Thanks, Doug. It sure is easier to do these tough days after riding 2,000 miles. Conditioning is such a huge part of it and I always gave to go thru it every time I start a new tour. It’s very hard to replicate what touring throws at you when training for a tour. The feeling of getting to that point is truly special. Just gotta ve patient with the body and mind and keep grinding. Thanks for your comment and for watching. Upcoming episodes take up a notch as I ride into the Rockies chasing high passes. Take care.
Diego, another great adventure! Thanks for taking us along, especially on a Route 66. You captured fantastic scenery once again. The manner in which you handle adversity is exemplary... wind, flat tires, climbing, and heavy vehicular traffic, even being told you can't camp in a camp ground😅😊
That campground was a bummer. Took me a few minutes to take it in and move on. Thanks for saying that, Verlin. I do love to solve problems. Find solutions. Persevere. Happy you enjoyed it. The next two episodes are next level
Diego thanks for sharing the adventure, I grew up in the panhandle. The open skies and amazing sunrises & sunsets there have to be experienced. Really enjoying your channel.
Thank you, Shane. Happy to hear you dig my content. Yeah the Dust Bowl can be vicious but man is it spectacular to experience. I was psyched to gave seen what I saw.
No kidding. You and two other people brought it up. It’s not like I can time recording what rides by. That was a chance encounter as I was recording the next turn off the ramp. So rare to see a trailer painted so beautifully like that one. Thanks for watching.
I appreciate you saying that. When I first started the channel I had no experience and less a congealed idea of where or how to get it where I would be ok with the results of the content. It’s been an organic process but I am now happy with the format and structure. Still has a ways to go, though. When it stops being a work in progress, I will stop. Thanks for watching and reaching out. Take care.
Sunday morning adventure with Captain D. I’m sure you’d have been at the top of Lewis and Clark’s list as they must have loved discipline and pain as much as you. Go safely on your current journey, we have fish to catch!
You are the only one that picked up on the Lewis and Clark bit. Those were legit folks. Not sure I would have been welcomed to go but I definitely would have jumped at the chance. We do have way more fish to chase and catch. Thanks for watching, Steve.
It’s definitely bot easy so thank you for saying that. At the bottom of it all is that I, for some nut job reason, love all of it including the freeways.
You know your on Route 66 with all the hot rods that pass you. I even caught a glimpse of the tractor trailer from Smokey and the bandit. Can’t wait for the next video.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, my friend! Oh, wrong LV 😆 It is so nice they allow you to camp in that city park. I wish I knew that before. Meanwhile, a campground doesn't allow tents... Ahah yeah, trains are a permanent fixture of I-40 and Route 66. When the wind doesn't want you to move you better wait for the next day. Another top notch episode 👌
You got all that right. How can you have one place down the road let you pitch a tent for free and the other not want to take your money? A bit sketchy but I guess I wasn’t meant to stay there. Yeah Las Vegas, NM which I would rather visit again before the other. That’s for another episode, rode thru the strip there as well, riding in the night time. No bueno. Thanks for checking it out. Next two episodes are way different.
@@FlyscoutRyder I get what you're saying. My last day on the bike was entering LV from the north. I camped 20 miles north, next to a ATV area. Even in the morning, it was like something you only see in movies. From Nelis Air Force Base to the Strip is miles and miles of degradation, very sketchy. The trick was never stop at traffic lights, just slow down before it and then quick pedaling hehehe No bueno, indeed.
Credit to you for staying so positive along the I-40 with trucks and heavy traffic. I've crossed the U.S. three times cycling; rode a section of I-40 near Petrified Forest back in 1984. Ridden sections of I-10 in the SW, and I-94 up in North Dakota. I always prefer the quiet backroads when possible. And these days, my patience leans towards off road routes like the GDMBR. Happy trails! ☮
I hear you and agree. Very cool you have crossed the country three times. That’s not an easy task to repeat when you know what it entails. Actually, that might make it easier. Im not sure. All I know is that it’s a blast day to day. Thanks for watching. Next two episodes go into the Rockies chasing high passes.
I'm currently on a bike trip through Korea. I'm in the motel right now, taking a day off and watching you cycle through the USA. I'm respectful of the distances and the lack of overnight accommodation.
