Friday OX 2018

Good afternoon dear Reader,

We arrived at the XO campground along with hundreds of others, we finally got to the designated Moto Camping ground and pitched the tents. We took a walk down the the Showgrounds where most people were just setting up.. We managed to find a food stall that was working and had a lovely pizza and a beer. Then was back to the campsite for a while before turning in for the night.

A good nights sleep and a early start, the wind had lessened and the the sum is hot again. I have walked into the show ground twice so far, the first time I cam back with Randy Perkins as his bike for stuck, but I managed to kick start that. So back down to the show as this morning the petrol stove decided it did not want to play and just flared up, much to everyone horror as they are very worried about fires here. I stripped it down and tried to clean it but no progress, so I fear that the petrol stove is a goner and consigned to the dumpster. I picked up a couple of butane canisters to go with my spare burner.

I was looking at a Camelback in town the other day but thought better of it as they were over $100…. Today at the show I found a biker one for just $35.. result…

I am now sitting in the shade doing this blog before going back down to the show ground - there are thousands and thousands of people there and many more just queuing to get in….

The pictures are of the bear at Woody's campground and a very strange stand at the show, selling and toilet roll holder that you hand around your neck…

I will try to chat later but I have not found any WiFi here yet...

Good afternoon dear Reader,

Good afternoon dear Reader,

We arrived at the XO campground along with hundreds of others, we finally got to the designated Moto Camping ground and pitched the tents.  We took a walk down the the Showgrounds where most people were just setting up..  We managed to find a food stall that was working and had a lovely pizza and a beer.  Then was back to the campsite for a while before turning in for the night.

A good nights sleep and a early start, the wind had lessened and the the sum is hot again.  I have walked into the show ground twice so far, the first time I cam back with Randy Perkins as his bike for stuck, but I managed to kick start that.  So back down to the show as this morning the petrol stove decided it did not want to play and just flared up, much to everyone horror as they are very worried about fires here.   I stripped it down and tried to clean it but no progress, so I fear that the petrol stove is a goner and consigned to the dumpster.  I picked up a couple of butane canisters to go with my spare burner.

I was looking at a Camelback in town the other day but thought better of it as they were over $100…. Today at the show I found a biker one for just $35..  result…

I am now sitting in the shade doing this blog before going back down to the show ground - there are thousands and thousands of people there and many more just queuing to get in….

The pictures are of the bear at Woody's campground and a very strange stand at the show, selling and toilet roll holder that you hand around your neck…

I will try to chat later but I have not found any WiFi here yet...

Thursday - OX 2018

Dear Reader,

A good day yesterday, nice and warm and following a slow start sorting out washing etc and just chilling we made our way down town.

We have been joined at the camp site by a few more bikers, including a nice couple from Belgium.

The town was full of people to meet, some I have not seen since my last OX in 2016. Mark Manley was there with his lovely old GS hoping for a prize in the cool ride competition. We also chatted to the owner of a Merc saloon which had covered over 800,000 kms.

After a tour around the Adventure Travel shops it was off to find something to eat.... Being in America and being a Brit I went for the Fish & Chips!!

The time at present is 6:30am - I had a shower at 5:30. Now sitting typing this on the iPhone and it is bloody cold... just waiting for the sun to come up.

We are off the the OX campground at about 10am and will be there until Monday morning when I will head North to ????

Note: I think all camp sites in the USA are either by a Railtrack, an Airport or a Highway - mostly two out of three.....

Wednesday - Oatman and Flagstaff

Dear Reader,

I packed up early and was on the road for 7am - it was cool but getting hotter.  After a refuel and a short hop on the I-40, I turned off onto Route 66 and headed for Oatman, lots of desert and bugger all else.

Having arrive at Oatman, it was bit earlier for for town and the chef was not in until 9am…. So I ended up with a big bottle of water and a large tub of strawberry ice-cream - some breakfast…. I also met up with a biker from Ohio riding a Super Tenere. then left for Kingman, and Seligman and Ashfork.   I rode through Williams which was very busy and then onto Flagstaff.

I arrived in good time for the campsite and met with Traci and within a short time Greg and Mel arrived and I pitch my tent behind their site.   We were then joined by Dave and Thomaz and we all went to the Steak house up the road.  Then back to the camp for a beer and an early night.  This evening we are all going to town for a pre event get together.  Tomorrow we move into the Overland Expo campsite for 4 nights.

The bikes running well and not using too much oil, but I need to remember to oil the chain before I take off again north to Monument Vally and Goosenecks State park, I will then decide which route to take after that.

I will try to blog over the time of the event and maybe send a few photos to FB and or Instagram.

See you later...

Arrived at Flagstaff

Arrived at Flagstaff - all well - I will Blog at some stage...

Day 7 - Needles California

Dear Reader,

After a reasonable nights sleep at Calico Ghost Town it was an early start this morning 07:30 - I got on the road before the temperature started to climb.  Within five minutes I was again riding of the Mother Road Route 66. I stopped for fuel and a drink at Ludlow where I chatted with a group of Dutch bikers on Harleys and then stopped for a photo call at Amploy and met with a coach load of French people..  Talk about getting away from it all !

