Joshua Tree NP, Lake Hughes

[Warrior]

Little brother Sean was finally able to take some leave (in the Air Force as well) and head back to Cali. Which was a perfect excuse to ride out, had to go by myself as Malina had to work this week.

I-10 is just way to much fun to take all the way into Indio that a little detour was needed to keep my excitement in check. I've never ridden through Joshua Tree National Park, so this was good time to check it out. Monday afternoon, no traffic, and did I mention the 50 mph gusts? Get to that later.

Another thing, if you are thinking about buying the Icon Urban Tankbag, don't! Sure it looks cool with all that Icon styling, but that's about it. It has four tiny magnets that give out at 80mph, and the funny thing is Icon knew about it. That's why they include a strap that buckles into the back, you take said strap and "strap it" around your handlebars so you now have a kite instead of a bag.

This brings me to the first pic, the 50 mph crosswind hit me outside of Blythe and the kite took off. Had to pull off the freeway and rectify the situation by running the strap as far at it would go to the point it blocked my speedo. But that thing doesn't work half the time so it wasn't a big deal, I use my tack all the time.

[Warrior]

With the kite tied down, I was able to make it to Joshua Tree Park without incident. Coming in from the south the name seems misleading, there weren't any Joshua Trees to see, just creosote bushes. The road quality (poor) made me think that this is the last on the to-do list for Caltrans, so things weren't looking to promising.

[Warrior]

Things get better once you get past the pay station, the road quality is a little better, the curves get a little tighter, and scenery more scenic.

The first major sight is the cochella cactus garden. Definitly not the place to go wide in a corner!

[Warrior]

Tim has a write up of Joshua Tree in the MotoRoads that I read a couple years back, the one thing that stuck with me was him mentioning Ryan Mountain. My last name is Ryan so made sense to make the pilgrimage... to the trail head. Really wasn't feeling the hike to the top.

So moved on from there and stopped at the rock formations for a pic. Crazy how they are all stacked up like that.

Next stop was Key's View, would of been nice if not for the 70 mph gust at the top. It looks like this family is sharing a Kodak moment but in actuallity there are holding on for dear life!

[Warrior]

After that I made tracks for home, but before I got there I was witness to such an act of stupidity I had to make up a word. Squidilicious

Was cruising on 274 heading into Apple Valley at about 85 when a guy on a CBR1000 flew by me. Nothing special there, figured he was in a hurry and keep moving. No... this guy slows down and keeps turning around to make sure I'm still behind him. (No mirrors) Ok... maybe this guy is looking for a friend. We roll into Lucern Valley and he's still making sure I'm back there, then he pulls out a stand up wheelie. Once again nothing special and I figure this guy want's an audience. Turns around, no reaction from me. So dude then runs next to a Mustang and squeezes him over, then he busts out another stand up wheelie, with traffic going the other direction and everything. That's when I realized a word had to be made up to describe such an action, squidilicious.

I felt so bad being a motorcyclists right then that when I passed the Mustang I apologized. Listen folks friends don't let friends be squids.

[Warrior]

Next day we planned on heading down to Malibu so Sean could body surf and so I could strafe the wonderful canyons up there. That didn't work out, it's been a year since we've seen each other, so we stayed up pretty late drinking. Seems to be the story of my life.

Headed out of the house around 1:00pm and decided to play up in the hills around Green Valley. Took Coffee hill up to Lake Elizabeth and then proceeded down Lake Hughes. I've never ridden this road on my bike before and was surprised by the length of this road. It was so good we headed back up to do it again.

[G8ESCAP]

Hey Jason,
Nice pics! But shusshhhh! Don't be telling everyone about Lake Hughes Road It's one of my favorite playgrounds. Fun highspeed sweepers as you reach the lower portion near Castaic.

You have to come out here on a weekend and let us know you're around! Any chance of showing up Easter weekend?

[exwingnut]

It has been a LONG time since I have been to Joshua...thanks for yet another place I HAVE to go again!

Steve

[pashnit]

Great read Jason - even better pictures! My first ride through Joshua Tree was something I really enjoyed. I sang U2 songs all the way through.

[motowriter]

Great write-up, Jason!! Thanks... Really cool to see the bros out riding with Pops.