We will ride the section of historic Route 66 from Ludlow to
Essex. This stretch of pavement swings miles away from the Interstate, I-40,
and passes through the near “ghost” town of Amboy. There is very little traffic
on this desert highway and with I-40 out of sight; one’s mind can wander back
to an earlier time in the last century. A word to the wise: Some sections of
pavement are rough. I don’t think much money is spent on this road these days.
There is only one place to stay - the Ludlow Motel.
There
are only ten rooms so make your reservation early and double up if you
can. They sometimes have railroad workers or construction workers staying there
also. Reservations are made through the Chevron station across the street (760)
733-4338. Rates are: $49.76 one person/one bed, $55.64 two people/two beds.
There are several large dirt lots nearby (used by the truckers) where RV’s
could be parked.
There are two places to eat and two gas stations in Ludlow.
BYOB
is a good plan because LUDLOW IS A DRY TOWN, there are no alcoholic
beverages sold here and Barstow is 50 miles away.
Friday (01/30/04) – arrive in the afternoon to be
ready for Saturday morning. It took me 2 ½ hours to drive from Newport Beach
(170 miles) in light traffic.
Saturday – alternate arrival early morning. Ride
departs from the motel at 10:00 am. Ride is an out and
back so one can turn around at any point. Round trip distance:
Ludlow/Essex/Ludlow = 122 miles + some extra distance to get gas at Goff’s Rd
& I-40.
There may only be gas available along the ride at the
turn-around point on Goff’s Rd & I-40 (gas/food is also at the start/finish
in Ludlow) so bring gas cans to put on the trouble truck! We need one or
more trouble truck volunteers!
Sunday – Get an early start home or ride old Route 66
west to Newberry Springs (26 miles one way) closely paralleling I-40. In
Newberry Springs one can eat at the Bagdad
Café – made famous by the “cult classic” movie of the same name. Yes that
is how they spell Bagdad in the Mojave Desert. One
can also buy the video of the movie there and/or a “Historic Route 66” coffee
cup.