USA

USA Western States – Exclusive:  we embark on the never-ending road of new adventures.  Our dream motorcycle route takes us from Los Angeles, over the legendary Route 66 to the Grand Canyon.  And Las Vegas, Death Valley, San Francisco and the Pacific Coast Highway A1 are musts for every motorcyclist.  The most magnificent bike routes are found here – where Marlboro Country meets the cowboy …. and makes this an exclusive tour.  We’ll be 300 feet below sea level (Death Valley) to almost 12000 feet above sea level (Yosemite National Park).  Get ready to enter the states of California, Arizona and Nevada into your log book.

Welcome in the USA!  Welcome to the Wild West!
Los Angeles

You will land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).  Our team will greet you and take you to our nearby hotel.  We’ll have a welcome drink and exchange stories of trip experiences and flight adventures; perhaps someone has flown the A 380 or met particularly attractive stewardesses.  

Our team will pick you up after breakfast the next morning and will take you on a city tour of Los Angeles.  (Caution:  tour guide Max speaks only Bavarian and English;  therefore you should have a dictionary in your luggage.  Generally, however, his wife, Regine,is a helpful interpreter.)  In the afternoon we’ll pick up our bikes, which will have been checked by us to be ensure their absolute worthiness and faultless technical condition.

From Skiing to Shoveling Snow
Big Bear Lake – Barstow

The first stop is in the San Bernardino Mountains behind LA.  A sign at the entrance to Big Bear Lake, the city at the lake, will greet us with the Austrian national flag, since Big Bear Lake is the partner city of Abtenau/Salzburg.  Here Max will be in his element since everyone will understand him!  The road in this nature preserve will make the heart of every biker skip a beat:  curves, curves, curves – and as the climax -- the incredible view from the ski region into the stony desert below around Barstow.  Barstow is our goal for the day and a highlight for Easy Rider fans.  Down here we will have our first contact with Route 66.  In addition, the coolest hotel swimming pool in the US awaits us in Barstow;  this is a refreshment that can’t be missed.

Route 66
Amboy- Needles – Oatman – Kingman

The motorbike tour along Route 66:  the Ludlow Café, as well as the Bagdad Café, made famous in the movie “Our of Rosenheim” with Marianne Sägebrecht , are on the route before we reach Amboy.  At the gas station in Amboy we’ll meet a cowboy.  The owner has a Colt in his holster.  (Ok – Europeans, by comparison, can carry open liquor around !).  But, no worries, he is harmless and knows many stories of the history of Route 66, when freight rolled west.

Then we come to Oatman.  It is one of the best preserved gold mining towns, and during the day is populated by mules (just coincidentally – quite similar to the OVERCROSS tour guides).

The Sun over the Grand Canyon
Kingman – Grand Canyon

Another breakfast in the Route 66 metropolis of Kingman and then departure for the wonder of the world.  Before entering the Grand Canyon our credentials might be verified.  Frequently the Park Service checks drivers’ licenses and tour guide certification.  In our case, this will not be an issue, since OVERCROSS meets all required criteria.

We will spend the night at the Grand Canyon.  By pre-arrangement it’s also possible to book a helicopter sightseeing tour.  At any rate, we’re looking forward to the fabulous spectacle of sunrise at the Grand Canyon.


Steffi Graf in Sin City
Las Vegas

After a morning at the Grand Canyon our bikes will roll into the “Sin City.”  When in Las Vegas, the traveler should learn of the history and development of this boom town.  Al Capone, Howard, Hughes, Frank Sinatra and the notorious mob have all lived here and laundered not only their clothes, but large amounts of money.  Our tour guides will have quite a bit to say about this town, because it wasn’t always the gambling paradise of today.  This city in the desert was greatly influenced by the somber 30’s as well as by the construction of the Hoover Dam.  Boulder, the city on the mountain over Las Vegas, is the home of Steffi Graf and her family.  Whether we see her, we’ll have to leave to chance.

Depending on the wishes of the group, the tour guides will have tips for enjoying the casinos and bars at night.  Although, let’s remember, there is no night in Sin City.

