2010 USA Coast to coast

Fracture Clinic

2010-07-12T04:34:00.001-07:00

Left ankle fracture
Off work three weeks

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Home again Sunday, 11th July 2010

2010-07-11T03:06:00.000-07:00

Arrived home yesterday from Heathrow by train. Just a postscript to the holiday, I went to Accident and Emergency after dropping off my bags at home to get them to check my foot which I hurt on June 22nd in Greasewood, Arizona.

They x-rayed it and found a clean break of the fibula. I had been riding from 23rd June to 9th July with a broken ankle.

People have commented along the lines muppet, loonie, hard core all of which is difficult to argue with.

This is being typed in at home with my foot in a temporary plaster and an appointment to go to the Fracture Clinic at the hospital tomorrow.

Ooops

Tidy up

2010-07-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Last few posts will be tidied up - existing notes are just to help me add the right stuff in theh right place

Outer Banks NC to Easton MD 7th July (Day 25)

2010-07-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

Great sunrise
pelicans porpoises
over Chesapeake Bay bridge/tunnel system
3 states NC, VA, MD

Sandia NC to Outer Banks NC July 6th (Day 24)

2010-07-07T19:54:00.001-07:00

Wright Brothers Memorial Kitty Hawk NC
Nice motel great pool beach behind motel
Great bar and grill opposite
Ate Wahoo - nice fish

Pigeon Forge to Sandia NC 5th July (Day 23)

2010-07-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

Blue Ridge Parkway
Interstate 40
N Carolina back roads
Prosperous place
Chinese buffet
Lads at speakeasy pool hall
NASCAR car and Godfather car

Nashville TN to Pigeon Forge 4th July (Day 22)

2010-07-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Tried do get to Tail of the Dragon road but park chokablok as Independence day holiday
LEMME OUT

Tupelo MS to Nashville TN, 3rd July (Day 21)

2010-07-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

Tupelo Mississippi is the birthplace of Elvis Presley.. Personally I am not a huge fan though I quite like some of the earlier stuff. Nonetheless his home was a place you couldn't go to Tupelo and not check out.

Pretty humble really

There is a remembrance park around the house now which had been quite tastefully done with comments from people who had known Elvis when he was still at school and before who broke into the big time.

From Tupelo we headed out for Nashville travelling on the Natchez Trace Parkway which was a revelation to me. All I had seen of America tended to be dominated by big chain commercial activities, motels, gas stations and food outlets. The exceptions had been the national parks and I now discovered the same was true of things called parkways which I had never previously heard of. The parkway looked like this - speed limited and very pretty.

Basically they seem to be parks following a historic travel route where no commercialisation is allowed. You even have to divert off the road for gas or food.

We followed the Natchez Trace Parkway most of the way to Nashville. The old Natchez Trace whose route the parkway celebrates is very well explained via this link Old Natchez Trace and was originally an animal migration route which evolved as a native american route then used by early european settlers. As Wikipedia puts it,"The trail itself has a long and rich history, filled with brave explorers, dastardly outlaws and daring settlers."

We pulled off the parkway and quickly found a "Ma & Pa" style cafe for lunch

then back on the parkway and on to Nashville where we were staying that night.

Shower, shave etc and then out for a look around and a bite to eat.

We had been told that Baileys Sports Bar was a good place to eat and we went there and had tables upstairs outdoors on a terrace which had been made behind the facade of the old building.

It was a great place for people watching on the main street and the terraces and roof tops opposite.

Cool dog

Then we walked on through Nashville to pick a bar with music. Not hard to do in Nashville.

AN Other bar for beer and bands

music from
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Tom Petty
Steve Earle
Lynrd Skynyrd
etc

Hot Springs AR to Tupelo MS, 2nd July (Day 20)

2010-07-04T19:43:00.000-07:00

Onwards and eastwards! Off from Arkansas to Mississippi today crossing the Arkansas River then the Mississippi River itself and heading for Tupelo which is the birthplace of Elvis.

