Did anybody see the Flying (at 20 mph) Dutchmen on US 66?

bamabikeguy

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One day in October, I got a Google Alert about a group of Dutch Moped'ers cruising from Chicago to LA on US 66.

http://www.velosolexamerica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=1


Now joining the ranks of those indefatigable road-trippers are 19 men and one woman from the Netherlands, who recently followed historic Route 66, from Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif., aboard Velosolex mopeds.

The group, which had a host of Dutch and American sponsors, left from the Art Institute in Chicago on September 27 and arrived in California on Wednesday (October 23). Along the way, the riders seem to have encountered the usual bits of road-trip Americana: the world's largest rocking chair, a teepee motel and a suspect meal at Taco Bell. A diary of the tour, which also raised funds for three different charities, is here.

Essentially a single-gear bicycle with a motor mounted on the front wheel, the original Velosolex was a popular and cheap form of transportation in the mid-20th century. Part of the appeal, of course, is the machine's simplicity - the 49cc two-cycle engine assists the rider up to a speed of about 20 miles an hour, and the engine is engaged via a hand lever in front of the handlebars.

The group had an escort, and a daily report site, I picked a random date (10/7) to check it out.

http://www.tjoptjoppers.nl/Route66en/dagelijks verslag/20081007.html

This morning we stood up at 6:00, I had no breakfast because I still was stuffed by the dinner yesterday. I had a really big steak.

We left at 7:30, and as usually my VeloSolex wouldn't start. But after 500 meters, finally, he fired up. Such a joy.

The first miles we drove through a town with a lot of trafficlights. Sometimes we drove through the red light, but he police allows that in America. (As long as they don't see you.)

Immediately we had hills, just like the last days. climbing started again. The 'heavyweights' were in trouble again. Except one, Martijn. His VeloSolex drives like crazy after the repairs from yesterday.

You can choose another day, clicking the calender below.

http://www.tjoptjoppers.nl/Route66en/dagelijks_verslag_en.html

My question is, did Velosolex folks check into the MB forums?

Or did anybody see the group pass through their neighborhood?

I clicked another random date, on the calender 10/10

After the though day yesterday, today was easy.
We left Santa Fe at 07:30. The first 10 miles we had to go by truck, after that we should ride 12 miles.

But after 4 miles there was a roadsign saying 'Road Closed'. We had to get back in the truck again until we were something like 35 miles from albequerque.
We unloaded our Velosolexes and drove on. We didn't even had to peddle!!!

Later that day Jeroen and Marije from 'Noordkaap television productions' joined us.
They will follow us for Dutch TV for the last two weeks of our trip.

Highlight of the day was that even Dirk and Ben ended today on their VeloSolexes and not in the truck. That was for the first time.

At 4 we were expected at 'New Urban Transport'. they arranged a 'welcomeparty' for us.

It sounds like it was a good thing they had a support truck escorting them, and they don't go into too much detail on the breakdowns or performance.

(IF I had time to read the entire daily reporting, which are photo heavy/not dialup friendly).

But I was just wondering, with such a demonstration ride, a Cross Country trek, if anybody witnessed the group, maybe even talked to the riders?
 
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thank you for posting this bamabikeguy

pretty darn (fun) and exciting -- I would say

yes -- sounds like for sure
they depended much on their support truck and car or cars
can't blame them for that
Madonna had it all wrong
motor bike riders just want to -- have fun

I marked their site as a favorite
wish to come back there and think about that ride some more !

makes one think about taking a long ride -- don't it ?

ride that thing
 
Dang it, Paul.... I just had to read the whole trip report! Thanks!! :p

they had quite the adventure....they sure like their beer!!
I wish I coulda seen them pass thru here.

Route 66 passes about 25 miles south of here.
 
The point is, they got primo "New York Times" coverage, had three sponsors, then it looks like they saw America/Route 66 in the bed of a pickup truck !!!

One big Vortex , like Rif's Wyoming episodes.

I'm ready for a coast to coast Gumball Rally, without the escort, if we get 3 sponsors....heck, the beer money they spent would probably be a tidy sum to have in the sweepstake purse !

I'm finally putting on an odometer next week, be ready to test that thing out when the weather warms.
 
then it looks like they saw America/Route 66 in the bed of a pickup truck !!!


It sounds like it was a good thing they had a support truck escorting them, and they don't go into too much detail on the breakdowns or performance.

(IF I had time to read the entire daily reporting, which are photo heavy/not dialup friendly).


Dang it, Paul.... I just had to read the whole trip report!

The truck was a U-haul boxtruck.
there were daily repairs. some of the bikes would overheat, in the mountains & desert. there were flat tires... heck, one even had to have a piston replaced at one point.
there were portions of the trip where their bikes were not allowed...so they were hauled.
But for the most part...they rode the majority of the trip.

so....Paul,
If you want to put together a bubblegum road rally, that's all well & good!


just, please, don't make light of the travels of this "route 66" tour group & their struggles. Heck, while crossing Texas.....2 of them had to attempt to eat the GIANT 72 oz. steak!!!
not to mention the gentlemen's club... & the side trip to vegas


:p :)
 
That is GREAT. I love this line.....
The first miles we drove through a town with a lot of trafficlights. Sometimes we drove through the red light, but here police allows that in America. (As long as they don't see you.)
 
Unfortunately no darn it, this is the first I've heard of it!

I imagine they ended up at the Santa Monica pier a couple blocks up from me too. Wonder if they would've let me cruise with them on my GEBE when they got into Santa Monica, that woulda been pretty cool, I bet they're a fun bunch, probably worn out by the time they finished though!
 
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