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

[shafty]

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.

Many thanks for your advice

[shafty]

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.

Many thanks for your info, Mate. I've toured for months in the US in the past, and now Mates want to check out the States, so Route 66 was born from that, and I'd agree that here are many many prob better bike options....I guess part of it are the bragging rights, but I'll "throw it open to the group" (of travellers.)

Me and Mine will be doing many more miles anyhow, picking up a bike from Montana and returning it from LA, if things go to plan....

Once again LWFH and others, your ideas/input really appreciated!

[Stormdragon]

I did Route 66 from Indiana through Texas about 15 years ago, and did the Flagstaff through Albuquerque section a few years before that. I'd have to say that the Indiana to Texas section, while very pleasant was pretty nondescript. If you like fairly straight 1 lane (1 in each direction) roads through grasslands , that only have 1 car every half hour or so, then that's the road for you! Remember to bring a shotgun, as there's probably a guy with a hook for a hand hiding in every bush. North Texas is kinda nice, depending on the time of year, although the mobile speed bumps (armadillos) can be a bit of a hazard on a bike. The Albuquerque to Flagstaff section, while somewhat tourist trappy, is pretty nice. Good road West of Flagstaff, and lots of Scenic Wonders(tm) to look at.

If you're doing the Southwest, I'd strongly suggest just staying off the major highways, and taking the smaller routes to the interesting places. I always manage to find stuff that's not really mentioned on a map, but is really interesting. (Plus there's usually nobody else around since it's not a major tourist draw)
Allow me to suggest:
White Sands New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns
Chaco Canyon
Arches National Park (busy in the summer, quiet and empty in the winter)
Zion National Park (always busy, big tourist spot, fantastic in the fall or winter)

And if you haven't found them already, try these websites for your Route 66 info.

The Mother Road, Route 66
Legends of America
Wikipedia


Also: On the subject of cell phones. Coverage will be poor to non-existent if you're not in a town, or on a major highway. Frankly, I dumped mine a couple years ago because I see no reason to pay $250 a year for something that only works half the time. I'd suggest you buy one of the phones with minutes already on them. You can always add minutes as you need them. You'll want to make sure the phone uses one of the major carriers in the US, either Verizon, or AT&T. Any other company, will have agreements to use those networks, but will probably either charge you extra, or else cut your minutes in half for using said networks.

If you make it out to northern Californiyay, drop me a line and I'll drag you around some local roads as well.

[pritch]

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...

That would've been the impression I had from what I'd read previously.

There is currently a show on TV "Worlds Great Motorcycle Rides" or similar. (Should called be Great US Rides?) The rider mentioned that parts of Route 66 have been/are being done up because there of the continuing high level of interest.

Shafty will be able to give us the good oil soon enough.

[Korumba]

I did Route 66 from Indiana through Texas about 15 years ago, and did the Flagstaff through Albuquerque section a few years before that. I'd have to say that the Indiana to Texas section, while very pleasant was pretty nondescript. If you like fairly straight 1 lane (1 in each direction) roads through grasslands , that only have 1 car every half hour or so, then that's the road for you! Remember to bring a shotgun, as there's probably a guy with a hook for a hand hiding in every bush. North Texas is kinda nice, depending on the time of year, although the mobile speed bumps (armadillos) can be a bit of a hazard on a bike. The Albuquerque to Flagstaff section, while somewhat tourist trappy, is pretty nice. Good road West of Flagstaff, and lots of Scenic Wonders(tm) to look at.

If you're doing the Southwest, I'd strongly suggest just staying off the major highways, and taking the smaller routes to the interesting places. I always manage to find stuff that's not really mentioned on a map, but is really interesting. (Plus there's usually nobody else around since it's not a major tourist draw)
Allow me to suggest:
White Sands New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns
Chaco Canyon
Arches National Park (busy in the summer, quiet and empty in the winter)
Zion National Park (always busy, big tourist spot, fantastic in the fall or winter)

And if you haven't found them already, try these websites for your Route 66 info.

The Mother Road, Route 66
Legends of America
Wikipedia


Also: On the subject of cell phones. Coverage will be poor to non-existent if you're not in a town, or on a major highway. Frankly, I dumped mine a couple years ago because I see no reason to pay $250 a year for something that only works half the time. I'd suggest you buy one of the phones with minutes already on them. You can always add minutes as you need them. You'll want to make sure the phone uses one of the major carriers in the US, either Verizon, or AT&T. Any other company, will have agreements to use those networks, but will probably either charge you extra, or else cut your minutes in half for using said networks.

