Chix on 66: Women, Motorcycles & the Mother Road. Part 2 - Amarillo to Santa Monica
The journey continues. This is a snapshot of the experiences of 40 women who explored Route 66 by motorcycle in the summer of 2022.
By Harley-Davidson Museum
In collaboration with Chix on 66 organizer and AMCA Riveter Chapter President, Karan Andrea
This is Part 2 of the Chix on 66 adventure. If you haven't checked out Part 1, Milwaukee and Chicago to Amarillo, follow this link.
Karan – Chix on 66 | Harley-Davidson Museum (2022) by Harley-Davidson MuseumHarley-Davidson Museum
Karan shares some of what inspired her to plan the epic ride that took place in 2022. Her reflections on riding Route 66 are quoted throughout this exhibit.
Day 7: Amarillo to Tucumcari, New Mexico
We will pass the mid-point of Route 66 today... take a photo, stop for a bite to eat, and celebrate your journey so far on the Mother Road.
- Chix guidebook
Chix on 66 Midway Point (2022-06) by Eric BassHarley-Davidson Museum
The midpoint. They felt as though they had been on the road for months, although they had left Chicago a week before. Blistering heat, rough roads, repairs, maintenance, so much restaurant food, not enough water. Yet their spirits were undaunted.
Chix on 66 Oil Change (2022-06) by Eric BassHarley-Davidson Museum
For some riders, oil changes were a pre-planned (and necessary) activity for the night in Tucumcari.
Day 8: Tucumcari to Santa Fe, New Mexico
"Every object throws heat in the desert. Astride the steel and aluminum of the motor, the gas and oil tanks, you feel the heat like a deadly haze rise up from the road. Even at speed, the air hits like a blast furnace. The heat is so intense it pushes everything else out. There are few odors. No taste except the dehydration on your tongue."
Day 9: Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico
Patty – Chix on 66 | Harley-Davidson Museum (2022-06) by Harley-Davidson MuseumHarley-Davidson Museum
Patty talks about the joy of motorcycling.
"Motorcycles bring exhilaration that only their riders can know intimately. The experience engages all our senses, transporting us to places in our minds and souls that only we know – often evoking emotions that we cannot express with language."
Day 10: Taos to Albuquerque, New Mexico
We will retrace our steps back to Santa Fe and instead of following Route 66, we will pick up Highway 14. Highway 14 is known as the "Turquoise Trail" - a National Scenic Byway that is not to be missed.
- Chix guidebook
Day 11: Albuquerque to Winslow, Arizona
Chix on 66 Oatman Highway (2022-06) by Tricia Szulewski WomenRidersNow.comHarley-Davidson Museum
"In her solitude, the rider becomes her machine, which becomes part of the landscape. She feels the clutch pull and the shifter's resistance followed by the satisfying clunk as she changes gears. Leaning through a turn, she smiles at the smooth, steady throttle response as she takes it up to speed."
Chris - Chix on 66 | Harley-Davidson Museum (2022-06) by Harley-Davidson MuseumHarley-Davidson Museum
Chris shares a personal connection to Route 66.
Day 12: Winslow to Kingman, Arizona
KSU 8:30 am to meet for the photo. Then on to Kingman... Two more days til we reach Santa Monica and the beautiful Pacific Ocean!
- Chix guidebook
Chix on 66 Twin Arrows (2022-06) by Karan AndreaHarley-Davidson Museum
Chix on 66 Winslow (2022-06) by Tricia Szulewski WomenRidersNow.comHarley-Davidson Museum
It was exhaustion and exhilaration that bonded these riders. Each admired the others for their accomplishments. No one gave up when it got tough. There was always a joke or a second pair of hands. Whichever was needed.
Athena & Vivian - Chix on 66 | Harley-Davidson Museum (2022-06) by Harley-Davidson MuseumHarley-Davidson Museum
In preparation for Chix on 66, ride mechanics Athena and Vivian held virtual trainings for the women, covering everything from bike maintenance to packing, medical prep, and expected challenges on the road. Here they discuss some of the technical riding nearing the end of Route 66.
Day 13: Kingman to Barstow, California
We may need to map gas stations carefully through this leg of the trip. Let’s make Day 13 a lucky one! The road into Oatman, AZ is very technical with switchbacks and steep grades. Take it slow and easy. - Chix guidebook
Day 14: Barstow to Santa Monica, California
Our Route 66 journey ends here, but the friendships, the stories, the memories, the personal triumphs – all of these things will be part of all of us forever.
- Chix guidebook
Navigating rough roads, mechanical failures, and punishing heat, these women pushed across the U.S. on the Mother Road. Any doubt at the outset had long vanished as they arrived in Santa Monica on day 14.
The Harley-Davidson Museum would like to thank Karan Andrea for sharing her words, experiences, and photographs to make this exhibit happen.
Karan Andrea and the Riveter Chapter of the AMCA® wish to thank Harley-Davidson and the Harley-Davidson Museum for their tremendous support of Chix on 66.
Sincerest gratitude to our photographers for capturing our natures in the wild: Tricia Szulewski of WomenRidersNow.com, Kelly Biggs, Marjorie Kleiman, and Eric Bass. Significant contributions from: Motorcycle Cannonball/Cross Country Chase, Jason and Leeann Sims, H-D University, Create MKE Moto Collective, CCMS in Tucumcari, NM, Turn14, Cardo Systems, Motormaker, Torc Helmets, Route 66 Navigation.
We are grateful to these sponsors for making the event special for all the riders: Stillettos on Steel, Road Guardians, Gun for Hire, Women Riders Now, Cycle Source, Iron Trader News, Open Road Radio, Black Hills Custom Parts, Throttle Gals Magazine, Tattooing by Whitney, Shadow-Light Media.
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