Victorville to Los Angeles, Route 66 - Day 14

We made it to the end!

After 2,845 miles (4,552 km) we reached the end of Route 66 at the Santa Monica Pier. The actual route is 2,448 miles, but with detours to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, with added on a bit more. Everyone in our group cheered in the Santa Monica car park as we got off our bikes for the last time on the Route. We posed at the “End of the Trail” sign with a sense of relief and achievement that we all arrived safely to this point. It felt great to complete America’s iconic road and I loved every minute of it.

This last day was one of the shortest rides on our tour. We set out to ride the Angele’s Crest Highway in the Angele’s National Forest, but a road closure knocked about 60 miles off our total. Nevertheless, it was a great ride weaving in and out of the twisty road. We circled around northern Los Angeles through Topanga, until suddenly the Pacific Ocean comes into view. It was a short ride to Santa Monica Pier where we celebrated our achievement. After the inevitable photo shoot, Roma and I wandered along the pier, had a hot dog and coke for lunch, and bought some more souvenirs. Soon it was time to go and we got back on the bikes to drop them off at Eagle Rider. A visit to Los Angeles is not complete experiencing the heavy traffic on six lane highways - we got this and more, but made our way through the traffic like a professional biker synchronized gang. It was a bit sad to drop my Electra Glide off, but it makes me hungry to get back onto my Road King in Ireland. 

Our final dinner together was a great celebration of our ride. We made great friends on this trip and it is already sad to think that we might never see some of them again. Route 66 is an incredible experience and I would certainly recommend Eagle Rider to lead any tour. What next? We’ll have to wait and see!

Good bye Route 66!

We did it!

A fun bunch to ride with.

Making shadows.

On the road in California.

At the start (and end for us) of Angele’s Crest.

Taking the shade at the last petrol stop in Los Angeles.

I enjoyed every single one of the 2,845 miles.

Las Vegas to Victorville, Route 66 - Day 13

Our second last day on the road saw us Leaving Las Vegas - while it was a bit sad to be leaving Vegas, I won’t miss it much. We had a long ride today with few sight seeing stops. It was very hot today, so we had plenty of stops for water. I was also showing off my new Route 66 themed helmet - my old one was past its best. While we had a lot of road to ride, there was still time for one Route 66 themed stop at Amboy - a very out of the way place that sold delicious Pecan Pies and feck all else. We had the simplest of lunches ever at a gas station a few miles after Amboy - a sandwich and a coke in the shade.

There is no doubt that the highlight of today was the long ride through the Mojave Desert after crossing into the last state on our tour - California. We rode through the Joshua trees at altitude and I did my best with a rendition of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” as I rode along. Spectacular and hot sights. Our final stop before our hotel was at the forgetful Bottle Ranch - a sight that would be just a load of old junk except it’s position on Route 66 makes it a curiosity stop.

This evening we had our last dinner as a group on the road. It will be sad to leave such good new friends - we have one more day’s ride plus a farewell dinner tomorrow to go. Some photos of the day below...

At the bottle bank.

Showing off new helmet,

One of many water stops today.

The Joshua Trees.

On the road to the Mojave desert.

Leaving Las Vegas.

Laughlin to Las Vegas, Route 66 - Day 12

Today was an easier day on the bike as we rode the relatively short trip from Laughlin to Las Vegas via the Hoover Dam. We only had three stops on the way to Vegas. Our first was at a point overlooking Lake Mead (formed when the Hoover Dam was built). The ride to this point was unspectacular until we reached our destination. At the look out point we could see that draught is affecting water levels in Lake Mead. We then rode to the nearby Dam - but first there was a security check where the only question was “Do you have any weapons?”! After answering “No” I was allowed to proceed to see the Dam. There were thousands of people there - this is a huge attraction. There were a lot of delays crossing the Dam wall as there were so many people about - our second stop was at a great viewing overlooking the Dam form a high point. Brilliant! We then made our way back through the crowds across the Dam again.

Our last stop before the hotel was at Harley-Davidson in Las Vegas. This is a big dealership with lots of cool new bikes. Inevitably, I bought yet another t-shirt! We also bought a new suitcase as we will have a lot more “stuff” going home than coming out here.

We are staying at the Golden Nugget hotel, which is also a big casino. Again, I was not in the least tempted to try my luck. I did not win anything, but I lost nothing either! Instead we went to see the Bellagio Fountain in action and also enjoyed wandering around the likes of Caesar's Palace. One thing l did do was to have a go at the SlotZilla over Fremont Street. It is a very simple, slow, and short zip line experience. I would have liked to use my GoPro, but this is not allowed in case I drop it on someone in the street below. 

Tomorrow is our second last day on the road when we will cross into California. The end of this great trip is coming!

Some photos from the day below...

Huge amount of activity in Freemont.

Enjoying The Fountains of Bellagio at Beer Park.

Enjoying the sights.

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Welcome to Las Vegas at Harley-Davidson.

At the Hoover Dam.

At Lake Mead.

Getting ready for another great ride.

Grand Canyon to Laughlin, Route 66 - Day 11

What better way to start a day than get up on a bike and ride to a nearby airport for a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon! That was us today - up at 6 am for a thrilling 20 minute flight showing the canyon in all its glory. Magnificent, and probably the highlight of our Route 66 trip so far. 

