My decision was made up for me. My wife doesn't really trust me to go around the corner on my bike, although I have been riding since 1974. Never had an accident, other than dropping a bike on myself! I'm a RoSPA Advanced Rider but she would not be happy with me crossing the States on my own.
Also, most of my world travelling has been on company business so travel, hotels, hire cars etc. have all been booked and looked after for me by companies like Amex, apart from Bike rallies, and a holiday when I went alone to Malta for a week.
Also, most of my world travelling has been on company business so travel, hotels, hire cars etc. have all been booked and looked after for me by companies like Amex, apart from Bike rallies, and a holiday when I went alone to Malta for a week.
Travel Company
With the above in mind, I looked around. Sent a message to 'Orange & Black' via their website, they are the people that Henry Cole used for his R66 documentary. The messaging system didn't work, despite trying a number of times. Also tried to ring them, but no response.
Tried Complete North America who came back to me promptly and guided me through the options. It seemed like a good company, friendly, funny, but professional. They are also part of the HUGE travel company HAYS.
I asked for July/August - Too expensive. Could they get the cost down?
A new quotation was received but it was still too much for me, bear in mind I was 70 at the first booking and then with the postponements due to the Covid pandemic I will be 73 by the time I actually do it in 2022. I have a State Pension, small RAF pension and a company pension so I'm comfortable but not rich!
A third quotation came within my budget. It meant going in April but that's ok. It will be cooler so nice for riding. May get some rain but I'll take waterproofs.
They book everything, flights, bike hire with Eagle Riders (Available Bikes), hotels en-route, and to keep my wife happy it's a group guided tour with a support vehicle towing a spare bike and our luggage. There's lot's more listed on the website above such as custom bike jacket, helmet, both provided, helicopter tour of Grand Canyon etc.
Most of the people that were in the group I rode with booked directly with Eagle Rider. Seemed to work well for them, I don't know if it was any, or much, cheaper but we all seemed to have paid pretty much the same, give or take a grand!
With the above in mind, I looked around. Sent a message to 'Orange & Black' via their website, they are the people that Henry Cole used for his R66 documentary. The messaging system didn't work, despite trying a number of times. Also tried to ring them, but no response.
Tried Complete North America who came back to me promptly and guided me through the options. It seemed like a good company, friendly, funny, but professional. They are also part of the HUGE travel company HAYS.
I asked for July/August - Too expensive. Could they get the cost down?
A new quotation was received but it was still too much for me, bear in mind I was 70 at the first booking and then with the postponements due to the Covid pandemic I will be 73 by the time I actually do it in 2022. I have a State Pension, small RAF pension and a company pension so I'm comfortable but not rich!
A third quotation came within my budget. It meant going in April but that's ok. It will be cooler so nice for riding. May get some rain but I'll take waterproofs.
They book everything, flights, bike hire with Eagle Riders (Available Bikes), hotels en-route, and to keep my wife happy it's a group guided tour with a support vehicle towing a spare bike and our luggage. There's lot's more listed on the website above such as custom bike jacket, helmet, both provided, helicopter tour of Grand Canyon etc.
Most of the people that were in the group I rode with booked directly with Eagle Rider. Seemed to work well for them, I don't know if it was any, or much, cheaper but we all seemed to have paid pretty much the same, give or take a grand!
What about going it alone?
Yes, I did think about it, wife notwithstanding! It would certainly be a great deal cheaper, booking budget flights and hotels, booking the bike hire directly.
If you are thinking of doing it this way get hold of EZ66 book, it's supposed to be one of the best guides around and going with Eagle Rider. they give you a copy of it as part of the travel kit. There are other useful books too, I spotted one about 'Brits on R66' but I don't know what it's like.
I also really enjoyed reading, and studying, another book 'Route66 Adventure Handbook', by Drew Knowles. It gives great detail about everywhere along the route and detailed diagrams about the still existing R66 roads and the other roads that have superseded it.
Yes, I did think about it, wife notwithstanding! It would certainly be a great deal cheaper, booking budget flights and hotels, booking the bike hire directly.
If you are thinking of doing it this way get hold of EZ66 book, it's supposed to be one of the best guides around and going with Eagle Rider. they give you a copy of it as part of the travel kit. There are other useful books too, I spotted one about 'Brits on R66' but I don't know what it's like.
I also really enjoyed reading, and studying, another book 'Route66 Adventure Handbook', by Drew Knowles. It gives great detail about everywhere along the route and detailed diagrams about the still existing R66 roads and the other roads that have superseded it.
Buy your own bike
It has been suggested, by someone on the Facebook 'Historic Route 66' page, that you fly over, purchase a bike and sell it at the L.A. end before flying home.
This is a great idea for saving money but not very practical unless you have lots of time on your hands, which I'm afraid I don't despite being retired.
It has been suggested, by someone on the Facebook 'Historic Route 66' page, that you fly over, purchase a bike and sell it at the L.A. end before flying home.
This is a great idea for saving money but not very practical unless you have lots of time on your hands, which I'm afraid I don't despite being retired.
Travel Insurance
l looked around for travel insurance and found that StaySure, a company I'd used before, came out cheapest and included repatriation if anything serious happened.
Talking to Complete North America they said that their associate company could do it for £160 but would check if it included repatriation. When the result came back the cost had almost doubled to £300.
Going back to StaySure it did increase slightly when I did a full quote. Because I will be 71 by the time I travel it went up to £189, which was still a lot better.
It pays to shop around but make sure it includes all features that you need.
l looked around for travel insurance and found that StaySure, a company I'd used before, came out cheapest and included repatriation if anything serious happened.
Talking to Complete North America they said that their associate company could do it for £160 but would check if it included repatriation. When the result came back the cost had almost doubled to £300.
Going back to StaySure it did increase slightly when I did a full quote. Because I will be 71 by the time I travel it went up to £189, which was still a lot better.
It pays to shop around but make sure it includes all features that you need.