks to Marc for getting this one organized.

I live in central Orange County, next to Anaheim, between the 91 and the 22.

I am up for an early ride, or I can join the folks coming up from further south (Doug and George). We could meet at Long Beach BMW's new building (they separated from the car dealership and moved across the street). They open at 9:00 AM on Saturday.

A few blocks away is Signal Hill park, which has a 270 degree view of Long Beach/LA harbor, downtown LA, the mountains, etc. There are at least three blocks worth of twisties to get to the top, maybe four. :)

We could also meet at Irv Seaver in Orange.

I can be at Gladstones or wherever at 10:30.

Let me know what y'all want to do.

Cheers,

XMR

[Marcf]

Leave it up to me to find the one parking lot on PCH with a right/south only exit... :D Thanks for the "heads up" on that one Gilles.

Because I'm not too familiar with PCH and the available parking areas (I've parked at Gladstones so I'm familiar with that one) let's just stick with the Gladstone's plan and worse case scenario is we make a u-turn a few yards down the road. I'll keep an eye out for a good future permanent meeting spot for us while on this ride.

Any way everyone who's on board so far can make it to Gladstone's by 10am? My schedule is flexible so if you guys prefer later to make it more palatable for the guys coming up from further south, that works for me. Just trying to firm up a time so we can try to get Meese to meet us for lunch at Neptune's.

Anyhow, the goal is to get the meeting location, start time and lunch time finalized by end of day Wednesday. We're almost there. I'll get a roster going so we can get a head count.

Ken (Meese) - lunch only?
George (Rock1098) - ride and lunch?
Doug (Sorchilla) - ride and lunch?
David (Xmagnarider) - ride and lunch?
Me (marcf) - definitely ride and lunch!

Guys - feel free to copy and paste the roster on future posts in case the head count changes.

I've got some great roads in mind as that area is just incredible in terms of scenery and twisties.

Thanks,
Marc

[Rock1098]

So far so good. I'm good for ride and lunch and more riding if we decide to go. Weather looks to be great this Saturday. I can meet anywhere we decide. I'll keep checking the forum for final plans.

I may have a friend come along. He has a Triumph Thruxton? He may bail since he needs a kitchen pass first. Looking forward to visiting the Rock store, I've only been there once and that was a few years ago.

[Marcf]

George - help your friend get the kitchen pass.... so we can all try out his Triumph Thruxton. Those are nice bikes. :)

[Rock1098]

I sent him the form. He has not replied as of yet. If the ladies need a form, there is one attached for them too. :)

[Jim]

I sent him the form. He has not replied as of yet. If the ladies need a form, there is one attached for them too. :)

Those are great. :rotf:

[Marcf]

I sent him the form. He has not replied as of yet. If the ladies need a form, there is one attached for them too. :)

That is hilarious! :toast:

[Rock1098]

I asked my Triumph riding buddy if he had obtain the kitchen pass yet. Aparrently his SO was not amused all day long because he elected to stay home from work. But before bed she apoligized for being so bitchy all day long. So did he take advantage of the opportunity right then and there? NOooo!

I think I'll be riding up solo on this one... ;)

[Marcf]

Hello Everyone,

Here's the final schedule for this Saturday's ride (11/15):

Ride Start Time:
10:30am (this allows a good margin for those coming up from the south counties).

Ride Start Location:
Gladstone's 4 Fish
17300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Near the intercection of PCH and Sunset

Lunch Stop Time:
1pm

Lunch Stop Location:
Neptune's Net Seafood
42505 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265

Roster:
Ken (Meese) - lunch only
George (Rock1098) - ride and lunch
Doug (Sorchilla) - ride and lunch
David (Xmagnarider) - ride and lunch
Me (marcf) - ride and lunch

I don't have anything printed out in terms of routes, etc. Just playing it by ear when there. I've ridden these canyon roads so I'm pretty familiar with them. If anyone has routes they want to share, we'll follow!

Looking forward to seeing you guys this weekend. I hope you all can make it out. In the event you can't make it, don't feel bad; we'll catch you on the next ride.

