HWY 33 to Pine Mountain Summit

View from Pine Mountain Summit

As an LA native and motorcycle commuter I seize any opportunity to get away from the city. Having done a few rounds at Glendora Mountain Road the day before I decided to go for a longer ride but had to avoid the rain that was coming. I studied the weather and saw that Palomar in San Diego had rain, HWY 18 had snow, and LA was going to get rain. HWY 33 seemed free of problematic weather so I geared up and went for an incredible ride on a Sunday afternoon.

Highway 33 is nestled in the mountains next to Ventura and into Ojai. I rode from LA up the 101, grabbed a Char-Burger at the Habit in Ventura and rode to a local beach to have lunch. This beach is the very next exit after passing the city of Ventura if you are going north fromvLA. The sign says State Beach and you ride under a bridge as you exit to get to that beach. There is a long concrete barrier with some port a potties and a row This is a great place to stop and enjoy the beach, take in the mountains, have some lunch and relax. It was sunny with a few clouds and I knew I had managed to escape the rain and hail in LA.

Pictured above:Beach in Ventura Co.

As I started to ride up the 33 I noticed that there were some dark clouds above. I continued to ride and stopped whenever I saw something picture worthy. I passed this tunnel and was then immediately met by a tiny waterfall that was dripping onto the highway. I could only imagine what it would be like in winter!! Time was a tickin' and I had to go back to LA for a dinner party. It was a battle of returning home or continuing up the 33.

From a weather standpoint, most of the ride went well. Now and then there were some scattered showers that made stunning rainbows in the otherwise ominous clouds. Up ahead was a nice set of turns, similar to Angeles Crest or Azusa Canyon - some sweepers, but nothing technical like GMR.

It was dry the whole time I climbed through the windy part. When I got to the top, I had to stop and take some pictures.


























I kept riding up the 33. At some point I remember seeing those lovely ICY signs that always send a chill down my spine - even in the summer!! Luck seemed to be on my side because I didn't get rain. I had stopped alongside a river for a break when it started to sprinkle. I had to get back on my bike but didn't know if I should return home or continue up this great highway that I had never been on before.



OK, just 5 more miles I told myself. Several times. I just couldn't stop riding. It would sprinkle now and then but I didn't care. I would see amazing rainbows as I passed a series of sweeping turns.





I kept climbing despite having to ride back for a dinner party. Just 5 more miles....




The road surface switched from craggly pebble like mountain road to freshly paved blacktop! I wasn't about to go too fast on account of the wet road conditions. Eventually I made it to the top - Pine Mountain Summit! 5160 feet up!!! The view was amazing and was such a reward for neglecting my dinner plans!! Simply stunning! I could see for miles!! Tress, clouds glowing with a storm, and such fresh air! Such a relief from the traffic clogged city where I live! I love getting away from the city for this reason, to see such incredible views and have a great ride. Some rides are better than others and this was the best day trip for sure!


At this point I thought I should head back home. I sat there for a while and somehow figured I'd get home faster if I didn't head back. I continued but not very far. A few feet from the top of the summit was an incredible site for a guy from LA - SNOW!!! My fears of ICY were intensified and now my return was inevitable. There is no chance I am riding anywhere near snow with a set of Dunlop D211 takeoffs.

The rest of the ride was a battle of time, not a race in these conditions.





On the way back it was cloudy then sunny. The rain picked up a little here and there but would always clear up.











I think 6 other bikes passed me the other way the entire time, mostly those big BMWs with the hard cases except for one cruiser and his passenger.
This had been such a great ride but all that "just 5 more mile stuff" had made me very late! I was going to be an hour late for dinner at best. It started to get a little dark but luckily the rain had stopped. That would have just made everything not nearly as enjoyable. It was starting to lose it's appeal in the dark and wet roads didn't help any. I realize my margin for error was extremely slim!

This trip to Highway 33 was an incredible journey despite very small weather issues. I made it to the dinner party an hour late and very tired but also very satisfied. I had beaten the weather at home in LA (hail!!) and managed to stay mostly dry on my trip to Pine Mountain Summit 5160 feet up!! I will definitely return to ride on the 33 but next time continue and ride through Frazier Mountain Park. Once the snow melts :)