McLean County, Illinois, is seeking a federal grant to help add seven miles to a Route 66 bicycle trail outside of the Bloomington-Normal metro area. According to WJBC radio: The McLean County Board is expected to apply for federal funds to add a 4-mile stretch of the trail between Lexington and Towanda and a 3.25-mile … Continue reading Illinois county seeks another expansion of Route 66 bicycle trail
Category: Bicycling
Route 66 hostel opens in Joplin
Joplin 66 Hostel, which is catering to travelers along the Mother Road, opened a few weeks ago in Duenweg, Missouri, an eastern suburb of Joplin. The hostel is located at 6863 Newman Road (map here), a short distance north of Business 44. It opened April 1. It's the first hostel in the Joplin area. Rates … Continue reading Route 66 hostel opens in Joplin
Book review: “Bicycling Guide to Route 66”
At first glance, Bob Robinson's "Bicycling Guide to Route 66" appears to be a budget-priced version of the Adventure Cycling Association's "Bicycle Route 66" map series, as the book uses the ACA's route. But the "Bicycling Guide to Route 66" (200 pages, Spirits Creek, paperback, illustrations and photos, $19.95) should be considered as a companion to the ACA … Continue reading Book review: “Bicycling Guide to Route 66”
Cycling groups plans trip on length of Route 66
The Adventure Cycling Association, which last spring published at set of Route 66 maps for those wanting to travel the Mother Road by bicycle, is planning a nearly two-month ride on more than 2,500 miles of Route 66 starting in April. The association's inaugural Route 66 tour begins April 18 on the Santa Monica Pier and … Continue reading Cycling groups plans trip on length of Route 66
Route 66 boasts the World’s Smallest Bike Shop
A lot of Route 66 businesses need a gimmick to draw customers. The Fanning 66 Outpost in Missouri once boasted the World's Largest Rocker. Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma, boasts the world's largest soda bottle. The Velo in Claremont, California, goes the other direction, claiming its other nickname as the World's Smallest Bike Shop. At just … Continue reading Route 66 boasts the World’s Smallest Bike Shop
Normal plans to improve Route 66 Bike Trail
Normal, Illinois, plans to spend $260,000 for a multi-use trail connecting the Route 66 Bike Trail at Towanda Avenue and Shelbourne Drive to Old Route 66, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. The project, part of a bigger project to connect an old Route 66 bicycle trail in nearby Towanda, Illinois, is part of Normal's community investment plan. It's … Continue reading Normal plans to improve Route 66 Bike Trail
“Route 66 Bicycle Tourism”
By Emily Priddy Route 66 communities looking for ways to attract tourists with a fondness for mom-and-pop businesses might want to start courting cyclists. S.J. Morrison, director of marketing and planning for Madison County Transit in Illinois, said trail users in his area spend an average of more than $30 each at restaurants, gas stations … Continue reading “Route 66 Bicycle Tourism”
Motorist attacks cyclist on Sapulpa’s Ozark Trail
A New York cyclist exploring the Old Ozark Trail alignment of Route 66 near Sapulpa, Oklahoma, when he was attacked by an inexplicably enraged motorist, according to the Tulsa World. Jeffrey Tanenhaus, 35, of Scarsdale, New York, who became bored with his office job and decided to see the country by bicycle, had spent an … Continue reading Motorist attacks cyclist on Sapulpa’s Ozark Trail
James Cracknell’s near-fatal accident, five years later
Longtime readers may remember hearing about British gold medalist James Cracknell, who was seriously injured during a cycling accident in July 2010 on Route 66 near Winslow, Arizona. A side mirror of a passing vehicle struck Cracknell in the head, fracturing his skull. A hospital in Phoenix was forced to put the endurance athlete into an … Continue reading James Cracknell’s near-fatal accident, five years later
Brits cycling Route 66 for charity injured in wreck
Three British cyclists who were riding Route 66 to raise money for three charities suffered injuries that required hospitalization after they were rear-ended by a truck Monday night. William Corran, Ewan Stott, and James Watkins were taken to Mercy Joplin Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, after the crash at 6:34 p.m. Monday on Missouri 96, aka … Continue reading Brits cycling Route 66 for charity injured in wreck