Call to Action: Bicycle Route 66

January 29, 2015

Bicycle Route 66 Call to Action

Over the next few days we are sending the Bicycle Route 66 maps to the printer. Yay!

Unfortunately, we still do not have a satisfactory resolution with District 8 of Caltrans over access to the stretch of Interstate 40 between Needles and Barstow, California, where it is illegal to ride a bicycle. With the ongoing closure of the National Trails Highway — the only other road in the area — there is no legal way for cyclists to ride the entire distance between those two cities.

If you've been following the story (and if not, see my blog posts from November and earlier this month) you may be wondering what you can do to help.

The best way for you to show your support is to email Caltrans decision-makers by February 1st. We have put together a Call to Action page with all the information you need. Once you've sent your email, please share this message with your friends via email, Facebook and Twitter and ask them to do the same.

Thank you for your support of Bicycle Route 66! We'll keep you posted on the developments in this situation.

GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, Routes & Mapping Assistant Director, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures, and persons from the Adventure Cycling Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure. She also wants to remind you that map corrections and comments are always welcome via the online Map Correction Form.

Comments

Benjamin Colwill February 22, 2015, 7:24 AM

I've been on that route. I was expecting to make it from Barstow to Needles in one day and then I came across the sign saying no cyclist on the interstate. The alternate route on the original route 66 was grueling, hot, and takes you through the heart of the Mojave Desert. Would not recommend for anybody's life. The road is in terrible condition, and can knock your average down to 6 mph. Not fun when it's 113 and every bottle of water is boiling. The gas station before Needles up on the hill did have great service and offered a free place to camp for cyclist. This was in 2013. Turned into a double century as I rolled in into Needles looking for a place to stay.

Jennifer Milyko February 23, 2015, 6:33 AM

Thanks for sharing your experience, Benjamin. Look for an update on the situation later this week.

Benjamin Colwill February 23, 2015, 6:58 AM

Will do

Jeffrey Kennedy February 16, 2015, 10:56 AM

Just wondering when will be available. I would like to get them as soon as possible. I would love to ride my bicycle to Las Vegas from Milwaukee via a large portion of Route 66. So let me know. Thanks! I would love to start planning.

Jennifer Milyko February 18, 2015, 12:35 PM

Maps will be available the first week week in March.

Ed Devlin February 12, 2015, 1:35 PM

Glad to hear the maps are at the printer, I will get them when they become available. Any idea on when gps waypoints will be available for the route, I would like to ride it this summer and it would be great to have the waypoints loaded in my garmin, thanks

Jennifer Milyko February 18, 2015, 12:34 PM

It looks like we'll have gps data available in April.

william cortvriendt February 4, 2015, 2:11 PM

Please keep me updated.

Log in to post a comment

Forgot Password?

Enter your email address and we'll send you an email that will allow you to reset it. If you no longer have access to the email address call our memberships department at (800) 755-2453 or email us at memberships@adventurecycling.org.

Not Registered? Create Account Now.