I see the corner coming — the deep bend, the strange camber, the way the road rolls against itself as it tilts right and climbs north. Part of me cringes. Feels out of sorts, as if today isn’t really my day. But the bike doesn’t … Read More →
Tag Archives: Malibu
Pendulum of Confusion
The engine is howling with anger as it sucks down air and explodes. Blows Up and instills its will. Rev by Rev, the road surface bears the brunt of this rage. For an instant it’s easy to imagine bits of tarmac being ripped right out … Read More →
Private Canyon
Sweat is beading up. Bits of perspiration grow unchecked. First there’s one. Then two. Now, three. Until the moment comes when the collection of water hits its critical mass and the weight exceeds the liquid’s suction power. A second later, I feel the momentum of … Read More →
Long Time to Look This Good
The bike is slipping into second gear as the sunshine flickers. Bright and dark rays shutter through the weeds. Spill onto the road. Laying out a pattern of texture that’s deep with shades of gray but very little black and white… And then the torque … Read More →
Let’s Get Naked: A Ducati S2R 1000 Finds A Home
“Oh boy… Here we go again,” is in fact the first thought that comes to mind the minute I walk into Pro Italia and realize that, yes, I am in fact once again kicking tires… Not idly mulling about mind you, but striding purposefully through … Read More →
Head Games in the Canyons
It’s bright. Blindingly bright. So bright in fact that it feels like summer and not spring… Finally… Beneath me the F4 hums. It’s four high mounted organ pipes blasting out a unique overture that seems to scream for world domination — or at least make … Read More →
Back in the Saddle, Part 2
It’s been a great day and it’s been a strange day all at the same time. While I’d like to say that I’m over the effects of my crash, the reality is that it continues to hang over my head like a weight. It haunts … Read More →
Group is stronger than an Individual
Unfortunately I’ve got to be a bit brief tonight as I have another bike review to tend to but it’s worth noting that today’s ride was one of the better five-hour sojourns that I’ve spent in the last several months. It’s remarkable how placid one … Read More →
Sunday Ride Picts
Once again I’m getting ready to head out of town for another motorcycle related shoot, but thankfully I was able to get a quick ride in Sunday morning. If I wasn’t running around trying pack right now – why do I always wait till the … Read More →
Unrelaxed
Two straight days of riding has yet to unwind me. For some reason even though we’ve had perfect weather and perfect conditions, I just couldn’t let go and enjoy the rides. Maybe this was just one of those weekend when I shouldn’t have even bothered … Read More →
Implied Guilt
Wow, I’ve been waiting for a weekend like this for what seems like forever. With picture perfect weather and fantastic road conditions, I hit the canyons for some much needed R&R. Only as it turns out while everything seemed set up for a perfect day … Read More →
Misty Coastlines & Hot Canyons
Took MotorMilt’s ’04 out for a spin today – he’s been laid up with a knee injury for the past few weeks and I figured it was probably a good idea to run his 9 for a bit just to get the juices flowing. For … Read More →
A Malibu Loop in The Morning
Looking down I was at 8,500 RPMs and I’m doing 75 MPH coming down Mullhulland when it finally hit me, having a fully broken in engine is as close to pure bliss as you can get. Coming off of two back-to-back hetic work weeks, the … Read More →
Sunday’s Sport-Touring Sportbike Ride – Part 2
When I last left off it was around noon when MotorMilt and I left Los Olivos on Sunday’s Sport-Touring Sportbike Ride (Part 1). We had stopped there for a few minutes to take a quick breather and rest the wrists from what already had become … Read More →
Sunday’s Sport-Touring Sportbike Ride – Part 1
Sunday morning I woke up around 5:15 AM and I had never even set the alarm clock the night before. Even though it was still dark outside I just knew from the moment I got up that I felt immediately ready to hit the road. … Read More →
1 Year Later… The best rides
Sunday MotorMilt & I did a monster 340 mile loop, which took us from LA all the way up the coast to Oxnard, over the southern tip of the San Rafael Mountains, through Santa Barbara and Montecito, over the Southwestern edge of the Santa Ynez … Read More →
Illusion vs. Ego
This afternoon I was able to steal a few of hours and get a ride in during the late afternoon and early evening. Heading up the PCH, I was only a few miles into the ride when I started to notice what a difference a … Read More →
When you know you’re home again
Few things truly wake up your soul like going for your first ride after being out of town for awhile. Right now I honestly have no idea what time my body thinks it is, but after being on the road for the past nine days … Read More →
Canyon Cometh
Engines wail. Roads bend. Seasons change. But the dirt, the dirt in the middle of the asphalt, that never seems to go anywhere… Extending the kickstand, I kill the engine and slide off the saddle. Peer out over the reasonably clear San Fernando Valley. And … Read More →