Introductions - Chicago to LA

Hey, city dweller here (Chicago). I ride a bike to get where I've got to go. Been planning a trip along old Route 66, but just haven't done it yet. Discovered this forum while researching what sort of bike I should buy for this sort of trip as the beaters I've been riding would never make it past St. Louis. (I just ended up grabbing a used Fuji Ace from a local bike Co-op for $190 yesterday. Pretty happy with that.) Anyway, just here to learn a bit more about bikes and biking.

Hey, city dweller here (Chicago). I ride a bike to get where I've got to go. Been planning a trip along old Route 66, but just haven't done it yet.

Hi brbeard,

Welcome to the forums. I was prompted to reply because in1977 my wife and I rode from LA to DC and we were on some really old, virtually abandoned parts of Rte 66 that had relatively recently (back then) been by-passed by a freeway. It's such a part of Americana; I hope you go.

BTW, if anyone is familiar with the movie Repo Man, the opening graphics follow a road map detailing a wild drive from Arizona to California by a mad scientist, that follows in the reverse direction our route. Little obscure towns like Pagosa Springs, Ash Fork, Kingman and Goffs hold lifetime memories. Such is the joy of cycle touring.

Welcome to the Forum.

If you Google cross country bike trips you'll find some sites to help you out. I would like to do it also, but I have to many other responsibilities.

From what I read the correct bicycle type would be a Touring Bike.

Good Luck.

Hey guys!
Thanks for the responses.


Jim,
I'm glad you remember that trip so fondly -- it sounds like you were interested in the route for pretty much the same reasons that I am today (and the fact that Route 66 starts in Chicago, where I live is, just makes it perfect for me). Here's hoping 30 years haven't washed too many of those artifacts away...

I'll have to re-watch Repo Man (produced by Michael Nesmith!) -- it's been quite a while since I've seen that film.


Taz,
Thanks for the tips -- fortunately I don't have too much tying me down at the moment, so I'm definitely going to go for it before my circumstances change.

Re: Touring bikes...you're totally right -- I think I'm going to try to make at least a few trips short (relatively short) trips with the Ace though. Or at least I'll read more about the cons of using a road bike as a touring bike. I'll likely eventually get a better bike to dedicate to long journeys and keep the Ace as my daily rider.


Welp...thanks again for the responses!

Hi brbeard, enjoy your tour, and make certain you take a lot of photos.

Welcome to BikeForums!

East Hill
Forum Moderator