Today the months of preparation – fundraising, publicity, rider training and planning were behind us as we started off on our first day of this journey.

After a short rendevous and media stop at Bartel’s Harley-Davidson at Marina Del Ray, we took off back along Lincoln Boulevard for the last time past the stores, gas stations and retail shops, and swept down on to the Santa Monica Freeway.

After a few minutes we dove through a tunnel and emerged into brilliant sunshine along a long stretch of sandy beach.  The view was spectacular, the roads clear and the smell of the sea and salt in the air.  The journey felt like it had really begun and the grins on the riders faces were as wide as the sand.

After a few short miles we headed up Topanga Canyon Rd into some fantastic twisty mountain roads.  Different scenery but just as spectacular with high canyon walls rising and falling alongside the road, and sharp corners and switchbacks to negotiate.

Our lunch stop destination was a famous biker haunt – the Rock Store – frequented by biker enthusiasts and on occasion the odd Hollywood star.  We had a great BBQ lunch there – tri tip sandwiches!  And did have one celebrity sighting – Robert Blake from the 70’s tv police series Beretta!

Back on the bikes and back down to PCH1 and more beautiful coast riding.  We swept past Neptune’s Net, another famous biker stop, and on around the cliffs on the coastline.

Megan skillfully navigated our way through highway closures and detours to our hotel on the waterfront in Ventura.  We were joined that night by some more Amazons – riders from the motorcycle group the Amazons – who have come out to see us off every year of the US ride.

We headed out as a group to dinner at a greek restaurant at the Marina made famous by last year’s riders who had a huge night there with stories to tell!  The food was cheap and fantastic, but even better was the floor show entertainment – acrobatic greek dancers and ….belly dancers!  I can’t say I have ever seen a belly dancer in Greece, but it was definitely an entertaining show!  Some of the group showed their appreciation for the performance with a well placed tip (check the photos!) and then back to the hotel ready for an early start the next morning.









Photo Courtesy of Margaret Molly


Photo Courtesy of Margaret Molly


Photo Courtesy of Margaret Molly


Photo Courtesy of Margaret Molly