Hola Miguel. Gracias por mandar un mensaje y ver mi canal. Si quiero viajar en bici en Mexico y algún día lo hare. Por ahora tengo una lista de rutas que deseo cubrir en los Estados Unidos y cuando la cumpla ire a tu dirección. Mas videos en camino…
@@FlyscoutRyder excelente. Me gustan mucho tus videos, son muy motivantes, me inspiran a viajar en bicicleta. Si algún día viajas para México, acá tienes tu casa. Saludos.
Some really nice cars but that I-40 was no joke with trucking. Liked that one trailer with the stagecoach scene. Pretty cool. Can't believe people turn away business. Another great video and the transitions are outstanding. Take care, Al
Agreed. Not sure why they turn tent camping away. Seems nonsensical. That truck trailer was such a surprise when it rolled by me. I was so lucky to catch it on camera like i did. Very cool
@@FlyscoutRyderThat scene appears to be a re-creation of the trailer full of contraband beer that Burt Reynolds (Bandit) and his partner in crime are hauling in "Smokey and the Bandit." Very cool!
I stayed at that same city park in San Jon in San Jon on a cross country last January in 10 degree weather. That was the worst stretch of I-40 i've ever driven...one lane was closed due to pot holes leading to the east bound exit to San Jon. You know it's bad when the semis are swerving to avoid the pot holes. Good luck to you!
You amaze me What is your secret?? It’s still awesome to me how you can take sooo much video, photos and drone from soooo many perspectives Now I personally KNOW you’re not getting that great footage on the first take ( or maybe you’re so well practiced at it that you can!) And THEN… have the memory and chutzpah to pull it all together months after you get back Just awesome 👍🏼👌🏼✌️❤️ Those hiway shoulders, while welcome to see didn’t appear all that smooth; some of that video with the camera low to the ground sure made that pavement look pretty rough! Maybe you had more flats than you’re telling us?? Hahahaha Most viewers I’ll bet do not agree that all that wide extending openness is all that scenic. But, I agree with YOU. It looks just gorgeous. I enjoyed the scenes of Kansas when I trekked across. I guess maybe you and I have prairie blood in us to some extent I can appreciate the amount of time it takes you to produce each of these magnificent blogs Thank you once more for a job WELL DONE!❤🙏🏻✅
About me not having more or less flats or anything in between… i promise you my content is true in every way. that was my goal from the start. watch my first or my latest. its reality tv
Hi Diego, Great video as always. I used to live in Gallup, New Mexico so the terrain looks familiar. It has a beauty of its own. Regarding not being allowed to tent camp at a campground, I heard from one such place that it had to do with rules about having to have X amount of size of restroom facilities within an x amount of distance from the tents, and they didn't have that. Maybe some rules are per campground itself, some per county or per state. When I plan my trips, I usually call ahead to make sure which campgrounds allow tents, so I can plan the distance and days of my trip. But I also plan the whole trip (with options) more than you, and my length of trips are 2 1/2 weeks or less. What bugs me more, is that where there is tent camping in a grassy area within RV campgrounds, that there are no picnic tables or benches. Tenters have to sit on the ground the whole time. RV sites have tables, plus the camper itself usually has tables, and they bring camp chairs with them. Car campers can bring something, but self supported bikers have nothing. Sorry, I'm venting. BTW. On Sept 13, I completed connecting the 8th and final segment, so now I have ridden across the US. It took me quite a few years, but I made it. This was self contained with a friend biking in Michigan from Sault Ste Marie to east of Grand Rapids. Harder because I probably had a fever the day before biking, but had a cold, runny nose and cough the whole 8 days of biking, but improved along the way. My sister and her husband helped with travels and they got the cold and then were Covid positive. When I got to my sister's house, I felt better but was Covid positive. 500 miles with a cold and/or Covid. Oh my. I hope you don't get sick on any of your travels. Take care and safe travels, Sue
Hi Sue. Congrats on completing the 8th section and getting it done. I really like your process and I believe a healthy way to go about it. Very logical. About the tenter’s treatment at campgrounds, I agree, seems like we are treated as lesser than at most campgrounds. No picnic tables, by the noisy roads, under lights that are kept on all night, by the transfer stations, and so on. Last night I was at Lake Chalen campground and without being warmed the sprinklers came on. It was warmer so I left my tent partially open and I had water spraying all inside. Also was by the main road and sidewalk. The campground was practically empty and actually has tons of grassy spaces throughout farther from the road and under nice huge trees. As you can read, Im with you on this and can also vent. Either way, I managed to sleep for over 11 hours. Thanks for watching this last of the Route 66 episodes. The next two go north into NM mountain passes with insane scenery. I hope you are doing great post Covid. I had long Covid symptoms that lasted a while and finally past it. Not sure how you did that tour. Good going.
