The New York Times published a good article today about the hurdles that drivers encountered in during the recently completed microcar cruise on Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago. A few of those vehicles, many of which boasted itty-bitty engines of just 500 cc, encountered problems along the way: “When we got to Kingman, … Continue reading The challenges of a minicar cruise
Category: Road trips
Caravan of motorcycles older than the Mother Road
Dozens of long-distance motorcycle cruises are organized on the Mother Road each year. But this one is too unusual to ignore. In a few days, the Pre-1916 Motorcycle Cannonball endurance run begins in Kitty Hawk, N.C., and ends 17 days later at the shores of Santa Monica, Calif. The caravan will drive on a large … Continue reading Caravan of motorcycles older than the Mother Road
Straight to the DVD pile
Here's a movie I had no idea existed until today. It's a road-trip film called "$5 a Day," and it was released on DVD on Tuesday. According to HamptonRoads.com's High-Def Watch section, the movie takes place partly on Route 66. Though it was a low-budget flick, it boasted several prominent actors. The synopsis: Christopher Walken is hilarious … Continue reading Straight to the DVD pile
Briton driving Route 66 to raise funds for hospice
Ted Brooker of England will mark his 66th birthday by driving Route 66 next month in a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and raise funds for a local hospice, reported the Derbyshire Times. "I've had a great life so far and thought it would be a waste to do something as fun as this and not generate some … Continue reading Briton driving Route 66 to raise funds for hospice
Ohio man plans 2,500-mile bicycle ride
Jamey Mixson of South Euclid, Ohio, soon will start a bicycle ride across the country to raise awareness about illiteracy and childhood obesity, reported the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Mixson will start Saturday from Cleveland and will end his journey in Los Angeles suburb of Manhattan Beach, Calif. He's planning on picking up Route 66 in St. … Continue reading Ohio man plans 2,500-mile bicycle ride
Looks like they’ll make it
The Associated Press caught up to the participants in the 2010 Route 66 Microcar Rally in Odell, Ill. Since Odell is less than 100 miles from the group's goal of making it to Chicago, from Santa Monica, it looks like those folks will get there. But not without some difficulty:
Epic cycling tour includes part of Route 66
Tour d'Afrique has announced it will add part of Route 66 to its itinerary for a 92-day, 5,000-mile bicycle ride in 2011 from San Francisco to St. John's, Newfoundland. Between stops in Wichita, Kan., and Detroit is this: Legendary Route 66 beckons in the states of Missouri and Illinois. Along it’s storied path we’ll stop in … Continue reading Epic cycling tour includes part of Route 66
Route 66 photo exhibit on display near Detroit
If you live or pass through the Detroit area in the next week, you ought to go see Michael Campanelli's Rotue 66 photography exhibit in Royal Oak, Mich. According to the Detroit News, Campanelli's photos will be on display at the Shrine of the Little Flower Conference Center in Royal Oak (map here) through Aug. … Continue reading Route 66 photo exhibit on display near Detroit
Notes from the road
The documentary "Route 66: Ten Years Later" will have its debut at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Portage Theater in Chicago. Writer Tim Steil and photographer Jim Luning collaborated on their "Route 66" book during a Mother Road trip in 1999. A decade later, they decided to revisit the places they saw and see … Continue reading Notes from the road
Long trip for little cars
The 2010 Route 66 Microcar Rally departed from Santa Monica Pier a few days ago. Here's a video as the group of tiny-car enthusiasts makes its way through the Los Angeles metro area: I noted that one of the itty-bitty cars bore a strong resemblance to Luigi in the movie "Cars." Some of these cars … Continue reading Long trip for little cars