Route 66 August 2014

[Maggie5373]

Hi all, I am off to Texas to coach soccer in May 2014 at the end of my time coaching (mid aug) I have 30 days to travel around. I would love to do route 66 or at least part of it. I will be in Dallas at the start of my travel time and must return there for my flight home to Ireland. I know texas is in the middle of route 66. Money will also be an issue so I am asking for suggestions/advice on best options. Fly to chicago to start it? Join a tour which is pricy unless you know of any good ones. Do I hire a bike and search for others wanting to do the same etc. Bike hire also looks like around $100 a day. Any advice welcome
Also if anyone can recomend any good guide books

[palace15]

Check on 'Amazon' for very comprehensive books and route 66 guides, maps etc.

[seouljoe]

Originally Posted by Maggie5373

Hi all, I am off to Texas to coach soccer in May 2014 at the end of my time coaching (mid aug) I have 30 days to travel around. I would love to do route 66 or at least part of it. I will be in Dallas at the start of my travel time and must return there for my flight home to Ireland. I know texas is in the middle of route 66. Money will also be an issue so I am asking for suggestions/advice on best options. Fly to chicago to start it? Join a tour which is pricy unless you know of any good ones. Do I hire a bike and search for others wanting to do the same etc. Bike hire also looks like around $100 a day. Any advice welcome
Also if anyone can recomend any good guide books

Did it also ,, on my own ,,
By starting here ,
https://www.google.co.kr/search?q=gu...JKWViQelx4HACg

Many of my friends hired Eagle Riders out of LA ,, then dropped off the bikes in Chicago.
https://www.google.co.kr/search?q=gu...icrosoft:en-US

You can possibly rent it locally ,, head out to Santa Monica first then back upto Chicago. For May north is still cold.

It was fun ,, loved it doing it alone,, as I passed many groups from all over the world.

30 days is more than plenty. Straight cross is 4 days,,
I did it in 6 days from Santa Monica- Chicago - New York on a Harley.
Gas about 50 a day ,, motel about 40-60 a day,,, food is upto you.
Enjoy as I did !

[Maggie5373]

Thanks folks, is it safe to do it alone are there any areas to be aware of, two wks seems to a common length of time, I have 30 days to travel but dont think I could afford bike hire for 30 days then my fuel on top etc, if money too much I will even just do part of it. So excited to get out there. What about budget accomodation along the way? Most tours seem to be 3/4 grand but includes hotel etc. Ps it will be mid aug till mid sept

[Maggie5373]

Oh just reading rest of your info at bottom, thanks mate appreciate it

[motoreiter]

Honestly I think you can have a much better riding experience in the US, especially the Western US, than riding Route 66, 99% of which is paved over, gone, runs through flat boring terrain, etc. (I grew up less than a mile from Route 66, or what used to be Route 66, in Missouri).

From Dallas you are relatively close to some great riding in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, etc., and a bit further afield to California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, etc. Not sure if you've been to those places, but there are plenty of beautiful national parks, cool little towns, beautiful roads, etc. There are a few interesting bits of Route 66 left, for instance around Tucumcari, NM and Kingman, AZ, and you can hit those for something of the Route 66 experience.

[Maggie5373]

Excellent, thanks for the advice might just do that I have spent very little time in america so knowledge is very limited trying to do bit of research online on the area I will be staying but you cant beat local knowledge, thakyou for taking the time to reply.

[xfiltrate]

Maggie5373, By chance Elisa and I will be at our ranch - located on the old Route 66 - Flagstaff, Arizona. The section of Route 66 that passes through the 2 horse town of Winona - if you remember the lyrics from the song "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" you will remember the lyrics,
"and, don't forget Winona"

This part of Route 66 only appears on the most authentic Route 66 maps, the interstate has bi passed Townsend Winona Rd.

I agree that most of Route 66 is overrated! Yet, still and a realistic hope for a very good time is Flagstaff, which is not overrated..... , near the Grand Canyon and real cowboys!

We have many interesting prehistoric sites, + the Zoo Club, which is not a Zoo at all, (OK there are dead animal heads hanging from the walls, a stuffed puma and as I recall, more than one drunk) but formerly a Museum and since Route 66 days a Country Western performance club for all the famous ..... names you will know....

You can two step, cowgirl up, or cowboy up whatever you prefer, at the Zoo club, with my personal pledge that if you don't enjoy your night out there , I will complain to the owner - who is a personal friend- his name is Martin .... This should be good for - at the very least- a couple of comped drinks and maybe a personal tour of the second floor....

