Pelican ride over the Crest

[SergioK]

The 818 Now » Blog Archive » Motorcyclist dies after speeding off cliff on ACH

Sadly this is most likely the first of many...

[macfly]

Sad to hear, in the prime of his life. I hope it was at least quick and painless for him.

[jaytee]

At least he went doing what he wanted to be doing. Glad we are going on a weekday.

[Guest24]

Originally Posted by jaytee

At least he went doing what he wanted to be doing. Glad we are going on a weekday.

I would agree right up to the part were he loses control and slides of the cliff. From that point on, he was probably wishing that he was doing something else.

[turboflyer]

Well was just up there last week. Plan on doing the ride this thursday on the BMW with some folks here. We can all second guess it, sadly a fellow rider is gone and love ones will surely miss him. Just a very sad reinforcement to ride at you skill level and look out for the guy coming the other way. I would bet we have all had the boy I am lucky to be here close one. I sure have. For those on thursday who think your fast, by all means take the lead. Beside we can all chip in and buy the lead guy lunch. Lets call him the point man. Should be able to flush a few hats out of hiding.

[mfrane]

I want to ride and will try to make it the 23rd. Mike Frane

[jaytee]

Ok, so here is the latest update for the back-to-back Pelican Crest Rides:

Ride One
Thursday, June 23rd - 10:00am meet, 10:30 depart

4530 Angeles Crest Highway
Jay's Shell station (at the CA2 and the US210)

So far:
macfly
jaytee
tm1100s
turboflyer
bradzdotcom
mfrane

Ride Two
Thursday, June 30th - 10:00am meet, 10:30 depart

4530 Angeles Crest Highway
Jay's Shell station (at the CA2 and the US210)

So far:
macfly
jaytee
sergio
John Lyon?

Let me know who all else can make it.

And yes, this is definately a ride your own ride. I am a medium-speed rider who likes a moderate, spirited ride using the "pace" philosophy. That being said, I know I'm too slow to lead this group. Brad? Andy?

JT

[bradzdotcom]

jt~

heavens no, not me. i'm still learning how to work the clutch and shifter and that stuff.
did you know there are five controls, but only two hands and two feet? how in the world do they expect you to operate these things?

i'm still afraid of the front brake (i hear it can flip ya right over the bars just from looking at it).

ACH is just one road. if you stay on it, it's hard to get lost (yet easy to "toss).
if you know where you're gonna re-group, there's no need for someone to carry a flag at the front.

besides, i already have an extensive ACH ticket collection, and it would be selfish and rude of me to not allow others the opportunity to bring home an officially signed piece of yellow paper.

i'm just gonna cruise. besides, i've heard about these things called "apex", which i understand can be found in lots of corners. not sure how big or small these apex creatures are, but i'm gonna try to hit one, if it runs out in the road in front of me.

[jaytee]

Tomorrow's weather is sunny and clear, high of 85 at LaCanada/Flintgridge, 78 at Wrightwood. Wind moderate at 10-12mph.

Looks like an awesome day for a lunch ride! See y'all at 10am; be there or be SQUARE...

JT

[macfly]

Sounds pretty perfect, looking forward to it.

[turboflyer]

OK realized what rush hour traffic I would be fighting to get there by 10 so gonna pass on this one. May do a local ride instead. You folks have a great one.

[macfly]

Weather sure look glorious up there, should be a gorgeous ride!

Mountain Hardware Solar Cam

[jaytee]

Sorry to miss you turboflyer. I know traffic shouldn't to bad traffic after 8:30-9:00 am. We will let you know how bad traffic is and maybe you can make next week!

[macfly]

Great day out today, absolute pleasure meeting the other pelicans and getting to share such a stunningly beautiful day on one of the best roads in the world.

[SergioK]

I'm really hoping to make it in a week...

[bradzdotcom]

you really should sergio.
we saw the local bike cop sitting at the bar at Newcombs, drowning his sorrows with fellow patrons.
i think it would be quite uplifting if you came up there and gave him something to do/someone new to meet.

we had good weather, not too many rocks on the road, a little construction here and there.
i got to meet three new guys, plus Tony bought me lunch!

also found out that my bike still works when you lean it over.
fun ride.
thanx guys.

[bradzdotcom]

tony~

the guy that resoles the sidi boots:
Factory Resole

or jim@

he's been doing it forever, has it dialed.

thanx for the burger.

[macfly]

For those there I've got the skinny on my MM handling from a BMW suspension expert I just spoke to. When the rear shock height is minimized the front forks must be all slid all the way down in the triple clamps too. Having the forks at the upper mid marks and the rear all the way lowered the bike would be slower to turn in and feel like it wants to run wide, which is exactly how it felt yesterday!

Next week I might being the MM out again to see if dropping the triple clamps to the low mark works, because riding that road with you guys is the only way to find out what the bike is doing while its being pushed. If I'm on my own I just dial it down to where the bike feels right, and accept that as its limits, but getting to push it to a brisker pace really helps understand what those limits are and how they can be improved upon.

[SergioK]

If it was Gonzalez... I may need to find another mountain. Or video my speedo, gps etc for the next time he lies through his teeth.

[tm1100s]

Kept a gps log for this ride. Logged the time, speed and location every 10 seconds. Probably would have hung me anyway, even being at the back of the pack.