Bagdad Cafe Route 66

Date: 17 January 2009 – 1 day
Departure: 0920 Return time: 1630 Miles: 230
Riders: Ridgecrest Activity Group
Route out: Ridgecrest - 395 -58 - 40 - Route 66,
Rout back: Route 66 - 40 - Route 66 - Silver Lakes - 395 - Ridgecrest

To all that went on the ride today, we know how perfect a day it was. The only thing that could have made it better is if more of our group could have ridden with us. The destination was great. Weather was great. Food was… good. Company was excellent. Those that went also know how in Huell Howser’s words, “absolutely spectacular” the Route 66 Museum was.

We left RC at 0920 and headed south on 395, to I -58, I-15 and I-40. Pulled off I-40 at Newberry Springs and stopped at the Chevron for a break. 3.5 miles later, we pulled into the Bagdad Café (right where my GPS said it would be). Ordered lunch. An hour later, some were getting their food when others were finishing desert. With one guy cooking and one guy serving, they were busier than a ah… I’ll just say, they were real busy. Next time I’ll call ahead. Maybe it will make a difference, maybe not, but it’s probably still a good idea.

We gassed up back at the Chevron and took Route 66 that parallels I-40 back to Barstow. Well almost to Barstow. We had to get back on I-40 for a few miles. On this short segment of Route 66, we were treated to a traffic-less stretch of road with a few little hills, riding just a mile or so faster than and right next to a long freight train. Amazing! How many roads can you think of where you can do that. The “Mother Road” is one. We pulled of I-40 at Main Street Barstow and toured downtown for a couple miles. Then turned onto First St which goes over an old trestle and curves down to the Train Museum and the Route 66 “Mother Road” Museum. What a great little place. The memories of a simpler time. If you haven’t seen this place, it’s worth going to all by itself. If you’re a train fan (and I am), take time to see the Train Museum as well (I’ll be going back for that). Although the museum is free, most did not leave before first pulling out their wallets for some great stuff.

Most of the group headed straight back, but some of us took Route 66 out of beautiful downtown Barstow to Silver Lakes and browsed the community around the lake – and some of the cul-de-sacs as well. Then we cut back to 395 and headed home, arriving about 1630. There were 13 bikes and about 20 people that joined the ride. We logged about 235 enjoyable miles.


Tom Lystrup