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08/26/2006: "Another ACH run with the SCS crew"

It's been quite a while since I did some serious riding (leathers and all). I was itching to do some canyon carving now that Robyn is nearly 100%. (I only have 3 parts left to get before it is).

I decided to pop onto SoCal Sportbikes and see if there was a ride going on this weekend. I was in luck. RhymeSayer (Ryan) posted a ride up ACH. Everyone would meet at the Shell station at the bottom of ACH (as usual) at 9am and then we'd decide the route from there.

I got there a bit early and chilled out and waited for the rest of the crew. As usual, some of the guys were late. It was all good though, it gave the ones that were there more time to talk.

Once everyone had arrived, we geared up and headed up the mountain. Since it had been a while for me, I didn't want to lead. Ryan led us up to Newcombs at a safe, but fun, pace. We stopped at Newcomb's Ranch for a bit to chat it up and see all who was there. Turns out that there was an All-Girl ride going on, and they were all stopped at Newcomb's.






Once we were all ready to go again, Ryan led us down Big T. On the way down we saw an ambulance . . and a downed rider. Once we got passed him and everyone was able to regroup, we decided to take it easy. Especially after we saw that the downed rider was getting a helicopter ride out. The speeds stayed mellow . . at least for a little while. We made it to the big tree on Angeles Forest Highway in good time.



We all hung out at the tree for a bit, talkin' bikes and riding. Once we were all ready to go, Ryan volunteered me to lead the group. I was actually enjoying NOT leading, especially since it had been a while, but I was riding well so I figured WTH!!

I was starting to carve it up and get into a rythm when we went by a CHP partol car . . over the speed limit I rolled off hard and gazed at the CHP. He went by us like nothing was wrong . . but we all rode pretty slow after that. I decided to head back up over Big T and the rest of the pack kept going down AFH. I let some other group of riders go by me, so they could be cop bait. It didn't work. I was closing the gap on them and came around a corner and there was a CHP patrol car parked on the shoulder in the opposite lane. I was stressing cause I knew I was over the limit. He just looked at me and gave me the slow down sign. I was quite releaved.

As I made my way down ACH, I saw another downed rider. I made it all the way to the Shell station before I started to hear the sirens of the Ambulance.

Anyway, It was a good day of riding for our group. No one went down and everyone made it home with themselves and their bike in one piece. Sounds like a bunch of winners to me.