Route 66

[wanderingwheel]

I need to get to Colorado Springs this summer from Southern California.  One possible route is to follow Route 66 into New Mexico and then ride up the Rockies to Colorado Springs.  Since Route 66 no longer exists in whole, does anyone know how difficult it is to follow?  Also, any links or leads to information on biking Route 66 would be appreciated.

Thanks
Sean Smith

[pmspirito]

There are several web sites devoted just to route 66.  Not just its past but its present also.  You should be able to get everything you need with a simple web search. I am an old car buff so I have checked it out. Route 66 drivers tour it regularly so the end to end route is known including the detours around the missing sections.  Good luck on your ride.

Peter Spirito

[MrBent]

Hi, Sean:  I've ridden part of the route you are interested.  My wife and I rode a desert section, Victorville to just past Amboy in the Mojave desert.  This was in the winter.  This was some wonderful riding with one exception: The strip from just east of Newberry Springs to Ludlow has perhaps the worst pavement on the planet if not the solar system: ridges, cracks, cobbles, unspeakably horrible.  My suggestion is to ride just a bit east of Newberry Springs (you've got to see the Bagdad Cafe!) then get on to the main highway for the bit down to Ludlow.  The shoulder is huge and you'll have a nice quick, sometimes downhill run.  Beyond Ludlow, you'll have a little bit of the rough stuff, but the road improves quickly.  We turned north on the Kelbaker road just past Amboy, so I can't speak to the road beyond that.  I've heard the stretch through Oatman and beyond into Arizona is quite nice.  Timing will be important as this desert section can be incredibly hot.

Best of luck!

Scott