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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. It runs from the shores of Lake Michigan, through lush farmland, elevated plains, mountains, deserts and canyons and Native American territories, to the shores of the Pacific, 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 the ‘50s, stop at several of the museums and historic sites, and get a great insight into the people and history of the USA. All on a Harley! And this is only possible because of the experience of our great local guides who seem to know everybody and everything on the road ....

Our exclusive Harley-Davidson tour also includes a visit to the Harley-Davidson Milwaukee factory and newly opened museum, an absolute MUST for any motorcycle fan.

Highlights

• Historic Route 66 hotels, diners and gas stations
• Harley-Davidson factory and museum tours
• Chicago – City of the Blues
• Al fresco BBQ and hoe-down in Oklahoma
• Grand Canyon – take the helicopter ride
• Rafting on the Colorado River
• Oatman
• Las Vegas
• Mojave Desert
• Santa Monica Pier – the end of the road
• Gary, our tour guide!

Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive Chicago. We fly direct from London to Chicago this afternoon. On arrival at O’Hare Airport, Gary and his crew will meet and transfer you to our downtown hotel. 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 Harley-Davidson Factory and Museum. After our Welcome Breakfast we take a coach tour to visit the Harley-Davidson factory and newly-opened museum in Milwaukee, about 80 miles away. The factory tour is a unique opportunity to see the whole production process at first hand, and the museum is an amazing showpiece of American motorcycling history, not to be missed. On our return to Chicago this afternoon, there’s time to go for a stroll in Grant Park, do a bit of sightseeing or shopping, or just plan your evening out. Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.

DAY 3 Chicago – Springfield, IL (200 miles). Wwe 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. Crowne Plaza.

DAY 4 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 5 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 19^th 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 6 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. Mark Motor Hotel.

DAY 7 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’. And next to our hotel is the Big Texan steakhouse, famous for its free steaks – if you can eat a full dinner with a 72 oz steak that is! Big Texan Hotel.

DAY 8 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. Plaza Real.

DAY 9 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 10 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 Grande and Cibola National Forests. The famous El Rancho.

DAY 11 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 12 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. A day to remember! Holiday Inn.

DAY 13 Williams – Las Vegas, 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 take a detour North to the amazing Las Vegas. Excalibur Hotel.

DAY 14 Las Vegas – 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 pinion pines. We then reach the San Gabriel Mountains with its cool pines and our last night’s stop, in Victorville. Quality Inn.

DAY 15 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, and enjoy our Farewell Dinner. Westin LAX.

DAY 16 Depart Los Angeles. The end of the road, as we say farewell and you prepare for the flight home.

DAY 17 Arrive London. Our overnight direct flight arrives back in the early afternoon and you’re back to reality.

Total mileage  c. 2800 miles

Ready to book? Please click here

Prices include: Return economy flights from Heathrow, 15 nights twinshare accommodation in superior and tourist hotels with welcome and farewell dinners, 13 days all-inclusive Harley-Davidson hire, Harley-Davidson factory and museum tour; National Park, State Park and National Monument entrance fees, US airport and hotel transfers, tour guide on motorcycle, support/luggage van with spare motorcycle, Harley-Davidson gifts.

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

Prices exclude: other meals, fuel, parking fees, riding gear, tips.

Optional extras: Please ask at time of booking: flight upgrades, regional airport flight connections within the UK, travel insurance (most policies exclude medical and repatriation cover while riding, ours of course doesn’t!), preflight accommodation or airport parking in the UK. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements, please deduct £450/p from the tour price, but please note our airport transfers in Chicago and Los Angeles are timed to meet our flights.

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Route 66 deluxe tour       Date Rider Passenger Sgl rm suppl. EVIP+SLI 03 Jun - 19 Jun 2010 £5,725.00 £1,575.00 £725.00 incl. 02 Jun - 18 Jun 2011 £5,725.00 £1,575.00 £725.00 incl.

| Wild West | Route 66 | Rocky Mountain High | Florida Coast | Daytona Bike Week |
 | Route 66 Deluxe | Sturgis and the Old West | Self-Guided Tours | Rental |

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