|
| Wild West | Route 66 | Rocky Mountain High | Florida Coast | Daytona Bike Week |
| Route 66 Deluxe | Sturgis and the Old West | Self-Guided Tours | Rental |
 This road is the most defining in my motorcycle career ....
If you’re in a hurry to go anywhere, you’re doing this ride wrong
Henry Cole, www.travelchannel.co.uk, Riding Route 66
I must say it's not often these days when something you buy exceeds one’s expectations, but this holiday sure did !! ... all I can say is a big" thank you" to you, and your staff, for my making my dream holiday such a great success. The whole trip, including all the flights, the bike, and the hotels were just perfect. I have no reservations in recommending your company.
Vic Bryan, UK, 2008
For Route 66 videos from Gary, the tour guide:http://www.youtube.com/mtnphotoman
David Steel’s Blog: http://www.davidsteel.org.uk/route66/
Route 66 is probably the most famous road in the World, and is a central part of modern American folklore. Riding Route 66 you soon realise it really is something special.
Route 66 was assembled from already existing and partially undeveloped roads in 1926 and was the first connection between Chicago and Los Angeles. Before being superseded by Interstate 40 in 1984, it underwent several minor changes over the years, but remained essentially the original road. It runs from the shores of Lake Michigan, through elevated plains, mountains, deserts and canyons and Native American lands, to the Pacific coast, through 8  US states in 2300 miles.
Our tour follows the old route as much as possible (some sections no longer exist). You will experience the flair and charm of the old route, see the relics of old petrol stations, motels and roadhouses from the heyday of the 30s to 50s, stop at several of the museums and historic sights, and get a great insight into the people and history of the USA.
Route 66 is not very straightforward to ride. In order to get the best out of Route 66 you need professional guides (most of our guides know it so well they don’t use a map at all!). Route 66 is a constant On and Off the Interstate 40, sometimes the historic route leads you into residential areas with no road signs or directions, right onto the parking lot of a university campus or a shopping mall. Not to mention those parts that dead end, turn into gravel or miss a bridge that used to be there - then you may turn around and travel back those 30 or 40 miles in order to get back on the interstate. Many people who try and ride it on their own get frustrated and end up missing out on some great experiences as they run out of patience or time.
This is a shame because this is probably a "once in a lifetime" holiday. Yes, a guided tour is more expensive than doing it on your own, but we know that by the time you get to Santa Monica pier you will know that is has been worth every penny.
Highlights
- Chicago – City of the Blues
- Al fresco barbeque with live music
- Santa Fe mountains
- Grand Canyon
- Oatman
- Mojave Desert
- Santa Monica Pier – the end of the road
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Chicago. On arrival at O’Hare Airport, take a taxi to our downtown hotel where you will be met by our tour guide at the hospitality desk in the lobby between 4 and 6 pm, followed by our welcome meeting at 7 pm. The rest of the day is yours to explore this great city, and maybe take in one of its famous blues or jazz clubs. Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.
Day 2 Chicago – Springfield, IL (200 miles). After our Welcome breakfast we pick up the bikes and we’re ready to roll. We roar through the cornbelt of Illinois as we follow the Pontiac trail, as Rte 66 used to be known here, to the state capital, Springfield. Hilton Hotel..
Day 3 Springfield – Rolla, MO (200 miles). Shortly after Springfield we follow the old-old road through Auburn, Virden and Carlinville. Crossing the Mississippi we sight St Louis and its famous Gateway Arch. We then head for the famous ‘Chain of Rocks’ bridge across the Mississippi and – if time allows – we’ll stop at the Miramec Caves, Jesse James' alleged hideout before rolling into Rolla. Coachlight Inn.
Day 4 Rolla - Tulsa, OK (280 miles). Today's ride takes us deep into the Ozark Mountains, which occupy most of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. This was frontier country for much of the 19th century, and although the mountains aren’t high, the road switches, dips, and climbs providing great views of the steep hillsides of oak, elm, hickory and redbud. We ride through Lebanon and Conway before stopping in Carthage to see the beautiful old courthouse. Then we’re in Oklahoma, which doesn’t have a lot to boast about, but it does have more miles of Rte 66 than any other state, and in better condition! So it’s a real mecca for bikers and old-road fans alike. Quality Suites.
Day 5 Tulsa – Clinton, OK (200 miles). We follow the contours of the landscape today, and cover 100 miles of the ‘Old West’ Indian country to Oklahoma City. In the 1830s this land was thought useless by the government and set aside as Indian territory, a convenient dumping ground for the so-called Five Civilized tribes who tried to block white settlement in the south. The Choctaw and Chickasaw of Mississippi, the Florida Semioles, the Cree of Alabama and the Cherokee. The state still has a large Indian population, and the word Oklahoma is Choctaw for ‘red man’. Further west we ride through El Reno, over the mile-long bridge near Bridport and into Clinton, a real Rte 66 town. Ramada Inn. 
Day 6 Clinton – Amarillo, TX (175 miles). Today we head into the Texas Panhandle, the southernmost part of the Great Plains, often called the ‘real Texas’. We cross the old hunting grounds of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians. At McLean there is a jewel of a gas station, shortly followed by the only oblique water-tower in the USA. Our overnight stop, Amarillo, derives its name from the Spanish for ‘yellow’. Amarillo Inn.
