Route 66 History

We have done a Route 66 tour in 1996, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2009, and 2011.

2011

Arrive in Amarillo, Texas Saturday, May 21, 2011
15 riding days, 1,216 miles, 81 miles per day
Fly home from Chicago, Illinois, Sunday AFTERNOON, June 5th

Eastern Details (click here).

Route 66 Photos
Bruce's Blog

2009

Susan's Photos
Anurang's Blog

Ride this historic highway across the western half of Route 66 from Santa Monica, California to Amarillo, Texas. This tour will travel the oldest sections of this famous highway. We will be looking for the best milk shakes and homemade pie from classic diners. This tour is for riders who want to stop and see museums and research the old road. We sleep at the nostalgic motels which were the best places in town before the interstate passed them by. Bikes with at least 32 mm wide tires are required for many gravel road explorer routes.

Cycling Route 66 (Western Half)

Cycling Route 66...in 2006

The DVD is Here!

Jim Bradbury's Blog

Lynette Chiang Photo Diary

James Meyers Blog

Route 66 is the legendary highway from Chicago to Los Angeles. The road was given its famous Sixty-Six number in 1926. For 50 years it represented the American dream of going somewhere.

In April-May 2006, PAC Tour celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the Old Road. We recreated the history of the nostalgic Highway by cycling 2,500 miles from Santa Monica, California to Chicago, Illinois. The tour averaged 85 miles per day during this 29 day adventure.

Riding Route 66 is more than a bike ride. To appreciate this road you must understand the history of the millions of people who crossed American on this route. During our Route 66 PAC Tour, we include history books, daily seminars from guest speakers, historic videos, and visits to famous landmarks along the route.

Our bicycles allow us to explore sections of the oldest parts of the forgotten pavement. Some of these routes of not seen auto travel since the interstate abandoned them 40 years ago. This bicycle tour offerd one of the most detailed and up close views of Route 66 ever organized.

What Kind of Bicycle Do You Need?
Your bicycle should be lightweight (under 25 pounds) and be sturdy enough for rough roads. 80% of Route 66 pavement is in good paved condition. The remaining 20% (500 miles) is gravel, rough pavement or broken concrete. There is some good and bad pavement each day. Tires of 32-35 mm are required. If your bicycle does not fit at least 32 mm tires, you need a different bike. We have learned from past tours that riders with narrow tires want to avoid the rough sections and continually complain about the rough roads. There are several really nice randonneur bikes that fit wide tires. Low gears are also needed since Route 66 has several steep climbs. Lonıs favorite bike for this type of tour is a Rivendell Rombouillet (www.rivbike.com). TREK also makes a good 21 pound bike called an Alpha Comfort Road Bike 1200c for $1,100-$1,300 which would be a good bike for this tour.

Where Do We Eat?
Each day will include at least one famous diner or cafe included in the tour price. The food along Route 66 is as famous as the road. You need to be ready to eat homemade BBQ, apple pie and wash it down with a real chocolate malt. Our support van will provide snacks along remote areas of the route. Eating and riding will be a big focus during the is tour.

Where Do We Sleep?
Part of the charm of Route 66 are the small motels that line the highway. Places such as The Wigwam Motel, Blue Swallow, El Rancho or Big Texan are famous for their unique decor. Staying at these motels is a step back in time. Some rooms donıt even have televisions or phones. Bring a cell phone and forget about high speed internet connections. The attached garages between each room built in 1940 are a good place to store your bike. These motels all add to the feel of a real Route 66 road trip.

What is Included?
Sag support, bike repair, gear shuttle, special Rt. 66 gearbag, motels, one cafe meal per day, detailed routing, seminars, books, guest speakers, special PAC Tour Rt. 66 jersey, and Rt. 66 t-shirt.

Route 66 Tour Dates?
Fly into Santa Monica Saturday, April 15. Begin riding on Sunday morning April 16. We will ride into Chicago on Sunday morning, May 14. Riders will have time to depart home Sunday afternoon from Chicago. Good partial tour exchange locations are: Albuquerque - Wed. night April 26, Amarillo - Monday night May 1st, Oklahoma City - Thursday night May 4. Sign-up early to reserve your place in history.

2,514 miles
87 miles per day

2001 Cycling Route 66 (western half)
75th Anniversary of "The Mother Road"
April 14-30 17 riding days (April 13 - May 1 fly in) 65 to 100 miles per day
Santa Monica, California to Amarillo, Texas
1,350 miles    17 days    80 miles per day

Lon will guide you on forgotten highway sections and inspire you with Route 66 stories while exploring the old road. This year we will ride the western states from California to Amarillo, Texas Riders will sleep in classic motels, and meet many local Rt. 66 legends. Riders have the option to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in local cafes at an additional cost. A touring bike for exploring rough pavement and hidden gravel roads is required.