The part of Arkansas we passed through on the way to West Helena to enter Mississippi seemed pretty prosperous. You see some things when you travel which seem unusual because you dont see stuff like it at home. As we were driving through Arkansas we came across a man lopping branches off a tree. Nothing unusual there except the tree was 60' tall, the man was on the ground and he was lopping a branch about 50' up. He was using a remote control pendant on an umbilical cord to control a telescopic arm like the one that usually get used for cranes but with a buzz saw attached! Great piece of kit as long as you aren't too worried where the lopped branches land!

We stopped for breakfast at a place called Pine Bluff where this happened...

No that isn't what was happening! Dr Paul and Nurse Lloyd ... Er , Barnie the Bear...

Actually Barnie had managed to shove an ear plug so far down his ear that he couldn't get it out, Paul is trying to fish it out with a pair of tweasers and Lloyd is holding a flashlight to help him see.. No really!

After a successful operation the patient recovered and we pressed on on what felt a very hot day.

In the end, we were feeling tired and just wanted to get to Tupelo so we pushed on down the interstate to speed things up.

That night we ate at a place called Vanelli's which had a live band on which was good. Unfortunately we had to walk there (we were told it was ust over there, about half a mile) and it being America there was no pavement so we had to walk over grass and jay walk to cross main carriageways, the journey did my ankle no good whatsoever but the place was fine and friendly and we managed to get some ice for my ankle and get a lift back.

Somebody - had also decorated Paul's bike

Suspect Paul will be plotting revenge!
ps not guilty - but I did laugh!

Sulphur OK to Hot Springs AR 1st July (Day 19)

2010-07-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

Left Sulphur and took the back roads through Oklahoma to Arkansas

stopping to refuel at a small place outside Daisy. The girl working at the gas station was so excited she had to call her hus band to tell him there were 11 bikes from England and Ireland and they were BMWs - she hadn't realised BMW made bikes too!

following the 43 and the 271 to Winding Stair National Recreational Area and Winding Stair Mountain on the state border with Arkansas.

The road, the Talimena Scenic Drive passes through the Ouachita National Forest and the Arkansas State Queen Wilhelmina Park where we stopped for refreshment. In Paul's case a blue ice cream!

They had a miniature railway which te biggest kids had to have a go on

They also had a slightly larger engine on dispay...

Destination for today was a bit to far so we ended staying at Hot Springs Arkansas, home town of Bill Clinton. After the war, Hot Springs was booming with illegal gambling casinos but a clamp down on illegal gambling by the state authorities coupled with antibiotics replacing doctors recommendations to visit the spa baths meant that the place has slowed down a lot.

We went out for a slightly over budget but very tasty meal at The Porterhouse Steak and Seafood restaurant

Need to make up about half a days riding, I think but should be OK.

Amarillo TX to Sulphur OK, 30th June (Day 18)

2010-07-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

Today we set off to meet the others who were travelling up from Lubbock. Northern Texas and Southern Oklahoma are flat ad not very exciting. It was just lots of farmland. We stopped for a bite to eat at the only cafe in Hollis and it was good mum and pop food mashed potatoes, green beans and pork. A welcome change from burgers and rabbit food.

Most of the way the road looked like this

Some of it looked like this.

We arrived in Sulphur just before the rest of the group. They had had a hard few days catching the tail end of Hurricane Alex and covering two hundred odd more miles than us. I did beer run to Wal-Marts then started blogging I missed the agreed meal time (7:30) because I was catching up on the blog and when I went out half an hour later there were 7 or 8 lads admiring the bikes so I stayed out there chatting with them for an hour or so then did some more photo sorting.

Some of the guys went to Little Niagara a few miles down the road where the local springs are but I decided to give it a miss. My ankle is still giving some pain so I try to minimise extra excursions

After that it was time for an early night.

Albuquerque, NM to Amarillo, TX 29th June (Day 17)

2010-07-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

This morning first thing I needed to get a new back tyre so it was off to Sandia BMW, the local dealer who were able to sort me out with a new Tourance tyre off the shelf. Before leaving the hotel

I was witness to the following spectacle as Martin and Lloyd saw us off the premises.

Sandia did the job in good time but I wanted to get a couple of items from Radio Shack and REI. Ally and Sandy agreed to come along so we arranged with the others that we would miss out on the visit to Roswell and go direct on the Interstate to Lubbock where we were to stay the night. That was the plan.

Of

course the interstate was motorway boring

but we did tick some want to see boxes.