Day 7 Amarillo – Santa Fe, NM (270 miles). A gentle morning’s ride through big cattle farms, cotton fields, oil lands and the famous Cadillac Ranch into New Mexico, the ‘land of enchantment’. The ‘border crossing’ is a ghost town called Glen Rio. We will see the second largest canyon in the USA at Palo Duro National Park, and soon pass the half-way mark in our tour, before arriving in Tucumcari. New Mexico is a culturally very diverse state, settled by Comanches, Spaniards, Mexicans and Yankees. We then head up into the hills and the famous air and picturesque buildings of this beautiful city. Try the famous Coyote Café. Fairfield Inn.
Day 8 Santa Fe (rest day). If you want to relax and enjoy, then Santa Fe has lots to offer. Or if you want a gentle ride, we recommend the short visit to Taos - from a biker's viewpoint probably the best day of all! Lots of bends to ride as we take the valley road there and the high country road back. Taos is famous as an artist colony and some beautiful art and Indian crafts awaiting you. Plaza Real.
Day 9 Santa Fe - Gallup, NM (200 miles). We ride back down to Albuquerque, the state capital and home to over 30% of the population of New Mexico. Here we cross the Rio Grande to pick up Rte 66 again. And we’re back in open country with the hues of the Navajo wilderness, skirting mesas and bluffs and into Laguna. Then we ride on to the old railroad town and Indian stronghold of Gallup through Grands and Cibola National Forests. How about dinner at the famous 'El Rancho'. Best Western Inn.
Day 10 Gallup – Williams, AZ (230 miles). An early start takes us to the Petrified Forest, with its fossilized prehistoric trees unearthed by erosion. Then just a dozen miles later we reach Holbrook and then Winslow, two old Route 66 towns kept alive by passing truckers and tourists.. After lunch we pass the old ‘Jackrabbit Trading Post’ and Flagstaff and head on to Williams, a nice little town and our base for the Grand Canyon. Holiday Inn.
Day 11 Williams (rest day). For those of you that don’t want to visit the Grand Canyon (anybody?!), today is an opportunity to just relax and take in some Arizonian hospitality. For the rest of us, you can ride (it’s about 160 miles round trip) or take the train to the Canyon. Take a spectacular helicopter ride, go for a hike along the rim or down into the canyon, or just soak in the views. This will be a day to remember! Holiday Inn.
 Day 12 Williams – Laughlin, NV (210 miles). A good day's ride, tackling the longest remaining section of the original Route 66 to Kingman, where we’ll stop at the famous Mr D’s Route 66 diner if time allows. Then comes possibly the most spectacular bit of the ride as the road rises into the Black Mountains to the old mining town of Oatman for lunch. Watch out for roaming burros! We then cross the Colorado River into Nevada and the gambling town of Laughlin. Flamingo Hotel.
Day 13 Laughlin – Victorville, CA (230 miles). An early start today as we cross into California, the final state on our ride down legendary Rte 66. We cross the Devil’s Playground and then into the Mojave Desert, with its dramatic scenery of lush grasses, startling volcanic rock formations, stands of Joshua trees and pinon pines. We then reach the San Gabriel Mountains with its cool pines and our last night’s stop, in Victorville. Green Tree Inn.
Day 14 Victorville - Los Angeles (85 miles). The big adventure comes to an end today with our ride to Los Angeles. Much of the road has been lost, but the end of the Mother Road, Santa Monica Pier, is worth the wait. Park up the bike and dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean, this really is journey’s end! Then it just remains for us to return the motorcycles in the afternoon, and enjoy our Farewell Dinner. Marriott LAX.
Day 15 Depart Los Angeles. The end of the road, as we say farewell and you prepare for the flight home.
Total mileage c. 2600 miles
Ready to book? Please click here
Price includes: 13 days Harley-Davidson hire (Hondas, BMWs and trikes available on request), incl. unlimited mileage, one-way fee, preparation fee, basic liability insurance, CDW (excess $2500); 14 nights en suite twin share accommodation; welcome breakfast & farewell dinner; National Park, State Park and National Monument entrance fees, roadmaps; tour guide on motorcycle, support/luggage vehicle with spare bike, breakdown assistance; taxes and environmental charges; biker’s rucsac. And we give you a music/interview CD or tour DVD to get you in the mood.
H-D models available: Electraglide Classic, Street Glide, Road Glide, Road King, Heritage Softail, Fatboy, Low Rider, 883 Sportster. Please see our rental information for more details.
Price excludes: Flights and travel insurance (available through H-C Travel), all meals, fuel, riding gear; EVIP & SLI insurance (see above), airport transfers.
Any questions? Please click here
|
Route 66 tour
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Rider
|
Passenger
|
Sgl rm suppl.
|
EVIP+SLI
|
|
06 May - 20 May 2010
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
10 Jun - 24 Jun 2010
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
01 Jul - 15 Jul 2010
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
05 Aug - 19 Aug 2010
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
03 Sep - 17 Sep 2010
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
19 Sep - 03 Oct 2010
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
05 May - 19 May 2011
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
09 Jun - 23 Jun 2011
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
30 Jun - 14 Jul 2011
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
04 Aug - 18 Aug 2011
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
08 Sep - 22 Sep 2011
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
18 Sep - 02 Oct 2011
|
£3,775.00
|
£1,275.00
|
£725.00
|
£325.00
|
|
EVIP insurance offers $1 million third party liability, CDW and theft insurance (excess $1000).
SLI offers $1 million third party liability cover.
| Wild West | Route 66 | Rocky Mountain High | Florida Coast | Daytona Bike Week |
| Route 66 Deluxe | Sturgis and the Old West | Self-Guided Tours | Rental |
091002
100323
100331
|
