On A Cold Sunday

Taking a break from our usual routes heading south. Today Mike and I headed north to meet up with his friend Dennis from work who rides a Monster S2R. We met Dennis at Berts MEGA mall in Azusa. Its actually where I bought my Duc, and I haven't been back since. After meeting up with Dennis we headed north on Azusa blvd until it turned into 39 - San Gabriel Canyon Road.

If you see a sign like this and don't smile, then turn around.

We took the 39 up past the reservoirs and then took East Fork road up. It was definitely colder riding up the mountain but I had thermals on under my suit so only my fingers were cold. Even then, it wasn't too bad. We stopped every now and then to warm up and take in the scenery.

After awhile, Dennis had to turn around and head back down because he had to be somewhere. But Mike and I continued on. It had snowed on Thursday night and the snow level dropped down to 3000 feet. But on Saturday it was really warm and melted a lot it. But not all of it!

As we were coming up to one corner that was very well shaded, the road was white. I was thinking why is the road white? I think that is ice....shit it is ice. Luckily it wasn't that big of a patch and we weren't going that fast. But we made mental notes, slower and more careful for the rest of the way up. A few corners later we came across this bigger longer patch of ice and decided, yup its time to turn around.

Aside from the ice and some rocks from slides that you would expect on a mountain road, they are in really good condition. And with them winding along the side you usually can see people coming up or down. And there are a ton of overlooks for great views.

On the way down we stopped at Camp Williams Cafe for a decent cup of coffee and a mean stack of flapjacks.

Overall it was another great day of riding. The 40 minute freeway ride getting there sucked, but well worth it. Once it warms up we will be heading back there soon.