Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / Fall 2011: Route 66 bicycle-camping—Cady Mountains, Sleeping Beauty and Kelso Dunes Wilderness / Day 8: Cady Mountains to Barstow by bicycle; one last day 32
46.2 bicycle miles and about 1000 feet of elevation gain. Perfect weather today: a cool fall breeze, but warm enough that I could wear short pants if I wanted, however, not necessary. Amtrak bus and train back to San José out of Barstow tomorrow morning.
- I'm awake somewhat early this morning since I have the 45-mile ride back to Barstow today and I might have a big headwind
Maybe I should go back to bed for another hour though! I slept well and want more. The wind stayed calm all night and I only woke up once. Because it was warmer last night (high 40s instead of low 40s), I didn't need to wear my wool hat to bed. - As I eat a quick dry breakfast and get ready to pack up, I notice a thorny cholla piece that I tracked into my tent
I don't want to step on this! There's a cholla cactus right outside my tent, so it's no surprise that a little piece of one got in. Granola, nuts and three cups of instant Starbucks coffee to start the sunny day. - The tent and all is packed up and I start riding the powerline road back down to old Route 66
I'm on the road before 10h; that's pretty good for me on day when I have to pack up everything! - The Cady Mountains powerline road cuts a straight line across this part of the Mojave Desert
Nice to be riding this road in the downhill direction this time! Route 66 is down in the low area ahead. I haven't been up in the Rodman Mountains in the distance yet. - A short paved section of road passes under the I-40 freeway and connects me to old Route 66
Interesting how a former line in the middle of the road has turned into an erosion scar on the old pavement over time... - Back on old Route 66! Only another 40 miles or so until I reach Barstow, my destination for the day
So far, the headwind, to be expected when riding in the westward direction here, isn't too bad. I'm happy about that! - This stretch of old Route 66, heading into Newberry Springs, parallels the I-40 freeway, clearly visible to my right
Newberry Springs is straight ahead in front of the Newberry Mountains. Barstow is over by those distant hills. Here I come. By bicycle. - A number of old trailers dot the outskirts of Newberry Springs along old Route 66
Some of these are starting to feel like icons now that I've travelled this stretch of road a few times during the past couple of years. - I pass a lava field along old Route 66 east of Newberry Springs
Maybe I'll get around to hiking out onto that black expanse one day; I'm usually on my way to somewhere when riding by here, so I haven't yet stopped here to explore on foot. - Near the lava field east of Newberry Springs is the end of Troy Dry Lake
The I-40 freeway is just over there, crossing the middle of the dry lake. Minerals rise to the surface, creating snowy white crusts in places. - I take a very short break along the shores of Troy Dry Lake to enjoy the Mojave Desert scenery
The i-40 freeway is still over there. - I pass another collection of old mobile homes along Route 66 east of Newberry Springs
It looks like people still live here, with their add-ons and roof repairs. A good way to eke out an inexpensive living in the Mojave Desert. - I enjoy looking at this well-kept property in Newberry Springs when I pass by; perhaps a former gas station
The small building at centre-right, which I've photographed before, contains old washrooms (perhaps for former rental cabins?) - Also in Newberry Springs is this abandoned A-frame building with a roof of wood shingles
This style of construction was somewhat popular in the 1970s, but apparently is no longer. - A playful, and perhaps vicious, group of dogs protect a former gas-station/restaurant property in Newberry Springs
One of the dogs at left is quite intent on being on top of the other dog, despite their barking due to the distraction that my presence provides. - I pass the Bagdad Café in Newberry Springs, famous for its appearance in the movie of the same name
An A-frame-style roof façade was added at some point to give more character to this flat-roofed building. I consider stopping in here here for a breakfast meal like I had here last year, but decide I want something quicker due to today's longer mileage. - Next-door to the Bagdad Café is the old Henning Motel, with its metal roof being stripped by vandals
The property is also for sale; fantasy ideas set in. - Fast-food break! Subway restaurant at the Newberry Springs gas station at the I-40 freeway
Meatball sub sandwich with tomato sauce with onions and lettuce, and Mountain Dew for some caffeine buzz. I need all of this! Route 66 crosses under the freeway here and I continue riding toward Daggett, and then Barstow after my meal break. - After another 10 lonely miles riding old Route 66, I arrive at the village of Daggett and ride down some of the side streets
Daggett is charming, but not prosperous (which is not always bad). I could probably afford to buy this house. - I ride up a quiet residential street in the village of Daggett
Saguaro cacti aren't native to the Mojave Desert, but these folks in Daggett have one in their front yard. - Abandoned something in Daggett, California
- I still wonder about this former gas station fashioned into Mugwumps printing business at some point; I've noticed it before
It looks abandoned now, but you never know out here in the desert what is abandoned and what isn't. - Another old Route 66 mobile home
This one near Daggett, California. - I ride the 2.5-mile segment of the I-40 freeway where bicycles are allowed, since there is no practical alternate route
It's really noisy riding here due to all the big trucks speeding by. However, with the extra-wide shoulders, ideal for bicyclists, it's probably safer riding here than on the old adjacent Route 66 road. - After I get off the freeway, I have another two miles to ride on a frontage road into Barstow, parallel to the I-40 freeway
Some of the pavement along here is a bit rough and I'm having some problems with my gears for some reason. - I'm having problems switching gears in Barstow, so I pull over to take a closer look
I've had problems with skipping gears off and on all day, but can't see any problem at first glance. I'll find out later that my freewheel is on the way out, but since I don't know that yet, I keep trying to keep my rear derailleur clean and well-oiled (unusual for me). - I arrive at the Route 66 Motel in Barstow and its collection of old cars 'n' such, and check in for another night
I didn't expect to be here as early as 16h, but here I am. A nice Indian couple runs this place and the smell of their home-cooking wafting out into the check-in office is making me hungry (unfortunately, there are no Indian restuarants in Barstow)! - I love the quirky old round beds at the Route 66 Motel in Barstow
I just got back from a celebratory meal of Mexican-American food at Rosita's just up the street. For the Americanized style of Mex food that they cook, most of it is quite tasty and filling. I think I'll be ready soon for a good night's sleep, and an Amtrak bus/train ride back to San José tomorrow. - Junk plays on TV at my room at the Route 66 Motel in Barstow
I hardly ever watch TV, so it's fun to look and see what people feed their brains every day. Goodnight! Looking forward to tomorrow's Amtrak bus and train ride back to San José after a short 2-mile ride to Barstow Station. - Tomorrow morning, I look across the train tracks at Barstow Station toward old cabins while waiting for my Amtrak bus
They're all boarded-up now; I wonder when they were last occupied. - I'm always intrigued by the airplane graveyard here at Mojave, CA when the Amtrak bus drives by
Today's highlight is meeting Alex on the train out of Bakersfield, who has also been bicycling in Southern California. One train-rider presumes we're a couple travelling together and another suggests that we get married since we've connected so well! A fine ending to another great Mojave-Desert bicycle-camping trip that I wish could last longer. - Bicycle route elevation from Cady Mountains to Barstow via Route 66
46.2 bicycle miles and about 1000 feet of elevation gain.