The next day is one of relaxation and can be planned according to individual wishes:  sleeping in or getting up early to meander along the Strip, or visiting the old part of Las Vegas with the uniquely covered Fremont Street and its laser show and fluorescent advertisements, or taking in a museum, or taking a trip to Hoover Dam.  What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas – therefore it’s a good chance to feed the hungry slots.

Under sea level
Death Valley – Lone Pine/ Bishop

On the road again – well rested and the bike saddle bags packed with anticipation we’ll drive with the Harleys/ BMW’s through Death Valley, past the lowest point in the US (300 feet under sea level).  Although it is unearthly and inhospitable, there are actual settlements in Death Valley and even the animal world has focused on survival.

This is a challenging stage for both man and machine;  however, no need for fear, since a vehicle, equipped with supplies, will accompany us in case of need.  Other people drive around, but we’re going right through.  Our goal for this adventurous day will again be in civilization, at the edge of the Sierra Nevada.  As so often on this trip, the contrasts are stark:  as soon as we leave Death Valley, we are back in the green of nature and wooded mountains.

The most beautiful National Park in the USA
Mammoth Lakes – Yosemite NP

The day trip to Yosemite National Park will begin very early.  Depending on the traffic conditions of the Tioga Pass, we will choose the route;  even in the middle of summer this pass can be closed due to capricious weather.  The Sierra Nevada is unpredictable, but our tour guides are well informed and have contacts to local authorities.  Even detours are worthwhile:  Yosemite is one of the most beautiful parks in the USA and the impressions of it are overwhelming, regardless of route.  Caution:  there are bears, but these generally prefer package-trip tourists, and not Harley drivers.

Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco

The 60’s are present everywhere in San Francisco.  After two days, we also will be imbued with the flair of this city.  “It never rains in California” was a famous song; but this is a promise we can’t keep – the weather is the responsibility of a different tour operator.

San Francisco is characterized by fog from the Pacific Ocean, which rolls into the Bay almost every evening and veils the Golden Gate Bridge in a ghostly wrap.  Of course, it’s a must to cross the Golden Gate Bridge on a motorcycle.  As a souvenir we will film the crossing – so, please remove bugs from between your teeth!  The bridge toll is included in the tour price.

Also the cable cars are so typical of this city, as are the incredibly steep streets, on which one can easily get lost.  “Frisco,” the city on the hills over the Pacific, can be a definite challenge for the motorcyclist. Our tour guide, Max, at 6’2” is very visible and will capably guide the group through the city .  Due to the central location of our hotel, the distances to most of the city’s highlights are short.  For example, Fisherman’s Wharf with its colony of sea lions, or perhaps a detour to Alcatraz?  

California State Route 1
Morro Bay

This is a vacation day that could hardly be improved upon for a Harley driver:  Highway A1, California State Route 1, is one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Big Sur, Monterey, Carmel (Clint Eastwood was once mayor here) and other touristic highlights await us.  The construction of this highway began between 1900 and 1920.  We will have much more information for you as the trip progresses.  If we’re lucky we’ll see whales mating (caution:  this is the hard core part of the trip) or the cavorting sea elephants  wondering about all the hurry and stress on shore.  The small town of Morro Bay is a secret gem for relaxing after an intense day of bike touring.  Morro rock is unique:  it is a 250 meter high cliff, that is clearly visible in the waters of Morro Bay.  It’s forbidden to scale the cliff, and also not to be recommended with motorcycle boots.

Dream Street to Malibu
Los Angeles

We continue our trip on the fabulous A1 to Los Angeles.  En route we will pass by towns such as Santa Barbara, Long Beach and Sunset  Beach.  Malibu is the town of the rich and famous, and here, too, plastic surgeons seem to grow wild.  The results of the regular medical procedures can be seen adjacent to the road;  please don’t let yourself be distracted because the drive into Los Angeles demands utmost concentration

The end of today’s stage also signals a return to the beginning of our trip.  But yet, we can still enjoy a workout in the fitness center or swimming pool, or just enjoy a leisurely hang-out.  After we have checked in our bikes we will enjoy a final dinner together.

On the last day:  transfer to LAX International, return flight home, and happy memories of an exclusive and unique motorcycle tour.