Update #1

PAC Tour 2001 "Cycling 66" will travel the western part of Route 66 from Santa Monica, California to Amarillo, Texas. We will travel 1,350 miles in 17 days averaging 80 miles per day. Motels, sag support, history books, t-shirt, Route 66 Magazine subscription, detailed route cards and guest speakers are provided.

This will be the first of several updates you will receive to help you prepare for your tour. Some topics we will cover in future updates will be Route 66 History, How PAC Tour Works, Equipment and Training. All of these updates are important to make your tour of Route 66 more enjoyable. Future updates will continue to discuss these and other important information in detail. During this update we will cover some to the most obvious questions.

Is it possible to ride all of Route 66 by bicycle?

Of the 2,400 miles of original Route 66, over 2,000 miles is still drivable by car. Some segments have been paved over by the Interstate or have been abandon. However, many of these abandon segments are still ridable by bicycle. Through some areas two or three generations of Route 66 still remain following different roads and alignments. PAC Tour has been scouting the best of these options of Route 66 for bicycle travel. Some current segments of Route 66 still carry too much auto traffic that make them unsuitable for cycling. We have the option of riding quiet alternate routes around these busy areas. We will be cycling as much of Route 66 that is practical by PAC Tour standards while still having time to visit the sights along the way.

Will we stop and eat a 72 oz. steak in Amarillo or hand feed a burro in Oatman, Arizona?

Due to the variety of attractions along Route 66 and the variety of interests of PAC Tour riders we are trying to plan a tour that is interesting and flexible for everyone. Our support during the day will allow plenty of time for you to stop and shop and eat at home town cafes. Each day's route card will list points of interest and where our support van will meet you. In the evening we will plan informative seminars or meet with local Route 66 historians who will share their knowledge of the Mother Road.

What kind of bicycle do I need?

Most of Route 66 that is still used for auto travel is in good to excellent condition for road bikes. In fact a historic 20 mile section of original red concrete in Missouri was recently repaved with satin smooth blacktop. We have scouted many of the older alignment options which we can explore by bicycle. In order for you to ride these less traveled sections be prepared for gravel and cracked concrete. A road bike with 28mm tires would work but the shock absorption of a Cross-Bike with 32mm tires would be better. There will be many times when you will be able to cruise at over 20 mph on new pavement so smooth tread high pressure (90-100 psi) tires would be useful.

Can I use my old road bike?

Tire clearance is your limiting factor on most road frames. Use the biggest tire that will fit between your brakes and chain stays. After checking out several bike shops we found there are many excellent Route 66 Cross-Bikes now available for $400-$500. A mountain bike with 26" slick tires would also work well. These bikes have rugged tires for gravel but can still go fast on pavement. Most have granny gears for the mountain grades. The upright bars with bar end grips and aerobars would be fine for road touring.

Are heavy duty tires really needed?

YES. You must be able to ride on gravel. For example we will sometimes be riding rough roads like La Bajada Hill north of Albuquerque, New Mexico. This 10 mile section of road has 20 switch backs in the first two miles and climbs 800 feet. The road is washed out expect for melon size rocks We will push our bikes and hike this section with our road bikes. Everyday there will be similar route options for the Rt. 66 explorer. Some sections are one or two miles of cracked concrete, some sections cross rough old bridges, and some sections follow abandon routes closed to cars. We will bring spare tires and wheels in our support van but you should bring one extra tire and four inner tubes.

Why not just ride fast on the smooth pavement and not take the rough options?

We are trying to ride the most original route when possible. As Route 66 was improved through the years the original older two lane road was replaced by straighter four lane sections. These roads were then replaced by the Interstate System. As you learn more about Rt. 66 you will find a strange satisfaction in actually following the roughest, indirect original route between motels. Hopefully discovering the history of Rt. 66 is as important as maintaining your average speed. This is the only slow paced group tour that traces Old Rt. 66 along itıs entire length in detail. Few auto or bus tours are going to follow as many abandon dead end roads as we will. Bicycles will give us the versatility to cross the roadblocks and ride these roads which are closed to through traffic. We will not be riding on private land or areas which are unsafe.

When can I eat in all those great Route 66 diners and cafes?