And , of course you are more than welcome to sling your hammock, pitch your tent or sleep in our barn - now a private dance floor (mostly tango and salsa, with "curtinas" of 2 step and swing) , bar and kitchen or just visit, meet the locals and kick back with a , or whatever or whoever.

xfiltrate and rosa del desierto
Buenos Aires Hubb community members

see HUBB PUB thread.......Wabash Blues for the HU and http://youtu.be/ue_jj5i6A2E

[bugsynbetsy]

Originally Posted by motoreiter

Honestly I think you can have a much better riding experience in the US, especially the Western US, than riding Route 66, 99% of which is paved over, gone, runs through flat boring terrain, etc. (I grew up less than a mile from Route 66, or what used to be Route 66, in Missouri).

From Dallas you are relatively close to some great riding in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, etc., and a bit further afield to California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, etc. Not sure if you've been to those places, but there are plenty of beautiful national parks, cool little towns, beautiful roads, etc. There are a few interesting bits of Route 66 left, for instance around Tucumcari, NM and Kingman, AZ, and you can hit those for something of the Route 66 experience.

I will second what Motoreiter said. Buy a cheap but reliable Honda CB450sc(I own one) with good tires for around $1000 and sell it at the end. Do a loop riding west/north to Utah then straight up to Montana. If you have the time and budget, go up to Banff then to Vancouver(in Canada) and head south to San Fran on hwy. 101. That's my dream trip.

[green_devil]

Originally Posted by motoreiter

Honestly I think you can have a much better riding experience in the US, especially the Western US, than riding Route 66, 99% of which is paved over, gone, runs through flat boring terrain, etc. (I grew up less than a mile from Route 66, or what used to be Route 66, in Missouri).

From Dallas you are relatively close to some great riding in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, etc., and a bit further afield to California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, etc. Not sure if you've been to those places, but there are plenty of beautiful national parks, cool little towns, beautiful roads, etc. There are a few interesting bits of Route 66 left, for instance around Tucumcari, NM and Kingman, AZ, and you can hit those for something of the Route 66 experience.

I have to agree with Motoreiter, I did CA R66 this summer and I was planning on doing all but I aborted the mission because it a little too hot and not as exiting as a thought. I end up taking I-15 up to Utah and then east to Colorado. I Still end up in Chicago and I had a great time visiting national parks and having cooler weather.

[seouljoe]

Yes there are many beautiful roads in the USA ,, but
Route 66 is an homage to motorcycle ride ,, to John Steinbeck,,,, to Americana.
Many towns ,, I found them very nostalgic.
As a biker it is a road to Mecca ,, place to lay eggs for Galapagos turtle.
It was a very meaningful ride for me ,,
Same as those amazing mountain passes in Northern Asia.
I highly recommend doing the 66. Not many have done it.

[Maggie5373]

Hey, thankyou so much everyone some great advice cant wait to get out there. The zoo club sounds great. Buying a cheap bike may be the way to go. Cheers folks

[hairball]

Hi Maggie,My wife and myself live and work in Mesa Verde National Park,Co.(Four corners area)We are both avid motorcycle riders.Within 4-6 hrs. you can reach the Grand Canyon,,Arches,Zion,Bryce Canyon,Lake Powell,Lake Mead,Hoover Dam,Colorado National Monument,Dinosaur National Monument,Rocky Mountain National Park ETC.ETC.If you happen to be in the area on your RT.66 travels, look us up.No prob.with pitching a tent in our back yard.CHEERS....

[doogle]

I rode Route 66 several years ago and posted on the forum.Link below:
Route 66 - ADVrider

Many things are disappearing comparing what I rode and saw 20 years ago. Look through my link to wet your appetite. There are a lot of unique things to see. When I first rode 66,signage was non existant.Half the time I was back tracking to the right road. Recently Illinois and Missouri have put up good signs. Other states have decent signage too. The route changed over the years.Many times you come to an intersection pointing Route 66 different directions for different years. Usually they are short sections.

There are many great places to visit in the USA. And I've seen a lot of them. But as Seoul Joe points out,Route 66 is legendary.See it before it's gone.

[Solohobo]

I agree, RT 66 is way overrated and hardly worth it.

With so many great national parks, great roads and a fantastic climate in June/July, go to the National Parks, Bryce, Moab, Rockies, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the California Coast, Yosemite etc.

Lookat EagleRider, each franchise in a major city is usually associated with a motorcycle dealer, and you can rent a Harley Davdison (not recommended but whatever floats your boat), BMW, or Triumph. You can rent it oneway too, and pay a drop fee, then fly back, or do a huge loop.

The advantage with EaglerRider is all the dealers, regardless of make of bike, support the program, should you have an issue, they will respond, pick up and replace the bike, good piece of mind. They also tend to be well mainatained bikes usually less than 2 years old.

I would look at getting a BMW 800GS, 1200GS, Triumph Tiger 800/XC or 1200 Tiger, with bags, and get a nice tent/waterproof duffle, GPS and hit the road with a good atlas of the states parks, camping and secondary roads. Just be prepared for cold nights in the mountains.

Or, as above say, buy a nice Japanese used bike and get some new rubber, service it and go,,,far cheaper. Sell or trade in at dealer when done.