The finishing line...... after 14 days riding across 13 states from torrential rains, some cold weather to glorious sunshine and 108 degrees desert weather - 2 women on 2 motorcycles have made it.
At 3:42pm PST we made it to the END
We set off later than usual as we knew that the traffic through the city was going to be horrendous. It didn't disappoint!
Satnav said it would take us 3 hours but it took us double that time. The weather was a pleasant 72 degrees when we set off to IHOP - the International House of Pancakes for breakfast. After some much needed coffee we headed west passing Bell Mountain and into Victorville where I was able to get some helmet and bike video footage from there we headed to Cajon Junction another set of mountain ranges but this time rather than the deep burnt orange red of previous days these mountains where deep green with grass and small shrub trees on them.
Once on Foothill Express Way civilization and the population of LA cars was upon us and what would seem a straight forward direct trip now was stop, start with traffic lights and commuters going about their business. The following photos of us sitting in the LA traffic!
Not many photos today but tons of video footage which I will edit for later
The temperature did remain a cool 71 degrees and the sun did attempt to shine upon us more than once. We also had a couple of sprinkles. Nothing today was going to dampen the spirits!
We had done it. the BMW GS700 and the Yamaha FJ-09 got us to the end. We parked the bikes at a hotel parking lot opposite the beach on Santa Monica Boulevard and Kris and I walked in our motorcycle gear towards and along the pier.
We came across a US route 66 memorabilia stall and then we saw it - the sign - the moment that said " you have don't it " "End of the Trail"
A proud moment and quite an emotional one as we both realized what we had achieved there and then. Thoughts turned to the past days and the lots of laughs we have had along the way as well as some " oh shit moments" .
We took some photos and then looked at each other shrugged our shoulders and said " now what?!? " With grins on our faces and a bounce in our weary legs we walked back to our bikes and then headed out of Santa Monica and onto a town called El Segundo and the Hyatt.
Tonight we unpack our motorcycle equipment and box it for FEDEX to ship it to ourselves whilst we now remain in casual clothing
Total mileage today = 167 miles
Total Trip Mileage = 3,296
FJ ODO = 6,519
Tomorrow we our tourists again with a no ride day - getting to see and hear all about Los Angeles from our tour guide Jan the man.