Anticipating the leg between Flagstaff and Phoenix to be the most demanding of the tour, we were all ready for a 7am departure in 22c, knowing that by mid morning we’d be well into the mid 40’c.
Some opted to blast straight up the highway, with Nev leading the rest along a more scenic route that was both picturesque and technically engaging, most engaging - that said, our route was a mixture of both, with the intention to peel off and hit the highway before the blast furnace really cranked up. Once we reached the highway, the water temperatures gauge that has been a problem all tour, and the engine warning light both came on - the prospect of a road side calamity hung over us for the next couple of hours, but with no other option, we gassed it, cruising at about 82mph to get to days end as quickly as possible. The conditions really were at the fairly extreme end of uncomfortable but we ate up the miles and eventually reached the hotel, where thankfully a room was available for early check in - at least for Linda, I had to return the bike. There were far too many traffic lights along that route, all of which seemed stuck on red - the heat from my engine was so extreme that I had to dismount at each stop - anyway, on the ride back to the hotel with Mike, Mickey and Baldric we could reflect on a job well done, nearly 8000km through 8 states over 3 weeks, no real issues, and no injuries! Perhaps the power of our Harley bells is real! One last celebratory photo after the fines gleaned by our hard working and thoroughly disreputable sheriff had been spent at the bar, before we headed off to a BBQ restaurant for our final dinner together- tomorrow we all disappear, some heading straight back to Auckland, others, with more time and energy taking a more circuitous route. in deference to the gear we have (helmets, boots, jackets etc all take up a lot of “bag room” when not being worn, I have an Uber XL booked to take us on the first leg of our journey home. Like several other couples, we have a flight from Phoenix to LAX, then a 5 hour layover before Air NZ takes us home. A quick moment of reflection- what a fabulous bunch of people, all different in so many ways, but each of whom have contributed to make this tour so successful Until next time Comments are closed.
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Don MalcolmA perfect day involves being on my Harley with a long ride ahead.
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