We ran parallel to the first train of the day which Ally clocked at 1.3 miles long!!!

The second train we saw was a container train but unlike any I have seen before in Europe the containers were stacked two high.

We smelt before we saw some stockyards south of the road - intense

We got as far as Amarillo about 4:30pm and realised from there we were about to go a hundred or two miles south for no real benefit as we would come back round north and east the next day en route to Sulphur OK. We booked into a motel and stayed over, poping out in the evening to a bar which was very quiet but friendly.

On to Sulphur to meet the others next day.

Pagosa Springs, CO to Albuquereque, NM 28th June (Day 16)

2010-06-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

Headed back down into New Mexico to get to Albuquerque for a night out having a mexican meal. We went via Santa Fe then on through Madrid on the way to Sandia mountain before heading into Albuquerque to the Nativo Hotel where rooms were booked. That was the plan.

Southern Colorado merged into northern New Mexico. The road went on...

and turned...

Got bored and started playing with the camera

Barnie

Onwards until we reached the Rio Grande

We followed the Rio Grande for a while as we headed south towards Madrid.

Before we reached Madrid, it became obvious that the rain was going to get us so we stopped and put on waterproofs and got soaked. We stopped in Madri dfor a coffee and a warm before presing on for Albuquerque. On reflection, riding motorbikes to the top of Sandia mountain in a thunderstorm did not seem the brightest plan so we carried on to Albuquerque.

As we go into into Albuquerque the skies really opened and we took shelter under a bridge where we joined two cars and were later joined by three Harleys. The hailstones were huge.

By the time we arived like drowned rats at the hotel I was struggling with a combination of tiredness, sore ankle, slippery road conditions and heavy traffic. I dipped out of the meal and crashed out early. Boring but sensible and necessary.

Plan for tomorrow is Lubbock Texas but I need a new back tyre first in the morning.

Salida, CO to Pagosa Springs, CO June 27th (Day 15)

2010-06-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

Arrived Pagosa Springs 4:15ish - more later.

We left Salida and headed west into San Isabel National Forest on R50 to go over the Monarch Pass (11,312') and down into Gunnison for breakfast at the Wcafe. Nice food with something on the menu which did not include eggs or pancake which was great for me! Gunnison seemed a prosperous town
and county and it made a great start to the day.

We were heading for Pagosa Springs today. From Gunnison we took the R149 south going over Slumgullion Pass (11361') and Spring Creek Pass (10,901') to reach Creede where we stopped for a break.

We continued south down the R149 (Silver Thread Byway) until we had nearly reached South Fork and the R160 west to Pagosa Springs.

We pulled over on a lay-by next to a river

because Aidan had a problem with the final drive on his 1150. It was leaking fluids and it was clear that the bearing was on it's last legs. This was something that would take some sortng out - even getting a spare might take some time. Then Colin, hero of the day, pipes up with "I've got a spare in my pannier". Looks of disbelief all round. To get the old bearing out it was clear we would need a workshop and tools, heat etc. We limped on into South Fork where we waited

while some enquiries at the gas station by Chris yielded the information that there was a gentlemen in his 90s who had a good workshop who lived locally who might be able to help. This turned out to be the case. You really do meet some fantastic people on a trip like this.

Aidan and Colin with Chris set off to the workshop to start taking off the drive. After a lot of profanity, elbow grease and heat they completed the job and joined us at Pagosa Springs.

The final part of the day's route along R160 takes you over Wolf Creek Pass (10,857') before dropping into Pagosa Springs.

We stayed at the Pinewood Inn and had a great evening in Kip's Cantina

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Location:Pagosa Springs

Paonia, CO to Salida, CO 26th June (Day 14)

2010-06-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

Proper Colorado the way I imagined today, the R133 road we followed out of Paonia over the Mclure Pass to Carbondale was a fantastic flowing road to ride. At Carbondale we stopped for breakfast

After breakfast it was onwards to Aspen for a look round. We parked up and overflowed out of the designated motorcycle parking area but that seemed OK

and had a walk around the Saturday open air market. Nothing was cheap - a guy on a KTM 990 who stopped to ask where we were from said it was known as the most expensive market in the US. Exaggeration? Possibly but not much when Gucci rubs shoulders with Dior on the high street!

