2488 miles in 29 days, April 15-May 14, 2006

The official start of Route66. Riders came from as far as England and South Africa.

SANTA MONICA, CA TO CHICAGO, IL-- by Lynette Chiang on the Route

"GO read the Grapes of Wrath," said PACTOUR crew member Steve Sheerin, manoeuvering the PACTOUR van into a rest stop. I'd meekly asked for a 'Reader's Digest condensed version' of the history of the 'Mother Road' clearly showing I had not done my homework.

"Route 66 started in 1929, in the 30's and 40's migrants headed from the dustbowl of Oklahoma to the land of milk and honey, California."

Dustbowl?

"The drought of the Great Depression, when everything just turned to dust. Go read a history book!"

Or better still, ride it ... which is what this under-read Aussie is doing as the videographer for RAAM legend and Bike Friday owner Lon Haldeman's fourth PACTOUR Route 66 expedition: Santa Monica to Chicago, 2,488 miles, 29 cycling days ... and no rest stops.

Day 5: Don't you have to pedal more? A burro asks Leslie Tierstein's Friday in Oatman, CA

First, let me state that I am not the typical PACTOUR rider. When their website says 'Bicycle Tours for the Exceptional Cyclist', Lon and Susan don't mince words. They seek those who are willing and able to pedal 100-140 miles a day, stopping to smell only the smoking rubber. This form of unloaded bicycle touring - fully supported by a vehicle to carry gear and provide sustenance - is not for the 0-50 mile a day lollygagger like yours truly, accustomed to carrying their life support system and stopping every ten miles. On a classic PACTOUR expedition, all you have to do is fill your bottles with that hi-tech HAMMER powder (shaken not stirred), get on on your bike, and ride.

However, like the company's World's Highest Paved Road Peru trip, Route 66 is considered one of their more 'relaxed' tours (read: 80-100 miles a day), with no rest days. On these superbly organized tours, appreciating the sights is strongly encouraged.

"Don't be hammering and getting in to the hotel by 1pm, missing all the good stuff, we won't be ready for you," said Lon.

Day 16: surreal Cadillac Ranch on the way to Tucumcari, NM. According to Route66 historian Jim Ross, a wealthy local, commissioned a Californian think tank to come up with a shrine to the road, and this is what they came up with - Cadillacs tilted the same angle to the ground as the sides of the great Pyramid, and all facing south ... anyone and everyone can go and let their inner graffiti-artist knock themself out.

Many of the 25 riders on this tour are PACTOUR alumni - folks who have completed at least one of the company's gruelling trips or Arizona Desert training camps. One rider, Gary Bass, is on his THIRD '66. PACTOUR veteran Bruce Fields has also done Route 66, and crewed on over 25 Desert Camps. It's an interesting bunch: some are doing only part of the route, there are riders from England, South Africa and Canada; four women riders, five Bike Fridays including Lon and crew member Steve Sheerin ...

Thanks to www.travelhero.com for this map

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