Two UK Couples Ride Softail & Electraglide
Through Scenic California to Las Vegas
by Cliff Barrett from UK - September 2011
Just a brief overview of our 2 week holiday back in September. Well we flew out from the UK and stayed a few days in San Fransisco and took in all the sights. Alcatraz is a must see but book before you go because its really busy and you don't want to go all that way and be disappointed because you cant get on a tour.Transport around S.F is really easy especially with a travel pass which you can get at the airport or by the tram station at the wharf.
After 3 days we were itching to get on the bikes and were well impressed when the California motorcycle adventures minivan pulled up outside our hotel bang on time. This was the good start we were hoping for and the rest of Scott and Ilene's organization didn't disappoint. We pulled up at the shop in Mountain View (don't expect a fancy shop or showroom just good honest down to earth biking shop.Who wants to pay for a fancy shop anyway). Ilene made us all welcome and had everything ready and waiting.The bikes (an electraglide classic and a softail) were beautifully prepared and we were shown over all the controls.This was a must as Ray was used to riding a ducati sports bike and I ride an aprilia adventure pegaso strada.
If you have never ridden a Harley take it up and down the street a few times unloaded just to get used to it. Believe me these bikes are heavy and don't quite handle like the bikes we are used to. We loaded up all our kit for our 10 days riding. Check before you leave how much stuff you want to take as the electraglide swallowed up our kit but the softail bag entrances were quite limited. We rode towards the west coast and picked up highway1 down through Monterey,Big Sur and then on to LA and Hollywood.Stopped at the end of Route 66 in Santa Monica and followed the legendary route up to Barstow just to soak up some of the history.
Then on to Vegas. Ride wasn't as bad or long as we expected. I guess cruise control and radio might have had something to do with that.Stayed at New York New York. Good choice. Parked the bikes up for 3 days and walked everywhere. If you get tired of too many bright lights and overpriced everything try Ellis Island, two blocks off the strip behind the flamingo for a meal.$8 for steak special and a free beer. the same price as just a beer in some hotels.
Next we packed up to experience death valley.HOT!! Stopped at the Lonestreet inn and casino before entering death valley. Strange little place in the middle of nowhere but a great place to stop. Final push was on through Yosemite park.WOW! Fantastic views and great roads. Found our way back to mountain view to drop off the bikes. 1600 miles and only $160 in fuel (less than half UK price).
Once again we were welcomed back by Scott and Ilene and after a final check of the bikes packed everything into the minivan for our trip back to the airport. All four of us had the best time ever. Scott and Ilene's organising of all the paperwork and the bikes made everything so easy and i would recommend California motorcycle adventures to anyone. For my 50th birthday treat this was just the best trip ever.
Many thanks again to Scott and Ilene. Keep doing what you are doing. Great job.
- Cliff Barrett.
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