| 1. Route 66 is definitely a viable and
interesting cycling route across the States. Los Angeles to Chicago is 2448
miles and would realistically require the average cycle tourist about 60
days to complete, with rest days. 2. I can highly recommend the excellent
book; "Cycling Across North America" by Lue & Shannon Christian, published
by Van der Plas, 1282 7th Avenue, San Francisco, CA. This was my bible of
information on the route. Although now ten years since the couple passed
this way on a tandem, much of the detail is still relevant and accurate. A
masterpiece guide book!
3. You CAN ride west from Chicago to L.A., but I would never recommend
it. The prevailing winds in the USA are from the west, and some of them are
so strong that, whilst having them behind you is a delight, attempting to
ride into them would be soul destroying.
4. This is predominantly a southern route across the country and as such,
temperatures and weather conditions are ideal from mid-March onwards,
reaching the Great Lakes in early May. Starting a trip much later would
result in some very hot days in the Arizona Desert, and sultry ones in the
Midwest. April to June is fine. I started a touch early in an unusually cold
Spring for the country and had some freezing conditions at Flagstaff and
cold but clear weather in the mountains.
5. Parts of the old Route 66 have been overtaken by the Interstate
network. At these points there is no option but to cycle on the shoulder of
the interstate. Whilst technically not allowed, except in Arizona, I found
that on the rare occasions I had to ride them, I was never bothered, either
by police or truck drivers, who moved to the outside lane wherever possible
to give me more room. Riding responsibly, tucked into the shoulder, and
taking particular care at junctions, would be my advice.
6. The route is well marketed and supported from a tourist's point of
view, and numerous maps, guides and books on what to see and where to go are
available in most shops and service stations along the way.
7. Bike shops however, can be hard to find. You need to carry spares,
including a spare tyre, chain links, tools and of course inner tubes, as it
can be 200 miles to the nearest repair facility, especially in the west.
8. Motels are plentiful near towns and on the I-40 and I-44 interstate
routes. In the more sparsely populated western parts of the route you will
need to check whether a motel advertised on a map or in a book, is still
open; - they seem to sell, close and re-open with regularity. Camping could
be an option, as there are a number of R.V. Camp parks along the way, but
only preferential as a cost- saver. You could regret carrying camping kit on
a route that involves a total of 66,000 feet of climbing!
9. Enter "Route 66" into your internet search engine to reveal countless
websites, detailing further information to maximise your journey. Most of
all, ride the route and enjoy it! |
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