Day 5: The Stand at Exit 198, “Easy Rider” History, and the Grand Canyon Sunset Run
If Route 66 has taught our crew anything over the last few days, it’s that the road takes as much as it gives. Just when you think you’ve sorted out the mechanical gremlins, the Mother Road reminds you who is really in charge. Yesterday was a wild mix of backtracking, chasing vanishing voltage, unexpected Hollywood history, and finally making it to one of the wonders of the world.
Here is how a rough day of riding ended with a spectacular canyon view.
The Morning Log: Backtracking and Vanishing Volts
I started the morning early, slipping out to grab a coffee and a box of powdered donuts. Holbrook has a rich Native American heritage, and it was peaceful watching the town slowly wake up as folks were out walking early.
The plan was to backtrack 20 miles east to catch the Petrified Forest National Park since we missed the gates the night before. But the road gods had other ideas. We only made it about 10 miles down the tarmac before Blake pulled his bike off at Aljerts Canyon. One glance at his gauge told the story: his voltage had plummeted again. Unwilling to risk getting stranded even further east, we made the executive call to abort the park run, turn right back around, and head west toward Grand Canyon Harley-Davidson in Flagstaff.
Turning around meant sacrificing a few of our planned Route 66 checkpoints—we had to cruise right past classic spots like Hereford City, Jack Rabbit Trading Post, and a few scenic canyons.
Splitting the Pack in Winslow, Arizona
By the time we hit Winslow, Arizona, we had to split our forces to conquer the day:
- Blake and Pete kept pushing west, trying to nurse the dying charging system as far toward the Flagstaff Harley shop as possible.
- Dean and I detoured into the Winslow Walmart to stock up on auxiliary electrical supplies and grab a camera tripod.
Even though we were on a mission, Winslow treated us to some incredible sights. Dean had never been to the town before, and just a block off the famous corner, we spotted a beautiful, hand-carved wooden totem pole standing proudly by the vintage Santa Fe train cars.
Right across the street, we stumbled onto the Route 66 Preservation Foundation building. Peek inside, and you’ll find a beautifully protected collection of about 40 vintage motorcycles. It’s an absolute goldmine for any gearhead.
The Rescue Operation at Exit 198
Just as we were leaving Winslow, my phone buzzed with a text from Pete. It was bad news: Blake’s bike was giving up the ghost, and he had Bridgette riding on the back. They had been forced to pull off the highway at a Shell station in Winona.
Dean and I immediately dropped the hammers and headed their way—and let’s just say we may or may not have seen the needle venture onto the southeast side of our speedometers.
We arrived at the Shell station to act as a rolling escort to Flagstaff. Pete left the group to go secure a rental car as a support vehicle, and I picked up Bridgette so she could pillion with me. We didn’t make it far. Right at Exit 198, Blake’s Harley gasped its final breath and died completely on the side of the interstate.
[ INTERSTATE 40 BREAKDOWN SITUATION ]
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The Casualty: Blake’s Harley (Charging system strike three).
The Location: Shoulder of I-40, Exit 198.
The Recovery: Flatbed wrecker called to haul it to Grand Canyon Harley-Davidson.
The Silver Lining: Melissa arrived with the rental car, allowing us to dump a ton of heavy gear and luggage into the trunk. Riding light is always a plus!
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While waiting on the tow truck at the Flagstaff dealership, we walked right down the street and hit a massive piece of cinematic history: the iconic vintage location featured in the movie Easy Rider. Standing where Wyatt and Billy once stood was an awesome moment that injected some serious motorcycle mojo back into the afternoon.
Strict Eats and Grand Canyon Ridges
With Blake’s bike officially in the hands of the Flagstaff service department, we piled into the support vehicle and remaining bikes and headed toward Sedona for a late lunch at The Outlaw Burger. The food was good, but man, they were running a tight ship—strict face masks and social distancing rules were heavily enforced.
Appetites satisfied, we pointed the wheels straight north for the final push to the Grand Canyon Lodge.
[ ROAD CHEF REVIEW: MASWIK LODGE GC ]
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Location: Grand Canyon Village, South Rim
The Vibe: Casual, bustling national park lodge.
The Verdict: After a long day of breakdowns and roadside stress,
a hearty dinner here was exactly what the doctor
ordered. Perfect fuel for a night of route planning.
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We made it into the park, stepped up to the rim, and took some absolutely breathtaking pictures as the sun began to cast massive, deep shadows across the canyon walls. No matter how many times you see it, that view completely resets your perspective.
We’re wrapped up in the room now, laying out the maps, reviewing our notes, and figuring out what our mechanical options look like for tomorrow.
P.S. Melissa just announced that she wants the entire room up at 4:00 AM sharp to go watch the sunrise over the canyon rim. Wish us luck—it’s going to be a very short night!
Next Stop: Lake Havasu City! Keep the shiny side up.