Day 28 (10/16)

We had a pleasant evening camping and woke up to cool temps.  After a hearty breakfast I hit the road.  It was to be another beautiful sunny day, but with one major flaw for cyclists - a fierce headwind coming out of the west.  Riding in a tucked aerodynamic  position down on the drops bars was becoming habit.  It was going to be a tough day on the bike.  What I really needed was a reprieve, a tailwind,  but it was not to be.  On the contrary, the wind forecast for the next few days was more of the same.   At maximum effort, the best I could do was 9 MPH.   After 35 miles of this, it seemed pointless to continue.  I felt like I had  ridden 70 miles. I needed to get off the bike.  Chuck came out to check on me, we loaded it into his truck.  I really wanted to spend some time with him hiking  the Grand Canyon, Red Mountain, and other adventures. So after four weeks and 1,688 miles, this segment of my 2016 Route 66 tour ended in Santa Fe, New Mexico.     My plan is to complete the remaining 900 miles to the Santa Monica pier next year (or when I turn 66 :).

Chuck grilling up a feast last evening.

On the road to Santa Fe on my last R66 touring day.

Day 27 (10/15)

The first 20 miles were spent on the I-40 freeway.  As I exited on Route 66 the winds started to gust strongly out of the west.    Adding to the day's challenge were the climbs to higher elevation as I approached the Continental Divide.  It would be a slow grind for the next 40 miles.  A compensating factor was the spectacular scenery of mesas and mountains.  I made it to Las Vegas, NM at mid-afternoon, a distance of 62 miles and 3,395 ft in elevation gain. My average speed was 10 MPH. 

My brother, Chuck, drove ahead and had his camper set up when I arrived. He had cold beer, snacks, and cooked a fabulous dinner on the Coleman grill.  It doesn't get any better than that.  It was great to have him with me and spend time together. 

Riding the original Route 66

Beautiful New Mexico

Camping in Las Vegas, NM

Day 26 (10/14)

Today was a rest day, not by choice, but out of necessity because my bike was not rideable after the  hub cracked.  My brother in Flagstaff kindly offered to bring me out a replacement wheel.  He is also bringing his camper and will support  me on the remaining miles of this tour.  Sometimes good fortune follows in the wake of adversity.  

My cracked front hub.  See the two spokes that broke loose.

Day 25 (10/13)

My first full day of touring Route 66 in New Mexico was filled with beautiful scenery and perfect weather.  Beautiful mesas and rock formations surrounded us.  Thus far, this is the best and most scenic part of R66.  The first 10 miles were on I-40, but the rest of the way to Santa Rosa was nearly traffic free.  In and after Cuervo it actually became desolate with fantastic views.

As I descended into Santa Rosa I heard a cracking sound. A moment later my front wheel started to wobble.  I stopped to inspect it and found that a piece of the hub had broken off and two spokes were hanging loose.   Fortunately my brother will be bringing me a replacement wheel tomorrow.  I was cruising downhill at over 25 MPH when this happened.  Someone was looking out for me.  It could have been very ugly.   Today's ride was 64 miles.

Route 66, The Lonely Road

Heading Into Santa Rosa moments before my hub cracked.

Day 24 (10/12)

A cold front moved in overnight and temperatures dropped to the high 40s. The wind direction also did an about-face coming out of the NE gusting at 19 MPH.  Although it was cold, the tailwind was strong and pushed us all day.  We got to the New Mexico state line at mid-morning.  We had to ride on the I-40 freeway again, this time for 30 miles. No problems whatsoever.  The NM landscape is much more interesting than the Texas panhandle. Road conditions are improved as well.

We reached Tucumcari after riding 78 miles for the day.  There are many vintage motels on their Route 66 strip.

The Land of Enchantment

New Mexico Landscape

Great vintage motel in Tucumcari

Day 23

I left Groom at pre-dawn with lights on. I had the road to myself again. After an hour or so I met up with Erik.   We rode together for most of the day, had lunch at a diner, and navigated through Amarillo.  Erik had heard that headwinds in New Mexico were giving the racers fits and slowing their pace to a crawl.  We experienced the same in the afternoon after leaving Amarillo, riding at a 10 MPH pace.  We reached Vega, TX late in the afternoon, covering a distance of 82 miles.

Tomorrow I  will be in New Mexico.

Dawn Is A Feeling

Erik Leaving Amarillo

Route 66 Reptile

Day 22

It was cool and calm with light rain when I started out this morning. It was exciting to know that I would soon be in Texas.  I reached the state line in less than an hour.  Route 66 in Texas closely parallels it's replacement, I-40.  Although it was a bit rough, there was virtually no traffic. I mean like 1 car per hour!  It was like this all day except for an 8 mile stretch where I was routed on I-40.  I was hesitant to ride on the freeway, but there were no options.  I braced up and started down the merging ramp.  After a mile or so I got comfortable.  There was a 7' wide shoulder with rumble strips separating me from the Peterbilts.  It was also freshly paved and I rolled along well.  It was actually a nice diversion from old 66. The afternoon was warm & windy (headwinds of course!).  I  ended the day in Groom, TX, a distance of 73 miles.

Heading to Texas

Riding on I-40

Texas State Line

Day 21 (10/9)

I woke up tired with stiff leg muscles. I thought it best to reduce my planned mileage for the day.  I checked the map and found that Erick, OK was just 60 miles and doable.  It was cool and overcast and the morning winds were calm.  Today's route was again, lightly traveled by motorists.  It took me longer than usual to warm-up, but I finally got in the groove.   The winds picked up in the afternoon and road conditions deteriorated.  Traffic remained light, but the road surface was rough, slowing my pace significantly.  I made it to Erick at 3:00 pm, just before the rains came.  My distance was 63 miles for the day.  I am only 7 miles from the Texas state line.

