By 8 a.m., I was packed and headed down the highway, and I was traveling through some of the most gorgeous countryside I have seen on this ride. How fitting to be riding through the Lake Tahoe area on twisty US 50, over the mountains and down into the Sacramento area. It was gorgeous. So gorgeous, I didn’t even stop to take pictures. This section of US 50 has to be the most memorable road I have ever motorcycled. It was fantastic.
I was just enjoying the ride and the moment.
There is no Pony Express museum in Sacramento. No old stable preserved for historical posterity. Nothing like in St. Joseph, Missouri. The only thing Sacramento has is a large bronze sculpture of a Pony Express rider and horse, much like the others found on the trail. I considered this monument to be the end of the trail. But, where is it? How do I find it in Sacramento? It’s a monument.
I’m traveling down the US 50 freeway, which is going to connect to I-80. I’m looking for a welcome center or tourist info sign where I can find the monument. There’s nothing, and that was surprising.
Then, I spot a sign for “Old Sacramento,” take I-5 north. I surmise that Old Sacramento will be a historic district and perhaps that’s a good place to start. I follow I-5 north and take the exit. Then I spot another sign: Old Sacramento, turn here. I do. Old Sacramento straight ahead, and I follow the signs until I turn onto the main street of Old Sacramento with old buildings and shops. Old Sacramento is clearly a destination, a place to visit for history buffs.
I ride one block south and then almost miraculously, there is this large sculpture on the corner, a rider on a horse. It’s the Pony Express Monument. I rode right to it almost intuitively!
I turn the corner, park and get off the bike right in front of it. Yes, it is the Pony Express Monument. There is no other official Pony Express building or place to visit. The monument is it—the end of the trail.
I arrived. My Pony Express motorcycling adventure was finished. I was elated and … well a whole bunch of emotions running through me. There were father and son street performers on the site. Upon hearing my story, Dave graciously agreed to use my camera and document the conclusion of my adventure.
They had plenty of questions for me. In fact, there were a number of people who had questions for me, about my trip and about the motorcycle. I spent about an hour on the Pony Express Plaza of Old Sacramento.
Dave and his son Caleb performed for the crowd.
My Pony Express ride is concluded. The next one begins.
Brent
Mileage on the Pony Express Trail, St. Joesph, MO to Sacramento, CA: 2,152.
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