From Aspen we continued up the R82 to the Independence Pass which crosses the continental divide at 12,095 feet. Again, an absolutely cracking road to ride.

All was going fine and we got to the top and did the obligatory pics.

Then we had the problem - Barnie's battery bit the dust. The top of a 12000 foot pass is not a good place for that to happen!!

Anyway to cut a long story short we managed to get everyone down with a bit of a wait at a lovely spot called Twin Lakes and were able to crack on for Salida where we are tonight.

A foot note to finish on - my foot is better each day and gives me no probs riding although I am hobbling a bit - three weeks before FB7s rugby so hopefully OK for that.

Another note: The video camera I have seems to have a special important scenery sensor and had consistently let me down when trying to record the best runs on the bike. From now on I will not use it. I will try and get an alternative system in Albuquerque but otherwise it is stills only from here.

Telluride, CO to Paonia, CO 25th June (Day 13)

2010-06-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

From Telluride we set out to head for Grand Junction along the R145 and R141 roads. This route came as a complete surprise to me as I had been expecting Colorado to be all John Denver and Ski Resorts. Nothing could be further from the truth. Whilst those places exist (Telluride, Aspen etc) much of the lower altitude areas are similar to the arid Arizona and Utah areas we had already passed through. Highway 141 in particular follows a canyon of the Dolores river through red sandstone rocks.

We stopped on 141 at the 141 diner for drinks

Then onwards towards Grand Mesa

The ride over Grand Mesa was a treat. We climbed to 10,800 feet and then dropped down the other side of the mesa.

Ended up in a small place outside Paonia - family run motel, very helpful and friendly even to running in to town for us to collect the pizzas we ordered! Thanks!

Oh yes, BTW loads more pics and stuff over here ...
Chris - Tour Leader's Blog is here

Chinle, AZ to Telluride, CO 24th June (Day 12)

2010-06-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

Foot a bit better this morning but did not want any distractions so did not try to do any video footage today.

We left Chinle and made our way across the arid corner of Arizona

Our first port of call was Four Corners where the four states of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado meet. Unfortunately when we got there it was closed for construction.

We rode up to Mesa Verde for lunchtime and had a very pleasant bite at a little cafe, the Millwood Junction Restaurant in Mancos, CO

The decider for where we stopped was the fact that Aidan's bike's stand needed some work and Paul (aka Garfield) had a rear shock absorber which had totally expired. Chris knew a man who could help - Basin Motorcycle Works at Mesa Verde (BMW). As things turned out, the solution to Paul's problem was a replacement unit which would need shipping in. They would meet us in a couple of day's time.

We parted company with Aidan and Paul at Mesa Verde and some of us pressed on for Telluride following the planned longer but prettier route along the so called Million Dollar Highway (R550). Great views but you'll have to take my word - no pics.

Chris also needed some running repairs on his bike and after diagnosis agreed the solution would be to ship a replacement item to the Albuquerque BMW dealer where we would be in a few days time.

We arrived in Telluride after Chris, Martin and Lloyd who took the shorter route. It is a very nice place and well worth a visit.

The roads to and from it were great. Shame I couldn't get more pics.

Greasewood Springs, AZ to Chinle, AZ 23rd June (Day 11)

2010-06-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

I was awake pretty early this morning at around 6am and got out in time to see the end of the sunrise.

After breakfast, we picked up the bikes and then it was a short hop up the road to Chinle of about 60 miles where the intention was to go on a tour of the Canyon de Chelley (Chelly? Chelle?). A lot of the guys did that but the ankle was not up to an hours hike each way down and back up the canyon wall.

Instead, I have updated the blog as far as poss. Some more pics have been posted and if you back-track through the blog, there are some more links. Picture upload speed still slow but more will follow.

Tomorrow we are off for four days in Colorado followed by a return south for a night in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lots to look forward to.

Mexican Hat, Utah to Greasewood Springs, Arizona June 22nd (Day 10)

2010-06-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

We left Mexican Hat in the morning heading into Arizona.

