Continuing My Route 66 Adventure

Preamble

This blog continues the story from the previous blog website from the afternoon of the 21st June onwards. To get back to the first blog website click here:

http://bighroute66.blogspot.com/

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About Me

BigH: We have taken to alternating a European trip one year with a US trip the following year. In 2018 we cheated by having a one week tour of Majorca in July followed by a tour from Seattle to Milwaukee in August. The tour is organised by Eaglerider to celebrate the 115th Anniversary of the Harley Davidson company. Along the route we will pick up local riders who will continue with us. In Milwaukee (the location of the Harley Davidson factory) we will meet with 3 other tours who started in LA, New England and Florida. Buy shares in Jack Daniels in the days ahead !

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The Wedding of Erik and Valerie, Las Vegas, 21st June 2011

Its not everyday that Big H has the honour to be best man at a bikers' wedding in Las Vegas !

We met up at 7pm and rode in cavalcade (14 Harleys) along the Las Vegas strip to the Wedding Chapel. Traffic was crawling and there seemed to be traffic lights every 50 yards.

The bride wore a white leather top and cream suede jacket. Myself and Patrick rode as the guard of honour just behind the couple.

We all revved our engines and honked horns to the amusement of the enthusiastic pedestrians who cheered us on.

At the wedding chapel we lined the 'Tunnel of Love' as Erik waited at the front for the arrival of the bride. As she was driven up by Mike, Erik (professional singer back home) sang the first verse of 'Love me Tender' and then handed the mike over to 'Elvis' who completed the song.

The Minister performed the ceremony and Big H duly produced the rings as required. The couple were then serenaded by Elvis and presented with the marriage certificates.

The reception was held at the Las Vegas Harley Davidson cafe. A lovely evening and not a dry eye in the house (dust from the wheels you understand).

Sound Clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMfrLFirGWc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyGmvfJiJ-4&feature=related

The wedding venue

Are you sure you have the rings ?

here comes the bride

Mike escorts valerie

Erik sings love me tender

The minister performs the ceremony

elvis serenades the couple

it's official

The reception venue

The happy couple

Location Day 12 - Victorville, California

Day 12 June 21st Las Vegas - Victorville, 276 miles

We checked out of the hotel at the leisurely hour of 9 am and as many of us were on reserve fuel, we filled up at the first petrol station.

We headed south back in the direction of Laughlin. Again a bright sunny day and mercifully not much wind.

As we turned west the temperature started to climb and we descended into the 'real' Mojave desert. Vegetation became more sparse in the plains and valleys and the distant hills and ranges were just bare rock.

We stopped for a break and water at Goffs - an old desert outpost and started to take the necessary precautions for the rest of the desert ride - drinking loads of water and electrolyte fluid and dousing tee-shirts and bandanas in cold water (even soaking the inside of our helmets). This provided immediate relief but more importantly the evaporation while riding kept us cool.

After another 50 miles or so we stopped at Roy's cafe where the temperature was 43 dec C in the shade ! More dousing and drinking of water !

After another couple of stops we refuelled at Barstow where the temperature was a little more reasonable and we felt we had made it through the wilderness (again).

A little further down the road we stopped to inspect a rather bizarre forest of bottles on spiked metal posts - either art or 'Victoria Wine meets Narnia'.

We stopped for an early dinner at the Iron Hog - a bikers' pub restaurant. I was asked to programme the duke box for an hour's worth of good music - no problem.

Just a few more weary miles and we arrived at our lodgings in Victorville. An early night in preparation for the last leg to LA tomorrow.

Soundclips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpVLlnQ08OA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHRcKD8T17g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czb2E1q7xtc&feature=related

Leaving Las Vegas

Goffs in the Mojave

Mining equipment at Goffs

Only a Sculpture

Plaque at Roy's Cafe

Come into the shade - its only 43 degrees here

Desert View at Roy's Cafe

Mojave desert

A new twist on a bottle bank

Tim inspects the welding

Victoria Wine, Narnia branch

The Iron Hog - Good Food, Good Beer, Fantastic Duke Box !

Final Destination, LA Day 13

Day 13, June 22nd, Victorville to Santa Monica 110 miles

An 8 am start after a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast. Everyone eager for the last leg of the mammoth journey to Santa Monica Pier, LA. After the last 'morning briefing' we set off on (yet another) bright warm morning.

Soon however we were passing through the coastal range and descending towards Los Angeles. Due to cols ocean currents the air cooled noticeably as we got nearer to the coast - which was a welcome change from the last few days.

The song says 'LA is a great big freeway' and it certainly is - a very busy one - just like the M25 turned into spaghetti.

After weaving freeways and busy city streets we arrived at our first sightseeing stop - Hollywood Boulevard - and went walkabout for an hour or so.

Nest stop was a quick tour of the leafy neighbourhoods of Beverly Hills, before our climatic arrival at Santa Monica Pier - the official end of Route 66. Quite an emotional moment for us all - many hugs and a few sighs of relief.

Had a great seafood lunch at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Restaurant (Forest Gump association) and then back on the bikes to the Eagle Rider depot to hand them back. We bade farewell to our trusty steeds/hogs and boarder the bus to the hotel.

We had an end of trip meal at a seafood restaurant across the road from the hotel. Lots of reminiscences and fond farewells with possibilities to meet up again in the future. Great group, great tour leaders and great memories.

[Last Entry tomorrow on some reflections on the trip]

Sound clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HluJnadKDbQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ouOa9k0gE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFfVdQi0LVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kq1JQUhwVQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjejqJVUYOU&feature=fvsr

The last morning briefing

Coastal Range

This Way to LA

Hollywood Boulevard

Stars on Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood Boulevard View

Beverly Hills

Santa Monica Pier Entrance

View of Santa Monica Pier

Official End of Route 66, Santa Monica Promenade

Another End of Route 66 Kiosk

Lunch on Santa Monica Pier

Erik and Valerie at Bubba Gumps

Farewell Green Machine

End of Tour Dinner

Goodbyes

Closing thoughts - 23rd June 2011, Los Angeles

Had a great night's sleep but it does feel strange not riding a motorbike at this time of day ! Reflections on the trip:

Firstly a fantastic bunch of people: very friendly and supportive. This I particularly appreciated being by far the least experienced rider in the group. Route 66 has dobled the number of miles I've ridden on a motorbike.

Secondly the country and scenery. In Europe we tend to think of the cities when we think of America. On this trip you are constantly aware of the vast areas of barely inhabited terrain.

Thirdly Laura and Mike were superb. They engendered great morale and enthusiasm, were supportive but not mollycoddling, were friendly but not indulgent, and above all they exhibited wise, firm and decisive leadership.

In terms of Route 66, my expectation at the start of the trip that things would really start to get interesting once we got to the mountains was borne out. But as one of the team observed 'Route 66 - its not for the faint hearted'.

What sounds like a jolly jaunt in the lyrics of the song involves travelling hundreds of miles at elevations over 6,000 feet with all the vaguaries of weather that entails, and then there are the extensive stretches of dessert. It must have been quite a challenge in old cars before the advent of air conditioning, and the quaint old diners and filling stations along the route which we now view as charmingly retro - must at the time have been life-saving oases for the plucky traveller.

For more information on Route 66 visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66

And so, well rested and packed, its almost time to head out for the airport and home.

One last sound clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDe96fs3Wq4

So, dear reader, I hope you have found some enjoyment and amusemant following this adventure from the safety of your laptop. Happy to answer any questions you may have by email:

howard.v.rogers@gmail.com

Until the next time, this is Big H signing off, oh and just one more message:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHGLBy2CdjI&feature=related

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