Into the throat of the beast … Chicago!
Every time I rode a motorcycle near Chicago the traffic has been catastrophically horrendous. It’s miles of bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic!
Our plan is to go into Chicago before daybreak and to be at the Route 66 sign at sunrise.
Our hotel in Merrillville Indiana was 45 minutes from the Route 66 start sign in downtown Chicago. Yesterday’s short day to Merrillville enable us to do this on a Saturday morning.
We woke up Saturday morning at 3:30 AM, we were on the road by 4:30 AM, and we were at the sign by 5:30 AM. Traffic was light all the way in. When we got to the Route 66 sign there was no traffic at all. I parked my bike on the street, Gary pulled up on the sidewalk next to the sign. We took pictures and for 15 minutes we owned the beginning of Adams Street in downtown Chicago!!!
We took Adams Street out of Chicago. Our first goal was to Joliet Prison where Albert met Jake when he got out of prison. One of the many reasons why Chicago traffic is so bad is the massive road construction. It seems all of Chicago’s roads are lines of orange traffic cones that merge to a single lane!
The problem was there were so many detours that every time we ended the detour we were 10 miles further from the prison! After being lost for 30 minutes we gave up and rerouted to Pontiac, Illinois. We had a friend awaiting us 10 miles north of Pontiac.
Ol’ Iron Butt Rally rider Rick Martin lives in Pontiac IL. He was riding his ol‘ rally ready FJR1200. He was waiting on an overpass as we came chugging by.
Rick gave us the Route 66 tour of Pontiac. The remains of Route 66 parallels the interstate for many miles here. Different towns use it for bike paths, picnic areas, parks, walkways and always title “Historic Route 66.”
Rick took us to breakfast, to the town’s museum, showed us the different generation routes through town and to Wallys World, the building shaped like a derringer (abandoned) before letting us go 30 miles south of Pontiac.
Our next goal … the St Lous Arch!
The arch is very easy to find! You can see it miles away! However, one again massive construction around the arch! We rode all around but the closest parking was ½-mile away! That walk for Team70s in moto gear and boots in the hot, warm day was the deal breaker … we rode on.
We ended the day at Motel 6, Sullivan, MO. Another 400 mile day!
Very cool Dean, thanks for sharing.
Great to spend quality time and break bread with the Tanji boys!!
Great photos! The pole-hugging one is really funny! 😂 I was wondering if they kept the original road, thanks for the report and giving us a tour of all the sites along the way! Both Chicago and St Louis in one day, 400 miles, good grief! Amazing!
So glad you beat the traffic in Chicago. Welcome to the Midwest during Orange Cone Season😂 FYI: Michigan Ave in Chicago is the same Michigan Ave here – US12. Thanks for posting, it’s great to see you exploring the old Route. Team 60’s is falling behind on their posts – too many back roads, lol.
surprised and happy to see that Route 66 is memorized on the Eastern end and can’t wait to see the remainder of your photos of it. Steve & traveled on parts of the western end in 1998 when moving some inherited items from California to New Jersey after my father’s death. That section was dilapidated and uncared for. Hopefully it has been recovered and revered and you will show us as you pass through. Ride safely! Hugs & love
Great pics and looks like getting up that early and moving paid off! What a great day of riding!!
Be sure to have some good BBQ along the route!
I think we ate well! No big meals. Gary and I shared several meals like BBQ ribs, hamburgers, greek salads, etc. I lost 15 lbs on this 34 day ride.
Awesome guys thanks