***** 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.

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.

Mileage Tally – 2,435 miles since Chicago

So I left my support crew this morning in Vegas to make their way to the airport and headed on to Needles in California on the way to Santa Monica Pier.

A beautiful ride down the freeways and then just as you enter California from Nevada, you are hit by a wall of fire. Current temp in Needles is a paltry 112 degrees Fahrenheit. The temp has risen 4 degrees in the last 30 minutes.

Pool here I come

Searchlight Nevada

Home for the night with an inviting pool

Road Warrior!

posted by the biker daddy.