My friends and I rode the Route in 2003. We rode from Central California to Chicago, the returned on the Route to Santa Monica in 10 days. I will be repeating the ride this summer. Although we had a great ride, we missed way too much stuff the first time.
First, order the Guide Books from Route 66 Magazine. I had ordered them for the first ride but they were still being printed at the time we left. I have them this time and have been studying them almost every night.
Make sure you stop at the Chain of Rocks Bridge, but you may want to park on the Illinois side for safety of the bike. Since my first ride they have fixed it up and opened it as a bike and hiking path, but have placed some of the old stuff from the Route on it.
Also, make sure you stop at the Devil's Elbow area in Missouri. This was such a neat place. I swear you could almost hear the old cars rumbling by as the families chatted inside of them. We missed going into the town and I plan on doing that this time.
Between Route 66 Magazine and the Guide Books they have you will have a great adventure. My luck is that I will get to be with both of my sons on this journey, as well as a few friends.
Ride Safe...