The water carrying is all dependent on accessibility. I always start with two 24oz and one 48oz bottles and fill up anytime I can. If I plan on spending the night somewhere that might not have water, I get a gallon jug and strap it over one of my panniers.
when i did the transamerica in 2012 I was under the impression bikes where not allowed on blue shield hwys (US Interstates). I noticed you're riding on the 40. Is that ok these days? Pretty truck intensive.
Hi Tim. Yes, it is legal to ride on some interstates and 40 is one of them but in certain states. You can also ride on 70 and 90. There are others too. One thing to keep in mind is that when you come into a city there might be signs telling you to get off. If that happens most often there will be bike paths to get on right away. It’s pretty straight forwards to check this by google-ing it. Thanks for watching.
Things have changed. I was born on Route 66 in Albuquerque, my dad owned one of the many businesses along the highway. In Albuquerque Route 66 was Central Avenue, and from Four Hills in the East to 9 Mile Hill in the west, Central Avenue was an endless series of motels, gas stations, restaurants, theaters, bars, and everything else. There wasn’t a vacant piece of land or a boarded up window along its entire length. Nowadays Central Avenue is a wasteland of homeless encampments, addicts in the streets, trash and filth everywhere. It’s not a place which is safe to walk at any time. Most of the hundreds of businesses which used to line the street are gone, turned into vacant lots or empty land. As a kid, I remember going on road trips to California, stopping at the trading posts which sold Indian souvenirs and cold beer, staying at the TeePee and Meteor motesl, crawling around an abandoned Model T in the woods off the highway in Flagstaff. There were a lot of old timers running these places, some good, and some bad. The worst of the bunch was Mr Friend, who ran the town of Ludlow, in the desert in California. Ludlow sat midway between Needles and Barstow, and was the only stop where one could get gas, food, or get a tire fixed. Old Mr Friend was a predator, god forbid your car broke down and you ended up at his garage in Ludlow. You’d end up having to stay at least a couple nights in his hotel waiting for parts, eat in his restaurant, and pay whatever he charged, or he’d keep your car and everything in it. Nowadays there is perhaps only 5% of what used to be on the Route 66% of those days, most of it boarded up and closed. I rented a Dodge Challenger in LA last year and drove the entire length, as much as I could. The few places which remain open are run by people with no memory of the earlier days, which is a shame.
![ILLSLICK X YOUNGOHM - We're The same [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yUJNkobYR0E/mqdefault.jpg)
Free overnight parking. Thank you San Jon! A dying breed .
I know! That was unexpected and welcomed.
You are a beast😊. That headwind going uphill wow! Thanks for the enjoyable ride along.
Thanks, Doug. It sure is easier to do these tough days after riding 2,000 miles. Conditioning is such a huge part of it and I always gave to go thru it every time I start a new tour. It’s very hard to replicate what touring throws at you when training for a tour. The feeling of getting to that point is truly special. Just gotta ve patient with the body and mind and keep grinding. Thanks for your comment and for watching. Upcoming episodes take up a notch as I ride into the Rockies chasing high passes. Take care.
The desert areas of the SW are beautiful at any time of the year. Amazing scenery in your video.
Thank you. It’s fun to capture how beautiful it all is.
Diego, another great adventure! Thanks for taking us along, especially on a Route 66. You captured fantastic scenery once again. The manner in which you handle adversity is exemplary... wind, flat tires, climbing, and heavy vehicular traffic, even being told you can't camp in a camp ground😅😊
That campground was a bummer. Took me a few minutes to take it in and move on. Thanks for saying that, Verlin. I do love to solve problems. Find solutions. Persevere. Happy you enjoyed it. The next two episodes are next level
That headwind is no joke! Way to power through. Thanks for inviting us along to follow your journey!
You are welcome. It’s all a lot of fun filled with endless rewards. More on the way.
What an adventure! Hard to believe you are starting #4 may the wind by at your back and the mechanical issues few. Enjoy the journey brother. 🥰
Thanks man. it’s #5. I must be insane.
Diego thanks for sharing the adventure, I grew up in the panhandle. The open skies and amazing sunrises & sunsets there have to be experienced. Really enjoying your channel.
