Eat to Ride or Ride to Eat

Eat to Ride or Ride to Eat? 

Ether way, these culinary destinations are worth the trip!

The South Coast BMW Riding Club doing what they do best.  Photo By Lisa Catarineau

Story and Photos by Jim Foreman

Many motorcyclists ride to places to enjoy spectacular scenery, challenging roads and time with close friends.  Surprisingly, it seems a great bunch of riders simply ride somewhere to eat. 

One shouldn’t be too surprised by this reality.  We all need to eat.   It just comes down to some who "Eat to Ride" and others who "Ride to Eat."

The importance of this topic, could not be overstated to the South Coast BMW Riders Club or South Coasters.  For them and any other palate inspired rider, it becomes prudent to list some excellent dining opportunities along some great motorcycle riding destinations. 

Everyone is familiar with places like Newcomb’s Ranch, The Rock Store Café, Neptune’s Net and Hell’s Kitchen.

While these places have their own merits and reasons to visit, everyone knows them. 

The criterion for this collection of dining destinations is specific.  The café or restaurant must be on or just off a Southern California motorcycle enthusiast’s road.  There must be something unique or truly noteworthy that makes it special. The cost including a non-alcoholic drink should not exceed $20USD per person.   The food needs to be excellent to way above average.  Finally, the location must be able to handle a group of motorcyclists without breaking a sweat or calling the authorities.

Jeremy’s On The Hill – Julian, CA

Jeremy’s On The Hill is a place that inspires a story like this. Located just outside of Julian and close to Palomar Mountain, Jeremy’s On The Hill makes an excellent lunch spot for those with tastes beyond Burger King.  Chef Jeremy Manley is a Cordon Bleu Graduate.   

Manley is a firm believer in locally sourced ingredients and routinely changes the menu as certain fruits and vegetables are in season.  Locally produced Bison and Pork make for some tasty and delectable dishes and are some of Manley’s best-loved offerings.  Stop for pie where you will but if you desire an excellent meal at a very reasonable price, look no further.

Big Horn Bar & Grill – Borrego Springs, CA

Borrego Springs has become quite the ghost town in recent years.  Many cafés and restaurants have closed or move to more lucrative locations.  Despite the dim outlook, there a few culinary highlights to Borrego Springs. 

After a great day of riding S-22 through Anza Borrego and getting an interesting photo with the sculptures in the desert, stop at Big Horn Bar & Grill for an above average dining experience.  Some favorites include the ribs with sweet potato fries, the spicy grilled chicken sandwich.  If you’re feeling ravenous, try the seared rib-eye steak.  All of these meals are well prepared and cost under $15USD. 

Big Horn Bar and Grill even brings in fresh apple pie from the Julian Pie Company.  Big Horn Grill is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is open from 2pm-9pm M, Th-F and 11am-9pm on weekends.

Deer Lodge – Ojai, CA

North of Ojai is some spectacular riding.  Many action shots featured in moto magazines are shot there for its exotic scenery and extremely light traffic.  Savvy riders know the Deer Lodge is one of the best places to enjoy a meal before continuing. 

Deer Lodge works closely with local growers and producers to bring fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables to your table. 

Favorites to order include the free-range BBQ chicken, the wild Pacific cedar plank salmon, and the buffalo burger (bison). 

On weekends, Deer Lodge is a favorite with stop for motorcyclists and typically features live music.

Monday through Thursday, Deer Lodge is open after 3 pm.  On Friday lunch is served at 11 am.  Saturdays and Sundays,  Brunch begins at 9:30 am.

Mt. Baldy Lodge – Mt. Baldy, CA

The village of Mt. Baldy is a rustic escape from the hustle and bustle of the city to the south.  It’s situated at an apex of two fun moto-friendly roads.  Many more casual riders love the ride up Mt.Baldy Road.  It’s an easy road with many beautiful vistas.  The road is ideal for those who enjoy a slower and more scenic ride.  Conversely, Mt. Baldy is reachable from Glendora Ridge Road, which is abranch of Glendora Mountain Road.  Glendora Mountain Road or GMR for short is a favorite among sportbikes.  It’s an extremely technical canyon offering many twists, turns, and plentiful excitement.  Regardless of which route suits your riding style, Mt. Baldy Lodge is a great place to enjoy a meal.  A favorite is the Steak Sandwich, made to order and very savory.  Monday-Friday Mt. Baldy Lodge is open at 11 am.  Saturday and Sunday, hours are from 9a to midnight and 11 pm, respectively.  Additionally, Mt. Baldy Lodge offers lovely cabins for the night.  It’s a great place to overnight with your partner and enjoy the clean, brisk, mountain air.

Malibu Kitchen – Malibu, CA

Running the Malibu Alps, as coined by Chris Weir, is a wonderful way to enjoy some great SoCal Motorcycling.  Often, finding a great place to eat is far more difficult.  There are certainly expensive offerings like Nobu and Gladstone’s if you’re trying to impress someone.  Duke’s is an affordable and notable place with moto-friendly valets, so it’s equally worthy of a visit.

