Needles! State 1 Day 5








Our adventure started Monday in Santa Monica and we have crossed the state to Needles.  In between, we stopped at Rancho Cuchamonga, Victorville, Newberry Springs Fenner and Needles.  Camping was king and the hosts were friendly.   Ted (at the Shady Oasis) gave us the key to a camping cabin to secure our bikes.  Christine (at Newberry Springs) suggested that folks sleep in the caboose at times (liability issues keep it from being a thing).  With wind blowing 25 mph and major gusts, tenting was not an option.  Our last camp out was at the Hi-Sahara Oasis, a convenience store, truck stop combo.  We met Bruce at the Hi Sahara, we were out of bananas and he just so happened to have two.  We also met Mitch and Lisa who were tandem biking Route 66 through to Michigan where they hoped to pass into Canada and beyond.  They are world traveling bicyclists!  

Traveling through the city we hit Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Pasedena and other towns on the way to Rancho Cuchamonga.  After 70 miles, I could hardly walk with my left knee killing me.  Ice and Ibuprofen, Dale and I reflected on all the traffic signals we encountered that day (I twisted my left foot at each one to unclip from the pedals).  No problem since then, so I guess it is OK. The climb out of San Bernadino to Cajun Summit proved to be the challenge of the week.  Interstate 15 must have taken over the original Route 66 and riding the road birm with whizzing CA traffic and slow semis up hill was interesting as we made our way to Victorville.  Victorville seems to have become a troublesome place.  We pulled into one mini market to see the cashier wielding a knife and chasing some others away, we did not go in.  We hit a diner on the way out of Victorville.  It is a Route 66 landmark and appears to be a local favorite.  In Helendale, we happened upon the Bottle Tree Ranch and throughout the day were chased by several enthusiastic canines.  Route 66 took us through Barstow and Daggett on to Newberry Springs.  Not much happening there other than wind.  The next morning we were off to Amboy.  We marveled at all the lava and stopped at the Amboy crater which last erupted 500 years ago.  There is a lot of lava! The riding was easy and with a lot of downhill, so getting to Roys Cafe and Motel early, we looked around and decided to keep moving.  There was no cafe and the motel is yet to be renovated.  Beyond Amboy, things got a little interesting as Route 66 is closed, we went anyway.  We were spoiled by having the road mostly to ourselves, Dale even laying in the middle of the highway for a picture.  On the route we came across seven bridges in various states of disrepair, only one was unpassable (completely gone).  It was a long day when we finally hit Fenner, pitched our tents at the truck stop/gas station and crashed.  



Up and headed for Needles, we pedaled about 10 miles and coasted for 15 with speeds between 22 and 25 mph.  Needless to say, we got to Needles early and decided to rest up.  As we cruised through the town, I noticed my tire not looking so good...the first flat!  I was able to get to the hotel and fix it, thanks to the guys at the garage next door for the air (I would still be pumping).  Dinner at the Wagon Wheel, another Route 66 Historic Place.  Off to Kingman, AZ in the morning! 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lindsey's Prayer Vigil Scriptures and Prayer Suggestions

Thank you so much for your support to pray for Lindsey this coming Saturday. Many of you have signed up for an hour to cover her in prayer and we have put together some things to help you. Anyone can use these prayers throughout the day also. Lindsey's requests 1. my family - being away from them is hard and I know them being away from me is also hard. I have 3 living grandparents, two younger brothers, two sisters-in-law, and my parents. 2. my roommate, Rebecca- she has volunteered to live with me while going through treatments which is a huge blessing and she was willing to make personal sacrifices to ensure I could live in a comfortable environment. 3. my doctors, nurses, techs, etc. at Geisinger. Dr. Bowen, Dr. Pheasant, Nurse Kara, Dr. Shulds, Dr. Ali and all their staffs. also including Dr. Shafik my PCP at Muncy and the nurses and lab techs at Muncy 4. that I can be a light in a dark place for anyone that I encounter, especially when I go for my immunotherapy appointments an...
Read more

Nick and Dale's Great Adventure: North Carolina Edition

Image
Leaving Tennessee required climbing Roan Mountain and we spent the bulk of the day doing just that!  We stopped at the Davis Girls Peach Shed and Shirley picked us a few ripe peaches to eat.  I figured it's her shed and she knows peaches.   We chatted with her and later with a man I believe was her husband.  Both were very interested in the trip and offered us a rest on the rocking chairs on the porch.  Dale and I figured we might not get up if we sit too long so off we went.   The Appalachian Trail crosses Roan Mountain.  Although there was no sign, the white blazes gave it away.  Just another reminder that we were getting closer to home.  Elk River would be our next stop and, thankfully, my last flat tire.  I changed out both the tire and tube with new that I had been carrying, just waiting for the right occasion.  It was a relatively short ride (51 miles) but still a long day (8 hours).   Boone, NC is a nice t...
Read more

Nick and Dale's Great Adventure: Tennessee Edition

Image
  Franklin was a only few miles from the Tennessee border.  Although the state changed the scenery was similar as we made our way towards Cookeville, TN.   Back roads and fields were the course of the day with a few hills.   Along the way,  the road was carved through limestone, including driveways with majestic rock entrances.  I was thinking they could have carved a little deeper and longer so the pitch of the hill was a little better.  No matter, the road was pretty decent.  During our adventure, you pass all sorts of memorials, like the one on Kirbytown Road remembering those who contributed in the 1940's.  There seemed to be water along the way and it turned out to be the Cumberland River.   The next stop was Oak Ridge, TN.  Oak Ridge is the home of the Manhattan Project and the Atomic Bomb.  After 90 miles the previous day, getting there would once again mean hills.   The road names tell it all, Buck M...
Read more