USA 2025 - 30 May

I started off at about 8:30 this morning for a slow ride down the 101 and then the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Route 1.

Some excellent views along the way. Once I reached Malibu it got a bit more real : the total devastation from the recent fires was so shocking. So many properties totally gutted, so many cars, some still in their garages just burnout rusted wrecks.

Apparently they only opened the PCH last week. There were police, fire department and even National Guard everywhere. Such a sad view.

After that it was the battle into LA : one feels so vulnerable on a motorcycle amongst so much traffic and big trucks on a 7 lane road (that's just one side - 14 lanes in total ).

Finally arrived at my final destination, early as usual, and as I guessed the room would not be ready for about 4 hours….. so what to do? I know, let's ride over to Schumachers and check the bike in instead of rushing around on Monday morning.

I rode over and unpacked the bags and panniers in the cool of the warehouse…. a bit of a rush but all sorted now. Caught a Yellow Cab back to the Motel with just my backpack and yellow carry-on bag. Now 1:30pm and the room still not ready - so here I sit in the cool of the lobby tapping away at this blog. Without the bike… strange feeling not having it with me…..

Trip total just 6705 miles. Now the wait until my flight on Monday.

USA 2025 - 28 May

I was awake early so I walked down to the local Denny's for breakfast. It was a cold ride down from Soledad to Carpinteria along the 101. It started in "Cabbage Valley" (my name for it) miles and miles of vegetables growing acre after acre and hundreds of people bent over weeding or picking, my back was aching just watching them. Then acres of vines and endless rolling hills.

It got a bit busy passing through to Santa Barbara on the 101, mainly due to miles of roadworks.

I'm spending a couple of nights here in Carpinteria and then the shortish ride into LA. Then it's unload everything from the bike and sort it into:

. What stays with the bike.
. What I need to take on the plane.
. What is no longer needed.

Then drop the bike off at Schumachers and get a taxi to the airport….

Sorry about the route track photo but I ran out of battery just after leaving this morning.

USA 2025 - 27 May

A nice early start today about 7:30am.
A pleasant ride towards San Francisco down the 101 through some great looking hills and valleys, although it got a bit busy and congested around Santa Rosa. Then I approached San Francisco with the intention of crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, Gertie and I got a little off-line but low and behold I rode across it - I could not see much as there was a thin layer of fog and some roadworks on the bridge. Oh did the temperature drop… chilly to say the least. I was so worried about riding through San Francisco that I even forgot to get breakfast!!!

We took a short cut through some heavy traffic in Daly City but found the 101 again later and then the city disappeared and the fields of vegetables appeared as I approached Soledad. I was a bit early so stopped at the local McD's for an early lunch and chatted with another chap on a bike.

Route and a stock photo of the bridge enclosed..

USA 2025 - 25 May

I spent some time sorting out the bike yesterday - and disposing of stuff that would not be required for the rest of trip. Gave the bike a bit of a clean and oiled the chain etc. 

I spent an hour or two watching the film Forrest Gump - I've not seen it before and was pleasant surprised. After Greg returned from his shift at the airport we visited a sports bar in town for a welcome glass of beer and an excellent Rib-eye steak…. Great place with a great atmosphere - and it got busy later.   Had a short tour of the amazing coastline near McKinleyville at Trinidad.

Had a good sleep and breakfast prior to leaving just before 8:30am for the shortish ride down to Ukiah. Surprisingly the roads were very quiet for the Sunday before Memorial Day Monday. I rode through the Avenue of Giants: but stopping was difficult with a bike as all the pull-off had gravel with adverse cambers. So I have included some great photos off of the www, so much better than I could produce. The weather was a little overcast to start with and chilly when at altitude but did warm up later. I will be hiding here until the festivities are over and will leave on Tuesday morning to ride to Soledad.

USA 2025 - 24 May

A quiet night in Redding - I had a good Fish & Chip meal at the Lumberjack restaurant. Watched lots of very large old couples stagger in and out - the end of Medicare etc here with "thin them out of bit" !!

In the morning I rode out of town and onto the 299 road towards Eureka. The plan was to meet Greg half way at the Straw House near Junction City. According to my map I may have ridden that road before but I just don't remember it - but what an excellent twisty road (not that I like twisties too much).

Gertie Garmin messed me about a bit by having two entries in its memory for the Straw House …. But I spoke to a couple of bikers in Weaverville and finally got it sorted.

I met up with Greg and had Brunch before riding the 1.5 hours into McKinleyville. More twisty bends and climbs before descending towards the coast - and it got much colder.

A lovely hot bath and change of clothes before driving into town for a couple of beers and a very tasty Cottage Pie in a pub.

After a comfortable sleep it's now 7am and I plan to do some sorting out of the bike and kit before riding south towards Ukiah on Sunday - then hide away from the Memorial Day celebrations.

