Hi guys sorry no post last night but bust yesterdays ride was a tight schedule, as a matter of fact the last one like that for sure.  Stated out in Joplin MO as the sun broke above the horizon and started making tracks on 66.  The ride from Joplin to Kansas is a short one a well there is only 13 miles off 66 that runs through Kansas but all 13 are very worth while. 

In the pictures below you will see the small shop where Pixar got the basis for the caricature in Cars Tow Mater, here he's called Tow Tater

 

 



After passing the cars garage I came across this great bridge heading into Galena KS along with little route 66 logos hand painted on the road as they did in the 20's before using signs.

 

 

Galena was a cute little town that takes great pride in what little of 66 they have

 

Once you leave Galena your pretty much in Oklahoma, and next up is the American Indian towns of Quapaw and Miami.  all very quaint little towns not much hustle and bustle but I noticed quite a bit of manufacturing.

Once I got closer to Tulsa the more all the towns run together and very hard to distinguish who's who it all looks like Tulsa LOL

 

But this is the real stand out this is a 2 mile stretch of original untouched Route 66 from 1922 and yes if I would have read my map it told this is no place for a motorcycle.  needless to say kind of on edge but it was worth it

 

 

For Oklahoma once you get to Tulsa that's kind of it for the pride they take in Route 66 and once you get near OKC its gone very little left of the road itself and its attractions the city has done nothing to preserve its history.  So not much to show but Tulsa.

 

Texas on the other hand is even worse!!!!  not even one sign unless it was for an attraction, most of 66 is under I-40 with the just a few frontage roads they call BL-40.  However I did see the building that inspired the Ramones body shop in the movie cars. as well the Cadillac Ranch

 



 

 

So as the sun was setting and my Ghetto Pro battery was dead I saw a killer heat lighting storm all the way to Tucumcari NM.  running at 75 MPH legally on I-40.  it was wild been years since I saw a storm like that.  But I made it safe and sound to the hotel and did a little drive around Tucumcari to see all the vintage Neon.

 

 

Well that's in for today for yesterday LOL but tonight ill be better as im in no hurry now and expect to see some good stuff today.

 

 

The first day of my reboot of my ride

Finally the day is here to get my ride started, heading out this morning from Cincinnati as expected was mostly a rainy ride.  So living with the rain gear and the sauna it creates on a 80 plus rainy day, but it was still better than sitting at my desk that's for sure.  Once I got out of Indiana the clouds stayed but the rain seemed to stop and I was able to shed the gear and see some sun.  Once I got into Missouri the sun started to shine and things started to dry up. 

Last year my ride ended on day two at the Ozark Harley Davidson with the news I had a engine knock.

So today I thought it would be good to stop by and see them guys and let them know they called it, while I was there I broke down and bought a cup holder, yea a cup holder it comes in handy. if your ever on the road in Lancaster MO its a good place to stop, good bunch of guys. 
So from here this is where I picked my ride back up off Kearney st in Springfield MO

Even with mostly clouds it was a great ride along an older alignment of  concrete slab 66.

My ghetto pro does an ok job of snapping these  from the handle bars LOL.  One big surprise once I got to Carthage MO I came up on a huge line of cars all pulled over on the side of the road, not just a few it was more than a hundred.  I was starting to think I was coming up on a parade.  However it was just the line to get into the famous Route 66 Drive In.  Its great to see how folks support their local Drive IN I wish we had one.

 

 

Once I was past the big line of cars I met back up with a newer alignment of 66 from 1954 it was two lane that led into the last small town before getting to my stop for the night in Joplin MO.  The small town of Centerville MO.  There we many quant little shops and old Desoto dealership that still had its signage (sorry couldn't get a pic).  So enjoy these pictures of Centerville.

Well gang that's it for tonight its late and I have to be in Tucumcari NM by 9pm to make my reservation at the Famous Blue Swallow Motel.  So ill have more tomorrow.

Route 66 part Deux

Well last year I planned this ride t no avail made it is far as day two and my trusty Harley Evel One developed a rod knock and I had to turn around and head home.  Very disappointing but none the less I made it home safe and sound.  Safe but not Dry that's for sure as to add insult to injury it rained on me for the two day ride home.  Now fast forward to July 10th we start again with a fresh 103 power plant and I will picking up the mother road from the same place I left off in Springfield MO.

This time I have more days and its happening during Evel Knievel  Days in Butte Montana, so im looking forward to posting lots of pictures and some great riding might even see a few folks I know along the way.  So stay tuned as we pick up this journey again.

Day two start off with the main event... due to the fact I have very limited wifi here at my hotel and have to use my phone ill keep this brief.... the started with a bang in the form of thunderstorms and pretty much made up the majority of my day I was either in them or avoiding them.  But I made it to St Louis as planed so far so good.  well I have a lot more pictures and story but I will pick that up tomorrow when I have better wifi, maybe ill go to Starbucks LOL and be like look at me I'm Blogging

 

So that's all for tonight but ill catch back up tomorrow.......