Chicago, Illinois

The official start of Route 66 at Adams Street in downtown Chicago. The famous sign marks the beginning of the 2,448-mile journey to Santa Monica.

Springfield, IL, Illinois

Abraham Lincoln's resting place in his hometown. Outside stands a bronze bust of Lincoln — tradition says rubbing his nose brings good luck, and judging by the shine, millions before us had the same idea. Steve had led Route 66 tours for 16 seasons but had never been.

Madison, IL, Illinois

The original Route 66 crossing of the Mississippi — in the early days of Route 66 this was the only way across. Thanks to EagleRider's permit we rode out onto the bridge and parked the Harleys mid-span, taking in the views across the river towards St Louis.

Cuba, MO, Missouri

Cuba, Missouri's giant rocking chair was the world's largest until Casey, Illinois built an even bigger one. Frankly, I think that's cheating. A Road Ahead sticker found its way onto the chair in support of the rightful champions.

Springfield, MO, Missouri

A petrol station the size of a retail park — fuel pumps disappearing into the distance, a supermarket, fast-food outlets, gift shop and bakery all rolled into one. Started because the owner's wife complained she could never find a clean public restroom; the restrooms are spotless. Every few minutes someone shouts "Brisket on the Block!"

Parsons, MO, Missouri

A wonderfully quirky old Sinclair station that captures exactly what Route 66 is all about — old pumps, vintage cars, rusty signs and Americana everywhere you look. The owner randomly leaves little plastic "Hogs" with handwritten messages on Harley riders' bikes. I got one. Childishly pleased? Absolutely.

Catoosa, OK, Oklahoma

A huge blue concrete whale sitting beside a small pond in what feels like the middle of nowhere. The pond was once a swimming hole, complete with slides built into the whale. Looking at the water, nobody appeared tempted to revive the tradition.

Tulsa, OK, Oklahoma

Tulsa's enormous riverside park, widely described as one of the best public parks in America. Beautifully designed with lakes, gardens, wooden boardwalks, sculptures and huge open spaces — a million miles from the heat, noise and vibration of riding motorcycles all day.

Tulsa, OK, Oklahoma

Beautifully restored classic American cars, vintage petrol pumps, old diner signs and Mother Road memorabilia in Tulsa. Everywhere you look there's another piece of history that makes you smile — standing amongst the history while actually travelling it makes the journey feel a little more authentic.

Sapulpa, OK, Oklahoma

Part museum, part gift shop and part shrine to American motoring history — packed with old petrol pumps, enamel signs, neon lights and enough memorabilia to keep you browsing for hours. Normally closed on Mondays, but the owner opened especially for our EagleRider group.

Oklahoma City, OK, Oklahoma

168 empty chairs sit silently on the footprint of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, one for every life lost in the bombing on 19 April 1995. The smaller chairs represent the children who died in the daycare centre; the reflecting pool marks the road where the bomb exploded. It's about the people, not the man who carried out the attack.

Clinton, OK, Oklahoma

One of the better museums on the route — telling the story of America's Mother Road with an Oklahoma flavour. Plenty of nostalgia, great displays and another reminder of how much history is packed into this route.

Shamrock, TX, Texas

One of the most iconic stops on Route 66 — an art-deco café in Shamrock. Steve spotted another tour group arriving behind us and wisely suggested we get our orders in quickly. Within minutes the place was packed with hot, thirsty bikers. Ice cream never tasted so good.

Amarillo, TX, Texas

Ten classic Cadillacs buried nose-first into the Texas soil, created in 1974, each one completely covered in layers of graffiti. Unlike most public art, visitors are actively encouraged to add their own masterpiece. Steve and Chantelle came prepared with spray cans — there was as much paint on riders as on the cars.

Tucumcari, NM, New Mexico

One of the most photographed motels anywhere along the Mother Road. We stopped next door at the Route 66 Welcome Centre before wandering over to take it in — a classic neon slice of the Mother Road that's been keeping travellers since the 1930s.

