Mt. Hamilton observatory parking lot closing to motorcycles

[wazzuFreddo]

I don't agree, the whole reason that place is there is for the scientific research that goes on at night, not so passers by can use the restroom and look around the gift shop.

Like I said, press the issue too hard and it will end up closed to everyone. I saw lots of jackassery this weekend while I was out in the hills, and it was all sportbikes. :|

 

[Feanor]

Prohibited, shmobited.

Its a BMW, the residents felt the Bavarian elitest affinity and let you thru on principle. kind of like how if you hold a government job and are caught drinking on the job, its instant termination, but senators on the the hill have liquor cabinets in their offices

 

[serazin]

I think it more about people that want to get some sleep.
And can't because a$$holes are revving the shit out of there bikes in the parking lot.

Sportbike riders are just as big attention whores as harley riders, no wonder they can't stand each other.

 

[busjohn]

I'm not sure how that can be legally done...

If it's a private parking lot, they can pretty regulate how they want. Anyone know if it's a private or public lot?

 

[Ol' Gravy Leg]

If it's a private parking lot, they can pretty regulate how they want. Anyone know if it's a private or public lot?

Yes!

[earplugs make my earholes itch]

 

[Enchanter]

I got in trouble using my headlights on 130 one night at around 1am. I was trying to look for shooting stars (was actually terrible, was to bright out). Thank god he did not see the front of my car(All my lights were on, when I was coming up).

ON A SIDE NOTE!

Is the road still a terrible mess? or did they finally finish up there repaving or what ever their plan is.

Please share the make and model of each light. Did you upgrade the alternator as well.

I would love to duplicate your set up.

 

[ddewey]

It's not Oct 1st yet


So 10/1/12 up Mt Hamilton anyone???

Umm...unless im mistaken, that pic isnt from lick, i think he was refering to 17 mile. Unless i was at the observatory when the lake was low

 

[budman]

The barf AMA site represents a number of AMA members. If this is all true, the barf should get the AMA involved. This is the kind of thing that the AMA does best. That and amateur dirt racing.

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What parking lots are your trucks banned from?

We will not stand by and be discriminated against. Complete bs.

 

[Jiggles]

Umm...unless im mistaken, that pic isnt from lick, i think he was refering to 17 mile. Unless i was at the observatory when the lake was low

Yea my stupidity was pointed out to me via pm

 

[CAmudgeon]

Reminds me of an article in AMA mag this month - "Loud pipes lose rights".

I've ridden up 130 to the observatory, bought a few trinkets and done the telescope tour. They should ticket bikes making excessive noise, not ban them all.

Pretty sure that I have ridden a Kawk around the 17 mile drive too, so it's not just a Bavarian exemption AFAIK.

 

[CuriousMike]

I thought it was part of UC Santa Cruz.

This is more correct.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

I don't agree, the whole reason that place is there is for the scientific research that goes on at night, not so passers by can use the restroom and look around the gift shop.

Like I said, press the issue too hard and it will end up closed to everyone. I saw lots of jackassery this weekend while I was out in the hills, and it was all sportbikes. :|

Continuing to get funding for their research is important- and keeping their doors open to the public helps with that... and the extra money the tours and events and gift shop bring in helps with their budget as well, I would imagine.

And I never said that sprotbile riders never acted like jackasses... just that I've never seen one- not even once- revving the shit out of his bike in the parking lot at the observatory. There's lots of ways to be an ass on a bike!

 

[i_am_the_koi]

Your business? What business? Using the toilet?

Last time I went up to the observatory I spent almost 30 bux in the gift shop on patches/stickers, doubtful that every group does that when they visit but I made a point of going in there to not only look around, but to support it somehow.

Never been down 17mile in Carmel but it's on my list now fosho... just to say I've done it, on my moto.

 

[reidconti]

Yes, it's the Harley's fault. It's not the XR400s with open pipes that put short stacks on a Dyna to shame. It's not the plethora of sport bikes with custom exhausts. Or the bozos that insist on checking that the rev limiter is still functioning properly... 18 times in a 3 minute period.