Thanks and ride safe,
Marc
310-743-3070 cell - feel free to call.

[XMagnaRider]

Hello Everyone,
... blah blah blah ...

I suggest that Doug and George and I (and anyone else who is interested) meet at Long Beach BMW Motorcycles at 9:00 AM, which is when they open on Saturday.

Take 405 North to the Cherry Ave. South exit. Turn right at the exit (Temple Ave.), then an immediate left at the dead end onto Spring St. Go two or three blocks, and it is the glass cube on your right side. If you get to Cherry St., you've gone too far.

2125 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 92806
562-426-1200

From there, I suggest we go to the top of Signal Hill (only a few blocks away) and take in the view. After that, we can ride along Ocean Blvd. and over the Vincent Thomas Bridge, then take the 110 and 405 freeways to meet up with Marc, Ken, and the others by 10:30.

Is that okay?

[Rock1098]

David,

Sounds good to me. See you at LB BMW at 9:00 am. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

George

[meese]

Ride Start Time:
10:30am

Ride Start Location:
Gladstone's 4 Fish
17300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Near the intercection of PCH and SunsetHaving just returned from LAX up through Malibu, I scoped all this out.

Option 1: Stick with Gladstone's so as not to confuse folks. We can talk nice to the parking attendant, or just park along the street just South of the Gladstone's parking lot entrance. It's dirt/gravel, but plenty of room for 5 or 6 bikes.

Option 2: There is a paved public parking lot on PCH just North of Gladstone's. We'd still have to turn right (South), but I'd be more worried about missing some folks who don't see this thread in time.

Option 3: There is a Von's just across the intersection from Gladstone's. It has a big lot, plus we can easily head up PCH or turn onto Sunset and go right into the hills. Again, my concern is missing some folks who don't see this thread in time.

Also, know that the Rock Store and Neptune's Net are both going to be zoos on a sunny Saturday. But that's part of the fun, isn't it. :D

Thoughts?

[Marcf]

Ken,

Thanks for scoping out the area. Great observations and the Vons option may be the way to go for the next ride. For now however, I've got the same concern as you about missing someone. So, let's stick with Gladstones as planned at 10:30am for this Saturday - either inside the lot or in the little gravel patch near the entrance.

Im expecting both the Rock Store and Neptune's to be packed. Should make for some nice bike gawking.

Speaking of LAX, I flew out of Burbank for the first time last week - wow what a difference! Small, boutique like airport with nice folks working it, easy parking, cheap parking, quick gate access, etc. Even got my shoes shined! That's now my airport of choice if at all possible out of the LA area. I was really impressed. Only downside of course is the limited flight destinations and schedule.

Thanks,
Marc

[XMagnaRider]

Having just returned from LAX up through Malibu, I scoped all this out.

Option 1: Stick with Gladstone's so as not to confuse folks. We can talk nice to the parking attendant, or just park along the street just South of the Gladstone's parking lot entrance. It's dirt/gravel, but plenty of room for 5 or 6 bikes.

Option 2: There is a paved public parking lot on PCH just North of Gladstone's. We'd still have to turn right (South), but I'd be more worried about missing some folks who don't see this thread in time.

Option 3: There is a Von's just across the intersection from Gladstone's. It has a big lot, plus we can easily head up PCH or turn onto Sunset and go right into the hills. Again, my concern is missing some folks who don't see this thread in time.

Also, know that the Rock Store and Neptune's Net are both going to be zoos on a sunny Saturday. But that's part of the fun, isn't it. :D

Thoughts?
Neptune's Net: I haven't been there. Do they take reservations? (I just called; the answer is no.) We can always go somewhere else if we wish. That's called freedom.

Rock Store: I have been there. Reservations? Yeah, right! I agree, it's part of the fun.

Options:
All three options seem okay to me. I would choose the one that has the most room for parking, stretching, chatting, etc. - probably the street just south of the Gladstones entrance. The Vons parking lot is in a good location, but I worry that a "small town" grocery store parking lot on a Saturday morning would be filled to overflowing.

