Last night I received my first postcard from End to End after recording 35 miles of my trip along Route 66. I have copied the text in the email below so that my readers can follow the story of my trip. I have also linked this paragraph to the End to End website which I encourage everyone to look at. As I continue to chip away at my virtual journey along Route 66, I also wonder if I can count on your support and encouragement by sponsoring me. My JustGiving page is linked to at the bottom of this page.

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This is just the beginning!

Did you set off from the “Begin Historic Route 66” sign in Chicago? 

Did you know? Route 66 crosses 8 states and 3 time zones. The states that the Mother Road runs through are: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. In 1926 only 800 miles of Route 66 were paved. Only in 1937 did Route 66 get paved end-to-end.

A few miles ahead you’ll be in Joliet, still in the state of Illinois, the fourth-largest city in Illinois. If you want to catch an all-U.S.A game of baseball look no further than the Joliet Slammers, the local professional baseball team, who play at the Silver Cross Field.

Or if you feel the need for speed when in Joliet you should think about heading down to the Chicago Speedway and Route 66 Speedway which opened in 2001. The facility has the claim to fame of being the largest sporting venue in Illinois and has seen a range of high profile events held here such as the NASCAR Sprint Cup. At the Route 66 Speedway, which is the neighboring track of the Chicago Speedway, you can get behind the wheel yourself and even drive your own NASCAR.

Joliet is also the site of the World’s First Dairy Queen Store.

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I will carry on cycling and see where I end up next. In the meantime you can sponsor me on my trek along Route 66 in aid of Ataxia UK by clicking here.