Even the first meters were very impressive: Christine Reinke and Aniclla Batsching drove through Chicago on their motorcycles. 3945 kilometers lay ahead of them – the whole Route 66.
“It was very different from Germany. The drivers were really very understanding and gave way for the motorcyclists. The Americans were also very happy regarding us motorcyclists and were very friendly,” said Batsching.
The two had booked the trip last September as a complete package. In addition to the exact route planning, the motorcycles were also organized. “One of the two guides always drove with us on the motorcycle, the second accompanied us in the car and took our luggage and food with us,” says Christine Reinke.
Flight over Grand Canyon falls into the water
But not everything went according to plan: the two motorcyclists were extremely unlucky during their visit to the Grand Canyon. On the way through the fascinating gorge, it rained continuously for no less than seven hours. Actually, a sightseeing flight through the Grand Canyon was planned. “Unfortunately, this also had to be canceled due to the weather,” says Ancilla Batsching.
The two bikers will probably never forget the rainy day in the Grand Canyon. | Image: Ancilla Batsching
Road damage is simply bypassed
On this route, the bikers were also confronted with the fact that the road network in the USA is not like that in Germany and that there are bypasses or detours in the event of disruptions.
Furthermore, the two had to get used to the American traffic rules. “So overtaking on the right-hand side is completely unfamiliar,” says Batsching, giving an example.
Gas stations like small museums
“I found it very fascinating that on Route 66 there were always gas stations that were really nicely prepared and then next door there were really neglected ones,” Christine Reinke remembers.
But such a refueling stop was tough: “We were told to hurry up to refuel and not to hold up traffic unnecessarily. This caused us a lot of stress,” the ladies recall. Sitting on the motorbike all day wasn’t stressful at all for either of them.
Impressions of a memorable trip to the USA: Christine Reinke (left) and Ancilla Batsching in front of a typical old gas station along Route 66. | Image: Batsching
Dangers were daily for regarding nine to eleven hours. Always with interruptions, of course. Batsching’s motorcycle had the smallest tank. The guides calculated exactly when their motorcycle would have to refuel next. During such a refueling break, all the motorcycles were always refueled, so that you didn’t have to keep stopping for someone else.
The path led the two adventurous women from Chicago via Springfield in Missouri to Oklahoma City and Santa Fe in New Mexico and Kingsman in Arizona to Los Angeles, California.
“Personally, what impressed me the most was the diverse landscape in the eight states that Route 66 runs through. There are very beautiful mountain roads with rocks, bumpy roads and driving is very varied,” says Christine Reinke. The vacationers agree that the most beautiful cities during the trip were Chicago and Santa Fee. New Mexico was the most beautiful state for the two of them.
Plastic waste is disturbing
Both of them didn’t like some things. “I found it shocking how much plastic and garbage Americans produce every day. Everywhere there is only plastic and disposable tableware. It was really disturbing,” says Christine Reinke. It is also strange that in almost every restaurant there was a huge TV running non-stop.
The view from Chicago’s Willis Tower was the reward for overcoming Ancilla Batsching’s fear of heights. | Image: Ancilla Batsching
