Cali Sunriders Check-in

Back at the hotel, we've just completed our registration for the tour. A team of 4 from California Sunriders handed out t-shirts whilst we completed the necessary forms. Dean & Larry will be coming along for the ride, the former the lead, latter the truck driver.

We've also met some more of our fellow tourers, Tony & Barbara, Alec & Sally. Still some more to arrive I think. Tomorrow looks like being an interesting day and will be when the adventure really starts.

We've got a briefing about 18:30 and then our welcome dinner. I might try and get another run in before bed, so long as I'm not too full of food and/or beer.


Sent from Samsung Mobile

Ok, I forgot the pic

Beverley Hills taxi! Joking, a real life Bugatti Veyron!

.

Sent from Samsung Mobile

LA Tour

8 of us in a mini coach. We are currently at the farmers market in West Hollywood, I think. Downing a pint of Fat Tyre :-)

Dud has gone off to get a snack for lunch. Brekkie was enogh for me. 

This is our last stop of the tour. We started off at Venice Beach but couldn't locate the muscle men/women. Then we went to Santa Monica, rather through and on through Beverley Hills. Lots of posh shops and cars (see pic) and of course beautiful laydeez!
 

Then on to Hollywood and the Chinese Theatre with all the stars of the famous on the sidewalk. From the Dolby Theatre conplex you can get a very long shot of the famous Hollywood sign.

And so to the Farmers Market, a massive open air shopping complex/food court. Dud currently munching though pitta and humous. Next stop our hotel.

Day 2 - The longest night.

Well, as if the flight wasn't bad enough, last night was murder. Having completed a 2 mile run in the gym, I showered and hit the sack. Dud was already asleep. I'd managed to stay awake for about 26 hours so was expecting the old body clock to have adjusted somewhat. Having got up to the loo feeling i'd had a pretty long deep sleep, a check of the clock showed I'd only had 3. Still over 7 hours to alarm time. I must have spent most of those on the edge of sleep, eventually deciding I'd had enough, so up I got.

We've just had a rather generous but expensive buffet breakfast, with a lovely  waitress named Raquel attending to our needs. Needless to say her attentiveness earned a decent tip.

We're off out at 10:30 on our city tour. Weather at the moment is a bit dull but forecast is for sun and 70+ degrees :-)


Sent from Samsung Mobile

Pulled pork!

No, I don't mean I've copped off with some large American lady, though we've seen a few already. No I'm referring to my first meal on yankie soil. A bbq pulled pork baguette with fries. Oh, and a tiny bit of coleslaw so I don't have to feel too guilty. Washed down with 2 Shock Top Belgian (?) wheat beers. A poor man's Blue Moon. Had an entertaining time with our new best friends, Graham & Pat. I'm sure there's more to come from them over the next two weeks ;-)

We've booked up for a bus tour of LA. Lasts about 5 hours and will pick us up at 10:30 tomorrow.

I'm about to check out the gym and may even consider a run before bed.  I've now been up for 23 hours and it's still a little early for bed.

Here we are, LA

Very long,10:45 hours and tedious flight but here we are in warm and sunny Los Angeles. In our room at the Hilton 

(pictured) by 00:45 UK time. Now almost 5pm, 1am blighty time. I'll leave y'all to do the math from now on.

Slight panic at check in, as they couldn't find our booking. Soon sorted though. 

Have met a nice couple, from near Gatwick (Graham & Jan), who are doing the tour also. Off now to have a beer with them. They have also done Route 66, so we have a fair bit in common.


Sent from Samsung Mobile

So, off we go.

Up @ 5:20 and out of the door at 6. HS1 whisked me to St Pancras, where I boarded the Piccadilly line to Heathrow. Arrived on schedule at 8:20, to be greeted by Dudley. Good to see the old fella again.

Check-in not so smooth as it should have been, as the self check-in terminal wouldn't scan my passport.....twice. Nice lady in red sorted me out ;-)

Even nicer lady in red at the bag drop upgraded our seats, to ones with more leg room and turned a blind eye to my overweight hand luggage. Only half a kg over the 10 allowed! Don't get me started on that one but there are people a lot heavier than me boarding this flight!

Will be boarding shortly, so comms blackout till we're Statesside.