Thank you, Shane. Happy to hear you dig my content. Yeah the Dust Bowl can be vicious but man is it spectacular to experience. I was psyched to gave seen what I saw.
True madness on I40, a horror show or real bad dream. you deserve a trip to Mallorca. cheers
Mallorca sounds great. Im in.
Great video as usual Diego. I so look forward to your posts!! Stay safe out there and keep them coming. 🙂
Im on it. More craziness on the way.
missed you! awesome ride with all those old cars riding with/past you
Thank you. Yeah that Route 66 was well above my expectations.
Diego, your vids just keep getting better. Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Thanks, Peter. It’s great to hear that Im improving with the content. I really want to make it at this.
15:18 Smokey and the Bandit tribute truck!
Yo! 15:25 That was the semi trailer from Smokey and the Bandit! 😮
No kidding. You and two other people brought it up. It’s not like I can time recording what rides by. That was a chance encounter as I was recording the next turn off the ramp. So rare to see a trailer painted so beautifully like that one. Thanks for watching.
Great content and love the format of your episodes. Such a stark landscape you're traveling through.
I appreciate you saying that. When I first started the channel I had no experience and less a congealed idea of where or how to get it where I would be ok with the results of the content. It’s been an organic process but I am now happy with the format and structure. Still has a ways to go, though. When it stops being a work in progress, I will stop. Thanks for watching and reaching out. Take care.
The rv campground thing really grind my gears, makes searching for true campgrounds a pain in the ass when there are no place to stealth camp.
That was rare and yes I agree. I was not happy and had to force myself to get over it quickly. Such a joke.
I remember that highway two years ago! I helped my mom move from Arkansas to Las Vegas.
Sunday morning adventure with Captain D. I’m sure you’d have been at the top of Lewis and Clark’s list as they must have loved discipline and pain as much as you. Go safely on your current journey, we have fish to catch!
You are the only one that picked up on the Lewis and Clark bit. Those were legit folks. Not sure I would have been welcomed to go but I definitely would have jumped at the chance. We do have way more fish to chase and catch. Thanks for watching, Steve.
This footage looked exceptionally good! Nice work
Thank you, Rick. More on the way.
OMG those trucks 😮 you make it look easy.
It’s definitely bot easy so thank you for saying that. At the bottom of it all is that I, for some nut job reason, love all of it including the freeways.
@@FlyscoutRyder nice 👍
You know your on Route 66 with all the hot rods that pass you. I even caught a glimpse of the tractor trailer from Smokey and the bandit. Can’t wait for the next video.
That trailer and those hot rods make the whole Route 66 so much better. The bikers too. Such a fun time.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, my friend! Oh, wrong LV 😆
It is so nice they allow you to camp in that city park. I wish I knew that before.
Meanwhile, a campground doesn't allow tents...
Ahah yeah, trains are a permanent fixture of I-40 and Route 66.
When the wind doesn't want you to move you better wait for the next day.
Another top notch episode 👌
You got all that right. How can you have one place down the road let you pitch a tent for free and the other not want to take your money? A bit sketchy but I guess I wasn’t meant to stay there. Yeah Las Vegas, NM which I would rather visit again before the other. That’s for another episode, rode thru the strip there as well, riding in the night time. No bueno. Thanks for checking it out. Next two episodes are way different.
@@FlyscoutRyder I get what you're saying.
My last day on the bike was entering LV from the north. I camped 20 miles north, next to a ATV area.
Even in the morning, it was like something you only see in movies. From Nelis Air Force Base to the Strip is miles and miles of degradation, very sketchy. The trick was never stop at traffic lights, just slow down before it and then quick pedaling hehehe
No bueno, indeed.
Credit to you for staying so positive along the I-40 with trucks and heavy traffic. I've crossed the U.S. three times cycling; rode a section of I-40 near Petrified Forest back in 1984. Ridden sections of I-10 in the SW, and I-94 up in North Dakota. I always prefer the quiet backroads when possible. And these days, my patience leans towards off road routes like the GDMBR. Happy trails! ☮
I hear you and agree. Very cool you have crossed the country three times. That’s not an easy task to repeat when you know what it entails. Actually, that might make it easier. Im not sure. All I know is that it’s a blast day to day. Thanks for watching. Next two episodes go into the Rockies chasing high passes.
