Customer Reviews

Motorcycle Guide to Route 66

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I agree with Bill Oakes, I too must have received a different copy of Kirk's book than Bob Ward. Kirk's book IS a time saver--if I have time available for research, I have time to be out on Route 66. As a "repeat offender" I have used Kirk's M/C guide several times (I wish it had been been available for the "Inaugural Run!) both Eastbound and Westbound and found it easy to use, as accurate as most sources available, stores in my tank bag (I wish Kirk would reduce the size--tank bags are not created equal!) and was especially helpful in identifying "must see" icons of the Road. No single website (IMHO) has as much comprehensive, organized motorcycle specific touring information as Kirk has in this book. In retrospect, if I had Kirk's book and the map series he provides to all "Mother Road Rally" participants, I would have made fewer u-turns my first trip. Although Kirk's book is motorcycle oriented (it lists dealers, campgrounds and state specific laws) it can be used by all manner of travelers. So if you're considering "doin' Route 66" Kirk's book is a "primer!"

Guess I received a different copy of the book then rpward3. I found the book INCREDIBLY helpful. Yes, there's some data that's available on the web...but geeesshh...one of the VALUES of this book is saving you the time to DO that research...and given the amount of faulty data on Route 66 on the web (trust me...I found out the hard way), this book is a lifesaver when it comes to finding the old road segments, history, and some of the fun that comes with taking two wheels down the Mother Road. I'm about to do my 3rd year in a row on Route 66, and still can't recommend The Motorcycle Guide to Route 66 enough. Now if we can just get Kirk off that Gold Wing and on a Road King :-)

Well, the turn-by-turn directions are certainly useful and this is the first place I've seen turn-by-turn going from Los Angeles to Chicago (most are Chicago to Los Angeles) but my favorite part(s) are the diaries of people who have actually made the trip. Lew Bellinger's detailed expense report from his run was particularly helpful in deciding how much money I need to take. It was GREAT to see this fine old road through the eyes of that couple from Denmark.

Kirk Woodward has closed yet another gap in the lore of America's legendary highway. Even though this book could be used by any cruiser, motorcyclists are a breed apart and therefore hold a unique perspective. Mr. Woodward has spent years travelling and absorbing the "magic" of Route 66, and the content of this book is a direct expression of his own special feel for the road. If you love old roads, motorcycles, or just plain travel, this is without question one of those "gotta haves!" In fact, buy two copies. That way you'll have one for the book shelf and one for the highway.

The best and most detailed treatment I've ever read about this once proud highway. Loaded with information. Extremely well written and comprehensive in every way. A MUST READ for anyone wishing to explore Route 66 by motorcycle, car or whatever. Kirk has devoted tremendous time and efforts detailing absolutely "everything" of past, present or future interest. Suggested routings, landmarks and points of historic note complete in every way including maps, pictures, and travel tips. Nothing has been left out or omitted. A Route 66 tour guide for anyone with a lust for travel - especially by motorcycle. I highly recommend it!

Not only is this simply one of the best guides to travel old Route 66, it is also a work of art kept up to date by a person travelling down the road on regular intervals.

It's a guide in a league of its own.

Be sure to pack this guide on any serious Route 66 tour.

This is a good resource. It points out many good sights to see. I used it for a trip between Bloomington, IL to Edmond, OK. The directions going West are much easier to understand that the ones going East, but not written in a way you can easily follow them backwards. It was deffinately a help in finding the road, although we did get off track a few times. We copied the pages we needed and put it in a plastic ziplock bag with a map. That helped a lot.

I saw a map set for each state that highlights the route; I would recommend those in addition to this book.

Full of goodies as far as info goes, but really needs to be updated. Can not be realistically used on a bike, to big and not easily read as you travel. the info will have to be looked at often to get the real use out of it.

I had expected maps of the road sections and much better pictures. It appears it might be a good reference but not what I was expecting as far as a comprehensive guide to help plan a trip on Rt. 66. I'll keep it but would not make the same mistake of buying it again. Guess I will have to go elsewhere for my "kicks"

This book was the first resource I bought to aid me in realizing my ambition to ride my motorcycle across the country. I hit upon the idea of Route 66 because, well, it's Route 66! Over all, I think this book is a great place to start your trip planning.

Strong points of the book: Step by step instructions for riding Rt 66 from start to finish, Chicago to Santa Monica; interesting and/or historical highlights along the way; suggestions on what to take in your gear if traveling by motorcycle; a chart outlining motorcycle specific laws for each state passed through; several diaries and anecdotes from people who have made the trip that flesh out some of the places mentioned in the turn by turn instructions; a listing of various societies and resources for finding out more about traveling the route.

There are some weak points: first, and perhaps most importantly from the standpoint of trip planning, is that the information may be several years out of date - the edition I have is copyrighted 2001, and I infer from the way some of the articles are written that the information in some sections is older still; there are no maps included which would help a great deal in visualizing how the remnants of Rt 66 interact with the interstate system.

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in following the Mother Road, whether on 2 or 4 wheels. However, I would caution against using this as your only resource. Get some more current instructions if possible. And maps. Lots of maps.