The Historic Route 66 Bikeway in McLean County, Illinois, this week won a $1.92 million grant from an Illinois Department of Transportation program to extend the bicycle path another 1.1 miles. According to a document from the agency, the grant aims to extend the bikeway from south of Shirley, Illinois, to Funks Grove, Illinois. The the … Continue reading Route 66 Bikeway in Illinois lands grant for extension
Category: Bicycling
Two German cyclists die in crash near Galena
Two cyclists from Germany died Tuesday near Galena, Kansas, after being struck by a minivan on Route 66. KOAM-TV posted this brief video from the scene: KOAM TV 7 The Joplin Globe reported the crash occurred about 11 a.m. on Kansas Route 66 just west of Galena. The Kansas Highway Patrol was investigating; the names of … Continue reading Two German cyclists die in crash near Galena
U.S. bicycle route on Route 66 in Missouri may be ready by summer
Missouri and Kansas are working to set up a U.S. bicycle route along Route 66 in their states, and Missouri may have it in place by summer. The Joplin Globe reported: The U.S. Bicycle Route System is the national cycling route network that’s serviced by state and local governments. Its goal is to connect bicycle … Continue reading U.S. bicycle route on Route 66 in Missouri may be ready by summer
Two big bicycle events to roll across Route 66 in Missouri, Oklahoma
Two large bicycle events are set for hundreds of miles of Route 66 in Missouri and Oklahoma in 2018, and Joplin, Missouri, plays a vital role in both. The annual Oklahoma Freewheel, after beginning in June 10 in the eastern Texas Panhandle, will end its tour June 16 in Joplin. The annual Big BAM, or … Continue reading Two big bicycle events to roll across Route 66 in Missouri, Oklahoma
Bicycle Across Missouri will ride Route 66 in 2018
The annual Bicycle Across Missouri event, aka Big BAM, will travel 304 miles from Joplin to Eureka for its 2018 event, it was announced this week. The ride begins June 18 in Joplin and ends June 22 in Eureka, according to KTTN radio. Four additional overnight towns will host the ride — Willard, Lebanon, Waynesville … Continue reading Bicycle Across Missouri will ride Route 66 in 2018
McLean County in Illinois extends Route 66 Bike Trail
The board of McLean County, Illinois, this week voted to extend the Route 66 Bike Trail another 3.25 miles from Shirley, Illinois, to the hamlet of Funks Grove. The current trail runs from Towanda, Illinois, through the Bloomington-Normal metro area to Shirley. The new extension will bring its total length to nearly 19 miles. According … Continue reading McLean County in Illinois extends Route 66 Bike Trail
Coates Cyclery in Pomona to close after 83 years
The Coates Cyclery bicycle shop in Pomona, California, will close at the end of February after a staggering 83 years in business. The shop, at 760 E. Foothill Blvd. (Route 66), features a distinctive freestanding neon sign that was erected in the 1950s or '60s. Corey McCroskey, who bought the shop 15 years ago, told the Inland … Continue reading Coates Cyclery in Pomona to close after 83 years
Woman cycles Route 66 in 23 days
A Pennsylvania native recently cycled the entire 2,451-mile length of Route 66 in 23 days, averaging more than 100 miles a day in the process. Danielle Girdano reputedly is a world record for cycling Route 66, but I've found nothing in any sort of reputable record book, including Guinness, about it. The old record reportedly was … Continue reading Woman cycles Route 66 in 23 days
Survey indicates how bicycle tourism may affect Route 66
The Adventure Cycling Association -- which produced a fine map series on how to cycle on the Route 66 -- recently released some findings of a biennial survey. With some light editing, I decided to highlight data that's most relevant to the Mother Road. My comments are in italics. 1. Boom in “adventure” and touring … Continue reading Survey indicates how bicycle tourism may affect Route 66
Illinois Route 66 gets $2.16 million for trails
The Illinois Department of Transportation on Wednesday awarded $2.16 million in grants for bicycle and walking trails along Route 66 in Williamsville and McLean County. The two projects were part of 33 statewide that received grants from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, slated for "biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification work and other projects designed … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 gets $2.16 million for trails