A daunting pace

The Beverly Guardian newspaper in England tells of Jim Windass, who will soon bicycle the Mother Road to raise money for the Dove House Hospice. Jim, 63, will begin his mammoth 2,451-mile journey at Loving Heart Hospice in Los Angeles, California, before winding through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. Jim will finish his … Continue reading A daunting pace

Sounds like they’re warming to it

A story in the Contra Costa Times about the nearly finished Pacific Electric Trail bridge over Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Rancho Cucamonga says residents are "mixed" about its look. But the trail and the bridge are so darned good, it seems like they're getting over their misgivings. Rancho Cucamonga resident Holly Hostetler, who walks … Continue reading Sounds like they’re warming to it

Route 66 News, catch-up edition

I've been out of town for about 10 days traveling Route 66 and more. Here are the stories from the Mother Road that broke while I was away ... --- The biggest news was the announcement that the historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, Calif., would undergo extensive renovations with its new owners, reported the Monrovia … Continue reading Route 66 News, catch-up edition

High rider

A woman from Los Angeles wants to ride her double-high bicycle (like the one seen above) down Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica later in the summer, with the help of a national magazine. Melissa Rougeaux yesterday applied for a $10,000 Adventure Grant from Outside magazine. The magazine explained: In celebration of our 35th … Continue reading High rider

County seeks grant for Route 66 Bike Trail extension

McLean County, Ill., will apply for a grant that will extend the Historic Route 66 Bike Trail about 2 1/2 miles north from Towanda, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The extension would begin at County Highway 29 north of Towanda and connects an old alignment of Route 66. The state of Illinois would cover 80 percent … Continue reading County seeks grant for Route 66 Bike Trail extension

War veterans suddenly in spotlight on Route 66

Here's something eerie -- two different stories about war veterans on Route 66 were posted on the Internet today within an hour of each other. The Pontiac Daily Leader in Pontiac, Ill., reported on Tom Skinner cycling on much of Route 66 to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder -- an ailment which dogged him for … Continue reading War veterans suddenly in spotlight on Route 66

Saving a bridge by putting it on a diet

The historic York Boulevard Bridge in Los Angeles, which carried Route 66 from 1932 to 1934, apparently is in danger of being torn down and replaced with a wider bridge because of traffic congestion. However, a local cyclist has come up with an intriguing possible solution to keep the 1912 concrete arch bridge and make … Continue reading Saving a bridge by putting it on a diet

Ariston Cafe hosting sendoff party for Litchfield museum fundraiser

The Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Ill., is hosting a sendoff party tomorrow for a city administrator who will bicycle Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago to raise money for a history and Route 66 museum in the town, reported The Journal-News. The historic Route 66 restaurant will start serving free coffee and doughnuts at … Continue reading Ariston Cafe hosting sendoff party for Litchfield museum fundraiser

Pacific Electric overpass approaches the finish line

Longtime roadie Delvin Harbour sent these photos of the Pacific Electric Trail overpass that goes over Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. As you might expect, the new overpass has a Route 66 theme, and puts all eight of the Mother Road's states on display: Harbour says the overpass isn't done yet. … Continue reading Pacific Electric overpass approaches the finish line

Cyclist soon will begin quest for Litchfield museum

Andy Ritchie, a 62-year-old city administrator for Litchfield, Ill., will begin his 2,300-mile cycling quest on Route 66 in early May to raise funds for a history and Route 66 museum in Litchfield, reported The Journal-News in nearby Hillsboro. The newspaper reported: Ritchie will be accompanied by his wife, Pam, who will  fly to California … Continue reading Cyclist soon will begin quest for Litchfield museum