GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66

OUR ROUTE IN RED: New Jersey to Chicago during the month of September, 2003
RT 66 is the lower line to Santa Monica.
We continued up the California coast on the Pacific Coast Highway, headed East through the National Parks.
 The upper line is our return route via RT 80

Tales of the Mother Road

It was a road built by and for the common man. Few images capture the spirit of the open road like Route 66. It spans more than 2,440 miles, traveling through 8 states of pure Americana. Originally made from a connection of wagon trails to support the building of the transcontinental railroad, Route 66 became the first link between Chicago and Los Angeles. The first National Highway ~ The Mother Road.

RT 66 provided a path of economic opportunity during the dust bowl era of the 30’s for the displaced farmers of John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath. During the war years, there was a constant movement of troops and military equipment and later it was the way to go west to find employment and new opportunities. But in the 50’s and 60’s RT 66 fell victim to its’ own success becoming overcrowded and unsafe. Federal funds poured into an interstate highway system and in 1985 RT 66 was decertified.

Two years ago my wife’s brother and I began talking about a long bike trip. But to where? RT 66 no longer exists but much of the old road can still be followed with some “heads-up” navigating. So that was it. We would ride to Chicago and follow the old road west to Santa Monica.

Joined by my nephew, the 30 day trip took place over the month of September. As ride leader, I was responsible for route planning and points of interest. We took side trips along the way to the giant meteor crater, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas where we were joined by another nephew. Once in California, we made our way up the Pacific Coast Highway (joined by my brother – now we were five) to San Francisco, across the Golden Gate (no fog) and on to Muir Woods before heading east to Yosemite. The return route wound its way across Nevada, Utah and Colorado, hitting most of the National Parks and Monuments along the way.

This “once in a lifetime” trip was amazing and rewarding on many levels. The RT 66 portion was historically fascinating while the western portion offered vast horizons and endless highways. Coming from a metropolitan area, it’s good to see that there are still places in this country when you can ride all day without seeing a traffic light or a car.

TRIP STATS

• Days on the road: 30
• States crossed: 18
• National Parks and Monuments: 14
• Continental Divide crossings: 3
• Highest Mileage Day: 525
• Total mileage: 8, 400
• Highest pass crossed: 12,183 ft.
• Highest Temperature: 110
• Lowest Temperature: 25
• Days with rain: 5
• Days with full sun and no clouds: 24
• Major Road Drama: 0
• Close Encounters: Near miss with a Turkey Vulture (72" wingspan)
• Worst Road Kill Spotted: A horse
• Ugliest Insect Spotted: A sand horse (in Utah)
• Most Interesting Town: Oatman, Arizona
• Most Emotional stop: Oklahoma City Memorial
• Coldest Ride: Iceberg Pass, Rocky Mt. National Park
• Best Ride: Through the Painted Desert at Sunset
• Best Motel: The Wigwam Village in Holbrook, Arizona
• Best Meal: Steak at The Big Texan in Amarillo, Texas
• Best RV sighting: RV trailing a car pulling a motorcycle trailer
• Number of times we were asked “were you in Milwaukee?”: 100
• Best Quote (said to my Nephew by a homeless person): Is that a Harley or a cheap Jap imitation?
• Most Dangerous Ride: 1500 Ft. drop, 10% grade, extreme switchbacks, gravel road into Mexican Hat, Utah
• Total Cost Per Person – gas, food & lodging: $1900

ROAD RULES

• Windex Wipes are great for cleaning windshields
• Bug hits are biggest (and juiciest) in Texas
• Cruise control is invaluable on those long stretches of endless highway
• On any given day, half of the roads in the US are under repair
• West of the Mississippi, everyone drives a pick-up truck
• LA is the land of 6 lane highways and kamikaze drivers
• Gas octane availability varies from state to state
• Bring a length of polyethylene tubing to siphon gas
• Water and gas are your two major concerns in the desert
• Riding through three days of pouring rain does dampen the spirits (good rain gear is a must)
• Wrap your clothes in plastic bags before stowing them in T-bags
• It’s a beautiful country but there’s no place like home (Toto)

PHOTO GALLERY
photos by Marc Tremblay

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