@@FlyscoutRyder Nice, I will watch them. I live in Longmont, CO. Just got home from an off road ride from Telluride to Moab across the San Juans. ☮
Keeping your smile going on those crazy busy highways. You’re amazing😊. Do you keep count of how many Amazon trucks pass you by ? LOL
Those Amazon, FedEx and Walmart trucks are at times non stop, LOL. Thanks for watching, Shelley.
I'm currently on a bike trip through Korea. I'm in the motel right now, taking a day off and watching you cycle through the USA. I'm respectful of the distances and the lack of overnight accommodation.
Korea sounds great. Have a safe time there.
Saludos desde Durango, México, me gustan mucho tus videos. Ojalá algún día viajes por nuestro país. Saludos.
Hola Miguel. Gracias por mandar un mensaje y ver mi canal. Si quiero viajar en bici en Mexico y algún día lo hare. Por ahora tengo una lista de rutas que deseo cubrir en los Estados Unidos y cuando la cumpla ire a tu dirección. Mas videos en camino…
@@FlyscoutRyder excelente. Me gustan mucho tus videos, son muy motivantes, me inspiran a viajar en bicicleta. Si algún día viajas para México, acá tienes tu casa. Saludos.
In the southwest riding I could count on the wind to pickup between 2-3 pm. The truck noise was nuts!
That’s on point. And yeah the noise is the toughest thing to contend with.
Some really nice cars but that I-40 was no joke with trucking. Liked that one trailer with the stagecoach scene. Pretty cool. Can't believe people turn away business. Another great video and the transitions are outstanding. Take care, Al
Agreed. Not sure why they turn tent camping away. Seems nonsensical. That truck trailer was such a surprise when it rolled by me. I was so lucky to catch it on camera like i did. Very cool
@@FlyscoutRyderThat scene appears to be a re-creation of the trailer full of contraband beer that Burt Reynolds (Bandit) and his partner in crime are hauling in "Smokey and the Bandit." Very cool!
I stayed at that same city park in San Jon in San Jon on a cross country last January in 10 degree weather. That was the worst stretch of I-40 i've ever driven...one lane was closed due to pot holes leading to the east bound exit to San Jon. You know it's bad when the semis are swerving to avoid the pot holes. Good luck to you!
Good luck to you too. Great to see DOT working on all our roads that need it.
"No tent camping, at a camp grounds?" Ive been following for a few years now, thats a first?
It’s actually happened twice before. Super rare. The two times before were at state parks which seems so unreasonable.
You amaze me
What is your secret??
It’s still awesome to me how you can take sooo much video, photos and drone from soooo many perspectives
Now I personally KNOW you’re not getting that great footage on the first take ( or maybe you’re so well practiced at it that you can!)
And THEN… have the memory and chutzpah to pull it all together months after you get back
Just awesome 👍🏼👌🏼✌️❤️
Those hiway shoulders, while welcome to see didn’t appear all that smooth; some of that video with the camera low to the ground sure made that pavement look pretty rough! Maybe you had more flats than you’re telling us?? Hahahaha
Most viewers I’ll bet do not agree that all that wide extending openness is all that scenic. But, I agree with YOU. It looks just gorgeous. I enjoyed the scenes of Kansas when I trekked across.
I guess maybe you and I have prairie blood in us to some extent
I can appreciate the amount of time it takes you to produce each of these magnificent blogs
Thank you once more for a job WELL DONE!❤🙏🏻✅
yeah clearly we got that open grassland appreciation. how can anyone one not?
About me not having more or less flats or anything in between… i promise you my content is true in every way. that was my goal from the start. watch my first or my latest. its reality tv
@@FlyscoutRyder I was just joking with ya
Hi Diego, Great video as always. I used to live in Gallup, New Mexico so the terrain looks familiar. It has a beauty of its own.
Regarding not being allowed to tent camp at a campground, I heard from one such place that it had to do with rules about having to have X amount of size of restroom facilities within an x amount of distance from the tents, and they didn't have that. Maybe some rules are per campground itself, some per county or per state. When I plan my trips, I usually call ahead to make sure which campgrounds allow tents, so I can plan the distance and days of my trip. But I also plan the whole trip (with options) more than you, and my length of trips are 2 1/2 weeks or less. What bugs me more, is that where there is tent camping in a grassy area within RV campgrounds, that there are no picnic tables or benches. Tenters have to sit on the ground the whole time. RV sites have tables, plus the camper itself usually has tables, and they bring camp chairs with them. Car campers can bring something, but self supported bikers have nothing. Sorry, I'm venting.
