Simon G.
Route 66 (10 years to get it done)
After spending 10 years planning, forgetting and re-planning, we eventually booked our route 66 tour with eagle riders. The booking system was well supported and very straight forward. One point to share as an opportunity the hotel bookings for the first and ;last night came quite close to the Holiday starting,not a problem, a little earlier may help. Our guide ride leader Graham met us the night before and we spent a great night getting to know each other. As the trip started, it is clear we had under estimated the time we would be in the saddle. I would recommend if you're booking the Route 66 route spend a month of two taking tides over 6 hours to become more ride ready. Each day was an adventure to unfold, the experience begins early for breakfast and the to load the van with your ever increasing luggage (So many shops and so many T shirts and souvenirs). Then hot the road and onward, Route 66 is a dwindling part of USA history and so the rides often need to snake around the interstate, the madness of the interstate is worth the experience as you drop then onto quite rolling roads. in Illinois and Oklahoma a riders dream, into the middle America with the growing crops fields and soya bean plants, through cosy small towns with the quiet country feel, moving into mid west towns that then give way to the west and the desert landscapes, every way you look a view to take your breath away. (Then you realize you didn't turn your camera on!!!). Each section brings a new feel, on a bike you are immersed in the USA or new and old, the smells that can be challenging on the outskirts of industrial towns give way to evocative and exotic small town smells. Each day you become more comfortable with the big Harley, until after 6 days you're throwing it around like a Honda 600. The forgiving well balanced machine is your steed through the cities and the wilds, well services as we picked up in Chicago. The bike allocation process was well organised and the first taste of T short heaven (or hell) depends on your views. With long days in the saddle and so much to take in, when reaching your hotels around 6 p.m. you're ready for a quick shower, bite and to bed, refreshed for the next day, all hotels were well appointed for the stays we had, not big and flash and yet not bargain basement. As the ride comes to an end you Begin to see how the group has blended and become a family. But the end must come and finally Santa Monica pier looms large in your days. What an achievement, supported by Graham and Nuii, kept everyone onboard and pointing forward. Graham leading the ride, taking point and showing everyone the way. Nuii following behind keeping everyone safe, Nuii always going the extra yard and mile to help. If you want an adventure book before modern America takes all of Route 66 away.