Today marks 3 weeks since I began this trip and now realize that reaching Santa Monica will not happen on this tour. I am planning to complete the remaining miles in the spring.  At this point, I hope to make it to Albuquerque  or possibly Flagstaff. 

The Open Road

Rough Road

"King of the Road"

Day 20 (10/8)

Today was a complete reversal of yesterday.  It was sunny with mild winds and the route led me out of city congestion into the Oklahoma countryside.  Occasionally a car would pass, but for the most part, I owned the road.  The miles flew by quickly and I ended the day in Clinton, a distance of 76 miles.

The Oklahoma countryside

I own the road

Day 19 (10/7)

Thunderstorms and a cold front moved in overnight and I awoke to temperatures in the low 50s with a stiff north wind.  It was a ride-to-stay-warm kind of day.  Road and weather  conditions were not the best and I just tried to power through it.  I was disappointed when I reached Oklahoma City because the route maps did not go near the downtown soI did not get a chance to view the city.

I reached Yukon, on the SW side of Oklahoma City, a distance of 77 miles. I should be in Texas by Sunday afternoon.

Arcadia Round Barn

My welcome to Oklahoma City 

Day 18 (10/6)

When I met touring cyclist Theo back on day 14, he gave me a stern warning about the dangers of cycling through Tulsa. He even advised me to get a lift through the city.  This had been in the back of my mind ever since.  Well today was the day that I faced the beast.  I did take one precaution: I waited until rush hour was over before starting out.

I rode 11th Street through the city and had no problems whatsoever, other than having to bunny-hop a few storm grates. Traffic was moderate and I had plenty of space.  What a relief!  Theo apparently was referring to a section of road north of Tulsa that I had ridden the day prior.  It was sheer terror.

I had a good morning on the bike, but the afternoon was heat, hills, and headwinds. Somehow I was able to grind out 70 miles and made it to Stroud.  Tomorrow I will reach Oklahoma City.

I met the photographer for the Route 66 Bike Race, Erik Mathy at the motel.  The race is still on, despite the casualties, he said. The  racers are widely spread out on R66.

Riding into Tulsa

Rock Cafe 1939 " The Pride of Stroud" 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Headquarters for the night. Great sign!

 Photographer Eric Mathy

Day 17 (10/5)

Today was my first full day in Oklahoma. I made good progress in the morning and got my first glimpse of the Oklahoma countryside. As I was riding along near Afton, a classic car ('65 Chevy Nova) slowed down next to me. The passenger asked where I was going.  They were driving their classic car on a Route 66 tour all the way to Santa Monica. I asked where they were from - Michigan they said!  I told them I was too and we all laughed.  Traffic started coming up behind them and we said a quick goodbye. As they passed I saw the Michigan plate.  I lament not getting a photo, but it happened so quick.

The afternoon was headwinds and heavy traffic as I got closer to Tulsa.  It was an 84 mile day that ended in Catoosa.

A Beautiful Morning in OK

Pryor Creek Bridge-1926. Route 66 has many of these old bridges.   They would make a great coffee table book!

Day 16 (10/4)

I crossed the state line into Kansas at 10:00 AM, and two hours later reached Oklahoma.  I was not sad to leave Missouri.  Its hills were challenging, and I had no problem with motorists, but the roads were narrow with no shoulder.   The space between car and bike was often too close for comfort.

Two racers from the Route 66 bike race caught up with me and we stopped at the OK state line to meet and discuss the race.  Stuart and Jason are from England and told me that 45 riders started the race in Chicago on 10/1, but 4 had been involved in accidents already and the organizers were thinking about cancelling the race.  These guys are unbelievable. They sleep 4 hours a day, and spend the other 20 (less breaks) on the bike, riding over 200 miles per day.  Of course they are riding carbon bikes and carrying minimal gear.  Today's headwinds have put them behind schedule, they said.

I stopped in Miami, OK to make some needed adjustments to my bike with a mere 51 miles for the day.

Rainbow Curve Bridge-Built In 1923

 British racers Jason and Stuart

Day 15 (10/3)

Today's ride took me off of Route 66 to avoid Highway 96, which is  a 55 MPH 2-lane road that replaced Route 66.  The alternate route took me north into farm country.  Today was the most enjoyable riding day I have had in Missouri. Traffic was light and it was relaxing.  It was also not as hilly and there was a tailwind. Altogether it was a perfect sunny day. I rode 71 miles to Carthage, MO, just outside of Joplin.  I will be in Oklahoma tomorrow.

Old Route 66 and new Highway 96

Roadside Attraction

Riding In the hinterlands

Day 14 (10/2)

As I was leaving Lebanon this morning, I met another touring cyclist heading northeast. Theo had started in Long Beach, CA and was riding Route 66 to St.Louis. From there he was heading to NYC.  We exchanged information on the road ahead (elevation, traffic conditions, things to see, etc.) that I found valuable. It was nice to see a fellow cyclist.

There's no escaping politics and if Route 66 is any indication, Missouri will go to Trump.  Trump-Pence signs line the road.   The Trump camp even took out a full size Hillary billboard on I-44.

Another thing that is in abundance on R66 are dogs.  I am chased, on average, by  three dogs per day. I am usually able to outrun them, but occasionally I have resorted  to pepper spray.  Glad I packed it!

I made it to Springfield, 64 miles for the day. Tomorrow should be my last day in Missouri.  I will start the push across Oklahoma on Tuesday.

Theo, heading to NYC

Riding through Trump Country

Don't leave home without it.