Going to go to Ortega Hwy for the 1st time this weekend and was wondering, besides the obvious newb stuff, what I can expect? I have not ridden there so the more info I have going into it the better. Please keep jokes and flames to a minimum, wait who am I kidding this is /26!

-Aaron

 

Expect lots of car traffic, squids, cruisers, cops, decreasing radius turns, and crappy burgers at The Lookout.

 

Decreasing radius turns eh? Would you say the run is overly technical?

 

It's hardly considered a run anymore unless you're constantly crossing the yellows to pass cagers.

What time are you heading down there?

 

yo EKsiteBIKE!
i'd pass on ortega all together, tons of traffic and there is only about 3 miles of decent section where you can have fun, but even then you gotta pullover in the turnout and give yourself some space from the cars in front of you.

 

Either go really early or really late like after 3. The last time I went, maybe about a 2 months ago, there was construction on one lane so they'd stop cars for like 15 minutes, let the opposite lane thru, then they'd open up for your lane. If that happens, you're probably gonna have to get past a ton of cars to open a gap.

Try not to pass outside of the double yellow, there's been more than a few occasions when guys get ticketed from above.


We usually exit Ortega Hwy off the 5 and stop at the Chevron station to fill up and hydrate. If you hang out there for a little while on the weekends, you'll see a lot of other riders cruise up as well as some Vipers, Ford GT's and Porsches. Then take the long boring ride to the top of the hill.

The best section is when you get to the top and pass The Lookout Roadhouse. We usually take a break at The Lookout then proceed downhill to the lake. This is where the fun starts. The turns are kinda blind and there's a tiny bit of decreased radius turns but nothing to be afraid of. You'll have a blast. Then we flip a bitch at the bottom at the liquor store and head back past The Lookout and pull into one of the two turn outs then flip a bitch and repeat. Yea.. it's pretty short but oh wells.. easier than riding out to Angeles every weekend.

Be sure to hydrate. Maybe carry a backpack with water bottles or something.

 

If you go early, you might get the sun rising in your eyes if you're heading east. If you go late, you'll have the sun setting in your eyes in the west.

My suggestion would be to skip Ortega altogether. It's overly hyped and overly traveled by idiot cagers and stupid squids. You can find plenty of those on ACH or even Azusa/GMR, and they're both probably closer to ya.

 

what the hell is "flip a bitch" ??

EDIT: Nevermind, I looked it up in Urban Dictionary. U turn. Dammit, I'm only 24, why do I have to look in the Urban Dictionary??

 

Because you need to get our more often?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jasper_db1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Because you need to get our more often? </TD></TR></TABLE>

true

 

Alot of people have negative things to say about Ortega it seems. Top of the list being traffic and the short nature of the good riding portions. I appreciate all the input and will accept more!

We will be leaving OC at 6:00 AM. Think thats early enough to beat some of the traffic? I am still going to check it out just because I have never been there before and am curios.

Thanks for the input everyone, anymore insight is appreciated.

Cheers!

-Aaron

 

Lookout for the water that runs across the road just past the bridge on the OC side. I may not be there during the summer but anything's possible.

I've seen cops parked in the turnouts below The Lookout so watch for them as well.

Finally, there will be two nice long and fast downhill sweepers. The one that goes left is awesome but it ends in a sharp right hand kink.

 

The contructions is still active,like someone had already mention. Just be careful when you get to the top. dont let the nice view distract you because some parts of the road doesnt have guard rails. ride safe.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jasper_db1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Expect lots of car traffic, squids, cruisers, cops, decreasing radius turns, and crappy burgers at The Lookout.</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL @ the burgers. Though I don't recall any major decreasing radius turns, the above is pretty true of this canyon as well as every other well known one too so :shrugs:

I say its worth a ride or two so you can say you've ridden the carousel, THE 'S' turn that all others should be judged by, and just about the only fun part of the OC side. You have to see it birds eye view when departing from John Wayne to really appreciate its symmetry. The Elsinore side is tighter, a lot shorter and has some incredible elevation gain. It should give you what you are looking for.

I go once every few months to mix it up, and cuts my fuel costs 50% being that its the most local. Contrary to what a lot of people say I think its a relatively tame ride (read: boring); not really worth the heavy patrols. Last time up I counted 7 CHP.

 

Well I rode it yesterday and had a ton of fun! You guys were right about the following:

1. Squids! There were alot of people on sportbikes with no gear and even less skill.

2. Cruisers! Jesus were there a bunch of cruisers there. These guys wear zero gear, go ridiculous slow, AND drink and ride! I was shocked at how many of them were straight up pounding beers at every stop we made. (cooks corner, hells kitchen, and toms farm. Good sandwiches there BTW.)

3. Traffic and construction! The construction is still on. This didnt prove much of an obstacle though as we would just snake up to the front of the line everytime and then had a clear path. The traffic controller/construction worker dude was cool too, smiling and giving us the thumbs up everytime we would stop. The traffic was not bad in till around 8:30 - 9:00.

4. COPS! There was definitely a strong police presence once it got to be 9:00 10:00. I did not see anyone get pulled over but Im sure it happened.

All in all I had a blast. As mentioned the carousel is phenomenal, but the run is short. And getting there early is a must to avoid congestion. I want to thank everyone for the help, it good to know a little bit about something beforehand, nahmen?