Friday, September 3, 2010

Arizona and California - Route 66








AUGUST 31, 2010 - DAY 27 - KINGMAN, AZ TO SANTA MONICA AND OXNARD, CA

We wake up this morning to the smell of fresh brewed coffee and homemade cinnamon rolls, courtesy of "Yukon". But better than that is the good conversation with Rick and Rhonda before we have to hit the road once again. They have been gracious hosts and immediate friends.

The morning is warm so we know it's going to get hot today, though luckily it never gets over 100 degrees. We ride through Kingman and on toward California and the Mojave Desert. The road between the two is narrow and windy, with most of the mountainous section posted for only 10 or 15 miles per hour. We both agree that this is one of the best sections of the Route we have been on. We even stop at the summit just to take pictures.

After dropping back down we arrive in Oatman where there are lots of bikes and people milling around the small town, shops and bars. We take some pics but continue on without ever getting off the bikes. Someday I would like to return here and actually check it out for myself.

Somewhere out on the highway Angel's bike turns over to 30,000 miles so we do as before, stop quickly along the interstate and take pictures. Yet another milestone for our trip!

We ride on and into California, on and off the interstate as the Route takes us, then out criss-crossing the Mojave. We stop often to keep hydrated, at least as often as there are places to stop. I have to buy Travis a t-shirt from Roy's just for the name.

When we ride into Barstow we make a pit stop at the same gas station we've stopped at on previous rides. But before we can take off Angel notices an oil leak from my bike. It is just 5 p.m. and I call the nearest H-D shop, in Victorville. They close at 6 p.m. but if I can get there with enough time to spare they will check out my bike. We saddle up and are back off the bikes by 5:30 p.m. Of course this meant we had to forgo the last real section of Route 66 in California. But as disheartening as this is we also know that if need be we can always come back here just to ride that section. Doubt that will happen, but....

The good news is that it's just a cracked oil filter which is easily replaced. But they also discover a broken rear bracket and leaking shifter shaft seal, but assure me that these are minor inconveniences that will not hinder my final 500 miles. At 6 p.m. we pull away and head for the Santa Monica pier and the end of Route 66. We are hoping to make it there as the sun sets.

But the one thing we find along our way west is that we are definitely back in California as evidenced by the crazy drivers who are making us nervous. We are finally able to make our way across traffic and into the 24/7 carpool lane, where we feel the safest. The sun is setting and it is getting cooler and cooler as it begins to get dark. Though it is essentially dark the last of little glimmer of light has left a small streak in the sky and we watch it disappear as we arrive at the end of the trail, at the Santa Monica Pier.

We ride out onto the pier, park and step off the bikes. For the second time this trip and in just a few days we again feel like our legs are made of rubber, making walking difficult. We walk back up to the neon sign at the entrance and get some photos in before walking back down for dinner. We are tired but excited to have completed such a journey, as imperfect as it is. So many times we missed signs or found them non-existent, causing us to miss sections of the Mother Road. But so far today we have gone 398 miles and we feel we have accomplished something important having at least traveled Route 66 from one end to the other the best we can and in a mere six days.

After our celebratory dinner we head back to the bikes which we have to wipe down because of the moisture, then we head north on the Pacific Coast Highway to Oxnard and our final hotel. Twice we pass areas that are being used for filming of either tv shows or movies. And we know that this area through Malibu and along the coastline is one of the most beautiful, but it is dark and late and it's all I can do to stay focused on the road until we make our destination. It's hard to believe that tomorrow we return to Hollister.

Today's stats: 452 miles and 13 hours

No comments:

Post a Comment