Nope, it wouldn't be those people. Just those Harleys.

It is, seriously. I've never heard a particularly loud XR400 on the road. I'm trying to imagine how it could POSSIBLY be as loud as the average Harley.

A couple of years ago, I was out riding on highway 25, and some tards on sprotbiles were bouncing their engines off the rev limiter in neutral before they left the service station. They were douche canoes, for sure. That's the ONE time I ever remember hearing that, other than, I don't know, Cannery Row during the races?

The average sprotbile, even with a loud-ass exhaust, simply isn't that loud unless they're at WOT and way up in the rev range.

The goddamn straight pipe Harleys are loud, ALL THE FUCKING TIME, and the operators insist on running them WOT *all the fucking time*.

It's not to suggest that there aren't obnoxious sprotbilers, but it's simply asinine to pretend like the Harleys aren't easily 95% of the noise problem when it comes to motorcycles. It's absolutely ignorant of the reality on the roads.

And yeah, I've been to the summit of Mt Ham plenty of times, and I see a good mix of cruisers, dirtbikes, and sportbikes up there. Again, never heard a sportbike revving the piss out of its engine there, but heard plenty of loud Harleys. The sound pressure generated by those things are absolutely asinine. I think noise is the primary function of the engine, and a little bit of forward momentum is simply a byproduct.

 

[Charles R]

Reminds me of an article in AMA mag this month - "Loud pipes lose rights".

I've ridden up 130 to the observatory, bought a few trinkets and done the telescope tour. They should ticket bikes making excessive noise, not ban them all.

Pretty sure that I have ridden a Kawk around the 17 mile drive too, so it's not just a Bavarian exemption AFAIK.

Done the tour a couple times. Bought some trinkets. And I always make it a point to buy at least something from the vending machines.

As far as earplugs go...

These people are there because they work and/or live there. I'm a guest in their space/home. Earplugs are not a guaranteed solution, as I'm SURE they have been tried. As a guest, personally I would feel rude to force them to make extra steps on my account. If I can do something within my means to help my hosts, I will. I know MANY do not share this ideal. "Do unto others" and all that jazz, you know.

 

[littlebeast]

love the infantile references, almost as much as i love being painted with a broad brush. and to be condemned with that same broad brush. so convenient. as if motos of every possible configuration were the singular barrier between a happy, irritation free existence, and pure, utter unadulterated hell. you got a sweet life there - am so sorry to intrude on it. am also so sorry that unlike the rest of us who have literally everything going our way - things are not absolutely perfect for you.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I don't agree, the whole reason that place is there is for the scientific research that goes on at night, not so passers by can use the restroom and look around the gift shop.

Then why have a gift shop?

[I've] heard plenty of loud Harleys. The sound pressure generated by those things are absolutely asinine. I think noise is the primary function of the engine, and a little bit of forward momentum is simply a byproduct.

Harley Davidson: The world's most efficient way to convert gasoline into noise without the undesirable side-effects of power.

 

[Blankpage]

Aren't the mysteries of the universe more important than a motorcycle ride.

 

[NorCal Factory]

I was there Sat and talked to the guy in the official pickup who told us about the Oct 1 intended closing to bikes.

There are 7-8 people who work nearly every night of the year and live in the houses within the immediate vicinity. They don't get any sleep because they have to sleep with the windows open since they do not have air conditioning.

I asked him why they don't get air conditioning and use the white noise to block out the sound. He didn't like that idea.

I think it's interesting that they close it OCT 1 when they soon won't need to keep the windows open much longer. Too bad they can't try other things like putting up signs asking people to be quiet for sleeping astronomers or something. I would keep it quiet there.

The guy was trying to be as nice as possible but firm. You could tell they have a lot frustration from years of interrupted sleep.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

Aren't the mysteries of the universe more important than a motorcycle ride.

In my personal world? No.

Sure, someone needs to study the planets, and I find it interesting. But does it add to the quality of my personal life? No. Does a motorcycle ride? Yes... it makes my Universe a much more balanced and happy place.