While along the way you might want to see if you can find a Madmaps Rt. 66 tour map. I'm glad to see you're not returning the bikes to Chicago. Don't let the roads in Illinois near Chicago discourage you starting out, the road get much better.

 

Most hotels have a computer in the lobby you can use free (make sure to ask, it might not be obvious), and if you have a laptop most offer free wifi or wired access.

Motel 6 is usually the cheapest chain hotel, $30-$50 a night. Super 8, Comfort Inn, and Best Western are my usual choices for a step up. I stayed at a few places near Rt.66 that were old and... wore-out.

Enjoy the traffic, potholes,and construction near Chicago. It should be the low-point of your trip.

 

Safe travel on 66...please post a trip report when you get home. If you find internet service at a motel, please post and let us know how's going.

Ride safe.

 

Many of the chains are owned/run by sand-jives. You might want to stick with the mom-n-poppers, they don't find vermin sacred!

 

I'm not sure if it's still open , but I used to stop in at the Bagdad Cafe in Nweberry Springs,Ca , nothing special to look at , but great food , deserts & shakes!! here's a link for it along with other spots:
http://www.theroadwanderer.net/RT66newberry.htm

 

Bagdad Cafe is a destination for most off-shore tourists. Surprised at how much europeans and asians know more about route 66 than most americans!

 

So, Inspector,
How was the trip?&nbsp\\; Have you returned to your home, or did you get thrown in the Arizona pokey?&nbsp\\; Lets have the report.&nbsp\\; DId you get any on your trip?

 

I would like to know how the trip went as well. I am just starting to try to put together a trip down 66 to Cali for next year. I am in the Joliet, IL area, already on the route and would go from here. Would like to know if 2.5/3 weeks is enough to get there and back. Alot of nice info on this thread as it is though, thanks to all who chimed in.

 

The inspector did log in last on the 8th of July,,, maybe he's just still resting after the big trip, or maybe he's defected and hiding out here in the U.S.!!![sm=yikesomg.gif]

 

Mwouhahahahah!!!
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Don't worry guys, The inspector is still alive and kicking. [8D]
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Did you ever go on a holiday, only to come back and see that your co-workers have screwed up bigtime and you get to take care of business?? Same here. damnd nitwits.[>:]
That and the fact that there was SO mucht to see and think during the trip!!!!
You get to absorb to much in to little time, atleast for us Europeans. Now one month since I'm back in Belgium, I'm still pondering about things I have seen. As a matter of fact, I'm secretly planning on doing it again...)
You people do have a country to be proud of! believe me! The inmense landscapes, open prairies, the mountains, the cheap gas ,
cheap HD parts!! Bought a heel/toe lever for 132 Dollars, Over here it costs 275 Euro, being about 320 American Dollars, same with clothing and all kinds of stuff actually.
Only the beer wasn't that great. Did discover a amber collored beer, 'Sam Adams'. Was quite descent, am actually looking for a dealer in Belgium.
The overal impression was superb, good food, kind people (some strange ones too), Beatifull and impressive nature and HOT HOT HOT.
Only down point was that some members of our group didn't know how to drive a bike very well... but hey, they were dutch .
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As every good trip, It was way to short. We did the whole R66 in 14 days, stopping at the big tourist traps and some National parks (Meramec Caverns, Petrofied forest, painted desert, Grand Canyon). As I said WAY to short. We saw what we REALLY NEEDED to see, but there wasn't any spare time to just hang around in those little towns and, except&nbsp\\;during gas stops,&nbsp\\;to socialise with the locals and absorbe the atmosphere..
Allthough Albaquerque, Oatman etc seemed worth it, we just drove thru because we HAD to get to the motel in time. The rooms&nbsp\\;were booked in advance and our Tourleader said we could lose our rooms if we got there to late.[X(]
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Every day had it's Ooh's and Aah's. Personally I liked the OZARK region the most, green woods, hills, bendy roads.
Goin thru mountainroads is a feast over there. If there's a speed limit of 25mp/h, you can actually&nbsp\\;go 25 an be pretty sure you'll get thru most of the bends. Here in belgium, if there's a speed limit of 25, we know its best to slow down to 20 and be ready to hit the breaks.
Anyway, I will do the Route again soon. First I have to find some spare time (and lots of cash). This time on our own, loads of motels, gasstations, foodjoints so nothing&nbsp\\;We can't handle on&nbsp\\;our own.
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If you guys want to see some pics my friend took, here's the link :
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http://shop.velvetine.be/#4.0
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These are just a fraction of the things we saw. If you have questions, just ask.
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To Marvin,
to me it seems possible to do the whole Route (to LA and back) in 2.5 weeks. Minding you only drive, eat and sleep.
I would say you need ATLEAST 3 WEEKS to do the one way trip the way it should be done..., no stress,&nbsp\\;adventurous, meeting people etc etc.
We met a bunch of Norvegians that did the distance in 10 days, but they only saw the grand canyon and&nbsp\\;Las Vegas,
and stayed on I-40 most of the time.
Ok, there isn't much original Route66 left but still... it's worth doing the original parts.
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have fun
Keep the rubber side down
greetings ..
Insp.Clouseau
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