Testing the brand new Can-Am Canyon Redrock in Arizona offered me with a chance to journey a part of Historic Route 66. I started in Flagstaff, a mountain city that mixes an enthralling historic district with the vitality of a faculty city (Go Lumberjacks!) and a gateway location close to the Grand Canyon and a number of other nationwide monuments.
Interstate 40, which changed or bypassed Route 66 in elements of New Mexico, Arizona, and California, runs east-west by way of Flagstaff. Historic Route 66 winds its means by way of the center of city, the place you possibly can go to landmarks equivalent to Miz Zip’s diner, the Lowell Observatory, and the Americana Motor Lodge (the place Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper stayed whereas filming Straightforward Rider). The Flagstaff Customer Middle, positioned within the practice depot downtown, presents maps, information, and a cell passport that lists “66 Issues to Do on Flagstaff’s Route 66.”
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West of Flagstaff, Route 66 merges with I-40, and an indication that reads “Arizona Divide, Elevation 7,335” marks the very best level on Route 66. Subsequent, I took the exit for Williams, the final city to be bypassed by I-40 (on October 13, 1984) and a launching level for Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, both by using 60 miles north on State Route 64 or taking the Grand Canyon Railway.
Route 66 nostalgia is alive and effectively in Williams. Downtown is split into eastbound and westbound one-way streets which can be lined with motels, bars, eating places, memento outlets, murals, and sights celebrating the Mom Highway. After a cruise round downtown, I continued west on I-40.
Sixteen miles later, I exited at Ash Fork and adopted Route 66 by way of the previous railroad city. The Route 66 museum was closed once I handed by way of, and most different websites are in disrepair.
After one other 5 miles on I-40, I exited at Crookton Highway and rode a quiet 18-mile stretch of previous Route 66 to Seligman, passing a number of units of restored Burma-Shave indicators, together with: He tried to cross / As quick practice neared / Demise didn’t draft him / He volunteered.
It was a scorching day, so I finished in Seligman for a milkshake at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, a historic eatery based in 1953 by Juan Delgadillo. Juan’s brother, Angel, as soon as the native barber, based the Historic Route 66 Affiliation of Arizona. Seligman has a number of notable Route 66 institutions, together with the Aztec Motel, the Roadkill Cafe/O.Okay. Saloon, and the Copper Cart (which has a small motorbike museum).
From Seligman, I continued west on Historic Route 66, a quiet, desolate stretch by way of the excessive desert to Peach Springs, a city on the Hualapai Reservation that gives the Hualapai Lodge however no Route 66 nostalgia.
For the subsequent 50 miles, Route 66 passes by way of a parched panorama dotted with a couple of communities – Truxton, Crozier, Valentine, Hackberry, Antares. Some have relics of the previous, however largely they supply proof of how a lot was misplaced when I-40 handed them by.
Subsequent up was Kingman, a thriving metropolis that absolutely embraces its Route 66 heritage: throwback motels and eateries, signage and murals, and a big customer middle with a drive-thru Route 66 arch that’s good for commemorative pictures.
Leaving Kingman, Historic Route 66 passes by way of a dramatic canyon, crosses over I-40, and turns into Oatman Freeway. The street to Oatman is slim, steeply graded, and stuffed with switchbacks as it really works its means up and over Sitgreaves Cross (3,586 ft). What was probably the most feared part of Route 66 for migrants and vacationers within the early days is probably the most thrilling for motorcyclists.
Oatman, a former mining city with weathered storefronts, picket boardwalks, and wandering burros, is a well-liked cease. From Oatman, Route 66 descends greater than 2,000 ft by way of the desert on its approach to the state line.
Once I reached Topock, a 160-mile uninterrupted stretch of previous Route 66 got here to an finish as I received again on the interstate to cross into California. Using over the Colorado River, I admired the white Outdated Trails Bridge, which as soon as carried Route 66 visitors, and the blue, inviting water.
The primary city in California is Needles, the place Route 66 separates from I-40 because it goes by way of city after which is swallowed up once more because it climbs into the rugged mountains of the Mojave Desert.
Quickly I entered the Mojave Trails Nationwide Monument, which spans 1.6 million acres between Needles and Barstow and accommodates one of many longest undeveloped stretches of Historic Route 66. I had been on the street for almost 10 hours, and the 100-degree-plus warmth was taking its toll. I missed an exit for Route 66, and one other part off Mountain Springs Highway was closed for building. I lastly exited I-40 at Kelbaker Highway and rode south to Route 66 close to the long-lasting however defunct Roy’s Motel & Cafe in Amboy.
Using west, I started seeing massive white Route 66 freeway symbols painted on the roadway because it handed by way of empty desert and wilderness areas. For miles, I-40 was nowhere in sight, however ultimately it drew nearer and Route 66 ran proper subsequent to it, passing by way of hardscrabble communities like Ludlow, Newberry Springs, and Daggett. Route 66 stopped abruptly at a Marine Corps Logistics Base, so I returned to I-40 for the previous few miles into Barstow.
Using all the best way to Santa Monica Pier wasn’t within the playing cards. The ultimate 130 miles of Route 66 goes by way of the sprawl of Los Angeles on floor streets and takes hours to journey. I used to be nonetheless three hours from dwelling, and by the point I received there, I had logged 678 miles over 16 hours in temperatures starting from 41-106 levels. I loved my Route 66 motorbike journey, however I used to be overdue for a beer.
Historic Route 66 Assets
Learn Extra about Route 66:
America’s Mom Highway: Chicago to L.A. on Route 66
Get Your Kickstarts on Route 66
Yore Mom Highway: Recollections of a Route 66 Motorbike Trip
Route 66 Motorbike Trip in Oklahoma