USA 2025 - 22 May

Another early 7am start to beat the noon heat…. A pleasant but windy ride up past some pretty lakes on the 395. I stopped for breakfast at Carson City. Then an ugly ride through Reno…. It was ugly when I rode south through in 2016 and it still ugly.

Then the road ascended higher and higher and it got windier and colder..

Arrived at Susanville in need of a break. And then continued on through the wonderfully wooded Route 44 through the Lessen National Forest before descending to Redding. God it's hot at this altitude.

USA 2025 - 21 May

An early start to miss the heat today. The ride along the 395 was amazing - some desert, lots of Mountain Views as I rode through the long Valleys, then through forests and landscapes just like Colorado.
Great views of the Mammoth Lake and Mono Lake.
Arrived early at the KOA in Coleville, so I then rode back to the town of Walker and had lunch with some other bikers.

Finally arrived at the KOA and decided it was too hot for another night under canvas, so I've taken a lodge for the night. Had an excellent and much needed soak in a hot bath…. So much better than a shower.

I grabbed the map book and Garmin and have now planned for the next few days: Redding tomorrow, then a couple of nights with Greg Bickle in McKinleyville, then ride through the Avenue of Giants en route to Ukiah. I will hide there for a couple of nights as it's Memorial weekend here (like a Bank Holiday in the UK) - lots of BBQs and stuff.

Then that leaves me a few days to ride down to Los Angeles and Endex.

USA 2025 - 20 May

Today was a very long day - just over 300 miles. I set off at 6:30 and the temperature was already 23C.

I took the boring but more direct route to Barstow for breakfast and then across to the endless 395 going north. So close to my final destination of LA but 18 days too early!

I did find the most expensive fuel yet at Ludlow - $6:65 a gallon - criminal !!! But in the middle of nowhere they have got you by the short and curlies…. I did meet another biker at the pumps - he was on a sports bike riding from from LA to New York. His fuel range was about 170 to a tank??

The 395 could be described as boring but the views of the mountains are just brilliant.
Not much traffic but some large road works.

I now in a remote campsite well off the beaten track at Lone Pine. No signal, no WiFi, drop toilets and a few trees. It's now 2pm and I am knackered. Trying to park the bike at these sites is a bugger as they are designed to drive straight in (down a slope) and reverse out which is ok for a vehicle but this motorcycle does not have a reverse gear.

A good sleep is needed - once the tent cools down !!!!

USA 2025 - 19 May

After a cold night and an early start I finally packed up the tent and stuff. Only one other tent at the Moto Camp! I rode into town to get some fruit and have breakfast - and then onto the I-40 to Needles. As expected the wind got up as I left town but the temperature did not. I had to stop and put on yet another layer. Oh how I dislike side winds - all the way to Kingman where I re-fuelled and had lunch. By now I had dropped from 7000 feet to less that 1000 and the temperature rose dramatically. I started off at 10c (50f)and it was now 31c !! By the time I got to Needles it was 33c (91f).

I booked into a cabin as overnighting in a tent would be very silly.  Too hot to divert through Seligman and Oatman too..

After 3 days at the Overland event where there was little in the way of facilities for us bikers - one portaloo and tented showers a long way off (and they took them on Sunday morning. I've just been for a really welcome hot shower and laundered just about everything I could. As for the Overland Expo: it has certainly forgotten about bikers !!!

Just waiting for it to cool down outside before cooking supper.

USA 2025 - 18 May

It's now Sunday evening, the show is over, and everyone is packing up. I thought more of the bikers would stay until Monday morning, but no, there's just the two of us left.

I spend most of the day with Mark Ordway until he departed about midday. I met up again with Carolyn in the afternoon and we wandered around the show - so little of motorcycle interest - sad somehow.

I cooked supper at about 5:30pm and am now settled in the tent reading the last chapters of Bill Bryson.

I will get up, pack up and hit the road early tomorrow - it's been almost a week here in Flagstaff - I need to get back into "riding mode"…. Although I may well pop into town for a cooked breakfast and get some bananas and stuff.

USA 2025 - 17 May

Now at the Overland Expo in Flagstaff.
Arrived yesterday and parked up then notice that the repair to the tyre was not looking good to say the least. See photo.

So this morning to arrived at GoAz Motorcycles on Flagstaff early as the brake pads had arrived. They had a tyre in stock that would fit my bike (Dunlop Trailax). They were kind enough to fit me in to their schedule. While I was there, I looked at the state of my Altberg boots (see photo) and manage to buy a pair of cheapish boots to fit me, without being the heavy "off road type". Sad but bye bye Altbergs - I must have had them for over 12 years.

Have met up with Mark Ordway and Carolyn Slete and Jason and Lisa. We went to the Bikers Party last night but the wind made it very cold - tonight is meant to be colder and maybe rain over night.

