We're doing Route 66 next year. Anyone toured Stateside recently? And Americans

**shafty** · 30th August 2010, 01:35

As the title says, we are riding Route 6 in 2011 - in about 11 months actually, and just wondered if anyone on here has toured the States recently, or if any US locals are on KB?

At this stage it looks like 1 rental car and 2 bikes with pillions.

We are just wanting to know the easiest way of sorting cell phone contact between couples, and are currently thinking it may just be easier to buy three cheapie phones upon arrival and pre pay - does anyone have any knowledge on this? Cheers.

Also, is doin the Route 66 in any particular direction cheaper than the other? - I'm thiking maybe relocating rental bikes back to Chicago might be a bit cheaper - not that thats critical.

Thanks in advance

Shafty

**SPman** · 30th August 2010, 14:00

If you are going the rental bikes route - take your own helmets. We took all our own gear except helmets, and all we could hire were those appalling "shortie" style helmets - which made us realise why so many riders in Arizona wear no helmets.....they're fecking uncomfortable and useless.

**sosman** · 30th August 2010, 14:37

From what I saw on that movie "cars"......route 66 looks doesn't look to bad...Muhaha!

**avgas** · 30th August 2010, 15:02

re cellphones.

If you want to - take your own there. I simply took my vodafone there and got a T-mobile sim card (pre-paid, US$40 = 200 minutes)
Otherwise make sure you PAY CASH UP FRONT WHEN BUYING A PHONE.
Cellphone companies make all their money over there with cellphone contracts. So while a $100 iphone sounds good, they don't tell you that you will make payments of $100 week for the next 25 years.
Pay cash and buy the phone outright

**shafty** · 30th August 2010, 17:14

Originally Posted by avgas

re cellphones.

If you want to - take your own there. I simply took my vodafone there and got a T-mobile sim card (pre-paid, US$40 = 200 minutes)
Otherwise make sure you PAY CASH UP FRONT WHEN BUYING A PHONE.
Cellphone companies make all their money over there with cellphone contracts. So while a $100 iphone sounds good, they don't tell you that you will make payments of $100 week for the next 25 years.
Pay cash and buy the phone outright

Cheers Avgas

**Hitcher** · 30th August 2010, 18:34

We were in the States two years ago. You can buy really cheap prepaid phones with lots of minutes on them. However making international calls on these can be problematic, as the "operators" aren't that helpful when you want to activate your phone to take advantage of those minutes. Go to a Target when you arrive and get your prepaid there.

Otherwise cellular coverage in the US is problematic once you're out beyond the big cities and towns.

A way of mitigating this would be for one member of your group to get a prepaid on an alternative network carrier. Many Americans who roam around their great country carry two phones -- each on a different network -- as a means of ensuring they stay contactable as much as possible.

One thing you will learn from buying prepaid phone deals in the US is how we're ripped off here in NZ.

**smallgear** · 30th August 2010, 18:37

prepay phones are also pretty cheap. 3 years ago i was paying about 30$ for the phone. cant remember pricing. beware which provider u choose coverage wise. Or if its just for communication whilst on your bikes u could try walkie talkies??

**DarkLord** · 30th August 2010, 18:39

Originally Posted by Hitcher

One thing you will learn from buying prepaid phone deals in the US is how we're ripped off here in NZ.

I'll say. A friend of mine who lived in the US for 12 years was telling me she could get something ridiculous like 3,000 minutes for $50 per month.

Unreal.

**Korumba** · 30th August 2010, 19:57

Yep phone coverage sucks arse on the west coast and mid states but does get better on the east coast. I could go two days without being able to make a call in Wyoming and Montana and I was with AT&T
The little bits of Route 66 I saw while on the interstate in Arizona and California it looked like crap.... the surface is a mess and lots of potholes... all good where it goes through towns but that also takes a up a lot of time. Have you checked the road conditions out, I dont think it is the dream trip it once was..again out east it may be better.
Drawing cash out on ATMs is expensive with lots of fees I would recommend buying prepaid fuel cards on your visa for gas.
Have fun, I did 40,000 fantastic km and everyone of them was a blast!

**longwayfromhome** · 31st August 2010, 05:59

Shafty...I am a year back from 12 years in the States. Buy a phone when you get there, get a national carrier. Coverage is OK, a bit thin in the remote areas, surprisingly good in some places.

