Looking back now it seems a crazy thing to have done. Fly a 630 pound motorcycle to a foreign place and ride it for 4,500 miles through strange country with a group of people who I only meet now and then but would be in their pockets for 16 days.

Strange roads, driving on the wrong side through parts of the USA I'd only heard the names of on TV and wasn't even sure they really existed. A prospect which caused a little concern. The worst part being when US customs sent a zillion forms which had to be completed, visions of a bike impounded forever ran through my mind.

However it all came together and when we got to the hotel in Tampa and I saw the scoot it suddenly became real and my backside drew a big sigh at the prospect of 16 days averaging 400 miles a day.

When I first saw the itinerary I said to Michelle that this would be a holiday of a lifetime and for once in my life I was right! I will probably ride in the states again sometime but of course that will not be the first time.

Thanks to all the unknown people of the USA who we met and made us so welcome.

The highlights? Too many to capture but;

Travelling with acquaintances that became friends.

Eventually being able to get on a bike without a helmet and not have that "vulnerable" feel I had for the first few days.

Riding in the heat and the sun through the southern states on long open roads. Achieving one of my ambitions to ride on a road where the sides meet in the centre line before the horizon.

Riding on the same road and looking forward and behind to see another 6 bikes in each direction in loose formation all enjoying it as much as me.

N'awrlins!

The hospitality we received everywhere and the interest shown by all in our tour and the fact we shipped bikes over.

The "non-chain" restaurants we ate in which had some good home cooking or very high standard of food. (salads excepted)

The Rockies, mountain passes, scenery, twisties. Like parts of Scotland just higher up.

The different kinds of country we saw ranging from swamp to desert from rock to mountains to prairie to grassy meadows. All unique to me and different all interesting, even Texas.

Sturgis. Perhaps now too commercial and busy for the old hands but to me there is no way the buzz of 600,000 bikes could not be exciting.

Meeting my new friends from RMH in person. Probably one of the top three, if not No1. 

Lowlights;

I just cannot get used to the salads! It looks good, it has colour and quantity but the flavour is missing. It's no wonder that so many dressing are on offer. I have been a bit spoiled with the salad we had in Spain and Provence in France but in particular I find the lettuce so damned tough!

The breakdown! No serious delay but it was just two days off the scoot.

Leaving!