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.

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Fuelled again and off we go

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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?

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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.

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Boo.  Missing Mr Fogg already

Rainy Manchester here we come

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!

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There is a song in here somewhere, take a jumbo across the water (unless it’s with BA of course).

So our final breakfast together in the US, Mrs Fogg and Kevin head off to the airport in a few hours and I weave my way from Nevada into Needles California on the last few days to get to Santa Monica and the completion of the Route66.

And a view of Vegas from the Stratosphere last night

Whilst Kevin tries the latest US Designer wear Elf Ears Clothes Hangers

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The last night in Vegas, time to enjoy a meal with good company in the Top of the World restaurant in the Stratosphere.

Here’s to my travelling posse, Mrs Fogg for all the planning and Kev for the entertainment value and keeping Mrs Fogg sane in the car.

And then Fremont Street, is an experience

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