For me and to the delight of my friends I have introduced there, Malibu Kitchen is my primary choice.  Serving up Boar’s Head deli meats and cheeses along with some excellent in-house offerings on freshly baked bread, Malibu Kitchen is the best.  For me, it’s the rare roast beef on a French roll with provolone cheese that gets me every time.  Located close to Pepperdine University and many celebrity residences, it is a common place for locals to enjoy.  It’s in the Malibu Country Mart at PCH and Cross Creek, behind the Shell Station.  It’s not far from Malibu Canyon Road.  It is also rare when one doesn’t recognize someone also enjoying lunch in the outdoor seating area.  A few steps down is a Starbucks where one can get amped up with coffee to run Latigo Canyon, Mulholland, and Stunt Road six more times before calling it a day.

John Kenji Hawley and Jim Foreman enjoying lunch at Gastrognome in Idyllwild, CA

Gastrognome – Idyllwild, CA

CA-243 or the Palms to Pines Highway is a treasure for experienced motorcyclists.  This lightly traveled road is chock full of great corners, elevation changes, and vistas.  The hidden beauty is that one can take it as hard or as mellow as one wants without being disappointed. 

 Situated in the middle of Idyllwild’s village, Gastrognome is an above-par European style café with excellent lunch offering.  Motorcycle parking, right in front, and outdoor seating make this mile-high café and culinary delight.   Favorites are the Raspberry Chicken Sandwich and the Rainbow Trout Filet Almondine. 

The town is charming to walk through and is very motorcycle friendly.  A nice gelato or coffee (or both) is a great treat before heading out.  From Idyllwild, one can easily reach Palm Desert via CA-74  or Anzo Borrego mentioned earlier.

Honorable Mentions

The Lookout - Lake Elsinore, CA

Surprisingly good food at the top of Ortega Highway's crescendo.

Old Place - Cornell, CA

Right on Mulholland Highway, east of the Rock Store.  No Freezers means everything's fresh and tasty.  It's a lively place with a great atmosphere.

Willie Boys Saloon and Dance Hall - Morongo Valley, CA
Willie Boys is a perfect destination after a great day riding Joshua Tree National Park. It's also something delightfully different from the glam and pretension of Palm Springs.

Yellow Vase - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

A taste of European elegance can be found at Yellow Vase.  Several locations are in the south bay, but this on is my favorite on Rancho Palos Verdes Drive West.  Overlooking the ocean and Catalina Island, this place is a magnificent place to enjoy great coffee drinks and light lunch offerings.

Throughout Southern California, there are numerous cafés and dining destination along some favorite roads.   Some of these may already be your favorites.  Others will be new.  Yet more may still be waiting to be discovered.  Whatever your motivation, Make Life a Ride.

When you're in Southern California, please visit Irv Seaver BMW in Orange County, CA. Irv Seaver BMW has the largest selection of the latest BMW Motorcycles and one of the most extensive pre-owned motorcycle selections in the southland. 

Riding the BMW R 1200 RS

A practical and noteworthy return to sport touring

Words and photos by Jim Foreman

Upon its first glance, it was easy to be smitten with the new R 1200 RS.  The Blue and White colors seemed to accent the bike and carry one’s imagination with it.

The newly imagined RS seemed to be a perfect ‘Sport-Tourer.'  Nestled between the R 1200 R and the R 1200 RT, the RS combines the best of both of those bikes.  

Certainly sporty like the R 1200 R, the RS has plenty of power and thrills to keep all levels of riders satisfied.  With it’s simple yet effective half-fairing and windscreen, long distance rides at a clipper’s pace is easy and enjoyable.  Leaving the luxury and bulk of the RT behind, the RS is a perfect mix for a rider inclined to this style of riding.

This time out, Evan Bell, owner of Irv Seaver BMW in Orange, CA, handed me the keys to the new 2016 BMW R 1200 RS for the weekend.  This weekend is the same weekend I was to participate in a Streetmasters course at Willow Springs International Raceway’s Horse Theif Mile.

The RS Demo had 40 miles on the odometer when riding off the lot.  Once I got the geometry in my head, the R 1200 RS came alive.

Having experience with the amazing water-cooled boxer engines, I changed the riding mode and suspension, both, to ‘Dynamic’. 

To me, the bike has perfect ergonomics.  'A perfect fit' was also a similar conclusion for the half-dozen people I let ride the RS.  I'm 6-04 with a 34" inseam.  Riders of all different sizes commented on the comfortable and enjoyable fit.  The seating position is slightly leaning forward with the footpegs, comfortably beneath the rider’s mass.

