Yesterday was my last day in the saddle. Again I rode with John and Symon (Gordon was staying in the USA for another three weeks and started to ride east on his own) and we decided we’d ride back to Santa Rosa rather than have another night on the road. Our logic was that we’d be able to have all of Saturday sorting out our gear and the bikes before parking them at the local BMW agent: they get shipped back on Tuesday and we fly back (on different flights) on Sunday.
While our ride was seventy five percent on an interstate (to get the mileage done) it was interesting enough as the main road went through some pretty Californian countryside and the last bit of the ride was on a lovely twisty hilly road which allowed us to end the ride on a high – albeit the roads got busier and busier as we neared the more populated areas of California. In the evening we went to a very traditional American steak house where I had a giant sirloin which, yet again, was of a far higher standard than the Brits usually see – and relatively cheap, less than £20 including a beer and a glass of wine!
I’ll miss America in many ways and my ability to feel at ease here was summed up when I went to the supermarket last night and found myself not only automatically looking the right way when crossing the road etc but feeling very confident to shop for what I wanted and to chat to the checkout woman about how she was going to give me a ‘members discount’ which she did. Doesn’t sound like much but I remembered going to the same supermarket when first here and feeling like an alien in a different country – confused about products, money and the way they spoke. Indeed once you realise that almost all Americans like talking to you and each other and their politeness isn’t just an act, it really is difficult not to relax and join in – they also like to joke, which suited me.
I’ve also decided I won’t do any more ‘long mileage/change motel every night’ trips: They’re far to tiring. Medium mileage and spending at least two days at each stop seems far more sensible. Off to breakfast now before finishing of the blog and uploading a few more photos over the next day or three: Bye.