Since 1974, Rider has shared stories about the places motorcycles can take us. Through mountain passes, desert highways, coastal roads, and small-town America, we’ve celebrated the simple idea that the best stories are found somewhere between points A and B.
Long before Rider began telling those stories, Route 66 began making them possible.
When the Mother Road was established in 1926, it connected Chicago to Los Angeles and opened a new chapter in American travel. For many, it was the first opportunity to experience a true cross-country adventure. Families loaded up their cars and headed west. Entrepreneurs built motels, diners, service stations, and roadside attractions to welcome them. And motorcyclists discovered something we’ve known ever since – there’s something special about seeing America from behind the handlebars.
A century later, Route 66 still captures our imagination. While modern interstates may be faster, they rarely offer the same sense of discovery. On Route 66, you can still ride through towns where neon signs glow above historic motor lodges and where stretches of pavement seem untouched by time. Grab a burger at a local diner, strike up a conversation with a fellow traveler, or pull over to photograph a weathered service station that has been welcoming motorists for generations. It’s an experience that is truly American.
That’s why we’ve dedicated the August 2026 issue to Route 66 and its remarkable legacy.
Inside the pages, you’ll find stories about the history that shaped the road, the people who built it and continue to preserve it, and the destinations that have become icons of American travel. We explore some of Route 66’s most memorable stretches of pavement, trace lost and forgotten alignments that reveal how the highway evolved over time, and visit the roadside attractions, service stations, and motor lodges that helped define the classic American road trip. You’ll also find practical trip-planning resources, travel tips, and inspiration for experiencing the Mother Road yourself – whether you’re planning to ride a single state or tackle all 2,448 miles.
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Maybe you’ve ridden every mile of the Mother Road or maybe it’s still on your bucket list. Either way, I hope this issue inspires you to experience one of American motorcycling’s original travel stories first hand.
Travel west,
Marisa McInturff
Editor-in-Chief