Ken:
You are the one with the first-hand observations, so please make a command decision and let us know. Marc has been watching the thread regularly and will be meeting you there. I have been watching this thread at least a couple times a day and will know. George says he will meet me at LB BMW, so I can tell him.

Whatever you decide, most people will know. Even if we don't find you, we'll look around at the other options. If our group can't find you, I can always pull over and give you a call when we get to the area.

We haven't heard from Doug. Assuming that he's still going, he will have to check here for final details anyway. If he shows up at LB BMW, I will tell him. If he's so late that we have to leave without him, then I'll leave a note with the salesperson on duty there. Heck, if he's big enough to be riding an LT, then he big enough to look around when he gets there.

[meese]

So, let's stick with Gladstones as planned at 10:30am for this Saturday - either inside the lot or in the little gravel patch near the entrance.Sounds good. See y'all there.

[Marcf]

Sounds good. See y'all there.

Ken - glad to hear you're coming along for the ride instead of just lunch!
Marc

[Rock1098]

I'll keep checking this thread for any changes up to Friday evening. Looking forward to a ride this weekend. :wave

[sorchilla]

Still planning on seeing you guys and will be at Gladstones or parking lot across the street around 10:30AM. The Santa Ana's are blowing out here in the desert and the banning pass. Hopefully they will die down by tomorrow AM. If not, I'll just get blown around a bit. I'm used to the winds but still don't like it. MPG drops to about 35 and makes for a noisy ride.

[Marcf]

Great - looks like everyone's checked in. See ya'll at 10:30 at Gladstones!

Doug - ride safe on your way over.

Marc

[Rock1098]

So far I see no changes so I will meet up with David at LB BMW at 9:00am.

David, I will be on my stock '05 LT, blue with grey seats.

Everyone ride safe.

George

[XMagnaRider]

So far I see no changes so I will meet up with David at LB BMW at 9:00am.

David, I will be on my stock '05 LT, blue with grey seats.

Everyone ride safe.

George
Hi George,

I'll be there. I look forward to meeting you. I will be on a stock '07 GT, dark blue with black seats.

[meese]

Great ride guys, even if it was a bit warm & windy (take that, you NorthEasters :D).

I'll get some pics set up soon.

You can see a rough draft of our route at this link (http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0HQ6tcjKIBdiZaQlnCqttjkeeps9hK9PN).

[Rock1098]

Yes, excellent ride. I can't believe how warm it was today. Thanks David for showing me Signal Hill, I can't believe after all these years I never knew that was there. Awesome views.

Nice meeting everyone, I look forward to some more rides. Sorry I didn't stay for lunch, it just saved me some time getting home.

Ken, Doug, David and Marc, thanks again. Those were some great roads out there. I hope everyone made it back home safely.

Hey Ken, who was that guy snapping pics up there. I think he got me scrapping my peg!

[XMagnaRider]

I had a great ride too. I hope we can meet up and do another ride together. Thanks to Marc for organizing it. Ken, Marc, Doug, George - Your riding skills are very impressive - you rock!

It was a hot day, and just seemed to get hotter on the way home. Once I crossed Sepulveda Pass on the 405, it got very dark from the smoke. I had to get off the freeway so I could take off my sunglasses.

Ken - you were very right about dehydration. While we were out today, I had two bottles of water and a large orange juice. It wasn't enough. Since I got home, I had several glasses of water, a lemonade, and a soda. Lesson learned.

[Marcf]

Guys - Excellent ride today. Thanks to all of you for making it happen. I'm glad everyone made it out as planned. I really enjoyed getting to meet you all and look forward to the next ride. Let's work on one for late November or early December.

Take care and ride safe,
Marc

[XMagnaRider]

Photos from Signal Hill, around the corner from Long Beach BMW Motorcycles. Nice spot for a family picnic, or a stopping point on a quiet date.

270 degree view of Orange County, Long Beach, Catalina Island, Palos Verde Peninsula, Downtown LA, the mountains, and beyond. It was one of the clearest days I've ever seen there.

You can see the smoke from the Sylmar fire in the downtown LA photo.

