It started out as something to kill time. In 1999, Mark Skolnick (or Junior, as he prefers to be called) had just sold a very successful chain of tool stores and was in desperate need of a hobby. An avid gearhead, Junior had always loved building and working on cars, trucks, and especially motorcycles. So, he started building a custom Harley-Davidson motorcycle in his home garage. Well, one of his friends saw it and wanted to buy it. That led to him building another and selling it. Then another, AND another. This led to him becoming the “go-to” guy to his friends, his friend’s friends (and their friends), looking for the best deals on a pre-owned Harley.
A few months later, Junior’s entire home had become a showroom … there were bikes in his living room, his hallway, his game room, and his patio. Any nook and cranny he had became a spot to put a motorcycle. His garage became a three-lift service center with a full-time mechanic, detailer, and a parts runner. As you can imagine, his “hobby” outgrew his house, and the first Lifestyle Cycles was born.
Late in 2014, Junior noticed Lifestyle Cycles was the starting point for people getting together to go group riding on the weekends, so Junior formed the Lifestyle Cycles Riding Group. What started out as four or five people getting together for day rides, soon expanded to over 30, then 100, then 1,000. The Lifestyle Cycles Riding Group now has over 3,600 members worldwide and growing daily. While the group is predominately Harley riders, ALL types of motorcycles and trikes are welcome. They don’t care WHAT you ride, they just care THAT you ride!
Of course, with challenging issues our world is currently facing, Lifestyle Cycles was one of the first to adopt additional safety measures with complimentary facemasks and hand sanitizers at all entrances, social distancing markers, and monitoring cleanliness. Riding a motorcycle has always been a benchmark of social distancing, and the Lifestyle Riding Group follows additional guidelines such as masks, hand sanitizer, and limits the size of groups during gas and rest stops. It’s just another aspect of Lifestyle Cycles’ commitment to safety, community, and good times! Joining their Lifestyle Cycles Riding Meetup Group is super easy and fun to be a part of with no dues, no initiation, or obligation. Whether you already ride or want to buy a motorcycle, it's a great way to meet other people.
After 20 years Lifestyle Cycles has become quite the departure from a "hobby to kill some time." Lifestyle Cycles is THE motorcycle destination spot in Southern California. There are more than 250 pre-owned Harley-Davidson motorcycles on the floors of the two-story showroom, 14 lifts in the service department, a comprehensive parts and accessory department, and one of THE largest motor clothing departments in the southland.
Las Flores View Point and Lunch in Oceanside.
There are so many places we’ve driven by a hundred times but never stopped for pictures, so the Lifestyle Cycles Riding Group planned this destination trip to Oceanside with a little stretch break in between. View Point has a gorgeous panoramic view of the ocean and Catalina island on a clear day, and occasionally you can find Marines doing exercises and drills on the beach below.
The route from Lifestyle Cycles is 91 East, to 57 South, to the 5 South toward Oceanside. The exit for the View Point is accessible only on the southbound Interstate 5 as you drive through Camp Pendleton. There are no amenities here, but there is an official rest-stop with restrooms a hundred meters south off the I-5.
Once we arrive in Oceanside we drive through town and stop at a parking lot near the harbor where everyone can discuss where they might like to eat lunch. Oceanside has a small-town vibe with hole-in-the-wall joints, chain restaurants, and even some well-established legendary restaurants. Just ask and we’ll be happy to give you a few suggestions!
A few things to help new members prepare for participating are that we meet at Lifestyle Cycles before we ride together. We require that you show up with a DOT helmet, a full tank of gas, and tires in good repair.
Visit us at Lifestyle Cycles in person at 1510 N. State College Blvd. in Anaheim, on the web, or give us a holler at (714) 490-0155. Now, let’s hit the road!
