Cycling group will map out Mother Road route

The Adventure Cycling Association said it would begin tracing a Chicago-to-Los Angeles route for cyclists to follow as much of historic Route 66 as possible, according to a news release today.

From the release:

“Route 66 was the overwhelming favorite among our members for a new long-distance route,” said Carla Majernik, Adventure Cycling’s routes and mapping director. “It’s a legendary corridor and, for our route network, a critical link through areas where we have no routes, such as Oklahoma.” […]

Small towns will be an important feature of Bicycle Route 66, and are favorite attractions for touring cyclists who look to get off the beaten path and make connections with locals during their journeys. […]

Lon Haldeman, an experienced Route 66 bike tour leader said, “This route can be done as a camping tour in roadside campgrounds, however there are many unique motels along the route which make this a good credit card tour type route. Eating in the old cafes and diners is part of the charm.”

Bicycle Route 66 will take in the historic highway’s iconic urban hubs, such as Chicago and St. Louis, marking the first time that Adventure Cycling’s routes, which generally keep cyclists on the outskirts of large urban areas, will mesh with the goals of the official U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS), which aims to connect rural and urban areas, from countryside to suburbs to city center. This will also be the first time that an Adventure Cycling route and an official U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR 66) will be developed in tandem.

“The vision for Bicycle Route 66 is the same as the original vision for Route 66, which was to connect the main streets of rural and urban communities,” said Ginny Sullivan, special projects director for Adventure Cycling. “Bicycle Route 66 will be a perfect choice for traveling cyclists looking to explore the American heartland’s natural beauty, history, and funky out-of-the-way places.”

The association says it will begin scouting the path for Bicycle Route 66 this winter. It anticipates it will require several years of field research; Route 66 cycling maps will be available by 2014 or 2015.

The main challenge is to find alternate routes for stretches of unavoidable interstate. But 85 percent of Route 66 remains navigable without setting foot on the interstate. Because the association also has stated its willingness to trace the path through urban areas, I anticipate nearly 2,000 miles of Route 66 will be available for cyclists. And with vast swaths of Route 66 going through rural areas, little reason exists for planners to detour away from the Mother Road.

This development is a big deal. I’ve noted an uptick of people requesting information about cycling the Mother Road. Alas, because of the unavoidable interstate problem, I’ve been of little help. But a group is investigating how to clear this very hurdle.

Within a few years, businesses along the Mother Road will likely see a new, vibrant source of pedal-powered tourist revenue.

(Hat tip: Richard C. Moeur)