So the flight from LA to Boston took 5.5 hours, the plane pulled away from the terminal and then announced there was a fault with the steering column for the front wheel and that it was probably a screw that had come undone, no worries then! 30 minute delay leaving, sat in the middle of an older American couple who bickered the entire journey was just awesome. Arrival at Boston was delayed because there was no space so we circled for 10 minutes, but don’t worry if you have an onward flight our representatives will meet you outside the plane. Who was there, no-one!

Having identified I had arrived into terminal “Who knows” and needed to get to terminal E, which is a 15 minute walk and my plane was due to board in 10 minutes, mad dash nutter time. And then you had to go through security again, to find they had been calling my name for 15 minutes, obviously my fault I was late.

On the Virgin flight from Boston to Manchester it was empty, 93 customers on a plane capable of 300, with 15 crew, still chance to spread out. The pilot was proud to announce we had arrived 40 minutes early, but then didn’t announce we had to sit on the tarmac for 40 minutes to wait for a space (if it was Air Fungus there would have been trumpets playing for “anudder oirly orrivsl”)

Oh well clackity-clack train to Leeds now.
posted by the biker daddy.

Ahhhhh, 4.30am rise, Russian taxi driver who must have learnt his driving from the fairground dodgems! Every set of lights saw him push the accelerator so far down that he must have hit the asphalt each time and braking for lights involved a worse deceleration than a space shuttle on re-entry!!!!

And then the airport, virgin premier club line clearly indicated I walked to the front waiting to be seen, along with 4 other people. 5 minutes later snotty madam asks us why we are all queuing there and that we must join the normal queue during early hour flights, really, where does it say that then. An argument ensued where she stormed off and refused to deal with anyone until she felt the tension had dissipated, oh my god! Her colleague took over after that.

On then to a 1hr 15min queue through the LAX security, 8 lanes of hell, remove all items of clothing, yet a group of students took a 16inch Domino’s Pizza box through without even being challenged. And a woman took her pet pooch in a child’s pram around the scanner. For me after the full Total Recall body scanner, a full pat down because the TSA guy doesn’t trust the scanner. And why are we co concerned at airports

Anyhoo I can chill now on my flight to Boston, then wait for my Manchester flight from there.

Weather in Santa Monica yesterday 17 and cloudy, today 16 and rain, preparation for the UK then.
posted by the biker daddy.

Well that’s it, I’ve dipped my toes into the Pacific Ocean, seen the Pier all lit up and now I’m off to bed ready for my early rise. A fun day and a chance to chill before the long haul home.

Some final shots of Santa Monica

Goodbye to the Mother Road all 2,488 miles of it

posted by the biker daddy.

So, the sign on Santa Monica Pier isn’t the actual one. I got talking to the guy that runs the End of The Trail shop on Santa Monica Pier and the official one was a flimsy bit of cardboard that was attached to a portable stand that a guy used to bring out each day to sell his wares, the one on the pier was placed there by the local council, since his portable one kept moving daily to wherever he could get a spot.

So in honour of completing 66, I got an official certificate commemorating the trip and a picture next to the official end of 66 sign

Next stop, off for a paddle in the ocean.

posted by the biker daddy.

***** 2785.9 miles, 9 states and 3 Time Zones *****

Oh my gosh, what a blast and now it’s over

The Start on 12 May 2017

The End on 30 May 2017

I lost my superb support crew 3 days ago and battled the remaining miles on my own. Today’s run from Barstow, where Mr Grumpy the hotel manager had thawed a little, as I set off at 7.30am heading towards Los Angeles. Bluetooth ear piece wedged in my ear and hooked up to the bike GPS which you can’t see in any light and reboots after approx 30 minutes of use, let the fun commence.

At one point the GPS starting to announcing the last turn I should have taken after I passed my turn (in a sarcastic female tone) and then took me down a rough area for a laugh before routing me back to the freeway. Eventually arriving to drop off my trusty steed with 7 minutes to spare at 11.53am, phew!

On then to the hotel arranged by my amazing tour geek, bang smack on the sea front (Ocean View, 1447 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica)

With an awesome view of Santa Monica Pier

Random picture, how do you know when it’s been a good curry, when the toilet bowl has scorch marks in the porcelain of course!!

And then to the Pier where you can only drive so far and need to walk to the sign

With the ocean behind you

And Now Food, ooooo what to have (sorry ladies time to be jealous, thanks Stu)

The last 66 shop

The start of the Santa Monica Pier

And the Pier today

Full and Happy, although a little sad it’s over and that my support crew didn’t get this far. Tomorrow 5.30am for LAX to Boston and then Boston to Manchester. See y’all Thursday(ish).

posted by the biker daddy.

Yey, made it to Barstow from Needles, total mileage from our start in Chicago 18 days ago is 2,641 with 148 left from here to Marina Del Rey for my final journey tomorrow.

It’s been a really good run down today with a chance to do 5 sections of Route66 shadowing the I-40 west through Amboy, Ludlow, Newberry Springs, Daggett, Calico Ghost Town and then to Barstow. At one point I stopped on 66 to take a picture and the blacktop (tarmac to you and me) was so wet it was sticking to my boots.

One section of the I-40 had 5 miles of stationary traffic, with me sat on a Harley with heat belching out of it in 90 degree sunshine, not a fun experience when every part of you is soaking wet.

Tonight I will mostly be stopping at the local econolodge with the grumpiest and unhappiest manager where everything is too much trouble (TripAdvisor Here I come).

Tomorrow, the hell that is Los Angeles.

Daggett on 66

Newberry Springs pit stop 66

66 down to the Joshua Tree National Park

Essex (no really)

And finally Barstow

Oooo look it’s my hotel, home of Mr Grumpy

And after walking several miles in 37 Degree Celsius heat to find food, the only things available were Popeye’s, McYucks and Burglar King, so I ended up eating in Denny’s, oh well.

posted by the biker daddy.

Fuelled again and off we go

posted by the biker daddy.

Here I am at a little gas stop outside of Goffs California on Route 66. It’s an awesome ride this morning shadowing the I-40 westward.

Plastic flamingo anyone?

posted by the biker daddy.

So it’s 18.45 on Sunday 28th May and the temperature is only 97 degrees Fahrenheit (or 36 Celsius) which on a motorbike is baking.

The Memorial Day celebrations in the US actually happen on Monday 29th with a lot of things closed, so I’m gassed up and have 4 litres of water chilling in the fridge ready to set off around 7.30am US time (3.30pm UK time) where the temperature will be a chilled 18 Celsius rising to a paltry 37 Celsius by 4pm US Time.

Enjoy your Bank Holiday.

posted by the biker daddy.