Courtesy of Brian Wood

Context is important... We started this trip with a bit of trepidation as for the previous few days local news stations were broadcasting video clips from YouTube of a "squid" blowing a corner on Angeles Crest Highway, running wide and nearly having head-on accident.  The CHP had responded by stating (over and over) that they would be out "in force" on the day of our ride to enforce the speed limit and reduce reckless behavior.  Just want you want, lots of cops lining your route...

Well, I must say "Thanks" to the squids posting videos and the response of the CHP.  While we stayed right at the speed limit most of the way along Angeles Crest (which can be entertaining on some of the tight corners), never crossed the double yellow, and tried not to get flustered by the dozen or so CHP officers with radar guns pointed at us, we had the whole road to ourselves!  All the news reports scared everyone away, so it was a rare treat indeed to ride nearly the entire length of the Crest without being held up by slower vehicles or having wannabe racers passing you unsafely as they raced along.  Seriously, we really enjoyed a rare Saturday ride with no traffic to bother you.  Yeah, all the cops were a bit intimidating, but at least help was nearby if you had a problem!

But, I got ahead of the story... As planned, Kellie & I saddled up our new ST1300 (400 miles on the odometer) and headed out to the Carl's Jr. in Newhall where we were met by Guy Simmons on his FJR.  After a few minutes of catching up on things and waiting for any latecomers (none), we headed up Placerita and Little Tujunga Canyon Roads.  We encountered very little traffic (mostly bicycles) and only stopped to check on a car driver who had blown a turn and gone wide into a ditch (I guess PT Cruisers aren't great sports cars).  He was fine so on we went to the second meeting spot in Sunland.

Pulling up in the Starbucks parking lot we were greeted by Lon & Pam Larson on their ST1300.  After chatting for a bit, and determining nobody else was joining us, we headed up Big Tujunga Canyon Road to Angeles Forest Highway and ultimately, Angeles Crest.  We had a bit of traffic before getting to Angeles Crest, but nothing we weren't able get around in passing zones.  Just before arriving at the Angeles Forest/Crest intersection we saw our first CHP (while my GPS verified we were within a couple MPH of the speed limit) reminding us to be mindful of our pace.  Another CHP passed us, then right at the intersection was another (apparently checking on a group of cruiser's he'd stopped).  For the next 17 miles to Newcomb's Ranch we saw another nine (or so) CHP, all armed with radar in various hiding spots.  No problem.  I stuck to the speed limit and as stated above, and we enjoyed a traffic free ride to Newcomb's.

Nobody needed a break, so we didn't stop at Newcomb's and just headed on up Crest Highway to Big Pines Highway -- never seeing another CHP.  Traffic was still extremely light, so we made good time to Wrightwood, took Lone Pine Canyon to Cajon Junction, and stopped at the McDonald's for a stretch and quick refreshments.

Leaving Cajon Junction, we took 138 east past Silverwood Lake and up into the twisties to Old Mill Road and into the Lake Gregory area, before heading up to Lake Arrowhead for lunch.  Everyone grabbed lunch at Subway, but we then headed to McDonald's for their patio dining and great view of the lake (above).

Leaving Lake Arrowhead we took Highway 18 down the south side of the mountain into San Bernardino, then headed across I-210 toward Upland and Mt. Baldy Road.  Being more familiar with these roads, Lon & Pam took the lead up Mt. Baldy to Glendora Ridge Road -- a beautiful, twisty, "single lane" (no centerline) road I had never been on.  What an absolutely great road!  I was kicking myself for not bringing my GoPro to shoot some video (I'll have to go back sometime soon).   Picking up Glendora Mountain Road, we linked with East Fork Road and on over to North San Gabriel Canyon Road which took us down into Azusa and a Starbucks for something cold to drink.

After relaxing and cooling down a bit we said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways to get home.  We had great weather (got a bit hot a few times, but nowhere near as hot as we expected), very little traffic for most of the route, and thoroughly enjoyed the route and ride (275 miles in all).  Thanks to Lon, Pam, and Guy for coming out to play!