Sent from Samsung Mobile

Not long now

9 hours and I'll be walking out of the door. Feeling fairly relaxed now, after mild panic at the weight of the case. Have ditched a few t-shirts and a pair of jeans to bring the weight down. Means I'll have to do some washing to get through the fortnight but so be it. At Cath's now and will probably be in bed before too long. NO!, not for that ;-)


Sent from Samsung Mobile

T minus 1 and a qtr

I've got about 32 hours before I walk out of the door on the beginning of this latest adventure. I'm just hoping Thursday morning is not wet, as I have to wheel my case down the road from Cath's house, to Chatham station.

Packing is almost complete. Just the toothbrush, razor and wash bag to go in it. Unless of course I've forgotten something. I've weighed it at 21.6kg. That's about 5kg more than when I weighed it last week. Maybe I should jettison some pants?

I also weighed myself, whilst I was at it; 87.6kg. We'll see what I weigh when I get back. I have squeezed in my running kit, so will hopefully be able to fight the battle of the bulge head on.

That's it for now.

T minus 3

Wow, time seems to be flying by now. Had plans to sort out my packing at the weekend but got kinda distracted by the arrival of the new bike. Gone is the Suzuki Bandit, in its place, a Triumph Sprint GT.

I have managed to re-visit my packing though and although I have only added one or two small bits, the case looks a lot fuller than it did the other day, Some sort of reverse Tardis effect I think. As I potter about, things pop into my mind, as to what I should be taking, usually to pop out again before I've had chance to write them down. The earplugs , however, are taken care of. Not just for when riding the bike though but for night time too, when Dudley starts driving them home!  To be fair to Dud, for once, I probably have a bit of a pop and whistle myself, so in case he feels the need, I've packed another pair for him.

I've charged up the batteries of those bits of kit that need it. Archos, for my music on the plane, Go-pro for on bike video and my digital camera. I've got plenty of adapters as well, so I can keep my electrical needs satisfied throughout the tour. Just as well we're not going to the middle of the Amazon jungle!

Now, is there anything I've forgotten..........

T minus 7 and a bit

All the bits and pieces I ordered to take with me have arrived now, so that's the electrical things taken care of.  At lunchtime I took a stroll down to The Tower of London, with my colleague Stuart, to pick up my dollars, so that's the beer tokens taken care of too. Was quite pleased, as the rate they were showing was quite a few cents down on the rate I'd got. Every little helps, eh?

Really ought to make a list, so I don't end up forgetting things.

T minus 8

With a shade over 8 days till we fly, I have started to do some proper packing/prepping. I've ID'd what I'll be wearing to fly out, so the rest I know is going in the case. Still a few things (I'm about 85% done) to go in but pleasantly surprised to weigh the case at just over 16kgs, well within the 23kgs weight limit for a long hauler. I might even have room to squeeze my running gear in, just so I can keep those US calories, which obviously are much bigger than our own, at bay. Talking of which, I shall be weighing myself before I set off.

I ordered some bits and pieces online at the weekend, US plug adaptors, etc and yesterday I picked up my train tickets for the out and return journeys to Heathrow. Tomorrow I'll be picking up some greenbacks or beer tokens as I prefer to think of them as!

The laptop is now packed in my second bag, along with my crash helmet. My camera will also go in there.  I have also packed up my camera and the bits I'll need to attach it to the Harley. I've given it a charge and re-acquainted myself with the instructions. Hopefully this time I won't end up recording anything upside down! Cath's son Alex is going to lend me his battery and a spare memory card. I reckon with space on my laptop and the two cards, I'll have enough gigabytes for 50 hours of video. Might take a while to upload to U-tube, eh?  Go-pro will be in my main case but surrounded by t-shirts, etc, to give it some protection.

Finally, I have put up the route map at work for the boys and mini-me is all ready to go, sitting purposefully on the Los Angeles marker!

The accomodation

Some people like to know where we will be staying on the tour, not least myself, so I've added links to each of the hotel stops. Some look quite posh, others not so. Some, such as the Alpenhof sound a bit bizarre. Anyway, feel free to browse.

Map Ahoy

I've added the route map to the blog now. It shows the night time stops. As Dudley and I are going out a day early, the day/night count on the map and that of the official itinerary differ. So our count is plus 1. Simples!