I slept through some excitement late on the evening before when a local sheriff's deputy who had been following a car with people drinking alcohol (open cans in a car is an offense). The deputy dealt with the matter but as the kids drove past our motel they dumped their crate of beer out of the car, even though that was not the offense. The deputy came back and got talking to some of the other lads who were still up. They had a long chat and a guided tour of the police cruiser and the gear. Very impressive arsenal of equipment. Check out Paul's blog for more. The best bit was the deputy gave Paul a San Juan County Sheriff's Department shoulder patch. Missed it :-(

The run to Greasewood Springs was long but not challenging for me. There were two possible routes to follow. At the point they split there was a shopping centre where I had hoped to get some more camcorder tapes but the centre was shut due to power failure so I opted for the easy alternative which passed a second shopping centre at Tuba City. Mission accomplished. Three of the lads took the other route which included two long off tarmac stretches.

We met again at Keanes Canyon on the Hopi reservation and pressed on to Greasewood after an ice cream.

Greasewood Springs, Arizona is on the Navajo Nation territory where Chris (Bilco) had friends who had arranged to cook us a traditional Navajo meal. After the meal we were to move the bikes a few miles and finish the day by sleeping over at an isolated house which had been built back in the thirties by the grandfather of Terry, Chris's friend. Terry's grandparents had passed on and the property was disused but was a perfect setting for an outdoor evening on the reservation, with a big bonfire, marsh mallows and good conversation about the Navajo Nation and the history of the people.

Oh dear - pride comes before a fall - literally! I was so pleased to have made it round Monument Valley the previous day without a problem and then tonight we had to get down about three miles of sandy track to get to the house. Suffice to say that eventually the front wheel dug into the sand and the bike was down. Anyway - bike was OK but I managed to twist my ankle. So...

Dear Charlie,

Mate, regarding the 2011 Dakar Rally, sorry but I'm gonna have to pull out. Decided me and sand really don't get on well together when on two wheels (etc)

Anyway, a bit sore last night but concentrated on resting (easy), keeping it elevated, icing it and compressing it and was able to ride the next morning. Despite the discomfort I found it a fascinating evening and I would love to know more about the Navajo and to have spent longer learning more about their traditions.

Thanks to all the great Navajo people we met for making us feel so welcome. I felt very fortunate to have been able to experience it.

No more off-road for Neil this holiday. I love it, but got to play safe.

Monument Valley (round trip) 21st June (Day 9)

2010-06-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

Took the panniers off the bike this morning to see if there was anything I could do to straighten the frame but nothing that can be done quickly an deasily with the available tools.

I left them off for the rest of the day as we went 22 mile up the road to Monument Valley. This is one of the most iconic sights of the American West having featured in many John Ford/John Wayne westerns from Stagecoach onwards. All I will say is visit it.

Some of us took our bikes onto the Valley Drive an unpaved 17 mile loop through the valley itself which I enjoyed so much I did some of it twice (23 miles for me altogether). It was basic gravel and rock off roading but with a few treacherous sandy patches. To my delight I managed to get all the way round without any problems even on the sandy bits. Point the bike, pray and a squirt of power and let the bike do the work!

Absolutely amazing day but expect to pay premium prices in the visitor centre. The cars doing the Valley Drive were mainly 4x4 and hire cars. No RVs (Recreational Vehicles) as it was too rough. There are tours run on modifed 4x4 pick ups but you will pay $65 per person. Much better on a bike :-D

Oh and the camera worked properly today!!

Hatch Utah to Mexican Hat Utah, 20th June (Day 8)

2010-06-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

Up early, suited and booted, tanks filled and ready to roll for Sergeant Bilco! Long ride today to get to Mexican Hat where we would be spending the next two nights.

The first port of call today was Bryce Canyon National Park in the morning. Bilco and Kev nearly got tickets for speeding off the Park Rangers but they settled for a stern telling off and a docs check - "Yes Ma'am, No Ma'am, 35 mph in the park Ma'am".

The scenery between Hatch and Mexican Hat changed spectacularly in a series of waves from an almost European green feel back to deep desert as we approached Mexican Hat.

Many, many miles (well, over 300) and we stopped somewhere forgettable for lunch which consisted of equally forgettable tacos. There were a couple of high points in the day's ride. Aidan spotted a deer off the side of the road which I saw - my first in America. We also had to stop for a herd of cattle being moved across the road on open range by a rancher and his two cattle dogs.

