Vegas Baby!
After a particularly restful sleep in the tent while urban camping in Pomona, I broke down camp and set off for Las Vegas.
First however, I made a pit stop at Pomona Harley Davidson to pick up some vest extender chains.
As some of you will know from the trip to Wellsboro last year, I refuse to ride only in a t-shirt. As someone who had a crash many years ago, I like to have some leather protection on and I draw the line at a leather vest, no matter the weather. However it would be nice to have additional breeze blowing through the vest today for the ride through the Mojave desert en route to Vegas. I had been warned by several people that it would be really hot and make sure I had water with me.
I also met a couple local guys in the HD parking lot, who had seen my packed bike and Ontario plate. I guess they figured there was a story or two to be told. I was really glad I spoke to them because they shared that I could ride a section of Route 66 between Victorville and Barstow on my way out to Vegas. The stretch was only 30 miles or so but nonetheless it was an opportunity I did not want to miss.
By the time I left the HD shop, had breakfast and hit the road it was probably pushing 11:00 and it was really starting to heat up.
Once I reached Victorville, I got off the highway and there are actually signs you can follow that read "Historic Route 66" to make it easy.
The road meanders through Victorville but just as I was leaving town I saw a Route 66 museum, and U-turned to go back and have a look.
Inside there was a pile of old memorabilia on display as well as a gift shop that sells everything you might want that says Route 66.
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| I met this nice couple from Newcastle Australia. Apparently many Aussies have a fascination with the American Route 66. Who knew? |
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| This one's for you Doug. This guy's doing his epic trip on a Concours that looks like it's been painted with a brush. Check out the black duct tape on the seat. Classic. |
Once you get into Barstow, you get back onto the I-15 and follow it all the way to Vegas. All the moaning I did last week about the cold weather - well I think every missing BTU was paid back to me over the span of a couple hours. I would guess the temperature was well over 110F. At one point the road went up and down over a 4000+ ft mountain and for a short while, the temperature felt quite pleasant and cool by comparison. I happened to see a gas station billboard type thermometer at that point and it read 91F!
Between Barstow and Vegas the scenery doesn't change much and the road doesn't do much except go straight at a 70mph speed limit. It all looks like this for hours:
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| WTF?? |
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| The famous Mojave "Joshua" Trees abound |
As soon as you reach the Nevada border you are immediately greeted with opportunities for gambling and liquor.
I guess about a 1/2 hour after crossing the border, I reached my hotel in Vegas. Gotta love Las Vegas gambling subsidizing everything. I booked a room at Bally's right on the main strip on Expedia for $54. that's less than a KOA Kamping Kabin! (yes they do spell it all with K's. More fromage).
I took a stroll and snapped a few pictures. I managed to get in to see comedian/hypnotist Marc Savard show. Really fun and many belly laughs.
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| The Bellagio |
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| Paris Las Vegas |
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| This photo is indoors - just outside the theatre where Marc Savard performed |
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| This picture is for my wife... |
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| ...just like in Rome! |
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