Route 66 ...... one week till we're off

[shaggs147]

Well the time is nearly upon us to fly into Chicago and hit the road to Vegas. Should be a lot of fun as we've got bugger all planned apart from the hotels at the start and finish, and white water rafting in the Grand Canyon somewhere.
The only bummer is that we're doing it in a 4x4. I'm the only one that rides a bike and still might hire one for part of the journey just to say I've done it, although doing the whole route by bike is out of the question due to the expense.
Can't wait!
Has anyone done the route and if so, any sights to look out for in particular?

[Lonewolf]

Never been to the states but I can imagine you'll thoroughly enjoy it.  Even in a 4x4 it should be a great trip. 

[viper]

fantastic, we are looking forward to doing it a motorhome in the next few years, motorcycle hire is like  £1000 gbp per week !

i drove from new york out to west virginia a few years back in a ford explorer, the roads were wide open and sunny, the people were great, the hotels were cheap and choice of food places to stop and eat are endless,

route 66 im sure will be all that and treble

[O.C.]

good luck with the route 66 journey shaggs it sounds like great fun, I've been to San Antonio but that was a business trip many years ago, America is a vast country

Enjoy 

[Rusty]

Hey Shaggs .. that sounds great .. my brother in law and I have talked about this for years ... when he retires in a few years and we have some time to fit it all in !! 
From the Harley factory at Milwakee to LA ... about 3 weeks and fly the girls out to meet us there ! ..Sounds like a plan .. enjoy your trip old fruit and keep us ALL updated !

[shaggs147]

Thanks everyone, I will take plenty of pics to post on here. I really like doing thd unplanned trips as I think you end up coming across a lot of interesting stuff, and you see so much more by road.  Did a similar sort of trip quite a few years ago, Vegas to San Francisco and had a great time. I might hire a bike still, but maybe just for a couple of days as a bit of a taster. It was just too expensive to pay for the 4x4 and the bike for the whole trip, and buying a bike at the start and selling at the end was just too much hassle.
Should be a great adventure!

Mark.

[Ant]

I would be interested to hear of your trip.
The Mrs wants to do it next year for our 50th Bdays, Im not so sure as I would be bored out my helmet sat at 50mph on an open road.........

[Kevin]

fantastic, we are looking forward to doing it a motorhome in the next few years, motorcycle hire is like  £1000 gbp per week ! <snip>

If you're going for 3 weeks or more it's cheaper to take your own bike.

Kevin

[Boomer]

Make sure you know your route as many of the "Route 66, Historic Highway" signs get stolen as souvenirs.

On my list would be the Trinity Site, New Mexico (where the world first Nuke was tested).
It's just an Obelisk in the desert but I'd go.

Have a great time.

[doebag]

Without going too far off topic, I drove the Pacific Coast Highway last year from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Lovely route through some stunning scenery, and would be more 'doable' on a hire bike. Approximately 450 miles, so maybe four/ five  easy riding days, with chill out time before and after.
Or ride there ,and back to the start, it would make flights easier.

[shaggs147]

Well I got back about ten days ago, and will sort out some pics soon, still recovering from the trip I think haha. Had an absolute ball and a laugh a minute with 8 of us in a bloody big car. Didn't bother hiring a bike, as the roads weren't that great to be honest, and didn't want to miss out on the banter! Saw a lot of sights and a few characters along the way. 18 days only scratched the surface and didn't do the trip justice. You need at least a month to see the sights off the beaten track too. Best part of the trip ....... not on route 66 ..... white water rafting down the Colorado river with the Hualapai Indians, looking at all the scenic views the Grand Canyon has to offer, then helicopter back to the top, then the views from the sky walk - its pretty weird standing on a glass walkway and looking down 4000 ft haha...... more to follow!