Sorry for length.
I have been so busy with my work the last couple weeks and am off for a couple of days. So, . . . I went out for a ride of about 175 miles. I went up from the desert into the mountains and through Joshua Tree National Park, up at 4-5000’ elevation with great hiking, rock climbing, etc. For me it was just going through the park with great views, no traffic and a nice ride. There are 3 entrances to the park and I went in the west side and out at Twenty-Nine Palms where marines train in the desert for duty in other places with deserts.
When I rode out of the park and headed back home I passed a large group of motorcycles parked in an empty lot by an Arco station. One of the riders gave a big wave as I went by. Being a friendly guy and curious about the large group I made a u-turn at the next intersection and went back. I pulled in and there were 22 Harleys parked randomly in the empty lot so I just rode into the group, turned off the Valkyrie, took off helmet and gloves and got off the bike. Mostly one up but 4 or 5 with two riders.
I parked next to a couple, standing by their Harley, they were probably about my age, and when I got off the bike I said “Gee, a lot of V-Twins here.” No response . ??? ??? So, I asked them “Where are you guys from?” No response, though they did look at each other and then back at me. ?????? ??? Not discouraged I then asked “So where are you going?” This time they just pointed behind me in the same direction I had just come from. WTF?? Were they wanting me to leave? Is that the way they were going? So then I look around and about a dozen Harley guys are heading towards me.
I’m wondering about this group.
Well it turns out they are a group from Denmark on a 15 day tour of the southwest . All the guys wanted to know about the Valkyrie, giving all the usual compliments and questions. One of them has an Interstate in Denmark. Most spoke good English, but it turns out the couple I was speaking with initially did not speak English. They had just been through the park also and were on the first day of their trip from LA. They came as a group with arrangements handled by a motorcycle tour company in LA. Harleys are provided by the tour group and they all looked in very good shape. The tour company provided a guide to lead and a truck that followed for repairs. I have been to all the places they are going so we shared some stories and I went on my way. It was a nice day off.
