Preparation
There was some discussion between myself and Complete North America (C.N.A.) about when to do the ride as it's not a cheap way to do a Route 66 trip.
I have to say that they were good humoured, patient, and professional and the third quote came just within my budget by starting in early April 2022, rather than the higher seasons of early to late summer.
I've researched through websites, Facebook pages, and watching documentaries and I feel quite confident that this is going to be a great trip.
There will always be questions of course and a few I posed to Laura, at C,N.A, were;
* Helmet and custom jackets are provided by Eagle Riders but what about boots and armoured trousers?
Answer - Boots and trousers can be purchased or hired from Eagle Riders but flights are booked with American Airlines which has a large hand and hold baggage entitlement so quite feasible to take your own.
(N.B. the jacket is to keep, the helmet is handed back in at the end of the trip along with the bike).
* How many riders comprise a group?
Answer - maximum of 15 but more often average is 8-10 riders per group which gives a nicer tour experience.
(Our trip was 10 bikes, 11 persons. Until halfway through when three left us and 4 new people joined).
* Is it permissible to wear one's own 'cut' over the jacket? (Mine is not club/gang centric, mostly military veterans badges etc.)
Answer - Yes, cuts are not a problem on these rides.
But please note - Some states do not allow the wearing of MCC badged cuts, those with the rockers and central patch ('Sons of Anarchy style!).
20 September 2019 had a telephone conversation with Laura and she took my chest size for the customer jacket,
I asked for their travel insurance to be added to the cost but it worked out a lot more expensive than the quote from StaySure, which covered cancellation, disruption, health, repatriation etc.
Paid a £250 deposit on the trip contract and received an email with the ESTA Visa application link (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). This must be completed for countries that don't need a U.S.A. entry visa. It currently costs $14.00 and must be applied for at the latest 3 days before travelling.
So, once Covid restrictions were relaxed the new dates were 5 April 2022 to 23 April 2022. These were not the ride dates, which were 8-20 April with the 7th being the afternoon we all met for the first time. This meant I had a couple of days either end of the ride.
On the Chicago end this was good because my Sister-in-Law and her husband live in Chicago so I spent some time with them. That's them below, they drove the hour to meet up with us at 'Dick's Towing' to see us off and to give me their sons GoPro to use. I tried to purchase a mount on the journey but no luck so I'll have to rely on other members of the group's videos.