If you make it out to northern Californiyay, drop me a line and I'll drag you around some local roads as well.

Also Bryce Canyon Rocks.... http://www.nps.gov/brca/

O yeah buy a concesion ticket for the parks....

[scumdog]

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.

.

Just back from the US after touring there for a month.
$20 will buy you a phone card that will give you 6 HOURS of international calss!

[scumdog]

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.

Wore one of those helmets while going to/from Sturgis over 10 days, (I wear one here in New 'lets be really safe 'cos we're all going to die' Zealand).
I found it comfortable and ideal in the 106+ degree F. heat, likewise I dispensed with a leather jacket for the same reason.

[scumdog]

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.


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

There's s.f.a. of the original Rt66 left, you can't drive its entire length anymore - but still worth a look especially in the south-west..

[phill-k]

Wore one of those helmets while going to/from Sturgis over 10 days, (I wear one here in New 'lets be really safe 'cos we're all going to die' Zealand).
I found it comfortable and ideal in the 106+ degree F. heat, likewise I dispensed with a leather jacket for the same reason.

Oh you're a naughty boy

[scumdog]

Oh you're a naughty boy

Oh, and I cruised at 90mph wherever I could AND was wearing chaps too.

[shafty]

Just back from the US after touring there for a month.
$20 will buy you a phone card that will give you 6 HOURS of international calss!

Thanks Scumdog, - so they are all good for texting between phones within the USA?

[shafty]

I did Route 66 from Indiana through Texas about 15 years ago, and did the Flagstaff through Albuquerque section a few years before that. I'd have to say that the Indiana to Texas section, while very pleasant was pretty nondescript. If you like fairly straight 1 lane (1 in each direction) roads through grasslands , that only have 1 car every half hour or so, then that's the road for you! Remember to bring a shotgun, as there's probably a guy with a hook for a hand hiding in every bush. North Texas is kinda nice, depending on the time of year, although the mobile speed bumps (armadillos) can be a bit of a hazard on a bike. The Albuquerque to Flagstaff section, while somewhat tourist trappy, is pretty nice. Good road West of Flagstaff, and lots of Scenic Wonders(tm) to look at.

If you're doing the Southwest, I'd strongly suggest just staying off the major highways, and taking the smaller routes to the interesting places. I always manage to find stuff that's not really mentioned on a map, but is really interesting. (Plus there's usually nobody else around since it's not a major tourist draw)
Allow me to suggest:
White Sands New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns
Chaco Canyon
Arches National Park (busy in the summer, quiet and empty in the winter)
Zion National Park (always busy, big tourist spot, fantastic in the fall or winter)

And if you haven't found them already, try these websites for your Route 66 info.

The Mother Road, Route 66
Legends of America
Wikipedia


Also: On the subject of cell phones. Coverage will be poor to non-existent if you're not in a town, or on a major highway. Frankly, I dumped mine a couple years ago because I see no reason to pay $250 a year for something that only works half the time. I'd suggest you buy one of the phones with minutes already on them. You can always add minutes as you need them. You'll want to make sure the phone uses one of the major carriers in the US, either Verizon, or AT&T. Any other company, will have agreements to use those networks, but will probably either charge you extra, or else cut your minutes in half for using said networks.

If you make it out to northern Californiyay, drop me a line and I'll drag you around some local roads as well.

Grateful thanks Dude!

[shafty]

Many thanks to one and all for your inputs!

Shafty

[skeelo221]

Any specific reason you want to do Route 66? To be honest I think that will be a bit boring for you. Us Americans always try to forget about the states in the middle of the country

May I recommend a trip down the west coast? Maybe fly into Vancouver, BC and cruise down through all the wonderful Washington and Oregon roads, into California and the coastal Highway 1. It's really a beautiful ride and the roads will not disappoint. The journey from Vancouver down to San Diego will not be forgotten!

As for the cell phone there's been some good advise. Pay cash for a pre-paid card (all the main cell phone companies here lock you into a 2 year contract). Then, sign up for a Google Voice account which will allow you to make extremely cheap international calls! The only problem with this suggestion is you will have to register for google voice once you get your cell phone and know your US number as you can link a US number only at this time. Not a huge deal though.

www.google.com/voice

[scumdog]

Thanks Scumdog, - so they are all good for texting between phones within the USA?

Since we didn't do any texting I can't comment except to say that talking on the phone is so cheap there that bugger all people seem to text - well nowhere as much as they do in NZ.

(Maybe they've got less crap to plague their mates with? - 'wassup' 'wher u at' and shit like most text here)