SoCal: Angeles Crest Highway Reopening Report and Pix

[threejagsteve]

Weather was in the low 70s and clear. I left a bit later than I'd intended and had to be back earlier than I wanted. Stops for pix and flagmen consumed more time so I only did the first 20 mi. or so, then had to turn around and come back.



"Peter, I can see your house from here!" Yes, that glint of water in the distance is the Pacific

There are still road crews up there; I had to stop 3 times for flagmen. At one of those stops I learned from a CBR600R4 rider (there were a lot of bikes up there today!) that Big Tujunga isn't open yet; word on the street is it'll be later in the week.




About the first 15-18 mi. have been repaved, the bad new being that the centerline dots are recessed in trenches in the pavement about 3/4 in. deep. (below)

Catching one of these in the middle of a corner is likely to upset your applecart!

The good news is that they stop doing that about at the turnoff for the Angeles Forest Highway.

There is loose sand along the centerline, occasional rockslides (some fist-sized chunks), and other assorted debris. It tapered off the higher I went.



For those wondering what all the fuss is about, I composited the panorama below. The more brazen kneedraggers can take this sweeper around 75-80, and you see what's both up and down the road - more corners! (Click on this one to see it full 4K-wide size!)



Could these be the makins of the next WC Rally fire?

[FJmonkey]

Steve, thanks for the update and pics, sorry I missed the ride. My 14 hour day sucks even more when I think I could have had a nice ride. 

[racerman_27410]

that brings back some memories.... i was up there on the Angeles Crest with Tom SLocum (RIP) during my california trip a few years ago......that is an awesome piece of road for sure...... we rode there and had lunch at some famous? hole in the wall place along the way to 150 (another sweet road) which we rolled around thru Ojai on our way to Santa Barbara.

it is cool to be able to ride in the mtns during the day and then have dinner at the beach in the evenings.   

KOokaloo!

Frank

[simi_ed]

Hey Frank, there's green in that pic of the rally log!  You said there's no green in Kalifornia   

[racerman_27410]

Hey Frank, there's green in that pic of the rally log!  You said there's no green in Kalifornia   

There is ,of course, green in California

But compared to the East Coast?       

California is brown and rocky.....'cept where it's man made of course   

I do like that though..... never said i didnt like it.... it's just different 

KOokaloo!

[FJmonkey]

I just got back from a very cold ride through the Angeles Crest. The ride up had enough light to see the burnt areas, and there is a lot of burnt area. Some the Crest now looks like a race track, no trees to hide the next 4 to 10 corners (watch out for squids). One bike bit it a corner, heavy front end damage. Found out that it was FZ1 that low-sided, guess the rider might have survived better than his bike. Very little debris except the dust/dirt in the center of the lanes. Did I say it was COLD? I could not unlatch my helmet till after a few minutes with my hands wrapped around a hot cup of joe at Newcomb's Ranch. Steve was spot on about the reflectors scalloped into the pavement. I intentionally clipped one on a straight section, do not clip them in a corner!!! The snow does not come down as far as they sunk in the reflectors, maybe another kind of speed control for the Squids? I noticed that there are almost zero guard rails now with wood posts. The reflectors were nice to have coming back in the dark. Did I say it was cold? This road will be a muddy mess when it rains in a day or so. Lots of dirt sliding down and piling up near the road. Cheers all!!!

[Dan Filetti]

One bike bit it a corner, heavy front end damage. Found out that it was FZ1 that low-sided, guess the rider might have survived better than his bike.

I have seen/ heard/ read about more FZ1's going down in all manner of accident types, than most any other bike.  Here's another one.  I wonder what it is about this bike that makes it seemingly more prone to accidents.  By any chance, has anyone ever seen any bike specific accident stats?  If such data exists, my gut is that FZ1's would rank high in terms of accident frequency.

Dan

[threejagsteve]

The snow does not come down as far as they sunk in the reflectors, maybe another kind of speed control for the Squids?

Yes, I thought of that as well. One look at those things and the first thought is, better steer well clear of the centerline!
Oh, Mark, I forgot... did you say it was cold? 

Glad you could make it up there before the rain.