Amarillo, Texas

Created in 1974 by the Ant Farm art collective, ten vintage Cadillacs are buried nose-first in a wheat field, covered in layers of visitor graffiti. A landmark of American roadside art.

Adrian, TX, Texas

The exact halfway point of Route 66 — 1,139 miles to Chicago and 1,139 miles to LA.

Adrian, Texas

The official halfway point of Route 66 — 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Santa Monica. Marked by the Midpoint Café.

Madrid, New Mexico

Built on an empty lot as a film set for the 2007 movie Wild Hogs, where the four bikers take on the Del Fuegos. Now a gift shop packed with Route 66 memorabilia.

Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico

One of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America — the pueblo has been occupied for over a thousand years. The viewpoint looks out across the mesas and desert to Sky City atop its sandstone bluff.

Madrid, NM, New Mexico

The famous Maggie's Diner from the 2007 film Wild Hogs, now a gift shop in the tiny mining town of Madrid.

Continental Divide, New Mexico

A simple sign marks one of North America's great geographical boundaries — rain falling on one side eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean, rain on the other flows towards the Pacific.

Winslow, AZ, Arizona

Immortalised by the Eagles' "Take It Easy". A dedicated corner with a flatbed Ford and bronze statues.

Petrified Forest, Arizona

Layer upon layer of colourful desert stretching to the horizon. The park also contains the Petrified Forest — petrified tree trunks from a lush tropical forest some 225 million years ago.

Petrified Forest, Arizona

More than 650 ancient petroglyphs have been carved into the rocks, some dating back around 2,000 years. A quiet wonder about the people who once lived and travelled through these landscapes.

Holbrook, Arizona

One of Route 66's most unusual attractions — you really can spend the night inside concrete wigwams complete with modern comforts, while weathered classic American cars sit outside.

Winslow, Arizona

The Eagles created an icon with 'Take It Easy', and Winslow has embraced it wholeheartedly. A flatbed Ford, bronze statues and gift shops make this one of the most photographed intersections on Route 66.

Winslow, Arizona

Created around 50,000 years ago, the impact site is simply astonishing. Standing on the viewing platform gives an appreciation of the sheer force involved in creating something on this scale.

Seligman, Arizona

When Interstate 40 bypassed Seligman, the town was left struggling. Rather than watch it disappear, Angel Delgadillo founded the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona and helped preserve the Mother Road itself. Pete even got a haircut from the man himself.

Williams, Arizona

Proudly claims to be the last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40. Neon signs, classic diners, souvenir shops and beautifully restored buildings line the main street.

Hackberry, Arizona

Less a town than an old Route 66 store sitting in the middle of the Arizona desert, surrounded by vintage cars, rusting petrol pumps and decades of history. Every direction offers another photograph.

Kingman, Arizona

Exactly what you hope an American diner would be — busy, full of Route 66 memorabilia and serving generous portions of classic American food.

Amboy, California

A Route 66 icon in the middle of the Mojave Desert. The neon sign, the motel cabins and the café are classic Americana — motorcycle parking thoughtfully placed under shade.

Oatman Highway, Arizona

Said to be the inspiration for Radiator Springs in the film Cars. A restored Route 66 stop on the climb towards Oatman through the Black Mountains.

Oatman, Arizona

A town straight out of an old western — wooden verandahs line the dusty main street. Famous for the wild burros that wander freely through town, posing for photos and accepting snacks.

Newberry Springs, California

Someone inside clearly understood motorcyclists — Born to Be Wild blasts through the speakers with scenes from Easy Rider, a room has drums and guitars for jamming, and the atmosphere is brilliant.

North of Los Angeles, CA, California

The group detoured through the forest — one of the best route decisions of the trip. Desert scrub gives way to pine forests.

Santa Monica, California

The western terminus of Route 66. Fourteen days after standing beneath the Begin sign in Chicago, the group reached the End of the Trail sign overlooking the Pacific Ocean.