Barstow CA
After another great PacTour parking lot breakfast we rolled out of the Wigwam Motel into a wonderful sunrise. It was a few miles of downhill through town before we turned north and started the climb to Cajon Pass.
We rode on Cajon Boulevard out of town which became the frontage road for Interstate 15 and eventually became the old 4 lane alignment of Route 66. The old northbound lanes are closed and we had a two lane bike path!
Yours truly rolling into the van SAG stop at 17 miles. From here you made your route choice. I decided to take the dirt option and soon rolled out.
We had one mile of I-15 shoulder riding to get to the National Trails Highway for 2 more miles before finding the hidden entrance to the old wagon route.
Initially there was a bit of pavement, but soon it gave way to beach-like sand that required us to dismount and walk the bikes. Note the footprints along the bike tracks.
We crossed over and under several rail lines. As the trail steepened, the hard pack was exposed and we could remount and ride to the next ‘beach’ section, then repeat.
The views were great from the top and most of the rest of the way was ridable to SAG stop at an old closed gas station.
From the SAG it was downhill with a huge tailwind all the way to Victorville. I was rolling along at about 30 mph here and was able to catch a photo from this stand of Joshua trees (I took a burst of photos and got one good one)!
The Victorville Route 66 Museum was great. Outside a great mural and spare caboose, and inside several detailed exhibits. The jukebox was pounding out great period tunes
This Model T in a service station was in great shape. Notice the spare water bag blocking a good portion of the radiator! Lunch was just up the road so I headed back out.
This restored Ford Woody was parked out from of an auto repair shop, it was in perfect condition.
The Famous Holland Burger is closed on Mondays so we continued up the road.
Several riders found the Cross Eyed Cow Pizza spot and I rolled in. Most of the rest of the group filed in as well. I had a 6” Sub that was nearly a foot long and it was great,
A retired welder from the nearby cement plant decided to weld trees to display bottles collected by his father. It became a roadside attraction and contains over 200 bottle trees and tons of Route 66 artifacts.
Hard to believe that yesterday we had 80 miles of city riding and could not find the edge of town. 50 miles into today’s ride and there is nothing in sight!
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| Ruins of the Dunes Motel outside of Barstow |
Rolling into Barstow, there was an optional side trip to the Harvey House and Western American Train Museum. I was ahead of schedule and headed over to the Museum.
The Museum was closing but the staff gave us some time to check out the train exhibits. Here a Harvey Girl mannequin was on display.
The Harvey House hotel museum was closed, but since its a working train station I was able to go inside and check it out.
Back outside there were dozens of engines, cars, and cabooses to check out. Even with the limited amount of time we could spend in the museum it was well worth the stop.
Back to the hotel for the regular end of day chores, then Mexican food next door, then finish which a screening of the Bagdad Cafe movie. A 70’s cult classic that takes place at the Bagdad Cafe, which we will see tomorrow.
It’s only 52 miles tomorrow, so breakfast at Dennys 7-8 am then pack and load at 830 for the run to Ludlow!
Steve
The Museum was closing but the staff gave us some time to check out the train exhibits. Here a Harvey Girl mannequin was on display. 
The Harvey House hotel museum was closed, but since its a working train station I was able to go inside and check it out.