There was also a double low point for me in the day, just at the end. We were descending a dirt road to Mexican Hat which was very spectacular and I was behind Colin when he stalled and I could not get off his line fast enough on the dirt and clipped a corner of my right pannier on his left (10 more mm and I would have been clear). My bike went over though his didn't and my pannier mounting frame has been distorted. Still works but looks lopsided. The second low point was I discovered the battery for the helmet cam was off and I had not taped any of the day's ride :-( :-( :-(

Oh well - dented pride and dented panniers but no one hurt so that was good. Monument Valley tomorrow! :-)

Las Vegas to Hatch, Utah 19th June (Day 7)

2010-06-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

I am writing this from a terminal in a motel in Mexican Hat, Utah near Monument Valley as I cannot (again) get a proper wifi connection to upload pictures.

So, Day 7 and we left Vegas - a throbbing mass of humanity and headed out of Nevada for Utah and the sleepy settlement of Hatch. Truly from one extreme to the other. The temperature remained at a steady 38-40 degrees Centigrade and it is indicative of our acclimatisation that it did not deel particularly uncomfortable.

Our route from Vegas took us to the Hoover Dam and then round Lake Meade into the Moapa Valley where we stopped for lunch and an ice cream at the appropriately named Inside Scoop in Overton.

Onwards after refuelling the riders and we headed for Zion Valley National Park which is quite simple stunning. I am suure to run out of superlatives befor ethis trip is over.

We passed through three different states today, starting in Nevada, passing briefly into Arizona on the other side of the Hoover Dam and then back through Nevada to Utah.

The temperature dropped noticeably as we climbed into Utah. Next stop will be Mexican Hat.

Lone Pine to Las Vegas 18th June (Day 6)

2010-06-18T16:57:00.000-07:00

Well - today was the big one as far as I was concerned. Death Valley had to be crossed to reach Las Vegas With stories of temperatures in the fourties centigrade I awoke at 5 for our early start to get across the worse of it before it heated up too much.

Death Valley is approached by dropping from 3,000 feet plus to 282 below sea at the lowest point we reached on the valley floor, Badwater. To conserve moisture and prevent overheating the advice I had been given was to close all the cooling vents on the bike gear and wear a cold damp rag around my neck. Beer, caffeine etc were not recommended so we went out late the night before for a few beers and a steak. No negative effects. I did however have my camelback filled with water laced with some salt additives to replace the elements the body loses when perspiring which seemed to work very well.

The temperature in Death Valley was kind to us, topping out at about 36-38 degrees Centigrade. We made it from Lone Pine to Furnace Creek before stopping to refresh which went well. Then it was onwards to The Famous Crow Cafe at Shoshone were we stopped for lunch after leaving the National Park before leaving California and entering Nevada and pressing on up the interstate to Las Vegas.

We had been expecting Death Valley to be the hottest place today but were surprised to find that when we reached Vegas at about 3.30pm the temperature had climbed to 40 degrees Centigrade, the hottest we have seen so far on the trip.

We are booked into the New York New York which is part of the Tropicana. Tonight we will take a look round Vegas before pressing on to Zion Valley about two and a half hours down the interstate.

Lee Vining to Lone Pine 17th June (Day 5)

2010-06-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

This morning, we ticked two more boxes on the must do while in America list. We headed out for a place called Bodie - named after a miner who found gold there but then came to an unfortunate end although the town boomed through the 1880s and 1890s. Now it is a ghost town preserved by the Californian state and is reached by road which is tarmacked except for the last 4 or 5 miles. Perfect for a BMW!

Ghost town - tick in box.

Off road - tick in box.

We spent the morning riding out there, looking around and riding back to Lee Vining before pressing on in the afternoon to reach Lone Pine where we are staying tonight. The ride to Lone Pine was across the high sierra, a bleak landscape with temperatures back up in the thirties, but still snow on the mountains on either side.

We arrived at Lone Pine and found somewhere to stay then went to find somewhere for a drink then on to eat.

Right, I have written enough to block out the last few days riding and I will try and get some pics up too but we are riding through Death Valley tomorrow and even with a 6am start we will be hitting temperatures in the 40s. So the priorities are food and an early night.

