19-OCT-2007
Bicycle!
In front of the store by the gas station in Barstow, we noticed this bicycle with a sign that said "I love Route 66", with luggages strapped on the sides of the front and rear wheels, with maps on the handle bar, it seems that it has seen some serious long distance...
19-OCT-2007
The German bicyclist...
Then I saw this gentleman walking out of the store. I went over and talked to him. He's German, coming from Germany 4 months ago, bringing his bicycle here to tour route 66 and he's due to fly back home in a week from LAX! He's trying to reach the end of Route 66 in Santa Monica.
It's just impressive and made me, riding a motorcycle on long trip, look like a wussy... :-)
19-OCT-2007
The German bicyclist and his bicycle
We were so impressed and we told ourselves, we wishes we could still ride a motorcycle when we are his age, let alone a bicycle...
19-OCT-2007
British riders
At the gas station, 2 couples pulled in on 2 big Harleys. After they refilled, they came over to say hello and chat. They are British coming from London, England. Flew to Vegas, rented 2 motorcycles and tour Route 66 and USA. Look at those smiles. Riding motorcycle always makes us happy and that's why we ride.
19-OCT-2007
US Rider
Then at the same place, we met John (I'm bad at remembering names), a solo rider from San Diego who was on his way to visit his brother in Kingman on a beautiful Harley, taking route 66. He's a very funny guy and we chatted and made jokes around before we went our separate way.
19-OCT-2007
Route 66 - The Mother Road
Vu on the left and Kevin on the right, celebrating of entering Route 66!
This section of route 66 from Barstow to Needles was deserted. We didn't see much traffic for almost 100 miles.
Route 66, also known as The Main Street Of America and The Mother Road, was established in 1926 running from Chicago to Los Angeles, connecting East to West. However, it wasn' t completely paved until 1938 and became the first highway in America that was completely paved.
Businesses and economy were stimulated by the Route 66 as travelers moving on this 2-lane highway can pull over anytime and anywhere, unlike today's superhighways that provided access only through ramps at intersections, making traveling/driving/riding as impersonal as it can be.
Little by little, modern Interstate superhighways replaced Route 66, providing shorter and faster of getting from point A to point B. Route 66 started to decline in the 1960s.
Today, one still can ride or drive or walk the total length of Route 66, which is 2450 miles, from Santa Monica, California, the West end of Route 66, all the way to Chicago, Illinois, the East end of Route 66.
19-OCT-2007
Me and Kevin
We were excited on entering the fame deserted Mother Road...
19-OCT-2007
Route 66 - rough section...
This section was pretty rough. I guess nobody maintained this section anymore as it was parallel to highway 40, right next to each other, and all cars/trucks take hw 40.
19-OCT-2007
Route 66 at Ludlow
We took a break under the freeway 40 overpass then continued on Route 66...
This is the town of Ludlow, the last gas service before Needles at almost 100 miles away...
19-OCT-2007
Amboy And Roy's Cafe Motel
Then we stopped at Amboy, a small town that was established in 1858. Roy's Motel & Cafe, has been serving Route 66 travelers since 1926. Now the gas station is no longer in service. The Cafe and Motel are being remodeled to be reopened soon.
19-OCT-2007
Amboy And Roy's Motel Cafe history
This is the plaque mounted on the wall.