April 7 start of Vintage Japanese Tiddler ride

The 1971 Honda CB 500 is all ready to go.  Friday, we will drop Lucy off at the spa and then drive the pickup 250 miles to scenic Fort Mohave, Az, with the bike in the back of the bed.  Weather is forecast for 30 mph winds, of course.  Saturday, we gather up with other Vintage bike owners and go for a 250 mile day trip, returning to the hotel at night.  Sunday homeward bound.  Will post photos as we move along the way.

Bike is loaded and ready to go (Thursday afternoon).

Home safe and sound Tuesday at 7

We made it home just as the sun was setting. Overall 1300 miles this trip, averaging 51 mpg on the Triumph.  It was windy most of the day after we got to Lucerne Valley, maybe 15/20, with long periods of tail winds ;).  When we stopped in Yucca Valley, I looked at Weather.com again, since early am forecasts had been wind under 10 mph the entire trip.  Ha!  Now they were calling for 60 mph gusts in Barstow and 25-30 in general along the Mohave desert.  How is it possible for them to be incorrect all the time.  Gees.

We were lucky to be ahead of the worst winds and the day went well.  The highest price of gas we saw in Ca for regular was $3.99, the highest we actually paid was $3.69.  Of course, crossing into Arizona the price was $2.25.

Our sole purchase was a Death Valley mug.  Apparently I only buy glasss souvenirs ;).  When I got it home and read the bottom of it, it says hand wash only.  Sigh.

Off this am to spring our dog from the penitentiary.

Thanks for all the comments;)

Arrived with huge winds and dust storms in Barstow

What a ride today, 152 miles of huge wind and gusts.  30-35 mph (plus gusts) for the last 100 miles and dust storms too.   We made it fine but it was a lot of effort for Stu.  Now at the scenic and quite nice comfort suites in Barstow.  Waiting in the lobby for dinner to be delivered ;). Not going out again unless we have to.   I'd like to say the views were great today but with the wind...plus this section of the Mohave desert is pretty bleak.  As is Barstow.

High point of the day was a visit this am to a museum in Lone Pine, the museum of western film. A wonderful place to see.

Hopalong Cassidy area:

Steve McQueens short gun from Wanted Dead or Alive

Stars and their horses -names too

Sunrise in Lone Pine

Beatty Nv to Lone Pine Ca

Great day to ride.  Chilly wake up in Nevada, 45 degrees, but we stalled until about 9, ate breakfast at Mel's diner, picked up our charming VJMC Death Valley ride T-shirts and hit the road about 10.  We rode across the park and ended up in Lone Pine for the night. Amazing views, and very little traffic. And no snakes or other horrifying desert dwellers.

One extraordinary side trip we did here in Lone Pine:  Manzanar internment camp. A very sobering look at what is possible in a democracy where citizens get rounded up and put in camps with no due process (or the ability to show these citizens were a risk).  The camp structures are mostly all gone now but they are making progress creating examples of the buildings.  Over 122,000 Japanese were interned, with 10,000 of them at this camp, until 1945.

Overall a great day to be alive ;)

Across Death Valley to Beatty Nevada

We left Barstow about 9:30 am, with a group of other VJMC folks heading into the national park.  We stopped in the few towns there are, always to get gas since it can be miles beteeen towns.  Stops had names like Randsburg, Trona and last, but not least, Stovepipe Wells.  Then on to Beatty.   Overall we estimate over 50 bikes are riding on this trip, even a 1954 Vincent in unrestored condition.

Happily for us, even with the rain this year, Death Valley is not having a Super Bloom of flowers like they had last year.   So driving through the park this year was easy, no need to avoid minivans full of tourists. ;)

Pictures below.  Tomorrow we are going back across the park to the other side to Lone Pine, Ca.  

Driving through Death Valley 

1954 unrestored Vincent 

VJMC members blathering away 

Atomic Inn

Stu 

Hello from Barstow-updated

It was a lovely riding day yesterday.  400 miles of sun, low wind, and scenic views...well mostly scenic. Here are a few photos.   Today we join the group of vintage Japanese motorcycle club riders, should be 30 bikes once we get through the park.  Tonight we stay at the Atomic Inn in Beatty, Nevada.

Death Valley here we come

Please stay tuned, we are getting ready for our trip!  And we will be on a different bike!