Cycle Route 66 - Any Ideas of places/towns to stop off at?
Replies: 33 - Last Post: Nov 7, 2012 8:39 AM Last Post By: tiredandretired
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Cycle Route 66 - Any Ideas of places/towns to stop off at?
Hi,I'm going to cycle down Route 66 next year from Chicago to LA.
I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on good places to stop, or things to see which people won't necessarily know about.
I'm going to start to try and plan a route and places where I can stay. I mean I don't want to stop somewhere where there's not much to do and find out there was a really interesting place not too far away where I could of gone.
I'd be very grateful for any tips and recommendations people would be able to give me.
Thanks a lot,
Tom
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Santa Fe, New Mexico, was on the original Route #66 before 1936 and there are road markers starting in Pecos, New Mexico, (alongside Interstate-25 near Glorieta Pass where a Civil War battle was fought) on the original route, which then leads south to Albuquerque and alongside Interstate-40 to Santa Monica, California. The original Santa Fe Trail from around Kansas City is well-marked -- Google it, and it became Route #66.5
What BubbaK said. You need to decide what you are going to do about long stretches of the old US-66 right-of-way that are now interstate highways. Bicycles are not welcome on interstates. Riding a bicycle on an interstate highway is suicidal. You should also contemplate the true meaning of signs that say "NO SERVICES NEXT 80 MILES." This is especially true when the highway streches to the horizon across a desert.Good luck to you.
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I'd be interested to know how, if it's illegal to bike on the eye roads, you would know it's "suicidal" Zelda. Have you done it? The fact of the matter is, riding on the freeway would be much safer than a typical road in your town. I'd explain the details on this, but I'm sure you understand.Totten - post this over on the bike branch. You'll get much more feedback.
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The cycling should be easy in Illinois as it is mostly flat. Illinois has much of the original 66 signed as such. Many counties have taken one of the carriageways and turned to rec path suitable for bicycles. 66 is lightly travelled county road with most of the traffic opting for I-55. Exceptions are Chicago, Joliet, Bloomington, and Springfield where the original road is now 4 or 6 lane urban arteries.A word of caution, while downtown Chicago is fairly safe, some of the "hoods" 66 passes through in that city are sketchy at best. Same goes with some villages in Madison County, Illinois. I believe the Chain of Rocks bridge that was 66 Bypass across the Miss. River is now a rec path.
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I'd be interested to know how, if it's illegal to bike on the eye roads, you would know it's "suicidal" Zelda. Have you done it? The fact of the matter is, riding on the freeway would be much safer than a typical road in your town. I'd explain the details on this, but I'm sure you understand.
You may be right. Trundling along at 5-10 MPH alongside traffic traveling between 70 MPH and 90 MPH what could possibly go wrong? The 80,000 # semis must be at least 10-12 feet away. It is never dark, raining, or foggy and drivers are never sleepy, drunk, or high. How could I have been so wrong? "Suicidal" is just my opinion based on 45 years and a million and a half miles driving on the damned things.
If someone drifts onto the shoulder when you happen to be there on a bicycle, regardless of the reason, all you are is one more bug splat.
Most interstates are prohibited to any vehicle that cannot maintain at least 40 MPH. Those nice wide shoulders are intended for "EMERGENCY USE ONLY." They are not the "BICYCLE LANE." It is illegal to use them as an extra travel lane.
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Most interstates are prohibited to any vehicle that cannot maintain at least 40 MPH. Those nice wide shoulders are intended for "EMERGENCY USE ONLY." They are not the "BICYCLE LANE." It is illegal to use them as an extra travel lane.
From the Department of Transportation:Bicycles on Freeways
There are no Federal laws or regulations that prohibit bicycle use on Interstate highways or other freeways. Although a State may prohibit bicycles on freeways, prohibition is not a Federal requirement. Most western States allow bicycles to use Interstate highways or other freeways. Many of these States restrict bicycle use in urban or other congested areas.
In some locations, the Interstate highway or other freeway may be the only reasonable route, or may be preferred compared to other steep, narrow, or winding routes. A State should consider safety and traffic concerns along the freeway and along alternative routes when considering whether or not to allow bicyclists to use freeways.
The Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities 1999 from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recognizes that bicycles may use freeways (see page 60). To order a copy, go to the AASHTO Bookstore.
Section 166 of title 23 allows motorcycles and bicycles to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) facilities, unless either or both create a safety hazard. If so, the State must certify, the Secretary must accept certification, and it must be published in the Federal Register with opportunity for public comment.
Here are the rules from Arizona. Note specifically the figures, which include signage indicating bikes must use shoulders.
This is for New Mexico. Note 18.31.3.8 C (near the bottom).
I'm sure other states have their own rules.
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#11 is right as there were at least four alignments of 66 through the state of Illinois during the 20th century. The 1st alignment is now Illinois 4 I think.I will say this, you'll never go more than 4-5 miles in Illinois without passing by a place to eat, drink, or use the loo. New Mexico and Arizona might be another story.
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37 states prohibit bycycles on interstate highways.It varies by state. All states prohibit cyclists on at least some limited access divided express highways. Several states — Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming — permit bikes on virtually all interstates. Other states, like Missouri, simply don't address the issue, creating vague situations. New Jersey and Pennsylvania can issue permits for bicycle use for particular uses and locations. Interstates can be opened for bicyclists where no alternative route exists in many states, including:
•Alaska
•Arizona
•California
•Colorado
•Montana
•Nevada
•New Mexico
•North Carolina
•Oklahoma
•Oregon
•Texas
•Utah
•Washington
In all other states (and the District of Columbia), bicyclists are not allowed to ride on interstates. However, even in these states, there are exceptions to this rule where bicyclists are permitted to use a particular bridge that is part of the interstate system (e.g. I-66 in Virginia, I-70 in Kansas). It is important to note that beyond statutory law, state Departments of Transportation may have additional rules and regulations regarding bicycling on the interstate or other limited access highways.
For more information, the League of American Bicyclists provides links to many state bicycling laws.
I still think it is suicidal too.
