GREAT LAUNCH ROADS: JAPATUL LYONS VALLEY ROAD
X-rated stuff
Riding in America always puts the fear of god into us, with visions of cops with guns peppering us with bullets for having a tail light out, or the like. But our experience in the hills behind San Diego on the Ducati XDiavel launch proved that if you’re ever in the area you can havea hoot should you choose to hire a bike in the city. Our route out of the town was dull, punctuated only by crossing the bridge where the biker kicked Baxter off in Anchorman. But once we hit the hills there was lots to enjoy. The Japatul Lyons Valley Road was a lovely thoroughfare – and looking through some SoCal rider forums it seems that the locals like it too! The difference between town and country is huge, and the traffic lights, intersections and almost constant threat of cops soon disappears in the hills. The roads are smooth, corners constant and there’s not much else on the road to bother you. It seems that the police are more interested in patrolling the border, so unless you’re stupid (which we were) you shouldn’t get too much grief. Speaking toa few locals, there are other routes to explore in and around the area – so long as you can find a hire bike that isn’ta Harley (there are a few, we’ve checked!)