But this is where we'll be at, starting 13th June;

Day 1 - Fly from Heathrow to Los Angeles
Day 2 - probably doing LA sightseeing. Welcome dinner.
Day 3 - collect Harleys and ride from LA to Palm Springs
Day 4 - ride from Palm Springs to Laughlin
Day 5 - ride from Laughlin to The Grand Canyon
Day 6 - ride from The Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
Day 7 - ride from Monument Valley to Bryce Canyon
Day 8 - ride from Bryce Canyon to Las Vegas
Day 9 - rest day in Las Vegas
Day 10 - ride from Las Vegas (through Death Valley) to Mammoth Lakes
Day 11 - ride from Mammoth Lakes to Oakhurst (Yosemite N.P.)
Day 12 - ride from Oakhurst to San Francisco
Day 13 - rest day in San Francisco (city and Alcatraz tour)
Day 14 - ride from San Francisco to Monterey
Day 15 - ride from Monterey to Pismo Beach (Hearst castle visit)
Day 16 - ride from Pismo Beach to Los Angeles, return Harleys. Farewell dinner.
Day 17 - fly from Los Angeles to Heathrow.

Due to the time differences, Day 17 is actually 2 days. We leave on 29th and arrive on 30th!

I plan add some pictures to the blog text as I go along but don't forget to check out the additional photos on flickr, by clicking on that beautiful wild west vista picture next to the route map.

2 Weeks

Tour pack arrived in the post yesterday. The final piece of the tour jigsaw one might say. It contains the maps, e-tickets, itinery, hotel details, distances and just about everything you are going to want to know whilst away. It's when you get this that you really feel you are going away.....the excitement level is ramped up a notch.

Having this also gives me an opportunity to plot the route on google maps. The boys at work are counting on me printing them a map, so they can follow my progress day by day. There is a magnetic mini-me on a cutout motorbike which they move about the map. Plotting the route also gives me an insight into the sort of roads and terrain to expect. One thing I hadn't realised, is that we shall pass through Utah, so a new state for me.

Part of the tour goes on Route 66. Nothing new to me obviously but this time though I'll be going in the reverse direction and I can't wait to get back on those switchbacks out of Oatman, decking the Road King's footboards on the hairpins whilst trying to avoid the burro sh*t!

Watch out for me posting the map/link on the blog, so you can all follow my progress......virtual pillions!

3 Weeks

Yes, it's now just three weeks till Branson's finest whisk Dudley and myself across the pond. About this time (7am) I'll be stepping off the high speeder at St Pancras and jumping on the Piccadilly line to Heathrow.

I did some pre-packing at the weekend, bike boots, etc, but will need to sit down and make a proper list to make sure nothing gets left behind. I was hoping to travel light but I probably already have more t-shirts than I'm going to need. I guess the test will come when it comes to weighing the case. Besides my main case I'll also have a foldall, in which will go my crash helmet and laptop, camera too probably. I remember it was quite a struggle with the two bags when I did Route 66, particularly on the Chicago metro, so the lighter the pair of them, the better. I wonder if I can get away with reversing my pants? 

Planning for Sunshine

Given what an awful winter we had, which still doesn't seem to be over, bar a couple of warm days we had, I am taking a very active look at temperatures out in California/Nevada. And very pleasant reading they make too. Thankfully, the wild fires have been put out, so there may still be some green bits around LA and along Highway 1 to see but that just shows what a dry winter they have had out there. Dry, warm, remember those? I have an app on my phone that is showing me the temps in the US. LA is not hot but pleasantly warm, about 73F. Move inland a bit and Vegas is high 90s and into the 100s. That should give a pleasant tan and a nice run out for my hyperkewl jacket in just 4 weeks time.

I've just acquired another piece of kit to go on tour with me, some Oakley Wind Jacket sunglasses. These are quite trick, in so much as they come with a rubber gaitor thingy, that pretty much transforms them into goggles, keeping the wind, dust and presumably rain too, out of you eyes by forming a tight seal against your face. I already have a few pairs of sunnies but I do find, even with a screen in front of me, that the wind gets around the edges and makes my eyes run. Not a problem if you have a full face helmet but when have you ever seen a Harley rider with a full face on? Full face on them, means a ZZ Top style beard! Anyway, the Oakleys will eliminate that wind nuisance.