Oakhurst to Lee Vining

2010-06-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

Today was the big one so far. We left Oakhurst early and headed into Yosemite National Park. I have to say I was simply speechless. I have never seen anything like the views from our first stop at Glacier Point.

The drop to the valley floor and the views of the Half Dome and El Cap were stunning with waterfalls plunging down into the valley.

We then descended into the valley itself to Yosemite Village which is unsurprisingly set up to cater for the tourists in monumental hordes.

It did that efficiently and we ate there before pressing on to exit the park via the Tioga Pass at over 10,000 feet above sea level. Again, stunning views with snow still on the ground in large amounts

A long sweeping road descended through sweeping curves in a radically different, much drier environment down to Lee Vining on the shores of Mono Lake where we were to stop for the night.

Three Rivers to Oakhurst 15th June (Day 3)

2010-06-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

Today we left Three Rivers and pressed on up into the Sierra Nevada mountains to visit the Sequoia National Park. After climbing to a viewpoint high in the hills where we could see a lot of the park and surrounding mountains

and the neighbouring Kings Canyon, we continued into the park to see the largest single living organism on the planet (they claim). It is a Sequoia named the General Sherman. The tree is not the tallest but it 33metres in circumference and tall enough to make it the biggest tree by volume.

We stopped at the visitor's centre for lunch which was very slow but good enough when we eventually go it.

After the Sequoia National Park which was an impressive place we descended into Kings Canyon to the river bridge

with what I think must be the best bar none bike road I have come across to date. Absolutely amazing sweeping and tight curves as we descended to the river then back again doing it the other way.

We were as high as 7000 feet and as low as 2000 feet through the afternoon

We then had to crack on as it was getting late and we had a lot of miles to cover to get to Oakhurst where we were stopping for the night. We arrived late.

Monterey to Three Rivers 14th June (Day 2)

2010-06-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

Long time no blog - A combination of poor Wi-Fi availability and too much else to see and do. Anyway, I will now try and catch up the last four days in words and add pictures later when I have sorted and uploaded some.

We left Monterey in the damp much to my surprise. It drizzled lightly but soon cleared as we moved away from the coast inland as we set out to cross central California to reach the Sierra Nevada mountains and the national parks. Temperatures climbed rapidly as we moved away from the sea into the thirties. Very hot to us but good preparation for death valley which would get even hotter!

For breakfast we were treated to a proper truck stop breakfast - monumental portions and I didn't feel like eating for a long time afterwards. In fact I skipped the evening meal completely. Another tick in the box for the tour.

It was a long hot day in the saddle before we reached Three Rivers where we were stopping for the night. Tried to catch up the blog but had very poor reception and the wifi kept timing out.

National parks tomorrow!

San Francisco to Monterey 13th June 2010 (Day 1)

2010-06-14T17:45:00.001-07:00

Today the journey starts for real. We are leaving San Francisco and heading down to Monterey mostly off the main roads.

We started the journey by heading north - perfectly sensible when Monterey is south of San Francisco. There was method to the madness as we were heading back up to collect James and Polly at whose house the barbecue had been held the previous evening. (Big thanks to both). James also rides a BMW and Polly was ecstatic at being able to go out on a ride with a group of BMWs which would outnumber the Harley groups. :-)

The ride ran from James and Polly's out to follow Highway 1 back down the coast to the Golden Gate bridge. We spent the morning together and separated from James and Polly at the bridge and riding down through San Francisco to take the road south to go through the Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Impressive. We stopped to eat at a bike meet cafe called Alice's Restaurant named after the Arlo Guthrie song (not the actual one in the song. They catered for all makes of bike owners with different burgers. Naturally I tried the BMW burger and it was pretty tasty!

Onwards and downwards south to Monterey home of Cannery Row etc. The road round Monterey Bay has some pretty weird weather. There seemed to be a standing bank of very cold fog that is so regular there are permanent road signs warning drivers they must put their lights on at a certain point then later advising them they can switch off. It certainly affected the temperature. At its hottest that day we had been riding in temperatures of 34 degrees C. in the fog it dropped to 14! Brrrrr - we were not dressed for that. By the time we reached Monterey all that had cleared and we had a nice evening. We were late pulling into Monterey and so we just went down the road for a quick bite and a pint.

