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Tepusquet Canyon
As I am out of school for the summer, I've been able to catch up on my riding lately. Wednesday, braving our first 100 degree day, I decided to make a 350 mile loop to the coast on what is rapidly becoming one of my favorite routes. As we left, the temperature gauge on my GS read 77. It soon rose to 85. . . .
About 70 miles from home, after cruising down Hwys 33 & 166, one encounters a nearly anonymous little road, Tepusquet Canyon. It is lined with beautiful Oaks and other trees providing canopies of shade over twisty, narrow ribbons of asphalt.
After quite a few miles on Tepusquet Cyn, we turned on Foxen Canyon Road and were greeted by this vista:
This is also a beautiful area, dotted by prestigious California wineries.
Foxen Cyn is wider but nonetheless twisty. It's also a spirited ride.
Soon we turned and passed the eponymous Hwy 154 Bridge, a landmark indicating that one is about to land at a well-traveled biker hangout, the Cold Spring Tavern. This was my first trip here, but my riding buddy assured me that there isn't a park within blocks on the weekend. On Wednesday, however, we nearly had the place to ourselves.
We arrived at the restaurant 3 and 1/2 hours after departure, but 30 minutes before they opened for lunch. A brief stroll around the grounds revealed some interesting country charm.
Among other things, apparently the original Ojai Jail, constructed entirely of 2X4s.
This fellow rolled by on his Hyabusa, but seemed somewhat less interested in the tavern than we.
Lots of still-life photo ops in the patio dining area:
For lunch we both had sirloin burgers topped with a decades-old secret family chili recipe. I'd give it a 6, though it stuck with me throughout the afternoon and into the evening. . . .
After lunch, I was greeted by this passenger on my front Tourance.
We soon met up with Hwy 101 where the temps dropped to 65 degrees and we were greeted by a thick marine layer. I needed another bag for my trip to Wisconsin, so we dropped by BMW of Ventura. I have a BMW dry bag already, but settled on a Helen2Wheels bag for my second. It's a very nice, waterproof, top loading duffle. I was pretty impressed; if you haven't seen one, you might give them a look.
Here's a GS all loaded and ready for a multi-state off-road trip (with one of the aforementioned H2Ws bags.
Simon and Lisa Thomas happened to be in the shop getting one of their bikes serviced. You can check out their adventures here.
After our purchases were complete and visiting done, we headed back north on the 101 headed for the 150 and the 33 home.
At one of our stops I was greeted by this happy little waterfall.
Resting.
Hwy 33 has a couple of short little tunnels, just short enough not to allow your eyes to adjust to the light: blind going in, blind coming out. Don't misjudge the corner. . . .
Coming out of the mountains, as we got closer to home, the temps rose to exactly the predicted mark, 100 degrees. But with a mesh jacket and a camelback, it was hardly noticeable. Wait till it hits 107, 109. . . .
This little fellow was obviously delirious with the heat and thought he could make it through my hand guard vent. He fought bravely and I offered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but it was too late.
It sure was a fun day (for me, less so for the wasp), characterized as much by photo stops as by twisting curves. Thanks for reading. In the unlikely event that you'd like to see more, the rest of the photos can be found here. Thanks for reading.
About 70 miles from home, after cruising down Hwys 33 & 166, one encounters a nearly anonymous little road, Tepusquet Canyon. It is lined with beautiful Oaks and other trees providing canopies of shade over twisty, narrow ribbons of asphalt.
After quite a few miles on Tepusquet Cyn, we turned on Foxen Canyon Road and were greeted by this vista:
This is also a beautiful area, dotted by prestigious California wineries.
Foxen Cyn is wider but nonetheless twisty. It's also a spirited ride.
Soon we turned and passed the eponymous Hwy 154 Bridge, a landmark indicating that one is about to land at a well-traveled biker hangout, the Cold Spring Tavern. This was my first trip here, but my riding buddy assured me that there isn't a park within blocks on the weekend. On Wednesday, however, we nearly had the place to ourselves.
We arrived at the restaurant 3 and 1/2 hours after departure, but 30 minutes before they opened for lunch. A brief stroll around the grounds revealed some interesting country charm.
Among other things, apparently the original Ojai Jail, constructed entirely of 2X4s.
This fellow rolled by on his Hyabusa, but seemed somewhat less interested in the tavern than we.
Lots of still-life photo ops in the patio dining area:
For lunch we both had sirloin burgers topped with a decades-old secret family chili recipe. I'd give it a 6, though it stuck with me throughout the afternoon and into the evening. . . .
After lunch, I was greeted by this passenger on my front Tourance.
We soon met up with Hwy 101 where the temps dropped to 65 degrees and we were greeted by a thick marine layer. I needed another bag for my trip to Wisconsin, so we dropped by BMW of Ventura. I have a BMW dry bag already, but settled on a Helen2Wheels bag for my second. It's a very nice, waterproof, top loading duffle. I was pretty impressed; if you haven't seen one, you might give them a look.
Here's a GS all loaded and ready for a multi-state off-road trip (with one of the aforementioned H2Ws bags.
Simon and Lisa Thomas happened to be in the shop getting one of their bikes serviced. You can check out their adventures here.
After our purchases were complete and visiting done, we headed back north on the 101 headed for the 150 and the 33 home.
At one of our stops I was greeted by this happy little waterfall.
Resting.
Hwy 33 has a couple of short little tunnels, just short enough not to allow your eyes to adjust to the light: blind going in, blind coming out. Don't misjudge the corner. . . .
Coming out of the mountains, as we got closer to home, the temps rose to exactly the predicted mark, 100 degrees. But with a mesh jacket and a camelback, it was hardly noticeable. Wait till it hits 107, 109. . . .
This little fellow was obviously delirious with the heat and thought he could make it through my hand guard vent. He fought bravely and I offered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but it was too late.
It sure was a fun day (for me, less so for the wasp), characterized as much by photo stops as by twisting curves. Thanks for reading. In the unlikely event that you'd like to see more, the rest of the photos can be found here. Thanks for reading.
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Comments
Great series!
Funny, Ojai is our back yard, but I didn't know about that bridge. I gotta take a ride there!
I've had supper at the CST before. The thing I took away from there was the
home made bread served with dinner. Some mighty nice & tasty stuff.
Thanks for sharing! Oh, and I had the chance to spend some time with Helen
at the '49er. She's a real kick in the pants. Terrific person.
Yes. Yes, I do. Right out loud.
Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.
I think Helen recently had a close encounter with the pavement. She's apparently all right, but it's always a worry. I've met her, but just to say hi. Everyone who hangs with her says she's great.
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