Route 66 motorcycle tours

Plenty of people ride 66 alone. Riding it with us means somebody else has booked the motels, planned fuel stops across the Mojave, checked the forecast for wind on the plains and knows the old alignments that riders love, such as the curves of Sitgreaves Pass above Oatman and the shady Devils Elbow loop in Missouri.

Our motorcycle road captain is Hank Delgado from Albuquerque, who has been riding for 30 years. Groups are up to 12 riders. Bikes are current Harley-Davidson touring models rented from a dealer at the start and returned at the end; rental, insurance with a deductible and the van are in the price, fuel is not.

There are two trips. The full road from Chicago to Santa Monica takes 14 days with five to six hours of riding on most days. The 7-day desert ride starts in Las Vegas and crosses Arizona and California, with a ride to the Grand Canyon, the climb over Sitgreaves Pass and the long empty road past Amboy to the Pacific.

Riders need a valid motorcycle license and at least three years of experience on large bikes. Passengers riding pillion are welcome at a lower price, and the van has seats for anyone who wants a break.

Luggage is simple: one soft bag of up to 40 pounds per rider goes in the van, and what you need during the day fits in the saddlebags. Rain gear is essential even in the desert, where spring storms can arrive in minutes, and a cooling vest makes warm afternoons far more comfortable.