Well ok...so I didn't go that far, but I only had the bike for 12 days.
I'll try and keep it brief, but I'll say this here and now. I had the best time I've had in years.
The people were ALL fantastic and friendly. The roads were unreal, as was the heat at first.
I was in the States for the Harley-Davidson summer dealer meeting courtesy of Wellington Motorcycles (which was in Nashville), and my boss kindly organized a new Buell XB12ss for me after the meeting. I flew back to LA to pick up the bike, and after the paperwork was done...I was off.
Having never ridden on the wrong side of the road before, my baptism was quick and rather brutal. Anyone that's ridden on LA's freeways will know what I'm saying. It's every man and woman for themselves. I took all of five minutes to realize that, and I embraced it with open arms.
I was on my way to Las Vegas, and no pushy Yank was gonna get in my way!
Turns out, they're not pushy as such, just busy and in a huge hurry.
Most people are cruising along at 80-90 mph!
The heat hit me when I was an hour into the ride...the Nevada Desert mid summer (and mid day) is quite something else! I was wearing jeans, a vented leather jacket, perforated gloves and an Arai Quantum. I had a camel back, but within an hour, the water in it was hotter than my piss.
All was good (sort of) until I came across a fatal on the other side of the road. Moving at 5 mph in 48 deg heat is NOT where it's at.
Luckily it's a dry heat, and I think my two years of living/riding, and road racing in Brisbane's heat AND humditity prepared me for it.
My low fuel light decided to come and join in at that stage, and that was the only excuse I needed to try lane splitting Kiwi style.
Before I knew it I was in Vegas!
Pointless me telling you about the roads there etc...as they were all straight and boring. It's best I also skip the sories of my gambling in Vegas. But...my hotel did have a beach COMPLETE with surf.
My journey to San Francisco... here's where it got way cool!
I back tracked on the # 15 to Barstow, then took the # 395 Nth all the way to Mammoth Lakes.
MAN. You've simply gotta go into places like this. I stayed the night there and had a blast at a place called 'Angels'. The food was fantastic, the people better. AND...I found my first Steinlager there.
I'll sign off on this for now.
I'd include pictures (and I will), but until I can shrink them I can't!
Part two WITH the pics tomorrow if you're still awake.
Pete
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Driving in the States is great isn't it, and that heat is something else. Nice one!
Originally Posted by merv
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