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dre_2k2_f4i
02-01-2004, 02:47 PM
This mountain range contains the infamous "Latigo Canyon Road." Cool pictures of different riders attacking a corner on Latigo: http://www.labiker.com/features/rockstore010502/Gallery02/

Map: http://www.3dman.com/articles/Map.jpg -- this map is lacking some roads (like Tuna and Stunt), but contains good information.

15 MB video from the top of the snake (Mulholland's tightest section just north of the Rock Store): http://homepage.mac.com/levinet/.Movies/bikeslut/TOTS-CD.mov

The Rock Store is a mecca for sport and cruiser, famous (Catherine Bell, Jay Leno, Arnold Schwarzenegger) and commoner, business (before their release the 2004 R1's were reportedly spotted here doing "tests" -- probably by magazine writers) and pleasure.

A favored route from the south west to get to the Rock Store:
Las Flores - Rambla Pacifico - Schuren - Stunt - Mulholland - Lake Vista - Mulholland. And to continue on to Neptune's Net: Mulholland (you immediately hit the snake) - Little Sycamore Canyon - Yerba Buena - Deer Creek Road - PCH South. Then take PCH South to Latigo Canyon to get back in. The end of Latigo hits Kanan, so you can take the Snake down into the Rock Store.

I spent most of my days on my F4i here learning to ride canyons (albeit, the hard way). In fact, it was after a night session in the Santa Monica Mountains that I totalled the F4i. Since I was riding solo most of those days, I have few pictures of riders in action. And because there are so many miles of canyons to explore, there is no one spot to squat to take pictures.

Traffic is light and usually limitted to locals. CHP presence picks up in the summer, just as it does everywhere else. Because of its intimidating, sharp corners: squids can be spotted mostly on Mulholland alone (on the snake or at the overlook at the top of the snake), leaving the rest of the canyons virtually squid free.

Those issues aside, the SMM's appeal to the true riders. Various side roads, some leading nowhere. Playgrounds for dual sports and dirt bikes. Restaurants littered all over (you just need to know where the good ones are). Temperate weather, with the ocean sitting so close. Spectacular, breathtaking vistas of the ocean (http://img.aguto.com/021229/0212293666_G) (pictures from Latigo (http://img.aguto.com/021112)). Truly an enjoyment for all your senses.

swll360
02-08-2004, 10:23 PM
Dayuum...that ride looks sweet. When it warms up a little more we should try and hit it up one weekend.

tjb
02-09-2004, 02:08 PM
Cool map Dre,
i lived in malibu for 5 years and love the canyons and SMMs. Unfortunately, when i lived there, i didn't ride yet. I did, however, love to hike and mountain bike all over those canyons. I know them well. When i get a new ride (hopefully soon) you'll have to lead me through the canyons. I'm up there about 2 weekends a month to visit my girlfriend. Great Pic of your F4 with Dume in the background. Is that up Tuna? Carbon Canyon? Piuma?

dre_2k2_f4i
02-09-2004, 02:49 PM
Originally posted by tjb
-- snip --
Lots of cool roads up there. That picture is actually on Latigo, but the spots you mentioned are definitely great photo opportunities. I have only gone hiking once in the mountains, and want to do more (I can't remember if I have to buy a day pass to park, though).

We're definitely planning on getting some Hypercyclists up here when the weather is a bit warmer.

tjb
02-09-2004, 03:26 PM
[i]
We're definitely planning on getting some Hypercyclists up here when the weather is a bit warmer. [/B]
Nice, i'm in!

swll360
02-09-2004, 10:18 PM
Originally posted by dre_2k2_f4i
We're definitely planning on getting some Hypercyclists up here when the weather is a bit warmer.

Hellz Yes.... Showed a few people your post about that Santa Monica ride and got them all excited. Whenever you're ready to hit it up, definitely post up and i'll show up.

GPTECHMAN
02-10-2004, 02:15 AM
yep Im in too I was there with los' its the bomb ass road

speedster1219
02-10-2004, 10:52 AM
whast was the name of the last one...OLD TOPANGA ROAD? dam these were great

1965TruckRod
02-16-2004, 01:05 PM
I use to be stationed at Point Mugu Naval air base and of all the times I rode up to mulholland I never knew about latigo canyon or even heard about it from any of the other riders or perhaps they never told me about it because they didn't want me to enjoy the pleasure of the ride. I would love to ride that sometime when I am up there. I am going to take a trip up there soon to see my friend and I intend on wearing off some rubber when I get my meats on that road:rockon:

1965TruckRod
02-16-2004, 01:08 PM
Piuma road is a nice ride for beginners looking to get some nice corners and to get to see the coast from that height I had some guy snapping shots of me when I was up there and the road was nice and repaved when I went up there so that is a good run also.

JarlByro
07-09-2004, 03:36 PM
Mulholland raceway (what us sportscar guys call santa monica mountians) is a really awsome place to ride/drive My favorites being the mulholland raceway loop that being a 14.5 mile loop consisting of the roads Stunt Canyon, Schueren Rd, Piuma Cny Rd, Cold Canyon, and Mulholland Highway it's absolutly awsome loop with about 2k elevation changes, the only problem is during summer it is prone to fog especially at night (albiet I dont know to many people who like to ride at night as much as I do) either way it's a awsome little set of roads to check out also, up there Yerba Buena (exact sign is little sycamore off of mulholland) name changes though when it hits ventura it's a awsome road aswell but the top is fairly gravely and cant be ridden with any real speed until you get about 2 or 3 miles into it after that it's heaven, even on a saturday you'll only pass mabye one or two cars.

dre_2k2_f4i
07-09-2004, 04:16 PM
Funny, I just rode the SMM's last weekend! http://img.aguto.com/040703

So when is everyone heading up to LA for some riding?

afrothunder
07-09-2004, 05:19 PM
uh... i actually don't like the roads that much.
maybe cuz they're kind of dirty, and tight?
iono. *shrug*

dre_2k2_f4i
07-09-2004, 05:49 PM
Originally posted by afrothunder
uh... i actually don't like the roads that much.
maybe cuz they're kind of dirty, and tight?
iono. *shrug* Keeps you on your toes in the real world. ;-)

JarlByro
07-09-2004, 06:37 PM
There only really dirty during spring, when theres alot of runoff, but mid summer it's great cause there kept pretty clean by the sportbikers and auto enthuesists up there, just as long as it hasent rained for about 2 months (well rained heavily) the roads are clean up there

dre_2k2_f4i
09-10-2004, 11:02 PM
Put some Techron in my tank and had a quick bimble... (http://img.aguto.com/20040910)

Bryant
09-11-2004, 01:21 AM
There's a place called "Stunt?"

BTW: Dre.. I absolutely dig your riding adventures and your photo journal! They are truly.. a sight to see.. quite magnificent and very very cool. Thanks for continuing to share your adventures with us!!! I can't tell you how much I look forward to reading/seeing about your future journeys!!