I had one side trip still to make though...
A quick trip up to a HD Dealership!
I can't explain it really. There is a community, a lifestyle, an understanding that exists. Ride up to a HD shop, and walk in... one is treated as family. I took a break, purchased a few souvenirs, looked at some vintage bikes, and talked with a few fellow riders.
I got on the road around 1:30pm. My route was basically a reverse trip up to Needles, CA. I took a direct route down I-15, to I-215, to I-515, then South on US-95.
A brief stop in Searchlight, NV for a water/seat break, and a bike/load check, then back on the road.
I stopped at the road surface change that marked the border between Nevada and California. This sign/announcement, was very apparent. Bigger and less than 10 feet from the road! As I admitted before, as I looked across the road, I saw the sign welcoming me to Nevada. So I scooted across and staged my earlier photo of entering Nevada.
The ride back to Needles was uneventful. Light traffic, only two truckers, and just one stop at a railroad crossing! I didn't take any pics, yet I had to wait about 5 minutes as a freight train passed. The Engines were already well to the West, just had to wait for the railcars to go by.
Got into Needles and stopped for a fuel/water/snack/rest break. Now my bike requires high octane fuel, so the 91 octane cost me $4.99/gal here. Good thing I only have a 4.7 gal tank and get incredible mpg!
This is were I took an alternative route. I rode through Needles along I-40 into Arizona...
Couldn't stop on the bridge over the Colorado River. There was a sign midway that said "Arizona State Line" that I wanted to take a pic of, having the river in the background... but alas, I had to settle for this.
About 10 miles into Arizona, I took a right turn onto AZ-95. From I-40 this road would pretty much take me along the Colorado River, thru Lake Havasu City, into Parker.
Overall, this was a much better road! A little more traffic, yet one never felt alone. I stopped in Lake Havasu City. Just a quick stop for a seat break and a take care of nature! But I stopped at the London Bridge!
There it is! The London Bridge! I might go back to Lake Havasu City. It has all of the modern conveniences, shops, amenities a traveler expects/needs. Summer is the "high" season here, so some things were closed/shut down. Yet it is a thriving community! When there is a Home Depot and a Lowes within two miles of each other... one has to acknowledge that things here are good!
From Lake Havasu City down to Parker, the ride was nice! Scenic, as I could often see the river to my right; lot's of curves, dips, and climbs! Had to get over the Buckskins... then a gentle downhill ride to Yuma!
Once in Parker, I stopped again for a break. Short seat break, then back on the road.
My ride from Parker to Yuma was for the most part uneventful. It was getting late and the sun was going down. As I was riding, there are the "patches" or really black marks on the road. As I was scanning ahead, I kept these differences in the road surface in mind. At night, that is after sunset, these dark spots on the road tend to blend in a bit.
South of Quartzsite, I noted one of these dark spots ahead and moved a little to one side. As I approached, I realized that this dark spot I saw on my scan was an animal! So a quick swerve to avoid, another quick swerve to correct. It was instinctual. A push left, went right, then a push right, went left... hazard avoided! It wasn't till I thought about it that I got a little excited! That is, the adrenaline finally kicked in!
I rolled in to Yuma around 8:00pm. 7.5 hours after I left Las Vegas. The ride/route was longer, and I made a few stops along the way. It was a great ride! I got to see and experience things that very few others will ever! It is not about the pics, nor the story... it is ultimately about the experience!
And for that, I am thankful!
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