Riding the new RS is so natural and effortless that it inspires confidence and appreciation.  Steering is light and easy.  Clutch and brakes respond with precision.  The throttle is always smooth and responsive. 

Riding with a group to Lancaster was both fun and interesting.  The group I was with preferred not to lane-share.  As Los Angeles traffic notoriously backed up, it was effortless to bring the bike to a quarter walking speed and see how long I could keep from touching the ground.  It wasn’t obvious that anyone riding in our group noticed until I finally had to put my foot down.  I saw pointing at me in my mirrors and gave a nice thumbs up in return.

Finally departing the motorway, the fuel level on the bike was reading a quarter tank.  Knowing there would be no fuel station until Palmdale, I motioned to the leader of the group and veered off to fuel up.

This fortuitous event allowed me to run up Angeles Crest Highway and Angeles Forest Highway on my own, without being slowed down by other’s more conservative pace.

Fueled up and personally hydrated, I ran up the notable Angeles Crest Highway.  Dropping into the corners felt awesome on that bike.  The Boxer Twin was running like a thoroughbred and making the ride delightful and spirited.  The powerband on the RS was meaty and full of grunt until the top revs got near.  Furthermore, the stability both leaned over and on straightaways was incredible.  There’s a stretch of Angeles Forest Road before it meets up with the 14 Freeway.  Running a rather high and autobahn-grade rate of speed showed how beautifully balanced the RS is. 

Before and during the Streetmasters course, several people were offered to try out the R 1200 RS.  It was a demo bike, after all.  The response was one of joy by the riders.  Curiously, the names “Evil One” and “Bad Man” came my way by their lovely partners.

Walt Fulton of Streetmasters takes the RS for a spin

Racer Walt Fulton completely loved it.  No stranger to the RS lineup, he boasts that he owns two R 1100 RS’ from the 1990’s.  Walt ran the RS through Horse Thief Mile at a wicked pace.  Most people in the class to looked toward the track and appreciated what a pro can do. 

Walt did seem to have a brighter smile for the rest of the day.

The following day, I met up with two great friends.  Yes, many of my friends also ride.  John Kenji Hawley and Emmanuel Paraskiv jumped on their R 1200 R and GSX-R 600s to ride Angeles Crest Highway again.  Splitting lanes on the RS was easy.  The bike’s seating position gives easy visibility to traffic around while maintaining maximum control and maneuverability of the bike. 

(L-R) John Kenji Hawley and Emannuel Paraskiv

At one of the scenic turnouts on Angeles Crest, John and I traded bikes.  John took up the RS and was instantly impressed.  John isn’t one to overact.  He asked several great questions and thought about it, quite a bit.  John summed up his riding experience by saying, "It's a really nice bike. Right off, I could tell it was very familiar to my R 1200 R, but far superior in handling, smoothness and power. I nearly got pulled off the bike when I took off the first time."

When it was Emmanuel’s turn,  he took to it like a bear to honey.  Even from behind, one could see the huge grin on his face.

Emmanuel’s previous riding experience is made up of a Honda Rebel and the GSX-R.  Needless to say, the GSX-R and I are NOT friends on Facebook or real life.

Emmanuel simply took off his helmet at the next meeting point, hugged me, and stated loudly, “I LOVE BMW!”  Emmanuel mentioned that he didn’t much care for the last-generation Oil/Air Cooled R 1200 R.   He said he wants to find a way to own the R 1200 RS.  Naturally, I casually dropped that Irv Seaver BMW offers to finance, with a huge grin.

Alf Assouad's 2016 BMW R 1200 RS

A good friend and international pilot, Alf Assouad, based in Australia, recently picked one up.  Here's what Alf has to say: "I love its power delivery and it's a real joy to ride. On the highway, I find it is much more solid and stable than my previous F 800 ST.  It's not effected, as much, by strong cross winds. Around corners it is as solid as a rock and on rails. This bike is exhilarating to ride.  Once the first service has been completed and the rev limiter removed, it will be interesting to explore the bike's full potential."

Previously, the S 1000 XR was given a long and enjoyable run.  Between the two, my riding style leans a little more toward the XR.  That said, as an owner of two K 1200 RS’ and one who appreciated simple sport-touring, I would not be disappointed if the amazing R 1200 RS wound up in my garage.
I do love the R 1200 RS.  It so happens that I simply love the S 1000 XR a little more.

… I do have room for two more…

If you are in Southern California and wish to try the R 1200 RS, S 1000 XR or any other BMW Motorcycle, please come to Irv Seaver BMW in Orange County, CA.  There you'll find a fully stocked parts department, extensive apparel department and the best selection of new and pre-owned motorcycles.  There's some great people there, too!

Racer Walt Fulton ripping it on the Horse Thief Mile.

Jim Foreman getting aggressive.

The R 1200 RS makes for a great 2-up motorcycle

John Kenji Hawley astride the R 1200 RS

©2015 Jim Foreman - All Rights Reserved.