Route 66 USA – Los Angeles – Chicago

• In the USA, you drive on the right side of the road.
• All distances are measured in miles. See conversions below.
• Traffic lights (red, yellow, green) are the same as in Europe.
• If the light is flashing yellow, be cautious when crossing the street.
• If the lights are flashing red, always stop before crossing the street.
• If you encounter an octagonal sign, come to a complete stop before proceeding.
• A yellow triangle means you must yield to oncoming traffic – you have the right of way.
• On roads with double yellow lines, it is prohibited to cross them for overtaking.
• On larger roads with multiple lanes in the same direction, traffic moves fastest in the leftmost lane. You are only allowed to overtake other vehicles on the left side.
• Speed limits vary from state to state.
• In most states, wearing a helmet and goggles is mandatory. You are responsible for this and drive at your own risk.
• It is prohibited to pass yellow school buses when their warning lights are on.
• It is forbidden to consume alcohol in a vehicle. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08, and violations result in imprisonment.
• You are allowed to turn right at a red light unless otherwise indicated.
• There is a minimum speed limit of 45 mph (72 km/h) on interstates and highways.
• The maximum speed limit varies from 105-120 km/h (65-75 mph).
• Motorcycles are not allowed to drive in the innermost lane in cities; this lane is reserved for public transportation.

Time Zones: On the continental US, there are four time zones:

• Eastern Time
• Central Time
• Mountain Time
• Pacific Time Each time zone differs by one hour.

Measurements: Distance/Length:

• 1 Mile = 1.6 km
• 1 Foot = 30 cm
• 1 Inch = 2.54 cm
• 1 US pint = 0.5 liters
• 1 US gallon = 3.8 liters

• 1 km = 0.6 miles

Temperatures: In the USA, Fahrenheit is used instead of Celsius:

• 0 Celsius = 32 Fahrenheit
• 20 Celsius = 68 Fahrenheit
• 30 Celsius = 86 Fahrenheit
• 35 Celsius = 95 Fahrenheit.

Motorcycle Riding

We prioritize 100% safety during the ride, and we ride in a diagonal pattern known as the “zipper formation.” The guide’s vehicle leads the group, and the most experienced riders form the rear position, regardless of the situation.

We ride in a staggered formation, maintaining a moderate distance between motorcycles, neither too far nor too close, and form a long snake-like line. On Route 66, we usually have narrow roads to ourselves. In areas where Route 66 is no longer accessible or doesn’t exist, we will ride on Interstate 40 and generally stay in the second innermost lane. This is the most practical approach, as it allows us to avoid dealing with vehicles exiting on the right side.

The speed will be comfortable and not too fast. We usually get to ride relatively undisturbed by other traffic. We provide vests to be worn after dark. The guide will provide all necessary instructions, explanations, and safety tips when we pick up the motorcycles. It is important that everyone pays attention to this information.

Be patient with each other, especially during the first few days when participants are getting accustomed to the bikes and American roads. We hope and believe that everything will go smoothly, and remember, we are here to have fun!

All guides have American mobile phones, so write down their numbers and keep them in your pocket along with a fully charged mobile phone.

Emergency Stop

If something happens on the road that requires you to stop (if you feel unwell in any way), raise your left arm and keep it up until the person in front of you does the same. This signal will make the guide leading the group stop the lead bike. (Do this before you become seriously ill.)

If you suddenly become ill and need to stop immediately: Pull off to the side of the road and as far away from traffic as possible. Only the last motorcycle will stop!! It is too dangerous to have more than 20 motorcycles stopping immediately along the road. The rest of the group will not leave you behind but will stop as soon as possible.

Take care of each other

Everyone is responsible for keeping an eye on the person behind them by using their mirrors. If half of the group manages to go through a green light, but the others have to stop at a red light, it is the responsibility of the person who made it through the green light to wait for the rest of the group. If they slow down, the vehicles in front will also slow down. This way, we can keep the group together as much as possible.

Be cautious and check the mirrors frequently to ensure no one loses complete contact with the group. This will help us avoid uncomfortable or dangerous situations where people may feel stressed or scared. Each day, there will be an experienced and reliable person riding at the rear of the group.

Drinking while riding

Bring water bottles that can be opened and closed with your teeth. This way, you can drink with your left hand while steering with your right hand. Place the bottles upside down between the handlebars and the windshield. The guides sell water and other drinks from the lead vehicle every day. They may also make stops at places other than gas stations.

Speed and Safety

We constantly strive to maintain a comfortable pace that suits all participants. This means that some may find it comfortable, while others may feel it’s a bit slow, and some may think it’s a bit fast. However, on highways, we must maintain a speed that matches the flow of traffic. Be very clear in signaling your intentions to others.

Americans generally behave politely on the road and usually show moderation when riding as a group. Try to read the traffic, use common sense, and avoid taking risks.

Americans generally behave politely on the road and usually show moderation when riding as a group. Try to read the traffic, use common sense, and avoid taking risks.

Breaks and Roadside Stops

We usually stop every hour. Some stops are short, about 10-15 minutes, for stretching your legs, using the restroom, buying drinks, or other needs. Other stops can last from 30 to 90 minutes and are planned by the guides for visiting attractions or other purposes.

Lunch Break

After two to three hours on the road, we stop for lunch, typically for 45 minutes to an hour. This will be planned by the guide. Those who feel hungry or want to snack before or after the lunch break can purchase a hot dog, sandwich, or other food options.

When stopping at gas stations to refuel, avoid ordering large meals as it will delay the trip and may cause us to miss scheduled activities. We recommend that everyone bring some salty snacks to eat while on the motorcycles (peanuts, dried meat, etc.). You can purchase more of these snacks at gas station stops along the way.

Refueling

We refuel every two hours. Everyone should refuel at each designated stop, even if their tank is almost full. Some motorcycles have smaller fuel tanks than others, so we need to stop regularly for their sake. Fuel gauges can be inaccurate, so we always fill up to the maximum each time.

When the lead vehicle pulls into a gas station and signals to refuel, we form two lines at the pumps. The guide will start the pumps and instruct everyone to help refuel all the motorcycles. All engines must be turned off while refueling for environmental reasons, and each rider pushes their bike to the pump when their turn comes.

Those at the end of the queue have time to use the restroom while the first motorcycles refuel, and vice versa. The person responsible for refueling keeps track of the amount and price of each fill-up, which is provided to the guide before hanging up the pump. For those who wish to ride alone, they need to remember to keep receipts for fuel purchases and arrive the next day with a full tank.

Roads and Route 66

Only about 80% of Route 66 exists today. Some sections of the road are damaged or closed, while others are narrow with speed limits of 20 or 30 km/h.

We cover as much of the original Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles in both directions as possible. This way, you get to see the highlights along the way. We guarantee that you won’t miss out on the worthwhile attractions. If you want to see something specific, talk to the guide, and we’ll try to accommodate it. It’s entirely up to you whether you want to follow the lead vehicle or ride on your own. Just remember to inform the guide to avoid unnecessary confusion or worry along the way. On some days of the trip, we will need to ride on Interstate 40 or other modern roads to reach the day’s final destination.