Mongrels at large complete their trip

Well its been 5300 miles or 8500 Kilometers of riding and driving over about 33 or 34 days. So many experiences and challenges. Low petrol, late finish, heavy traffic, cold and rain and GPS with a mind of their own and late turn notices.

Six Mongrels and not a stern word between them.

A big thank you to Ken for his navigation and his stories, great company and top bloke.

Rory for his planning of the days ride and his booking of accommodation. Hugh for his tail end Charley roll he shared with Gerald.

Gerald for his tail end Charley roll, his navigation assistance and of course his running the idea for about 10 years to do this trip. Great job Gerald in getting it up and making it all happen, with a bunch of well chosen Mongrels. Thank you forthe invitation and making it happen.

Signing off and regards all,
Paul.

Paul's top five

Best Restaurant: Spokan, the setting was magnificent and the food great.

Best Town: Again Spokan. There is nothing like a personal touch to help appreciate a town. If we had ridden in on the highway stayed overnight and rode out on the highway would we have really appreciated what Spokan had to offer? Thanks to Hugh for the contacts and Annne and Michael for the personal touch.

Best Ride: Tough one there were so many. The Big Sur is the obvious top ride. But coming out of Sequoia National Park and dropping about 8000 feet in an hour in second gear. But I could have mentioned 20 rides.

Most Memorable Occasion: Riding a cruis er bike in LA on a 6-8 lane freeway in the first few minutes of picking up the bikes. For a relatively new black top rider it was mind bogling.

Most Lasting Memory: The frequent riding through mountains with snow on the ground and a post card view at every turn. Also the ride into Peachtown in neutral and running low on fuel. 25 miles down hill!

Hugh's top five

Best Restaurant: Spokan with Anne & Michael.

Best Town: The tour on foot of Spokan with Anne & visit to their home & coffee with Michael before departing.

Best Ride: Through Lake Isabella, Ponderossa and on to Fresno.

Most Memorable Moment: Was the bike riding along freeways into and around LA, walking around hotel/casino & shops in Las Vegas and the thousands of people spending time gambling no matter what the time of day.

Best Bike: Bikes were very ordinary machines, and only hire a bike I am familiar with like a BMW 1200, so as to increase my enjoyment. Car/motor vehicle was very satisfactory with plenty of space, very comfortable to ride in and expert driving by Ken.

Graham's top five

Best Restaurant: Spokan

Best Town: Vegas

Best ride: Zion

Best Occasion: First day on a bike after 5 days of not being well (thought of going home).

Best bike: Would like to ride a bike the same as you rode at home.

top group of guys. "No Hassles". Looked after me when not good.

Rory's top five

Rory's top five.
Best restaurant: Too many good restaurants to name but Spokan, Seattle and chowder on the wharf at Seattle wharf merchants.

Best town: Sanoma and Lake Isabella - Pondarossa.

Best Ride: Fresno and Zion, but riding Tory Canyon to Bryce Canyon twice was fantastic as well.

lasting memory: Snow on the bikes at Jacob lake.

Best Bike: At last I rode a decent bike after two weeks on a ....Shadow.

Last comments/memories: A fantastic group of Aussies and sleeping with Ken!

Gerald's top 5

Best restaurant: McCormick & Schmidts LA last night.

Town: Spokane - Vegas

Ride: Big Sur & Zion.

Occasion: The view into the Grand Canyon

Bike: Hire a better bike, later model.

Lasting memory: Scenes of the snow covered mountains for over two weeks including from Las Vegas. Big Redwoods plus coastal rides nth & sth of San Francisco.

Individual Summaries - Ken

Our esteemed driver. What a top job of navigating Ken did! some times battling with two GPS's as well as four riders telling him what to do. He even had three GPS's on the last day. Ken did some of the best U turns I have seen. Where would we have been without him. Late and without a bed.!

Kens top four.
Best Restaurant. Tony Romas in Anaheim LA

Best Town, Las Vegas

Best drive Brice Canyon and Sequoia.

Best Occasion When it started raining heavily. (thats just cruel Ken)