One of the main highlights of Route 66 are the diners and down-home restaurants along the route. These places are not only good places to eat but good places to meet the people who live on Route 66. Recommended cafes for breakfast or lunch stop will be designated restaurant on your route card. There is usually a traditional Rt. 66 dinner restaurant within walking distance of our motel.

What about support stops?

Route 66 is unique in that it will have many roadside services for riders to refill water and find snacks. PAC Tour will use one support van to supply snacks stops in desolate areas between remote services. Gearbags will be available at the motel in mid afternoon. Out west or in the desert where there are few towns, snack stops will be added as needed. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are on your own at recommended Route 66 diners and cafes.

If I read enough Rt. 66 books and eat enough apple pie do I still have to train?

Regardless of how much you know about Rt. 66 or how much you can eat, this is still a very tough tour with plenty of miles, heat and headwinds to challenge the strongest rider. Follow the PAC Tour training program just like you were going to ride the Northern or Southern Transcontinental Tours. Remember we still have to cross the California Desert, between Barstow and Needles...in 100 degree heat...against the wind...with one mouthful of warm water...and you thought the Joad Family during the Grapes of Wrath had it tough. Actually, we will have our touring van with us if you want to stop and shop and not bicycle all day. We want you to have fun and we will help you enjoy and cycle the best parts of Route 66.

Where do we sleep?

We will try to stay at authentic Old Route 66 motels when clean ones are available. The El Vado Motel, Garden Way and El Rancho Hotel are all places you will remember well by the end of our Route 66 Tour. Some nights if the mileage or services are not satisfactory we will stay at more modern motels.

Will I have room to buy souvenirs?

Each PAC Tour rider will receive a traditional gearbag for their clothing. There should be room for you to store extra things you buy along the way (everyone needs a Route 66 coffee mug, but that 5 foot Burma Shave sign might need to be shipped home).

How can I learn more about Route 66?

We will be sending you several more updates and articles about Route 66. During the tour we will have a display of old regional maps and articles to help you learn more about local Route 66 history. As part of our seminars we will be showing several videos which detail to local areas we will visit. Please call Lon Haldeman at the PAC Tour offices and let him know your topics of interest along Route 66.

2001 ROUTE

Fly in to Los Angeles, Friday, April 13, 2001

Begin riding from Santa Monica, Saturday, April 14.

Finish in Amarillo, Texas on Monday, April 30.

Fly home on Tuesday, May 1.

PAC Tour Rt. 66 Daily Schedule

Jim Bradbury has compiled an extensive chronicle of this trip on his web site.

1998 Trip

Lunch: support van with lunch spread out. PAC Tour is a full support trip with breakfast and lunch on most tours. Usually the day is broken up into 5 sections of between 20 and 35 miles per section. A support van or car usually meets the group at each checkpoint to resupply them with snacks, gatorade, water, tires, repairs, etc. The ages of the riders range widely from the 20's to the 70's. On Route 66 our group had a number of retired folks who just love to ride; also, 4 of the riders were from Europe.

1998 Roster

Chain of Rocks Bridge -- Crosses the Mississippi just north of the city of St Louis. It has a bend in it and occasionally a truck on Rt 66 would get stuck. The bridge is being rehabbed as part of the rails to trails / biking network etc. It is not normally open to anyone but the Haldemans contacted the right people and they opened it for us.

Chicago at the end of the ride. Family (of the part time riders) left to right: Nicole Notorangelo, Susan Notorangelo, Lon Haldeman, Marge Greenwald, Mark Greenwald. As part time riders Marge rode 510 miles of the miles between Oklahoma City and Chicago (apprx 50%). Mark rode about 350 miles between southern Missouri and Chicago and Nicole rode about 200 miles between St Louis and Chicago -- the rest of the time we jumped in the support van, occasionally helping set up for lunch or shop for food.

On Route 66 in St. Louis with Mr. Ted Drewes, the owner. Lon contacted him and he came to the custard stand just to meet us. From left to right Marge Greenwald (me), Anne Appel, Ted Drewes, Mark Greenwald (my 14 year old son ), Nicole Notorangelo (my brothers daughter)- it was about 11 am but it is never too early for Ted's custard! We then rode through downtown St Louis past the arch to the Chain of Rocks Bridge where lunch was waiting.

Typical food table at lunch time - food ranges from broccoli rice salad to sandwiches, macaroni salad, peanut butter and jelly, fruit cocktail, other fresh fruit, potato chips, cookies, etc -- a variety to meet everyone's needs. Maryjane Haldeman and her husband Ed were the the support crew for Lon. Here Maryjane is setting out more lunchmeat; John Oliver is standing in back eating; he has been on other trips including the Southern Transcontinental trip.