RIDING ROUTE 66
Presenter: Henry Cole
The myth of Route 66 was born by the song by Bobby Troup “Get your kicks on Route 66” in 1946. Few roads get to be immortalized in song but few roads are as evocative as Route 66.
Route 66 is one of the most iconic and legendary roads in the world. The highway winds across America from Chicago to Los Angeles crossing eight states and three time zones on its 2,448-mile passage to the sunshine state. The road reflects the true dichotomy of American culture from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas on to New Mexico, Arizona and finally to Los Angeles and California.
In this seven part series Henry Cole embarks on a once in a lifetime journey along Route 66. Arriving in Chicago Henry buys a Harley Davidson and sets off on what will prove to be both an inspirational, cathartic and historical journey discovering the real heartland of America revealing its diverse culture, tourist attractions and heritage.
America’s history and cultural legacy is encapsulated in “The Mother Road” from the 1930’s when it was used to evacuate thousands of Americans from the great plains, to the 1940’s when it enabled the mass wartime mobilization of troops through the 1950’s when it was the fast lane for America’s upwardly mobile and in the 60s when it was the backbone of the hippie trail famously evoked by the movie Easy Rider.
America has suddenly woken up to the fact that Route 66 was in danger of disappearing all together along with a major part of America’s history. Consequently over the last few years millions of dollars have been spent in restoring the road and now Route 66 has been saved forever to be enjoyed by future generations. You can now ride or drive along 80% of the original road.
Henry’s journey emulates the adventure, uncertainty and naive dreams held by a legion of travellers through the last seventy-five years who have set off from Chicago and the east coast to find a new life in California.
Episode 1: Chicago to Illinois
Motorcycle fanatic Henry Cole sets off across America on Route 66 – the star iconic highway, which takes in 7 states and was once the main artery from Chicago to Los Angeles. The first stage involves collecting his Harley in Chicago before hitting the road and making an overnight stop at Bloomington - the first one horse town of many!
Episode 2: Carlinville & Mount Olive, Missouri
Henry Cole continues to ride the American Dream. In this episode, Henry heads further on into Illinois and Missouri on his 3000-mile journey across the country. He visits the quaint town of Carlinville and the famous bar, Angus Bailey's, and stops at the country's first ever petrol station in Mount Olive. Then it's off to find the Chain of Rocks Bridge, which crosses the Mississippi and the Arch in St Louis, just two of the wonders on Route 66. Unfortunately, though, the heat and the hassle of navigating are now getting to Henry - and his Harley!
Episode 3: Cuba, Lebanon & Claremont Oklahoma
Henry Cole rides on along Route 66 - The Mother Road - and reveals the best hotel en route in Missouri, Dickies Inn, a quaint and old colonial retreat. Henry presses on to fascinating towns with just as fascinating names like Rolla, Cuba and Lebanon arriving in Claremont Oklahoma where he takes a tour of Will Rogers's birthplace - and reveals why Route 66 was named after this Hollywood legend. For some, it’s still called The Will Rogers Highway.
Episode 4:Texola, Shamrock & Amarillo
Riding his Harley across America on Route 66, Henry Cole is almost half way through his gruelling road trip. Crossing the state line into Texas he arrives in the ghost town of Texola before heading onto Shamrock, the first inhabited town in the state. It was once one of the largest oil rich towns in Texas before the Interstate was born but now you're lucky if you see another person or car all morning! From Shamrock Henry heads on to Amarillo where his sound recordist attempts a centuries old tradition in one of the most famous restaurants - eating a 72 oz steak in one hour! As soundman Sean recovers from his gluttony the rain starts to set in causing problems on The Mother Road!
Episode 5: Rain, Rain Go Away!
Henry Cole continues his dream of riding Route 66 across America on a Harley Davidson. Except it's not fun in torrential rain - the road turns to mud and on a Harley it becomes too dangerous to ride on. Henry decides to revert to the interstate and press on through the panhandle of Texas and into New Mexico trying to beat the thunderstorms. The rain and frustration make for a few very bad tempered days!! Finally Henry arrives in Gallup on the borders of Texas and Arizona drenched but elated because it seems he has beaten the rain!
Episode 6:More Rain, Fast Food & Texas!
Henry Cole heads deep into Arizona on his dream ride along Route 66, sure that he has beaten the rain he encountered in Texas - but just as he thinks it's passed, torrential storms start again. He arrives in Halbrook where he lives in a concrete wigwam and spends the days playing tenpin bowling, eating fast food and doing the laundry. And we all learn what it's really like to make a travel show on the road - will the rain ever go?
Episode 7: : From the Mojave Desert to California
The final stage of this marathon journey and Henry Cole heads off through the desert into Arizona and California on the conclusion of his three thousand mile motorcycle ride across America. The sun beats down after days of rain as Henry travels through the fascinating desert towns of Kingman and Oatman. This is an area of America which time has passed by, and the Wild West remains. From the peace and tranquillity of the Mojave Desert to the frenetic freeways of California: Henry visits the first ever McDonalds, the gangland downtown of San Bernardino and rolls into Los Angeles and the end of Route 66 in Santa Monica.