Note: The camera was zoomed for the Long Beach pictures.

[XMagnaRider]

Rock Store:

* Marc's GS

* Our other bikes:
My blue GT and Ken's totally farkled GT are on the right.
George's and Doug's two LTs is in the top center.

* A couple of bikers next to a custom bike and a three-wheeler.

* A nicely restored 1964 (?) BMW R27.

* The R27 and its owner.

A lot of bikers hung around Ken's bike, scratching their heads, trying to figure out what all of the screens, controls, knobs, buttons, switches, jacks, sockets, plugs, caps, wires, dials, displays, horns, speakers, and alerts do. They were probably wondering how anybody could keep their hands on the handlebars and still operate all those gadgets.

I noticed that nobody wanted to get too close, out of fear that they might set off the alarm horns, pepper spray, rock salt pellets, and missile launchers. :rotf:

[XMagnaRider]

The group shot at the Rock Store with (left to right):

George, Marc, Ken, Doug, and me.

I have no idea how this forum orders pictures any more, so use the group shot as a guide to the individual portraits. On my screen, it is Doug, George, Ken, Marc.

[XMagnaRider]

Neptune's Net photos...

George's LT is on the left and Ken's GT is on the right of "Neptune1".

[Jim]

Hey Ken, who was that guy snapping pics up there. I think he got me scrapping my peg!

I'm not Ken, but if he was a half a mile or so above the Rock Store it was this guy...

www.rockstorephotos.com

Listed by date and either AM or PM. He probably got pictures of all of you guys as you went past. That is where I got the photo in my avatar.

[Rock1098]

Thanks Jim. I didn't see yesterday's date posted yet. I'll check it out later in the week to see the pictures.

You missed a great ride. It was a bit smokey out there, but the roads and riders made it great. :)

Thanks again.

[meese]

I didn't see yesterday's date posted yet. I'll check it out later in the week to see the pictures.He's probably back up there today taking more pics. I didn't go to the Rock Store again, but I couldn't resist another ride across Decker Canyon, then up Mulholland and down Yerba Buena. There were a ton of bikes parked at Neptune's Net, and all up and down both sides of PCH. I didn't bother stopping there, as it would have taken way to long to explain my entire cockpit to the gawking crowd. :D

[Marcf]

David - Thanks for posting the pics! Great shots. I'm glad you brought a camera as I forgot mine of course.
Looking forward to the next ride.
Marc

[Marcf]

Ken - didn't take long for you to get back to Yerba buena... Sweet road.

[sorchilla]

Great ride guys - enjoyed the ride and the company. Food was so-so! I'm tied up the next few weekends. How about a ride to eat thre Saturday after Thanskgiving - maybe Julian or Idyllwild?

[Marcf]

Great ride guys - enjoyed the ride and the company. Food was so-so! I'm tied up the next few weekends. How about a ride to eat thre Saturday after Thanskgiving - maybe Julian or Idyllwild?

Doug, I've not been to Idyllwild and would definitely be interested in riding out there. I'm in Atlanta the week of Thanksgiving through Saturday. Sunday me be doable however... Maybe put up a thread posting for the ride to see if anyone bites.
Marc

[meese]

How about a ride to eat the Saturday after Thanskgiving - maybe Julian or Idyllwild?Sure, we'd be glad to head out your way next time.

But I have to warn you, when I put Idylwild CA into Google, it gave me driving directions to Saskatchewan, at just under 2,000 miles. :eek: I think that's a bit more than most of y'all would want to ride in a weekend, although I might be up for it. :D

Tried it again with two elles and all is fine. :D

[XMagnaRider]

Idyllwild is up in the mountains. It is likely to be brisk. You may run into heavy fog or frost up there, too.

Instead, how about doin' a quick loop around Phoenix the day before? ;)

[Rock1098]

Brisk weather in Idyllwild? David, I thought the GT had heated seats and hand warmers? :D

As long as there is no snow and winds, the roads up there are awesome. May have to take the 1098 for that trip. :D

[Marcf]

We may have to set David up on an LT with chains on the tires for that Idyllwild ride :D