Ten cyclists from Great Britain want to set a world record by pedaling all 2,448 miles of Route 66 in just seven days, according to the St. Albans Review. The cyclists will embark on the relay effort sometime next year, said the newspaper, to raise money for Help for Heroes and the Willow Foundation. The … Continue reading British cyclists want to do Route 66 in one week
Category: Road trips
Route 66, 20 years ago
Wayne Freedman, a reporter for KGO-TV in San Francisco, on Wednesday tweeted about these two videos from 1992 about Route 66. The first video prominently features Angel "The Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo. https://youtu.be/IJF_wFgqX8M The second video from the same time period spotlights the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz. https://youtu.be/7wbkgcUHFOM Remember, these videos were shot … Continue reading Route 66, 20 years ago
Mitt’s missed opportunity?
A top strategist for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney proposed a Route 66 tour as a part of the campaign, according to a report today by Politico. The long story takes the angle that strategist Stuart Stevens will likely be the fall guy if Romney loses the election in November. Buried in Politico's report is … Continue reading Mitt’s missed opportunity?
A new take on Depeche Mode’s “Route 66”
Here's a remarkable new (but unofficial) video of Depeche Mode's version of "Route 66." It was shot and edited by Jakub Górajek for SensiMedia in Poland. The footage was taken in July in Chicago; St. Louis; Elk City, Okla.; Shamrock, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; Tucumcari, N.M.; Grants, N.M.; Gallup, N.M.; Holbrook, Ariz.; Winslow, Ariz.; Flagstaff, Ariz.; … Continue reading A new take on Depeche Mode’s “Route 66”
Book review: “Route 66 Still Kicks”
You have to admire the nerve or foolishness of two pals who are so determined to travel old alignments of Route 66 that they get stuck not once, but twice, during their journey. That's what happens in Rick Antonson's "Route 66 Still Kicks" (Skyhorse Publishing, paperback, 336 pages, illustrated, e-book available). Although this book is … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Still Kicks”
El Trovatore Motel’s owner offering Route 66 tours
Sam Frisher, owner of the recently refurbished El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz., soon will offer day trips on Route 66 on a bus he purchased, according to Kingman-based writer and roadie Jim Hinckley. Hinckley wrote in an email: The centerpiece is twofold, as it will be a full Route 66 immersion that includes a … Continue reading El Trovatore Motel’s owner offering Route 66 tours
Illinois town adds quick-charging station for electric cars
A quick-charging station has been installed at the Uptown Station Parking Deck in downtown Normal, Ill., for the benefit of electric-vehicle drivers, including Route 66 tourists, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The Level 3 DC Quick Charge station enables drivers to charge their EV batteries to 80 percent in a mere 30 minutes. “Being able to charge mid-day … Continue reading Illinois town adds quick-charging station for electric cars
“Stars in California”
This beautifully shot video, directed by M. Andrew Barrera, for "Stars in California" by Texas singer-songwriter Drew Kennedy was shot on several locales on Route 66, as you'll soon see. Drew Kennedy - "Stars in California" (Official Music Video) from M. Andrew Barrera on Vimeo. The song's pretty good, too.
“Hotel California” takes some inspiration from the Mother Road
https://youtu.be/NUbTW928sMU It seems obvious when you think about it, but one of The Eagles' biggest hit singles, "Hotel California," took part of its inspiration from the band members' westward journeys on Route 66. That's according to one of the band's previous members, Don Felder, who was interviewed by Music Radar about the 1977 million-seller. Felder … Continue reading “Hotel California” takes some inspiration from the Mother Road
The inevitable Chinese invasion
I noted a little more than a year ago that China, with its 1.2 billion residents, would likely become a big force in Route 66 tourism in the coming years. Today, a report in the Kingman Daily Miner in Kingman, Ariz., strengthened my hunch. Nearly 40 Chinese citizens, under the auspices of that country's branches … Continue reading The inevitable Chinese invasion