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Second, a lot of thanks for all who responded to my “ask” for info/help planning a ride to Sturgis and back. Did it last Summer, 5-days out and 4 back, days of riding in heat, rain (and more rain…), and cool early dawn mornings (and the beautiful sunrises…). A total of 14 days I’ll never forget and the memory of which will always bring a smile to my face and heart. Unfortunately, the trip also made me want to do two more “bucket list” trips I’ve wanted to do on my motorcycle…Route 66 and Lincoln Highway.
I’m 72 (73 next month) and am in the early stages of planning a Route 66 Chicago to Santa Monica ride next year (can’t go this year…family trips already planned). I’ve looked at some of the posts on HDF, but most appear to be dated. The plan is to ride to Chicago from my home NW of Atlanta with an old Air Force buddy (he will ship his Indian Vintage Chief to my local HD) to Chicago and leave from there after meeting up with a HS friend, the guy I met in Sturgis last year…yup, three old fogies undertaking a 2,500+ mile trip. My HS buddy is going to leave Santa Monica and ride the coast up to Washington state to visit an old Army buddy (he rode his ‘71 Sportster cross country in ‘72 or ‘73…butt of steel on a Sportster for that many miles…), my California Air Force buddy lives in Sherman Oaks, CA, so I’ll ride back solo. Won’t make as many stops on the way back. My wife is a Southern California girl so she’s going to fly out to visit family and I’ll spend 2 or 3 days with her and them before heading back. At least that is the plan as it stands now…
I was wondering if any of you have ridden Route 66 more recently and have any suggestions on “can’t miss” stops, miles to ride in a day, cities for RON, and any other info, hints, suggestions. Thanks everyone…stay safe
Definitely want to ride through Oatman,Az. The ride from just west of Williams on old 66 is a nice spin,Seligman is fun.
Further east the Petrified Forest Nat. Park is pretty cool and if you like the band The Eagles you might want to stand on a corner in Winslow,AZ.
Oh and if you've never seen the Grand Canyon it's not far off Rt 66 to the south rim a sight pictures just can't do justice to,probably the one thing I wouldn't miss.
Thanks, Man. I appreciate the comments. I’ve never seen it so I’ll make it a point to do so. And, being an Eagles fan, I’ll definitely stand on a corner in Winslow…
Thanks, Man. I appreciate the comments. I’ve never seen it so I’ll make it a point to do so. And, being an Eagles fan, I’ll definitely stand on a corner in Winslow…
There's plenty of decent motels in Williams and it's a good staging spot to visit the canyon or stopping point after,it's about an hour from Williams to the park.
Figure at least 3 hours round trip ,you'll probably spend an hour or more in the park.
I've been 4 times over the years,if you really want a great view do the helicopter ride from South Rim Airport it's a bit pricey but it's a hoot.
On the way just west of Flagstaff in Belmont is a Harley Dealer https://www.grandcanyonhd.com/ if you need anything or just want to buy a t-shirt, it's only about a half hour from there to Williams.Going west you'll be on the freeway for a short ways then turn off just past Ash Fork to get on old 66 and visit Seligman etc.
Oh and if you stop at the H-D dealer in Belmont and just want to say you've been there the motel where Billy and Wyatt were refused a room in Easy Rider is just a short spin up the street from the dealer, not that there's much there. https://www.mrzip66.com/2010/04/pine...om-easy-rider/
Pyuchem, Y2K, and Kel03…thanks for the information and links. For sure I’ll keep your helpful comments in my Route 66 file (already started planning). Plenty of time to get the gist of the trip and, as important to living to ride it, letting my wife know I’m going to be off on another near month-long adventure again…;~)!
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Route 66
