Used to head out to Cooks every few weeks when I lived down that way. Usually did the Julian route about once a month as well. Would only go to Hell's Kitchen during the week. Avoided the Ortega like the plague on the weekends.

 

Cooks, dangerous? I don't think so. Yeah, coming from South County there are some nasty switchbacks dropping into the canyon, and usually sand at the bottom, but the other side headed towards Irvine Lake is all gentle sweepers and wide lanes, not a single technical turn in there without much side traffic. I ride Ortega a couple times per month and ride Santiago Canyon/Live Oak weekly, and I've never seen anything there that made me think it was a dangerous road to ride.

 

Gotta agree with Nate on this one. I know that Live Oak Cyn and Ortega Hwy have a "reputation" as dangerous, but I really think it's just because of all the squids who get in over their head. The traffic volume, even on weekends, is not that great. As long as you don't follow too closely, refuse to yield or give a wave-by to the inevitable sportbiker in a hurry, or ride beyond your ability ... it's really not a problem.

 

Right, too much L.A. freeway to get there. And Julian won't be too hot till August-September.

 

Amen 100% right on, I believe he is wit reference to people you can not controll.

 

Exactly. It's the fast and the furious wannabe's, the crotch rocket kneedraggers, and other lunatics that seem to gravitate to the area and do extremely stupid things. I know a guy who died up there...was hit by a dodge viper driven by someone who had literally just bought it and was nowhere near prepared to handle that car on that road. deceased was a veteran rider.

Ortega Hwy is beautiful, and I love doing the trabuco canyon bar hop, but I always feel like my life is in the hands of a 17 year old in a lowered civic playing "let's see how much I can drift the curves before I kill someone" every time I go.

 

My regular haunts. http://www.rock-store.com/ http://www.neptunesnet.com/

 

I do Cooks every Wednesday, Silverado Cafe every Thursday, and Hells Kitchen every Friday for lunch. I like them all but Hells Kitchen is my favorite.

 

Hell's Kitchen is a really nice, peaceful place during the week. Just a small handful of folks. I love getting lunch and then kicking back with a cigar before I leave. Cook's is a similar deal much of the time.

Oh, and if you're at Cook's for spaghetti this week, I'll be there on my black FJR1300.

 

Ortega Highway is actually one of the most dangerous roads in the US. I've had two friends die on that stretch in seprate accidents. Neither was being stupid. Still, it's a nice ride.

I love hanging out at Cook's Corner but it's not much of a ride since I live less than five miles away. A great place to spend a Saturday with great people.

Lisa