One thing I will say is....do you really have to travel route 66...its OK, but there are plenty of other places to see that sink it well and truely. I've done 200k over there and every state except Alaska and RI + lower Canada...if you tell me how long you have got and how long you want to average on the road each day (ant type of rider you are), I could suggest some routes that have a very high probability of staying with you forever. Happy to spend some time with you on this...planning routes in the US is half the fun...work productivity plummets :-). Get Microsoft Streets and Trips now and use it for planning.

**Smifffy** · 31st August 2010, 10:23

I did a small piece of Route 66 3 years ago in a cage, through Az.

It was enjoyable, but really just another road. I'd say if riding this road is something that you feel strongly that you want to do, don't be put off. If you are looking for magical rock and roll inspiration I doubt you'll find it on Route 66. You may well get your kicks though.

We got a cell phone pre-paid at either target or wal-mart. It was cheap enough, we got the brickiest looking one for about $20 (US) that came with some pre-paid minutes included, and extra minutes were cheap enough. Coverage wasn't too bad, just be aware that unlike here, the carrier we had charged for the minutes required to activate & top up the phone. Also your minutes are charged for calls in both directions, ie it costs you to receive a call as well as to make them.

**Smifffy** · 31st August 2010, 10:32

Originally Posted by Smifffy

I did a small piece of Route 66 3 years ago in a cage, through Az.

It was enjoyable, but really just another road. I'd say if riding this road is something that you feel strongly that you want to do, don't be put off. If you are looking for magical rock and roll inspiration I doubt you'll find it on Route 66. You may well get your kicks though.

We got a cell phone pre-paid at either target or wal-mart. It was cheap enough, we got the brickiest looking one for about $20 (US) that came with some pre-paid minutes included, and extra minutes were cheap enough. Coverage wasn't too bad, just be aware that unlike here, the carrier we had charged for the minutes required to activate & top up the phone. Also your minutes are charged for calls in both directions, ie it costs you to receive a call as well as to make them.

Make sure you set aside some time at Flagstaff Az to go and see the Grand Canyon, it'll blow you away.

The meteor crater at Winslow Az is another impressive hole in the ground and worth seeing IMO. Yes, there is a mural of a girl (my lord) in a flat-bed ford on a corner in Winslow Arizona. Unfortunately I missed it.

Traditionally, the freedom journey was from East to West (Chicago to LA)

**shafty** · 31st August 2010, 12:59

Originally Posted by smallgear

prepay phones are also pretty cheap. 3 years ago i was paying about 30$ for the phone. cant remember pricing. beware which provider u choose coverage wise. Or if its just for communication whilst on your bikes u could try walkie talkies??

Cheers for that Mate, - I also thought of radio, but we will be meeting up at the end of the day at times, eg travelling independently.

MANY moons ago - pre cell phones, some friends did a 2 or 3 week trip over there, got seperated in traffic and never saw each other til the plane home! DOH!

**shafty** · 31st August 2010, 13:00

Originally Posted by Smifffy

Make sure you set aside some time at Flagstaff Az to go and see the Grand Canyon, it'll blow you away.

The meteor crater at Winslow Az is another impressive hole in the ground and worth seeing IMO. Yes, there is a mural of a girl (my lord) in a flat-bed ford on a corner in Winslow Arizona. Unfortunately I missed it.

Traditionally, the freedom journey was from East to West (Chicago to LA)

Thanks Smifffy, appreciate your input!

**shafty** · 31st August 2010, 13:11

Originally Posted by Korumba

Yep phone coverage sucks arse on the west coast and mid states but does get better on the east coast. I could go two days without being able to make a call in Wyoming and Montana and I was with AT&T
The little bits of Route 66 I saw while on the interstate in Arizona and California it looked like crap.... the surface is a mess and lots of potholes... all good where it goes through towns but that also takes a up a lot of time. Have you checked the road conditions out, I dont think it is the dream trip it once was..again out east it may be better.
Drawing cash out on ATMs is expensive with lots of fees I would recommend buying prepaid fuel cards on your visa for gas.
Have fun, I did 40,000 fantastic km and everyone of them was a blast!

Thanks for the tips Dude!