It's about 8 o'clock and I am in my tent trying to keep warm.

So tyre replaced, new brake pads, oil change and new boots - all ready for Mondays ride over the old Route 66 to Seligman and Oatman and overnight at Needles.

USA 2025 - 14 May

A fresh start to the day - oh it was cold overnight. Set off from Woody Mountain to Sedona…. a 26 mile ride to the airport viewing platform - fabulous views - thought I would have breakfast there but oh no - too many rubbish shops.

So I rode back to Flagstaff and had a late breakfast, then rode to a Motel in the south part of Flagstaff. Unpacked the bike and walked the 8k steps to downtown Flagstaff for the "Beer and Gear" event. Lo and behold I saw Jason and Lisa's Toyota parked up…. Then met with them, and went for a beer at a nearby brewery… excellent.

Finally had enough beer and got a Uber back to the motel ; I really could not walk back !!

Tomorrow is a quiet day and a day to sort kit and plan routes…. N

USA 2025 - 13 May

Following a restless night with high winds blowing the tent about and an early hot shower, I popped into town for breakfast and managed to find a proper barber shop. I now look less like a vagrant. I had a quick walk around but this wind is chilling - the forecast for tomorrow is better.

I am now sheltering from the wind again and still reading Bill Bryson. Tomorrow night is a Beer and Gear evening in Downtown Flagstaff, so I will have a good look around and hopefully get another book (The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson) as I'm getting near the end of my current read. I hope to meet up with friends from 2016/18 at the event.

Then on Monday I leave Flagstaff and head west on Route 66 to Seligman, Oatman, Williams and overnight at Needles.

USA 2025 - 12 May

A quiet day at Woodys Mountain campsite.
A quick ride into town for a breakfast and a visit to a couple of stores for some supplies - I desperately needed some fruit. I also got some Ben Original ready rice, so easy to cook: and I ain't no cook.

I had a quick drive around town looking for a barbers shop but to no avail - I will try again before the event this weekend.

I spent most of today sheltering from the cold wind, even in the sunshine the wind cuts through you - and it's forecast to be the same tomorrow. I will shelter in the cafe and read more of Bill Bryson.

I could not resist adding yet another photo of Monument Valley - obviously not mine.

USA 2025 - 11 May

Had a very pleasant overnight stay at KOA Monument Valley. The scenery around there is fantastic but it just gets magic around Sun Set and Sun Rise.

As I sat planning routes and reading Bill Bryson, a family from Texas travelling in an enormous RV popped over and gave me some Peach Cobbler and ice cream : some people are so nice.

Then the fun started as a couple of city folk turned up in the next pitch and stated / attempted to put up a largish tent ; well it was so funny as all the time they were arguing with each other about how useless each other was. He was fighting the tent and she was having problems just unpacking two fold up chairs. All the kit looked brand new and they even commented that the instruction were wrong! How many times did I hear "take it down and start again”?  I know I should have offered to help but I was enjoying myself too much. I went to bed and just listened but I think it took them about 4 hours…….

USA 2025 - 10 May

A quiet night at the camp site at Grand Canyon. Packed up and went in search of breakfast - the tummy was not feeling too good - I blame the Fanta or Gatorade. Mange to find a roll with some salad in it and more water.

I rode along the south rim of the Canyon and onwards into Monument Valley where I am sitting in the shade ( coz it's bloody hot here at its 4pm ). Tomorrow it's back south to Flagstaff as I want to be near for GoAz to fit the brake pads once they arrive.

I'll be in Flagstaff until the overland Expo starts on Friday, so I plan to take a few runs out to places like Sedona etc plus a couple of non ridings days.

USA 2025 - 9 May

A very short ride today from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon - part of a non-riding day.
I was very cold over night so I just put on more clothes.

I was already to go when I realised that Arizona don't change time zone and it was only 7am, so I packed up slowly and was road ready at 8am - so I took myself off to the main office and had a very welcome cup of black tea and an awful pastry ( a croissant with a large cookie on top and heated !!) aaarrrggghh.

At present I'm sitting in the camp launderette watching my smalls go around and around in the tumble drier - Adventure Motorcycling at its best….

Tomorrow I head along the Grand Canyon, find some breakfast and then head to Monument Valley. Hopefully I will hear from GoAz motorcycles about the brake parts on Monday.

USA 2025 - 8 May

Had a great breakfast at the Cowboy Smoker this morning. I was on the road for 9am and heading for Flagstaff on Route 89. Still more fabulous rock formations and lots of desert.


Called in at Go AZ motorcycles to arrange for an oil change and replace all the brake pads. Once they have got the parts in I'll go back.

Booked into Woodys Mountain campsite where I have stayed before in 2016 - and now setup on the same pitch..

I have sort of planned the days from now until the Overland Expo. A visit to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley included.

Not my photos but they are much better than mine would be