High Temp today 47C/117F in the Mojave Desert and 44C/112F in Needles, CA. However, it's cooling down now and is down to 39C/102F in Needles at 21:00.Today was a great ride as very little of it was on the interstate. Approaching Flagstaff last night the desert started to disappear and as I got closer to Flagstaff trees began appearing. Mostly Route 66 today with only short intervals on I-40.
Stopped in Seligman for a break and it's an interesting place with all sorts of cars around town and even two Edsels parked on the street.
Went across the Arizona Divide, not to be confused with the Continental Divide, at an altitude of 7300 + feet.
Shortly after Williams there is a long section of highway with a 6% grade and when you reach the bottom you're back in desert terrain. A 30+ km. straight stretch takes you into Kingman, AZ. Out of Kingman there's another long straight stretch on old 66 leading to a Sitgreaves Pass. This Pass takes you through the Black Mountains and rises to a peak of 3,550 feet between Kingman and Oatman. This cut through the mountains is a motorcyclists dream, at least a sport or sport touring motorcyclist. You're faced with many switchbacks and changes in elevation taking the pass into Oatman. Saw my first Burrow Crossing sign on the way. Also saw warnings for curves that looked like U's and C's rather than just a curvy line. This is a road, like 'Tail of the Dragon' between TN and NC, that requires a rider's full attention to the road with no site-seeing allowed. Caught up to cars before Oatman that I never saw ahead of me on the long straight section out of Kingman. Didn't count the turns but feel that this is more difficult than Deals Gap and the road is in poorer condition. If you've seen/read Grapes of Wrath, this section probably gives you the best taste of what those heading west must have faced. Finally saw my first cacti since I don't remember seeing any earlier in NM or AZ.
Traffic was stopped in Oatman for a gunfight on the main street. Also saw Burros wandering around the street. They remained after gold prospectors left the area and have prospered and are a protected species.
Leaving Oatman I encountered another great motorcycle road. No great changes of altitude and switchbacks like the road into Kingman but lots of curves and rolling land. Here is where I encountered the highest temperatures. So hot that I had to close the vents on my helmet to stop the very hot and dry air. First time I ever closed helmet vents to remain more comfortable in heat. Pitty those cruiser (Harley, etc.) riders with no helmets or shorties with open faces and no big windscreen.
Wish I had mounted my video camera for the section into Oatman but once I was into the climb and switchbacks there was no place to stop. Since my plans are to take this same route with Ruth when she comes to California, I may get a chance to do it then. Of course this is assuming that she will want to follow this route after reading my blog.
Today's ride ended with a crossing of the Colorado River and entry into California.
Pasta and a bottle of 2005 CA Merlot for dinner at my campsite in Needles. Have to drink the full bottle when traveling solo. Not that it's a bad thing.
292 miles left to Santa Monica and the end of Route 66.
Photos: Vehicles in Seligman; Burrows in Oatman; Route 66 in CA; Campsite in Needles.
1 comment:
Hey Ron
WOW - I seriously want to be there. I mean a gunfight in the street and burros wandering the streets - where else would you see that. It's great that you can upload the pictures and the fact that you have the time to do it! Keep em coming and drive safe.
Catching a yellow-jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary. ~Author Unknown
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