BTW. On Sept 13, I completed connecting the 8th and final segment, so now I have ridden across the US. It took me quite a few years, but I made it. This was self contained with a friend biking in Michigan from Sault Ste Marie to east of Grand Rapids. Harder because I probably had a fever the day before biking, but had a cold, runny nose and cough the whole 8 days of biking, but improved along the way. My sister and her husband helped with travels and they got the cold and then were Covid positive. When I got to my sister's house, I felt better but was Covid positive. 500 miles with a cold and/or Covid. Oh my. I hope you don't get sick on any of your travels.
Take care and safe travels,
Sue
Hi Sue. Congrats on completing the 8th section and getting it done. I really like your process and I believe a healthy way to go about it. Very logical. About the tenter’s treatment at campgrounds, I agree, seems like we are treated as lesser than at most campgrounds. No picnic tables, by the noisy roads, under lights that are kept on all night, by the transfer stations, and so on. Last night I was at Lake Chalen campground and without being warmed the sprinklers came on. It was warmer so I left my tent partially open and I had water spraying all inside. Also was by the main road and sidewalk. The campground was practically empty and actually has tons of grassy spaces throughout farther from the road and under nice huge trees. As you can read, Im with you on this and can also vent. Either way, I managed to sleep for over 11 hours. Thanks for watching this last of the Route 66 episodes. The next two go north into NM mountain passes with insane scenery. I hope you are doing great post Covid. I had long Covid symptoms that lasted a while and finally past it. Not sure how you did that tour. Good going.
We’re you bike riding in Montana today? September 19, 2024?
Im touring the PNW.
I just found your channel, may I ask? How much water do you carry?
The water carrying is all dependent on accessibility. I always start with two 24oz and one 48oz bottles and fill up anytime I can. If I plan on spending the night somewhere that might not have water, I get a gallon jug and strap it over one of my panniers.
RV-Only campgrounds are the worst. You wouldn't want to stay there anyway. Bunch of swingers.
LOL, bunch of swingers is right. It does seem sketchy when you put it that way. Bit of a clan like ordeal. Elitist, maybe?
Great job 👏
Thanks, Douglas. More on the way.
when i did the transamerica in 2012 I was under the impression bikes where not allowed on blue shield hwys (US Interstates). I noticed you're riding on the 40. Is that ok these days? Pretty truck intensive.
Hi Tim. Yes, it is legal to ride on some interstates and 40 is one of them but in certain states. You can also ride on 70 and 90. There are others too. One thing to keep in mind is that when you come into a city there might be signs telling you to get off. If that happens most often there will be bike paths to get on right away. It’s pretty straight forwards to check this by google-ing it. Thanks for watching.
Things have changed. I was born on Route 66 in Albuquerque, my dad owned one of the many businesses along the highway. In Albuquerque Route 66 was Central Avenue, and from Four Hills in the East to 9 Mile Hill in the west, Central Avenue was an endless series of motels, gas stations, restaurants, theaters, bars, and everything else. There wasn’t a vacant piece of land or a boarded up window along its entire length.
Nowadays Central Avenue is a wasteland of homeless encampments, addicts in the streets, trash and filth everywhere. It’s not a place which is safe to walk at any time. Most of the hundreds of businesses which used to line the street are gone, turned into vacant lots or empty land.
As a kid, I remember going on road trips to California, stopping at the trading posts which sold Indian souvenirs and cold beer, staying at the TeePee and Meteor motesl, crawling around an abandoned Model T in the woods off the highway in Flagstaff. There were a lot of old timers running these places, some good, and some bad.
The worst of the bunch was Mr Friend, who ran the town of Ludlow, in the desert in California. Ludlow sat midway between Needles and Barstow, and was the only stop where one could get gas, food, or get a tire fixed. Old Mr Friend was a predator, god forbid your car broke down and you ended up at his garage in Ludlow. You’d end up having to stay at least a couple nights in his hotel waiting for parts, eat in his restaurant, and pay whatever he charged, or he’d keep your car and everything in it.
Nowadays there is perhaps only 5% of what used to be on the Route 66% of those days, most of it boarded up and closed. I rented a Dodge Challenger in LA last year and drove the entire length, as much as I could. The few places which remain open are run by people with no memory of the earlier days, which is a shame.
Thank you for your insight of the way it was on Route 66. It’s great to learn about its past and get a better grasp of its historical importance.