Before my hands so much as touched a throttle, I knew one day I would ride the Pacific Coast Highway.

It was a bucket list item, something I let motivate me as I stumbled through my motorcycle license course, something I dreamed of as I took my first Harley home—white knuckling the grips—and something I saved for over the years, waiting and planning for the right time. That time came last October in the form of Babes Ride Out, an all women’s camping event happening in Santa Margarita – another bucket list item for me. 

With a full-time corporate career, two dogs at home, and a budget, making the trip happen wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. My most pressing concern? Snagging a motorcycle rental. But what I expected to be a daunting, expensive, and complicated experience ultimately turned out to be seamless, budget-friendly, and life changing. With that, I’d like to welcome you to blog numero tres, in which I share a little bit of the story of the best trip of my life and how Twisted Road was instrumental in making it happen.

The Plan

The moment my mind was made up and flights had been booked, I knew that securing a bike would be my biggest headache, what with Harley’s rental program Eagle Rider being a constant over-priced, limited option pain in my ass, and the Riders Share platform so limited in their offerings. My plan was to fly into L.A., rent a motorcycle, and ride it along the PCH to Santa Margarita, where I would ride sunup to sundown for three days with thousands of other women, then make the trek back.

I needed a bike that I could ride comfortably for many hours over the course of four days; something nimble for California lane splitting, fast enough to have fun on the twisties, light enough to maneuver through rough terrain, all without compromising my incredibly important cool-kid aesthetic. I present to you the Triumph T120 Black, otherwise known as the one that got away. But we’ll save that story for another time.

Late at night, just a few short weeks from the impending trip, I was looking through my options when I found Twisted Road, basically the Airbnb of motorcycles. Sexy interface, smooth online user experience, and a bounty of great bikes. Unlike Eagle Rider and Riders Share, Twisted Road seemed to have the most diversity in their offerings, both in bike style and price. There were sport bikes of every brand, a surprising amount of restored classics, and even a few cutting edge new-to-the-market bikes. But I was there for the cruisers, and boy did I find them.

Sportsters galore, some stock, some modded with Vance & Hines exhausts, Biltwell handlebars, one even decorated as a Wonder Woman bike. And then I found her. The ultimate all black Triumph T120, upgraded exhaust, bars, suspension, heated grips, and beautiful seat. It was love at first sight. I booked it immediately. The motorcycle rental was incredibly simple, I submitted my info and got an email shortly after from the Twisted Road folks, letting me know I had been approved. I liked how they have an approval process for the protection of both the renters and the owners. They connected me with the owner of the bike I’d be renting, and we made plans for my pickup.

The Trip

I flew into L.A. on a Thursday morning, hitched an Uber ride to Long Beach, and met up with Paul at his photography studio. Walking in, I saw the Bonnie lifted up, a smiley face made of duct tape on the headlight. Good vibes all around. Paul and I inspected the bike together, a requirement of Twisted Road, then got to talking about my trip. About five minutes in, we decided Paul had to play hooky for the day to teach me how to lane split in California, take me up some twisties, and ride with me to my first stop – Neptune’s Net.

The foundation of Twisted Road is laid by available bike rentals worldwide, but the heart and soul of the company is in how it builds, strengthens, and grows the motorcycle community. Paul and I became instant friends – connected by our deep love for two wheels and the open road, our need for the freedom only motorcycles can provide, and a passion for adventure.

There was magic in the air as soon as we hit the pavement together. Riding in California is a trip – cars parting for you like the mythical sea— the taste of the ocean on your tongue and the smell of distant mountains filling your helmet. A hundred times in the first hour I thought “I could spend the rest of my life just riding this one highway”.

We made it to Neptune’s Net, most noted for it's appearance in the end scene in the Fast and the Furious, but known to me as the pit stop for bikers in need of classic fish and chips overlooking the ocean. Paul and I couldn’t help but reenact the scene before stuffing our faces with salty, oceany goodness. We parted ways here, and I started my solo journey to a tiny town hundreds of miles away. 

“Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively, unless you can choose a challenge instead of a competence.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt