Route 66- 2014 Version

2014 Harley Street Glide
Route 66 - 2014 Version

After months of planning, my second Harley trip down the full length of Route 66 is about to get underway.

We have assembled 8 of the greatest Harley riders in North America and all have the love and passion needed for a great two week ride across the "Mother Road"

Joining me on my second ride down Route 66 are, Erik Laidhold, Brian Hansen, Craig Ragone, Tom Scott, Peter Chvala, Stu Rosenberg and Steve Braun.

Eight guys creating our own memories as we ride what is billed as 2450 miles of nostalgia in the westward migration of America which actually turns out to be more like 3000 miles by the time we reach Trails End at Santa Monica Pier.

Missing from this ride are two Harley Riders who should be riding with us.  Howard May was signed up and scheduled to go until he found out his wife needs back surgery and that will keep him at home. My Harley Mentor, Mike Rodsater, aka Skidder, who led my slow ass down Route 66 the first time after only two months of Harley Riding experience. Mike will meet us in Santa Monica after he returns from Europe.

Day 1 in Chicago- Two days before Route 66, The Mother Road

                      After just two months of practice riding on my Harley Road King it was time for the real motorcycle adventure.  Only two days until Mike Rodsater and I crank up our HOGS and we're off on the ride of a lifetime, Chicago to Santa Monica, 2450 miles.
                      Went to the start of Route 66 to get a preview.  The Bears were in town today
                          and all of downtown was jumping with excitement. And the Bears won!

Day 2 Milwaukee WI Harley Museum

Day 2 still in Chicago.  Rode up to the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, WI.  What a great ride on a 65 degree sunny day.  The Museum was great, spent about four hours looking at all the detailed history of Harleys.
My riding partner, Mike, is arriving a day late and should be here any minute. He had a mechanical delay in Denver.

Outside the Harley Davidson Museum on a warm Wisconsin fall day.  Saw the same couple, I met yesterday in Chicago, from Australia who had just finished the Route 66 ride from Santa Monica to Chicago

A beautiful bronze statue at the Harley museum. Check out the chains on the rear tire. A tribute to the early Harley hill racers.

We plan to leave Arlington Heights at 10:00 am tomorrow morning headed into the Chicago loop for the start of Route 66 and then were off. Our first day goal will be Springfield, Il and many stops along the way. Route 66 museum in Pontiac, Illinois is one of our first stops.

Today is departure day-Route 66 Chicago to Santa Monica, Ca.

Kickstands up at 10:00 am, trying to miss some of the Chicago traffic.  Weather is scheduled to be beautiful all the way to Springfield, Il.

Every destination must have a finish.  This is ours.  Scheduled to be here in 14 days.

                                                     Final destination: Santa Monica Pier

First day of riding-Chicago to Springfield, Illinois

The first day of riding was beautiful, big blue sky, warm and no wind.  After a big good luck farewell and a I wish I was going with you, Chicago's finest bicycle police officers sent us on our way at 10:30 am.  What a great guy.  He was so interested in our trip that he asked if he could have his picture taken with his camera.  Many laughs at the start.
The drive through the neighborhoods of western Chicago was exciting for me as it brought back many childhood memories of visiting my Grandparents.  The street names were so familiar.  Ohio Street, Ogden Avenue and all the way out to Harlem Ave.  As you can imagine the neighborhoods have changed since the 60's.
Out of Chicago and on the way to Joliet, Il. Every where you look there is a tribute to the Blues Brothers.  Pontiac, Il. is very proud of their Route 66 museum and the brand new Pontiac car exhibit.  Mayor Bob of Pontiac gave us a personal tour of the car exhibit.  He had so much pride in his home town. Both were fun to go through.
It seems like we were on and off the bikes every few miles.  By now the Illinois sun was hot.  Great riding day!
One last stop in Atlanta, Illinois to take pix with the Paul Bunyon statue. So much to see in Illinois. I have a new appreciation for my home state.
And then on to Springfield, Il., our goal for the first night was reached. My friend Jon Kauffman hosted us at the Drury Inn.

A fun send off from the Chicago Police. What a great guy.

Check all systems and equipment. Ready to roll!  What the hell have I got myself into? Let the Iron Horse go.

First stop Joliet and of course Ice Cream at one of the original Route 66 ice cream stands.

The Joliet Museum and the Blues Brothers have done wonders to boost the tourism trade.

The first of many "GIANT"s along Route 66. Can you remember your Dad stopping the car and letting you get out and stand by these giants?

Small towns in Illinois have done a great job in bringing back memories of the old Route 66 road. We are starting to see people from all over the world.  Europeans seem to love the Mother Road.

Some of the original Route 66 Highway still exists.  A slower ride indeed.

I'm sure Buz and Tod, from the Route 66 TV show of the 1960"s must be out here somewhere in their Corvette.

Another Illinois "GIANT" In the middle of the day in the middle of the week we had to line up and wait for our picture time.

Harley Road King is running great. I need to buy a water bottle with a sippy top like my grandkids have.

Eating my way through Illinois Springfield, Il to Sullivan Mo.

Even more proud to be from Illinois after two days of riding through Abe Lincoln's home.  The historic Route 66 is marked very well. Every turn is worth taking.
 Another warm day filled with sun.  Lots of fall festivals going on in many small towns.  Every time we stop we meet the nicest people who want to talk about our trip.  Everyone comments, "I want to take the same trip someday"
Many Route 66'ers are out there traveling with us.  Every stop through Illinois we see the same two women and their dogs.  Many people from Europe, Australia making the trip.
Had a chance to visit with a friend, Jon Kauffman in Springfield. Bought a water bottle at the Springfield Harley store.
Had a corn dog on a stick, before leaving Springfield and then custard in St. Louis. Very NOT healthy.  Today will be a better eating day in Missouri.
St. Louis was a traffic night mare driving through. Failed to get a picture of the Arch, too much traffic.

Abe Lincoln's Memorial in Springfield, IL

As the sign says, " Famous" and they were very good. Springfield, Illinois

The only remaining brick paved Route 66 portion is in Southern IL.

What a beautiful stretch of road with the leaves changing in Southern Illinois

A local mans tribute to Route 66. He created this in his front yard on the old section of 66. Donations are appreciated and can be left in the mail box.  Notice the fightin Illini colors!

Finally the Mississippi River on the Illinois side. Illinois was a two day ride.

Mike walks over the old Route 66 bridge, Chain of Rocks. No cars or motorcycles allowed.

Made it over the river to St. Louis and another treat at Ted Drews.

Made it as far as Meramec Caverns in Missouri and spent the night at the local mom and pop motel. Rode to long into the night and came eye to headlight to many deers' along the last few miles to the Meremec Cavers.  Taking the Caverns tour this morning. Maybe Jesse James is still hiding there?

Missouri, Day 3 riding- lots to see

Started the day by taking a tour of the Meramec Caverns. Great fun! This place brought back many childhood memories for me.  My Mother brought us here when I was 11 years old. Traveling on my Harley was better then the 1954 Mercury I went in the last time.

Meremac Caverns.

Missouri does not have as many stops as Illinois, but the ones that are marked are worth time time.

Check out this bicycle lawn mower

A lot of the original Route 66 runs close to I 44. They did a great job of preserving the original road,  The trees are in full fall colors and blowing everywhere. I wish I had a video camera mounted on my helmet, watching the leaves blow as I followed Mike was a hoot.
Found a great bikers bar at Devils Elbow, around Waynesville, Mo. A great run down cabin on the river, next to a historic one way bridge. This is the only section of Route 66 that was constructed as a four lane concrete road.  It was done to help transporting troops in and out of Ft. Leonardwood Mo.

The Elbow Inn!  The bartender wanted us to stay for bikers night, but we must press on.

The first time I ever had a bottled water at a bar. Oh well! And they have a contest to win a free T shirt, all you need to do is take off your bra and staple it to the ceiling.
Friendly owners, they wanted us to stay for Thursday night bikers night and even offered the back area next to the river for camping.  But we pressed on to Springfield Mo.  The weather is still perfect. Oklahoma does not look so good.

                                                    A rocker for Jimpa! The sign says it all.

Stopped in Cuba, Missouri to look at this Route 66 Motel.  I must say the Wagon Wheel motel is the best

                                   Devils Elbow bridge and turn, just outside of Waynesville, Mo.

                  1955 Ford, four door, located at the Route 66 Rail Haven motel in Springfield Mo.

The Harley Road King is doing great. Mike had a couple of adjustments done today, but his is running well also. Im out of clean clothes. Need a laundry tonight. Could be a fun Friday night somewhere in Oklahoma.