I continued along the endless and straight Route 66 through a "martian" landscape.   Most of the road was in great condition but in parts it was breaking and very rough..  Maybe that was why the road was closed at Essex and we were diverted up to the I-40 for the last leg to Needles.

Booked into the KOA at Needles…. Speaking of needles - just look at this photo of my trusty Froth-O-Meter on the bike….

Tomorrow the route will be Route 66 to Oatman - Kingman - then the long haul to Seligman - Williams and finally the Woody Mountain Campground at Flagstaff to meet up with friends who are also attending the Overland Expo….   That should take about 5 hours.  The plan is to stop there for two nights and then go onto the show ground for Thursday.

It is getting a bit hot at this table, so I am going to pack it all away and retreat to the shade of the building and hopefully some A/C..   Its needed as it 92 degree out here...

Speak tomorrow...

         

       

Day 6 - In the desert

Dear Reader,

This morning started at about 7:30 with breakfast with Pablo and Nicole, followed by a photo call with all of us and the bike.

So after many farewells (they have been very generous to me whilst I was in LA) I hit the road and then the freeway, I followed the SatNav for a while and then diverted over to Route 66 through Ontario and Redlands and refulled. Then picked up the I5 North near Hesperia.  All the time I was riding I was thinking I wish I had put on another layer as it was cold and grey, but by the time I ridden to Victorville the sun had broken through and it started to get warmer.  Onwards to Barstow and the into the Calico Ghost Town, by which time it was very very hot.

The town was busy but I managed to get something to eat as I won't be cooking until it cools down this evening - and managed to consume 2 litres of water (Pablo would be very pleased, and my family quite surprised).

I was paid a sort of compliment as I was looking for a shady seat to rest at, a lady said "your not from this parts are you" - to which I replied "no I am not, how could you tell" - and she said "because your not fat"……. So I am now back at the tent trying to get into the shade of this sparse tree.

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This Blog won't probably get sent until I find a WiFi tomorrow morning as there is no signal of any kind here.  

So I am sitting at the bench next to my tent as shown in the photo and it is so quiet here - wonderful.

Lamp Casserole and pasta for supper!   Nite Nite

Day 5 - Huntington Beach and Long Beach

Dear Reader,
I had a gently start to the day yesterday, a light breakfast and then Pablo and I walked over to the beach and onto the pier. Lots a people surfing, running, playing volleyball and cycling - it made me feel quite tired!!

We walked back through Main Street and then watched a couple of episodes of The IT Crowd and some YouTube of Austin Vince's adventures. It was them time to get suited and booted and ride over to Long Beach BMW and listen to presentation on desert riding, followed by the main event of Tiffany Coates about her travels through Asia. An excellent presentation which we all enjoyed. I met some wonderful people there too, so friendly over here.

Day 4 - A non-rushed day

Dear Reader,
I awoke very early this morning and read some of my book before joining the rest of the house as they prepared and left for school. Pablo and I then drove down to the mall and visited the phone shop to get me a US Sim Card for this phone.. then back to the house where I set about sorting out my luggage on the bike - too much stuff as usual...

Then following a short nap, Pablo started on supper, a Bar-B-Q, and yes it stated to rain, and is still raining now.... We have a busy day tomorrow at Long Beach BMW where Tiffany is giving a presentation - which will be great.. so an early night it is. Goodnight.

It never rains in California !!!!!

Pablo is preparing to do a BBQ and it started to rain - what is going on - this is Los Angeles after all.

Day 3 - South of LA

Dear Reader,
I rode down the Pacific Coast Highway today from LAX to Huntington Beach to stay with a great friend Pablo. I made a leisurely ride down and stopped off at this beach for a break.... certainly nothing like Bournemouth Beach.

Arrived in good time and had a couple of wonderful cold beers before walking down to the beach and Main Street for beautiful fish and chips and a few more beers. A brilliant day with a wonderful host. Sorry I have no photos as I forgot to take it with me.



The plan tomorrow is to get a SIM card for the phone and see why I have so much luggage !!! I know it's early but it's 8:30pm and need to turn in and catch up on some sleep.  After note:  still not sleeping well despite a good meal and a few beers.  It is now 4;30 in the morning and I am sorting emails and blogs.

Day 1 - Bike and Customs

Good afternoon dear reader,

It was an early start this morning with breakfast done and I was off to walk to the Air New Zealand Freight office.   It was a refreshing walk but when I arrived I was informed that they had moved!!!  So off I set again to walk the 4 miles to the other side of the airport, and now the temperature is starting to rise.   Finally found the new office and was informed that they could not find the documents!!!  Took a seat and waited and hey presto they appeared 15 minutes later (such a lot of paper bouncing about).   Having collected the documents and paid the fee, it was off to the Customs Office.  I asked for directions and they could not believe that I was going to walk there!!! This town was not built with walkers in mind..

