A Decision Taken..

Earlier this year, with a friend, H, I decided to do a five-day triangle'ish tour of California from Los Angeles down to San Diego, across to Palm Springs through Joshua Tree, back to Oxnard and finally along Malibu Beach to return to LA. That route also took in a good chunk of the Mojave. H is also a new Harley owner. H was rather upset that having just bought his Fatbob he had to leave it behind. Not upset enough however, to pay £5000 and wait six weeks for it to sail/ship to the west coast of America...

February 12 2010
It's cold, raining and miserable in Suffolk. I know, let's go touring on a Harley!
For years I've wanted to do Route 66, or what's left of it but the time has never been there. Just browsing through the Harley UK forum, I noticed someone writing about shorter tours in California. I think I'll check it out.
February 13
Well, spent a considerable time googling last night and I think an organisation called Eaglerider may be able to assist. I've emailed them asking for their ideas on a 5 day self tour starting from Los Angeles on March 18.
February 15
Eaglerider have come back with a 5-day option which, including the bike, hotels and all insurances comes to $1700. I've chosen a Heritage Softail Classic and H has decided to go for the Full Monty, an Electra Glide. Both are quite different from our own bikes but should be an interesting change.
February 18
The route is more or less finalised. Fly into LAX arriving late afternoon. Pick-up from the hotel and then Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs, Barstow (via Joshua Tree Park) Oxnard and then return to Los Angeles along Malibu Beach.
Now just have to decide what to wear, how to travel with it and what to pack it all in.
February 26
Flights arranged with Virgin - happily, I have a few Miles following extended business flying for the last few years so we're going out Economy but coming back Premium. This will be a bit of a shock to my system as Upper Class has been my cabin of choice since 2004 but "what the...", we're on holiday!
March 3
Having looked at all the available luggage for a Harley, I've chosen the CBT-900 from Nelson Rigg. It comes in two parts, a massive main bag with more pockets than any reasonable person could expect and a top pack which looks as though it will be both useful as cabin baggage and providing quick access to documentation and other bits and pieces. However, the main reason I've chosen it is that it is designed to fit the Heritage and the Road King.
March 16
With a temperature range of 16-28c expected and a chance of rain, the packing has been a little fraught. However, in the end, the list is:
Underwear/socks 6
T-Shirts 3
Polo Shirt 3
Draggin's 1
Chino's 1
HD Rainwear 1
Armoured Jacket 1
Shorts 2
Fleece 1
Boots 1
Deck Shoes 1
Wash Gear 1

As neither of us have an open-face helmet in the UK, we'll buy them in the States and bring them back.
Well, that's it, early start tomorrow.