TOTAL DISTANCE = 2,277 miles – TOTAL HEIGHT GAINED = 78,600 feet
That’s approximately 44 miles and 1,500 feet climbing a week.
Who can complete the distance of the famous American ‘Highway’, Route 66, during their club and training rides during 2016?
A fee of £10 will be charged for administration which will be donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, our chosen charity for 2016.
You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/CaldicotChoirMNDA/
THE ROUTE
For a detailed view of the complete route – http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10917309
THE STATES
THE RIDERS
THE FINISHERS
Just one rider out today, Tracey Eastabrook with a 12 miler to Llanvaches. Also, some catch-up rides from Gareth Davies and Francesca Cooper. Gareth’s ride has put the Red team back in the lead. Congrats to Gareth on reaching Tulsa, Oklahoma and to Francesca for getting to St. Louis, Missouri.
Lots of rides today, many over 50 miles and Steve Tobin knocking in a 111 miler. Congrats to Sue Earnshaw on reaching 1,000 miles and passing the Texas State Line; to Rob Stallard getting past 900 miles and reaching Clinton, Oklahoma; to Helen Gilmore going past 700 miles and reaching Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Tony Griffiths reaching Miami, Oklahoma. Great to see 14 Route66ers out over the last two days.
The three leaders all made inroads into their targets today, Christine Smith has now reached Tucumcari, New Mexico while Steve Tobin has made Amarillo. Sue Earnshaw recently passed through Clinton, Oklahoma and now has the Texas State Line in her sights.
Tucumcari Tonite/Route 66
For many years, Tucumcari has been a popular stop for cross-country travelers on Interstate 40 (formerly U.S. Route 66 in the area). It is the largest city on the highway between Amarillo, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Billboards reading “TUCUMCARI TONITE!” placed along I-40 for many miles to the east and west of the town invite motorists to stay the night in one of Tucumcari’s “2000” (later changed to “1200”) motel rooms. The “TUCUMCARI TONITE!” campaign was abandoned in favor of a campaign which declared Tucumcari, “Gateway to the West”. However, on June 24, 2008, Tucumcari’s Lodgers Tax Advisory Board, the group responsible for the billboards, voted to return to the previous slogan.[21]
Old U.S. Route 66 runs through the heart of Tucumcari via Route 66 Boulevard, which was previously known as Tucumcari Boulevard from 1970 to 2003 and as Gaynell Avenue before that time. Numerous businesses, including gasoline service stations, restaurants and motels, were constructed to accommodate tourists as they traveled through on the Mother Road. A large number of the vintage motels and restaurants built in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s are still in business despite intense competition from newer chain motels and restaurants in the vicinity of Interstate 40, which passes through the city’s outskirts on the south.
Did you count my twenty from Wednesday?
Only just seen that Sue, will be added to tonight’s update.
With the field spread out over 1,000 miles, maintaining 8 maps a night was becoming time-consuming, so we now have an overall view of the route with everybody on.
Today we saw two of the leaders improve their position, Christine Smith with a 37 miler to Black Rock, and also Rob Stallard with 26 miles to the same destination. Congrats to Christine who has ticked another State of by crossing into New Mexico, watch the rattlesnakes on your next ride.
Quick update tonight, just the table maps will be changed tomorrow. Congrats to Shane Carey on reaching St. Louis, Missouri. Also out where David Whittle with a big 51 miler and Christine Smith extending her lead.
Couple of days to catch-up on. Biggest ride was Steve Tobin 43 miles over Wentwood. Also out were, Christine Smith, Sharon Ward, Shane Carey, Carolyn and Tony Griffiths. Big congrats to Steve on reaching the Texas State Line and also passing the 1,000 mile barrier. To Tony on passing 600 and to Sharon on reaching 300 miles.
Two riders out today, and a catch-up for Gareth Davies yesterday with his 63 miler training for the Ironman in Chorley, Lancashire. Out today were Steve Tobin and Robert Stallard.
Busy weekend, some big miles cycled – congrats to Christine Smith on reaching the half-way point on the Route 66 Challenge, Amarillo, Texas (you know the song!). To Steve Tobin getting to Clinton, Oklahoma; Helen Gilmore, Miami, Oklahoma; David Whittle, Springfield, Missouri; Helena Hunt, St. Louis, Missouri; nd to Francesca Cooper, Springfield, Illinois.
Just 3 riders out today, congrats to Grahame Morton who completed Stage 1 with a 10 miler to Magor. Quickest ride of the year so far goes to Steve Tobin, with an average 20.87 mph for his 22 mile trip around Goldcliff, and also to Christine Smith, the run-a-way leader whose 17 miles closes her in on completing Stage 6, pretty much the half-way stage.