Not a bad nights sleep but any kind of mattress would be good. Almost a full moon and as bright as can be at two in the morning. Doesn't help when your trying to sleep for 10 hours on a rocky bed.
Active at 6 breakfast coffee and all packed by 7. rear tyre was flat?. Pumped it up and seemed all good. Resumed the route 66 closed road. Not long before the closed road signs appear. No worries via around the barriers stay clear of the holes and crack on. Works well for the first three bridges, fourth bridge is completely washed away. No worries back track 40 metres and take the rough detour around the bridge. Thankfully the river is dry.

Not seen or heard anything for over an hour this morning, then I spot a fellow cyclist approaching. Steve a German rider has come down from Canada and been on the road a similar time as myself. Nice chap and we exchange our local knowledge of water holes and food outlets. He’s heading down to San Diego then flying to New Zealand (warm weather), Very interested in my time in Japan and hoped to travel there in the summer. Closed road, two cyclists moved on by a group of heavy motorcyclists making to much noise.

Next point of interest was another classic 60ˢ petrol station. Coffee and a sandwich 20 miles in. As I’m sat there viewing the table top maps of the local area a couple of ladies squeal about a spider under their car. I’ve got to take a look, it’s a Tarantula, pretty large and angry as I picture it. The ladies revrse out of the way being careful not to harm it. Advising me not to get to close as the bit and jump. Not car pulls up at the pump, two large male locals. Look at me and ask whats the problem, take care as you get out there’s a large spider in front of your car. He gets out, looks and laughs. Puts his hand down and picks the thing up. So cool. Tells me no worries you can pick them up but don’t drop them as their abdomens split when they hit the floor. Over the next few miles I noticed several more crossing the road along with many ground squirrels.

Made the decision to stick with route 66, turning right instead of left, as I stood at the junction contemplating my decision a guys jumps out of his car and offers me an apple. Nice gesture, really not expected. Great downhill stretch into Needle. Where I’m booked into a room on the banks of the Colorado river. Turns out as not being on the banks, but cheap.
Out for dinner at the local cafe on the river. Generally poor service and crap food. Wonder their not busy.

After a couple of beers back to my room to alter my routes. To take in the availability of shops and accommodation. Looks like three days to the Grand canyon south rim.