When not actually riding, the gaitor comes off and they are a normal pair of sunnies. They come with two sets of lenses and these are quickly and easily changed by way of the hinged frame. As I said, quite a trick bit of kit. They also have an elastic strap. I can't see much use for this if wearing a helmet but if helmetless or indeed riding a bicycle, it could be useful to stop them flying off when a huge lorry goes past...... and they do have huge lorries stateside.  

Counting the days

Well, of course I am. Who wouldn't be? With now less than 6 weeks to go to departure on my second tour of the U.S., the excitement level is beginning to rise. Even work doesn't seem half bad at the moment, with that massive Virgin aircraft looming on the horizon. Helped of course by being back on the Bandit, rather than relying on public transport. I will miss reading the Scout Mistresses dirty text messages though ;-)

As with the Reservoir Hogs Tour, I have employed those lovely chaps from Vistaprint, to brand up some bits and pieces. Once again then, I shall be sporting a white polo shirt, though this time in a Large, rather than the snug Medium. White, not only being cheaper, is also good for showing off a tan, something I am expecting to acquire in that hot Nevada/California sunshine. Bring it on!

The WHWW2013 Polo, rarer than hen's teeth!

T minus 9 weeks and counting.......

Blimey, hasn't the time flown by? Just 64 days to go and it can't come quick enough. Am hoping that I will actually get some UK miles under my belt before I cross the pond though. This winter is still not done and the only chance this fair weather biker has had to get his leg over since October, has been to take the Bandit down for a service and MOT, a couple of weeks back.

Since I last posted, I have finally got round to completing my booking forms for HC Travel or if you prefer Orange & Black. It always seems a little pointless, when so much has already been agreed and/or arranged. Anyway, that's out of the way.

Next task I had, was to book Dudley and I on a San Francisco and Alcatraz city tour. I mentioned it last post. That's all sorted now. A coach will pick us up at our hotel, take us on a tour of the city sights and then drop us at the quayside for a ferry to Alcatraz. There's an audio tour of The Rock when we get there and hopefully a ferry back!! There is no escape from Alcatraz. That came in a bit cheaper than I expected, about $73 (£50 in real money).

No sooner had I got that sorted, then Dudley is telling me he'd paid his balance. What? Already?  Quick check of the docs and balance needs to be paid 9 weeks before departure. I paid it today. As I did so, I also got them to add on the tour they do of Hearst Castle. Dud and I had discussed this previously and he seemed keen. Having googled it, it does sound quite interesting, so we'll be doing that, with most of the others I expect, a day or so before the tour ends. It's located about midway between SF & LA.

Have already started doing some packing. Basically just putting all the new kit I bought and t-shirts, etc, in my case. I plan to travel lighter than when I did Route 66 and hopefully bring some bits back with me....jeans maybe. To that end, I bought some new lightweight casual trousers, with the half leg zips. One pair of trousers for night time, one pair of shorts for daytime!  Anyway, plenty of time to sort all that, eh?

All quiet on the Wild Western front

It's been almost 3 months since my last post and what a few months it's been. No excuses, I've been pre-occupied with other things.

On Christmas Day I learned of the death of a friend, after a 3 year battle with cancer. The day of her funeral, my mother was taken into hospital, after a fall. She died 6 days later!

So, the last thing on my mind has been the tour in June and this blog.

Believe it or not though, out of the tragedy has arisen another bike trip. Watch out for the Ashes Tour in August. Mother's wish when she died, was for her ashes to be scattered at her ancestral home, Loch an Eilean, in Scotland. My brother Paul and I will take mother on a 2.5 day trip to her final resting place, stopping off at some significant places from her past en route. A round trip of some 1300 miles, in 5 days.

Anyway, back to WHWW, I've still to complete my booking forms but things like insurances, etc, have been arranged. I've been discussing with Dudley the Alcatraz tour when we get to San Francisco, so now just need to chose and book it. A city and Alcatraz combined tour is about $90.

In prep for the tour, I made a couple of purchases at the Excel bike show recently. Some fingerless leather gloves, a big chain for my wallet and a cooling jacket. The latter soaks up cold water in a couple of minutes, then retains the cooling effects for several hours. It's worn under a light mesh jacket ideally. I figured Death Valley mid June could be quite warm. I already have a camelback

 rucky to keep me hydrated.

Think that's all for now. Just 13 weeks to go.

Sent from Samsung Mobile