So off I set to the Customs Office which was only 2 miles away, and to meet with Officer Smith… at least I now know who ate all the pies….  The wheels moved very slow but I got the paperwork stamped and signed.  So now off back to the freight office….  The still couldn't believe that I got there and back within 80 minutes….   At last the bike was delivered to the loading ramp in the shade as requested.   I managed to scrounge a knife and an electric screwdriver and away we went.   I finally got it unpacked and all the bits put back on.  Excellent job Nigel and thank you to all those that helped me.  Got suited and booted and rode back to the Motel and then spent another hour repacking everything into the right place,,,,  Still too much stuff but that will get thinned out over the next week or so.

It is now 4pm as I hide from the sun.   I will watch a bit of TV which CNN go on and on about Trump etc etc… Then I will go looking for some supper…. Oh what  long day….

Tomorrow its is off through town and ending up at Huntington Beach area to meet up and stay with Pablo for a couple of nights

Day 1 - Now in LA and knackered

Dear Reader,
The flight was on time and sort of comfortable - an New Zealand Air Dreamliner. The meals were adequate, but I couldn't sleep so watched many a rubbish film. I left home at 5:20 this morning and arrived at a motel in LA 7:45pm local time which was about 3:00am UK time..
After breakfast tomorrow it's off to the freight company to get the forms, visit customs and then unpack the bike from it's crate. Off to bed now as I am knackered...

The movie is of dusk as we flew over Greenland.

8 May - so far so good

Good morning Reader,
Well it has begun. After a 3 hour ride on a coach I am now at Gatwick, bag checked in, boarding ticket printed.
I am now having a cup of tea and a bun whilst I wait for the flight. I did manage to drop my bag but the laptop appears to be working albeit that it has a small dent on one corner !!

See you on the other side then

USA 2018 - here we go..

Dear Reader,

I delivered the bike to Motofreight in Egham this morning, next time I see it will be in Los Angeles.  Look after it guys..

Just the the big yellow to add.  No chance to repack now!!

Good nite

Pre USA Shake Down - Day 2

Good evening readers,

Following a cold, damp, sleepless night I was up with the lark (actually the larks are awoken by the sparrows wind problems) so I was up at "sparrows fart" this morning and following a much needed cup of coffee whilst packing away a very soggy tent - I was on the road by 7.30am.

A very hectic ride back through Gloucester due to the Monday morning workers rush.  I ended up stopping for a hash brown and a cup of tea at McDonalds and waited for the traffic to clear a bit.   I tried to avoid riding through the centre of Bristol so I ended up on the Ring Road - an endless loop of countless roundabouts….  Having got fed up with that road I headed for the Fleet Air Arm Museum and then back up to Wells and the finally Cheddar.   

The campsite (with pub) I had planned to use had been taken over by a private group of caravaners and was therefore unable to fit me in so I rode on until I found the next one… Very nice, very quiet, a bit soggy but no pub!!  So I am cooking again tonight compliments of MOD ration packs.  Chicken and yellow curry with rice followed by Vegetarian all day breakfast!!

I am still a bit undecided on which tent to take so I will have to get that some thought before Friday.

Now back to my book - Tuk Tuk to the road by Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent (aka Ants) and Jo Huxster.
Afternote: I am now in the local pub charging the laptop and phone!!

Nite Nite

Dr Foster went to Gloucester

Good evening reader,

Just a quick update from the side of the River Severn.  I thought I had better take a run out to try the kit before I drop the bike off at Motofreight.

A quick ride up to Gloucester via the tea stop at Laycock Abby.   I stopped for a tea at the Abby Tea Rooms and was immediately approached by a friend of Mick and I, Paul and his partner.  

So we sat for a while and chatted before I rode on again to the Red Lion Pub and camp site.  Slight rain on the way.   Now the greatest campsite in the world but I am sure it gets better when then season starts !!

Once I arrived at the camp site it started to rain, which was not the best time for our first erection (of the new tent).  All sorted and Mick arrived which was great and we when to the pub for a coffee and a chat in the warm.   The sun nearly came out but not quite.   We did manage a short sit on the river bank and ate vegan falafel!! then the rain started again, and Mick departed and I disappeared into the tent for an afternoon snooze.  

It is now 8.45 pm and I am back in the pub for a beer and collect emails.  Tomorrow I Weill take a run down to Somerset in the hope that the weather improves.

Good night for now - I think I may need another pint...

Welcome home XT660Z (name not yet given)

Picked this bike up on Wednesday, pretty good condition but did need some minor attention.  Two days later all is nearly done:

• All missing or rusty nuts, bolts and screws replaced. 
• Rusty areas treated. 
• Garmin mount installed.
• Luggage rack installed.
• Stickers and glue removed.
• Wheels cleaned but the spokes will need a bit more work on them.
• Washed and Polished.
• Tyres are knobblies and will have to go; but I will fit the part used one of the XRV750 when I can.
• Small crack in plastic panel repaired.
• Side stand repaired and painted
• Foot pegs removed, cleaned and painted and new rubbers fitted.

Excellent buy.   I planned to possible resell it in Aug / Sep after I return from the USA (on the XRV750)