USA, maybe Route 66? June, July 2016.
 

Hi all,
planning stage still in its infancy so nothing fixed yet other than going to the USA from UK. I'm a seasoned rider (52yrs Old) and have done loads of solo and group trips around all of Europe. This time wanting to go further afield and possibly do the Route 66? Wherever i do go i will be taking my time and taking it all in. I am under no time constraints due to taking some time out of work. I would really like to here from anyone who fancy's coming along or maybe an invitation to join someone else's trip.

Best regards, Chris.
yogiwaite@yahoo.co.uk

Hi Chris,

I'm also a seasoned biker (56 years young on Friday), have done Europe and could be interested, currently riding a Tiger 800 and looking for a trip this year. What are your ideas re bike, ship yours out or hire when there? What sort of a budget are you thinking of, number of days away?

I'm sure there are lots more questions at the planning stage but your thoughts would be useful.

That's a pity - we did USA / 66 last autumn over a couple of months. The bike's still there for future use but it looks like the next trip is likely to be '17 rather than this year.

Hi sezian,

Good to hear from ya. Ive just gone and got me one of the New Africa Twins due to my GS got written-off last year. So yeah i plan to ship my bike over there. Im pretty open with the amount of days but im thinking of at least a month minimum. It just seems wrong to go to all the trouble of getting your bike there and then racing around at break-neck speed trying to fit everything in 10 days or so? I was kinda thinking of a 50/50 mix of Camping/Motel? The Camping would help in keeping the cost down however, i have been told that Motels are cheap and plentiful anyway? What dya think? As far as the route, that would depend on who's going and if they, or you, have any preferences? Im open to ideas if you have any?

Best regards
Chris

Chris,
I could do a month away and I would love to take my Tiger so your thoughts are spot on in this regard :mchappy:

Being an old fart now I do prefer a bed at night so would opt for motels, as you say there are plenty, and reasonably priced over there. My only concern is budget, have you looked into cost of shipping the bike over and back? I'm also guessing we would need something like $75 a day for food fuel and accommodation (and beer) which in total could add up to quite a bit. Have you worked out a budget?

get maps
 

We won't be able to join you. We will probably be on your side of the pond but we have riden route 66 a couple times and a strong recommendation is to get the historic route 66 Society maps. Not expensive but very helpful for traveling this road that is now a decommissioned highway
Route 66 is a great choice. Lots to see and interesting people to meet

Hi sezian, i have had a couple of quote's come through for shipping. One from James Cargo that says; Bike to be dropped off at Manchester to be delivered to Chicago £1085 (Transit time approx 7 days) and for it to come back; Bike dropped off in Los Angeles where the Bike will be packed into a vehicle container and shipped back to the UK, ready for collection from depot in Felixstowe, the price will be £871 (Transit time of approx 6 weeks).

Your about Spot-on for the daily budget, i too guessed around £50 a day without of course Sight-seeing/Attraction entrance fees etc. It was on the strength of this i was going to do a bit of Camping?

Thanks John for the advice on the Maps. From what i have read on peoples opinions of their trip on the 66 a lot all say pretty much the same thing about been armed with proper Maps. They say that, just to go along trying to find your way by signpost and good-luck would be a total waste of time. You would get lost in minutes???

Hi Chris:
I live in Vancouver, BC, and plan on riding some of the Back Road Discovery routes in the Western USA in the summer and fall of 2016: Backcountry Discovery Routes
You might think about some of these routes, there is lots of info and GPS tracks routes for download. And maybe you want to join me for some??
And re: shipping your bike from the UK, you may want to consider Air Canada, they have great rates to ship and fly with your bike to Canada from many cities in Europe and the UK. You could fly into Toronto or Montreal and then jump into the US from there.
Cheers,
Rob

Imho route 66 is a poor choice, the USA has a huge amount of roads and many are far nicer....

The only traffic on 66 is people doing 66. :rofl:

There are long stretches though where it's a damn sight better than I 40

Continental Divide in July?
 

Gday Rob, I don't know what you ride, but I'm a fellow canuck living in NZ for the last 20yrs and coming to ride the Continental Divide this July :) If you are up for it, let me know. It should take 2-3wks and no traffic other than other bikers and the odd quad bike (atv). I've got a roadbook from N to S but I may b keen to do it in reverse since I arrive in LA on 28June. Still looking for a bike! Will probably settle on a DRZ400, since its cheap and reliable, but I prefer others like a 690e or 650x.