Claudia Heller, in her ongoing series about Route 66 in Southern California, tells the story of Dan Hyke, who bicycled part of Route 66 and beyond from Santa Monica, Calif., to Virginia Beach, Va., in 1982.
Hyke was moved to try the cross-country feat after the death of his father. Averaging a little less than $20 a day, he started at the Pacific Ocean and dipped his feet (and bicycle) into the Atlantic 60 days later.
When he finally reached Virginia Beach, his life had changed forever. “I learned several important lessons on that trip,” lessons that he teaches his students. “Never give up. Be persistent in following your dreams. Overcome your personal fears. Face the challenges before you.”
Today Hyke is the head of the science department at Alhambra High School where he teaches environmental science. He said that peddling on Route 66 and beyond changed his life for the better. He keeps his journal close at hand as a reminder of that trip, and enjoys the enthusiasm of his students when he shows them a slide show of the journey.
Also, Heller recently wrote a story about places such as Sagebrush Annie’s and the Do Drop Inn in Oro Grande, Calif.