Day 14. August 17 2017. 268miles today. 3,873 miles so far. Tonight we arrived at 10pm. An hour change for the East coast and we had several delays. We had a late start and one of the bikes broke down on the way to Indianapolis and would not start.

I will not mention whose bike but just to let Phyllis know that it was not a big issue. The Harley dealer came out 30 miles with a trailer. The unnamed rider rode in an air conditioned truck and found it very comfortable. Also an unnamed rider left his gas cap at the pump.  I can just say Diana that he remembered very quickly and it was retrieved. Dinner was pizza and wings. There is a gaming conference in the hotel and it is like nerd city. Tomorrow we head to Zanesville Ohio. Famous for being the home town of my sister in law Sharon as well as Diana Wilson.

The broken down bike. It was not the battery.

 The van from the local dealer 30 miles away
 

Nice Harley dealer, Great service. A small relay was all that was needed. At least he didn't have to get a new motor.

Day 13.  238 miles today. 3,604 so far. Nice weather and good highway. At 11pm we had covered 12 miles. Tomorrow we head for Indianapolis Indiana just 251 miles.. For dinner tonight I tried the famous St. Louis ribs. They were served raw to say the least. The fries were good. Had a big lunch so not a big loss. On the trip we relive previous trips and it is funny how details such as weather and accommodation get greatly exaggerated.

Day 12.  Early start. By 10am we had done 7 miles. Today we rode 309 miles after stopping at the Harley dealers. Kevin had to replace his stolen rain suit, Michael Wilson had to buy new boots and Mark Clark had to have his clutch handle made easier to use. Mark C had to ride double on Mark T's bike to lunch (Mexican) whilst his bike was worked on. We were very lucky with the weather. It was supposed to rain all day but not a drop.

Nice dinner followed by cigars and drinks around a fire pit. Tough life on the road. Tomorrow night we are in St. Louis Missouri after a short ride of over a couple of hundred miles.

 Toll booths were fun with the lead paying for everyone. The system stinks because if you leave the highway you have to pay again

The Harley dealer on Route 66

 Two up. An unusual event on the rides

I think he is saying "now don't go too fast and be safe"

 

 It seemed like we ate more than we rode.

 Enjoying a drink after a hard day.

 The fire.

No not looking at the stars. Having a little nap

Has Sharhin called?

It was funny at the time but was proved to be a premonition.

 

Day 11.  267 miles today from Amarillo Texas to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Two of the bikes had things taken off them last night whilst we slept. A helmet and a bag with wet weather gear. No security and no cameras and the hotel did not care particularly.

The day started off misty and cool and we expected to get very wet but we're very lucky and not a drop.  The afternoon was 82 but seemed a lot hotter. Tonight we are off to a brew joint. Tomorrow we head off to Springfield Missouri via Tulsa.

 Notice the rider was not identified. I suggested "some day" should be printed underneath the logo as the bike has not been ridden after several years of restoration.

 Sitting around but almost ready to ride.

 Birds of a feather!

 Bad picture of a pig out front of a gas station.

A casual shot of the best looking bike by an anonymous photographer.

Day 10. Albuquerque NM to Amarillo Texas. 314 miles today. We left at the crack of noon - 11am Syracuse time. (9am local). We took a side trip along an old part of Route 66. Lot of bicycle riders sweating up the place along the way. Great country vistas. We also stopped at Cadillac Ranch famous for Cadillacs buried like Stonehenge. The place was in the middle of a corn field and muddy as heck. Empty spray cans everywhere and very ordinary. But we had to see it. Tonight we are at the Big Steakhouse motel. Strange but very Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas. Tomorrow Oklahoma City.

Starting to get hot and looking for shade

 Relaxing before the ride

 The Cadillac Ranch entrance. Very wet, muddy and you can see abandoned shoes.

Interesting but litter everywhere

The Hogs gang. Looking very tough

 The bikes before the robbery. Notice we have lined up in order of best looking bikes.

 Motel was well painted and clean. Pity no security cameras.

 The dining hall. Food was not good. Raw steaks not good when you eat well done.

 The boys discussing the menus.

 No they are not dancing. just putting on wet weather gear.

Not going here again.

 

Day 9. I booked into an Albuquerque midtown hotel for the Thursday night based on the fact that I was informed that was where we were staying Friday night. I figured I could sleep in, swim and generally relax. Turns out they switched hotels to near the airport so I had to pack up, meet the boys at Harley and then go to the new hotel.

Tonight we originally were going to hire a van to go bar hopping but the poor boys were too tired. Originally Mark T, who does not drink, volunteered to drive. On a previous trip his motorcycle motor blew up and he had to UHaul it home. I suggested he would be the best driver considering his UHaul experience. You can imagine his censored reaction. I stopped at a UHaul dealer today to get appropriate literature to compound the humorous slur. Tonight we went to a rough, tough biker bar. It was called Applebees to hide it's true nature. Also a first. Mark T said "let's ride early tomorrow" but I tried to record it but I was too slow.

The boys picking up their bikes

Packing the bikes

Do you see any lawns?

The first meal

Day 8. Only 117 miles today. Santa Fe to Albuquerque via Madrid (wild Hog's movie town). Also had lunch with the Jim and Cathy Green whom we first met in Malaysia some 30 years ago. Susan (the luckiest girl in the world) had seen them a couple of years ago but I had not seen them for 17 years. They had not changed much (much the same as I). The thought I had over the last few days is how the explorers found their way through pretty tough country. Tomorrow the six other riders arrive. The fun will begin.

 

Great lunch at a local eating place with friends

Interesting art

Amazing

Friends from years ago

Wide open land

Great views everywhere