Our next stop was in Williams, Arizona - a much more interesting town compared to Winslow yesterday. Here we stopped for coffee and wandered around the many shops, though several places were closed as it is Sunday. By now we are fatigued by the many places we stop that have souvenir shops - we bought very little today. The ride through the countryside today was at first similar to yesterday, but it got way better as the day went along. We had a “free” 60 ride through increasing desert countryside - loads of rocks to see. It was very pleasant to stick on cruise control at 52 MPH and to just enjoy the ride and absorbing the experience of the Mother Road. Later we would ride down from the heights of Northern Arizona into the western themed town of Oatman. The ride into the town was through a long series of dangerous and thrilling narrow winding roads over the mountains. I hung back a bit as the more adventurous riders took the corners at a higher speed than me - nevertheless, despite the danger, we all arrived safely into Oatman. This town is right out of a cowboy and Indian TV show - complete with burros (donkeys) wandering the street. We spent quite a bit of time here taking pictures and buying nothing in the endless shops. We felt like celebrities as we rode into town on our iron horses, and leaving later with dozens of cameras focused on us. 15 seconds of fame at last!

After Oatman, the heat increased dramatically to over 40 C. This was OK while riding, but slowing down and stopping felt like we were riding into an oven. We arrived into Laughlin soaking in sweat and we are staying in the Aquarius hotel, which is basically two tall towers built on a casino. I was not tempted by the many bright lights of slot machines, but I settled for a buffet dinner and a walk along the Colorado River which runs beside the hotel.

So - another great day on the road which experiences to remember for a lifetime. Tomorrow it is on to Las Vegas - more about that tomorrow.

Some photos from today...

Getting ready for the highlight of our trip at the Grand Canyon.

Pretending to be a gambler in hotel casino.

Standing near a corner at Williams, Arizona.

Williams, Arizona.

On Route 66 (Arizona).

You meet the strangest people on Route 66!

Roma at one of the many disused, but restored petrol stations, on Route 66.

Howdy Pardner!

Main Street, Oatman.

This coffin is too small for me!

Gallup to Grand Canyon, Route 66 - Day 10

Another long and exciting day on the Mother Road - finishing up with an incredible sunset in the Grand Canyon. We left New Mexico and crossed over into Arizona - a State that I had last visited in 2000. Our first major attraction to see was the Petrified Forest where trees from millions of years ago were turned to stone. This is a national park which is very big, and you only get to see the stone trees near the end. The rocky scenery here is stunning, and despite some light rain it was an incredible experience to be able to ride through the “forest”. We spent over an hour and a half drinking in the experience - a fantastic start to the day.

Next we had a brief stop at the wonderful Wig Wam village. Lots of old (rusty) cars and trucks plus wig wams which are interesting looking but very small. Inevitably one of the major highlights of this trip was to be able to stand at a corner in Winslow Arizona - the Eagles song (Take it Easy) was an ear worm in my head for months before we set out on this trip. There’s no doubt that this sleepy town is milking the song and the famous mention of a corner. There are the inevitable souvenir shops and Eagles music playing everywhere. Someone in Winslow hit on the idea of turning the song into a tourist attraction - who knows why this particular corner was picked. Anyway, it was a great photo op.

We had a wonderful ride thought forests after leaving Flagstaff - a pleasant change from the almost desert areas of New Mexico and Arizona. Our destination today was the town of Tusayan near the Grand Canyon. We took our bikes out to the Canyon to watch the sunset (along with hundreds of other people). The Grand Canyon is awesome and it was. A wonderful experience to be there for a spectacular sunset - I’m so looking forward to. A helicopter ride over the Canyon tomorrow.

some photos of the day...

Sunset in the Grand Canyon.

Our first time together in the Grand Canyon.

Our new car (in the Petrified Forest).

National Park time.

Petrified trees.

With some of the wonderful petrified trees.

Admiring the view in the Petrified Forest National Park.

Wig Wam Village.

Standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona!

We’re Still Standing.

A Star is Born in Winslow Arizona!

Santa Fe to Gallup, Route 66 - Day 9

What a day to be a motorcycle rider!

Today we rode mostly in some of the most spectacular scenery in New Mexico - mile after mile of desert, rocks, mesas, and bluffs in the Navajo Nation. Nothing beats being on a bike and being so close to the road. The weather today was sunny, but not too hot. It has to be one of the best rides ever - today was about the road rather than souvenir shops. We did stop in the town of Madrid early on and I bought yet another t shirt and a badge for my new waist coat. The most spectacular section of our ride was up to Acoma Sky City, which is a Native American Pueblo. The Acoma have lived here for over 2000 years! Roma shot lots of videos from the back of the bike - but they are too large in file size to upload here without editing. 

Our group is quickly becoming experts at formation riding, though this was not needed too much today as there was very little motorway or city riding. There were several twisty sections and I definitely would not have taken these corners so fast if it wasn’t for being part of a group and seeing those ahead of me making the corners. I felt very relaxed coming into Gallup after nearly 300 miles, but the area where we are staying doesn’t offer a lot to do. The hotel we are staying in does not have a bar, so we went across the road to the El Rancho Bar & Restaurant. I ate catfish for the first time - tastes just like other whitefish.

We have just five days left on the road and tomorrow we are riding to the Grand Canyon - very exciting! Some photos from the day below...

Cheers from El Rancho, Gallup, New Mexico.

At Acoma Sky City

Overlooking the Navajo Reservation on the way to Sky City.

Roma meeting a Navajo Indian.

Resting in Madrid.

Roma with Sally (left), and Sherrie (centre)

In the village of Madrid.

A Wild Hog - at least for a few minutes!