The next destination is Three Rivers on the way into the Sierra Nevada, bu tthat will be a separate post!

Maximum Security and Margaritas

2010-06-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we took the bikes right into San Francisco over the Golden Gate bridge down to Fisherman's Wharf and the Alcatraz Pier before heading over to friend's of Chris's for a barbecue.

It was HOT!!

Not much to say just some pictures for you

Parking up at the Alcatraz Pier

On Alcatraz

Let me out

Margarita time

BBQ

Chillax

The bikes are here!

2010-06-12T06:39:00.001-07:00

Yaaaayyyyyy!! The bikes arrived yesterday late afternoon. After the uncertainty of the day before, the agent managed to complete all due process with the US Customs and the container arrived on the back of a truck at Moto Marin.

Wait a bit, I am getting the story out of order here. After a long relaxed breakfast in the morning, we decided that we would go into San Francisco because the bikes could not be ready to unload before mid afternoon earliest even if everything went perfectly. We got a taxi down to Larkspur Landing and then took the catamaran ferry across the bay to San Francisco. What a great way to travel! Fantastic views round the bay. We arrived in SF with no real plan so just headed away from the pier and found ouselves at one of the trolley bus terminals. Had to be done. $5 each way well spent.

On the way back we hopped off at Chinatown and stopped for lunch

After lunch we headed back to the ferry because we wanted to be sure we were back if/when the bikes arrived from Oakland.

We got the good news that the bikes had been released and headed down to MotoMarin to await the container. Thanks to the guys at Moto Marin who could not have been more helpful even though they were in the process of closing the dealership. Yet another victim of the recession. :-(

In my opinion it is BMW's loss.

Finally! The container arrived.

I don't have any pics of offloading because everyone was working together to empty the container as fast as possible and get the bikes ready.

Suffice to say the offload was completed and although there had been some movement of bikes in the container, the bikes started and we were soon tired but happy riding up Highway 101 back to the hotel.

One more bit of excitement finished off the day, we came out of the restaurant opposite the hotel to see four black and whites in the hotel car park. First thought was had somebody messed with the bikes? No, it was something to with someone being chased by someone else with a gun. Anyway that is enough for now. I am off for breakfast.

PS plan for the day - into SF on the bikes and park up - should be interesting. Alcatraz tour. BBQ and watch recorded footie game.

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Location:Alameda Del Prado,Novato,United States

The good news and the bad news

2010-06-11T05:30:00.000-07:00

Well we have arrived safely and there is news.

The Good News:
travel was smooth for me and everyone else.

The Slightly Less Good News:
there has been a glitch with the bike paperwork which is delaying release of the bikes. Chris thinks we should be able to recover the bikes today but hey if you got to be stuck somewhere, there are lots worse places to be stuck!

Worst case would be we will be here for the weekend and away Monday. Saturday morning we're doing touristy stuff round Alcatraz etc then we have a BBQ to go to in the evening. I am writing this at 5:25am local time because my body clock is still catching up and insists I should be awake!!

Cheers N

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Location:Marin County CA

Nearly there

2010-06-07T04:33:00.001-07:00

Three sleeps to go before we board Richard Branson's paraffin parrot for the flight to SF. Spoke to Chris yesterday. He said the bike container was in California. He should be unloading over next 48hrs. Recovered from cold. Sister's pressie sorted. Hotel booked Heathrow. At the 'what have I forgotten???' stage.

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Location: Glos

Can I upload a picture with text ok??

2010-06-02T00:21:00.001-07:00

Some pics of the bikes being loaded last month for their journey to the US

Our sophisticated loading system

All bikes were strapped down and separated by airbags (Chris just talked into them for about 30 secs to fill them with hot air)

All bikes loaded just luggage to go

Getting real close now...

Location: home

Getting closer

2010-06-01T23:59:00.001-07:00

Well - I have now set up some blogging software on the iphone. Packed the bag, bought new shades and just need to nervously triple check the paperwork. One more weekend before the off. The most important things now are firstly to get my sisters birthday pressie sorted because I will be away on her birthday and secondly to get over this bronchitus/chest cold/man flu that completely messed up the end of May Bank Holiday.

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