HD Open Road

Another lazy summer Sunday, the crew is scattered to the wind, my girl is working… time for a little solo riding!

Forecast is mid 80′s in Southern Cali as I pull my Ultra out of the garage. A quick check of the bike, yup everything is good, and I point her nose south and turn the throttle. First stop, breakfast at the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant.

Traffic on the southbound 15 seemed especially light today. The morning wind felt great as the big Harley rumbled along the highway. Thoughts about the upcoming Sturgis ride kept creeping into my mind, as the Harley settled into her rhythm. But Sturgis is not today, time to stay focused.

As I started up the pass south of Temecula, I noticed a few more bikes trailing behind me. No doubt heading for the same place. I usually make this Sunday journey with my brother, but he just returned from a run to Eureka. Man, I wish I could have made that trip with him. The 101 above Frisco is beautiful as you ride through the redwoods.

Headed for the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant. Originally established in 1946, the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant was reopened in April of 2009 by Duke and Jonell Maples. The “Oaks” is located in Rainbow, between Temecula and Fallbrook on Old 395, off the 15 Fwy.

Duke and Jonell worked tirelessly to restore the interior of the historic building to become a great stop off for locals, travelers and of course bikers. Duke is a rider as well, so you know he is going to make sure that bikers feel at home there.

The “Oaks” provides a great American menu, and a sport bar that offers plenty of ice cold beer choices, all at great prices. And located in Rainbow, it is a great jumping off point for some terrific riding in the canyons south of Temecula!

As I entered, Duke was at his customary seat, rolling silverware. I ordered up a cup of joe and a chicken fried steak and eggs. Probably not what my diet calls for, but hey, they have the best (and biggest) chicken fried steak in So Cal!

Breakfast done, time to get back into the wind. I heard that the Hideout was reopened. A nice cruise through the canyons of Hwy 76, the Hideout is located along Lake Henshaw. Closed after last summer and put up for auction, this little biker hideaway was purchased and reopened in late spring of this year.

There was just a light breeze as I throttled up the canyons on Hwy 76. Traffic was still light, with just a handful of sport bikes and a couple of Harley’s on the road. Duke had mentioned that this was the first weekend since school was out. May have something to do with it.

There were just a handful of bikes at the Hideout. But the place was still pretty much the same. A cutout of an older and simpler time. The new owners took out the stage to make more room inside.

I ordered up a cold one and wandered into a conversation about rear tires. Just couldn’t help but put my two cents worth in. Go figure. But this strategy will usually keep me entertained through a couple of beers, anyway.

The Hideout is a great stop if you are heading to Julian. Another old west style town, Julian is a great biker haven and a place for great BBQ and apple pie! But Julian would have to wait for another day. Today I am riding northbound on the 79 through Warner Springs.

Hwy 79 is a great solitary ride. The road gently curves through Warner Springs and through the upper desert. Summertime temps can get rather uncomfortable, but today seems an exception as the temps stayed in the upper 80′s. The air seemed flat, as I noticed that even the gliders were not flying as I passed the Warner Springs airpark.

As I completed my run up the 79, I have one more chance for a little entertainment. Old Town Temecula. Front Street in Old Town is dotted with numerous eateries, many sporting live entertainment. You will always catch a number of bikes parked along the road. And at the south end is Quaid Temecula Harley-Davidson.

A quick cruise down Front Street, and nothing really caught my eye today. Maybe I will go play ball this afternoon after all. Ah, another park, another Sunday.

Read original blog post