Perhaps the first in a new series of Southern California biker hangout reviews is this one for B's Backyard Bar-B-Que, in Big Bear Lake, CA.

Our club has enjoyed this place many times before, and a few of us went there today, on a Friday.

B's Backyard Bar-B-Que is named as such because the place is outdoors, right on the beach of Big Bear Lake. They serve several brands of beer in bottles and tap. But they're known for their barbeque. The Pulled Pork sandwich and the Beef Brisket are my two favorites.

But what makes this a great biker hangout is that the management is very friendly to bikers. This year, B's Backyard Bar-B-Que will be one of the stops on the famed Big Bear Choppers annual poker run. They received this honor because of their fine hospitality towards riders.

Today was no exception. Me and my two friends were greeted by the manager, who immediately recognized our riding gear and was about as accommodating as could be. We ordered food and drink, and he gave us free potato chips and dip to go with it. He told us that he loved having bikers here and appreciated our patronage.

You'll find plenty of great parking at B's, and awesome scenery lakeside. The restaurant has a few Golden Retrievers on the premises; toss a tennis ball into the lake and they'll entertain you as they faithfully fetch over-and-over again.

B's Backyard Bar-B-Que
350 Alden Road
Big Bear Lake, CA, 92315
(909) 866-5400
http://www.bsbackyard.com

Click here for map.

Labels: B's Backyard Bar-B-Que, California Biker Bars

Hells Kitchen is one the more well visited biker bars in Southern California, located along Ortega Highway, above the city of Lake Elsinore. But road work on Ortega Highway, that started yesterday, could threaten its existence.

The Ortega Highway is a 29 mile segment of Highway 74 that connects the cities of San Juan Capistrano and Lake Elsinore. It roughly parallels San Juan Creek as it cuts through the Santa Ana Mountain range. It's one of just two thoroughfares that connects trendy Orange County with the working class Riverside County.

It's also one of most popular roads for motorcycle riders in Southern California.

The hoards of motorcycles running both directions along Ortega Highway was the reason why Tyler Paulson chose to build his dream biker bar there. It's situated in tiny hamlet of El Cariso Village, almost completely hidden from the skies with oak trees and pine trees.

However, accidents along Ortega Highway have been rising steadily over the past 10 years, as families in Orange County began moving their residence to Riverside County in search of affordable homes. Weekday commuters skyrocketed on the twisty two-lane road.

There is a smaller stretch of Ortega Highway that winds through a gorge, right at the Orange County and Riverside County lines. The side of the gorge is solid rock. When the highway was originally built in 1930, the crews didn't cut the rock wall far enough back, causing all curves to become blind curves. As a result, drivers and riders don't have time to stop if an on-coming vehicle strays over the center line.

And that's how many motorcycle riders have lost their lives.

So on that explanation, it makes sense to cut back more of the rock to make the curves more visible.

However, the other argument is that CalTrans, the state agency in charge of maintaining state highways, failed to accomodate Highway 91, the other thoroughfare connecting the two counties. Highway 91 is actually a freeway, with between 8-10 lanes in various places. Pretty much at all times of the day, it's a virtual parking lot. As people migrated to Riverside County over the years, CalTrans just sat on their hands and watched congestion fester on the 91.

That's why traffic increased on Ortega Highway, and is why more riders have lost their lives.

So as road work along Ortega Highway commences, traffic is expected to subside. This means motorcycle riders as well. The work will continue for 3 years.

One rider who goes by the handle, "JR73", posted a message on HarleyChatGroup saying that he won't be riding Ortega Highway until its finished...

We'll see what it looks like in a couple years cause i'm staying off it till then.

• Ortega Overdue for Upgrade, OC Register, Feb 16, 2007


• Ortega Highway at a Crossroads - The Californian, Nov 13, 2005


• Ortega Highway Safety Improvement Project - CalTrans

Labels: California Biker Bars, Hells Kitchen Biker Bar, Ortega Highway