I truly think that every theater person in the Chicago area knows Stef Tovar of Route 66 Theatre Company. Over the years, this company has brought us many excellent, award winning productions. Some 
have even left us for New York. Stef, himself, over the years has broadened his horizons as well. He has become an actor who does musicals as well as drama and comedy, and while he is not a trained singer, has had soe shining moments on stages that are known as “musical” stages.
Marriott, Munster, Drury Lane, Paramount and the Mercury are some of them that have shown that this actor is more than “just a pretty face”. Stef is evidently like a fine wine, getting even better as he ages. Now, with the Covid situation and very little in the way of work, Stef is undertaking a special mission. Last week he left Grand Park’s Buckingham Fountain to make his way on the most famous Route in America, Route 66 ( the name of his theater company) and providing he keeps us up to date, we will follow along as he treks his way to Los Angeles. It will be great fun to take the trip through his eyes and have his strength to help carry us along.
We of course wish him the best and hop that he raises some funds to help his company during these trying times. Today, Sunday, September 13th, Stef was also able to hear that his Cubbies won ( with a no-hitter) as he rode thru more Missouri hill areas. 68 miles, a Bears win, Cubs Win and his good friend Katie-Sarah “Domestique” and pup, Sophie. Keep it going my man! www.route66theatre.org
Each day, our good friend, Stef peddles his way on Route 66. Some days as many as 100 miles, others around 60. We forget sometimes that desire can be more powerful that our actual abilities and under certain situations we can exceed even our own expectations. I applaud Stef and his carrying out this mission in his life!
Half down- half more. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s keep up with him.
Here are Stef’s words- from today ( DAY 27) back to DAY 16
***DAY 27: STANDING ON A CORNER IN WINSLOW ARIZONA
HOLBROOK AZ to WINSLOW AZ: 34 MILES
(Then we drove to Sedona for…A DAY OFF!)
I cannot BELIEVE that I chose to do this ride with only TWO rest days.
I was insane person when I made my itinerary for this trip.
Luckily, I’ve learned since then and have adjusted the last week of the trip (with some of my toughest days ahead) to be a bit more sane. I’ll get another day off on Wednesday this week and have a half day on Friday as well). I feel like such a slacker now.
I took off from the hotel this morning in Holbrook (my favorite way to start the day) and hit the Interstate again straight to Winslow.
It was my fastest 34 miles I’ve done.
Under two hours (1:56) with an average speed of 17.2 MPH. It was glorious.
At one point, when I had about 10 miles to go, I went full out. It was like getting into a fast car and opening it up on the highway to see what it can do. I felt the new power in my legs as I mashed on the pedals. After weeks of endless rolling hills and some actual mountains, I took my newly toned legs out for a 34 mile spin. I could feel the power as I mashed on the pedals in a higher gear (no granny gear today) and it felt great.
Of course knowing that it was a long, flat stretch and I was going to be done cycling for a couple of days in just 10 miles (after breezing through 20) made it infinitely easier I’m sure. At least for my psyche.
You PELOTON users know what I mean—it’s easy to lose focus in a 45 minute class at the 20 minute mark knowing you’re not even halfway done…
But not today. After all the dog chasing, heat, cold, wind, hills, and mountains—it was a nice way to go into a day off.
In Winslow, we took photos (including Sophie actually getting on that “Flatbed Ford”), got some souvenirs and lunch, put the bike on the car and drove to Flagstaff (where we saw our first sign for LOS ANGELES!)—then down to BEAUTIFUL Sedona. We’ll drive back to Flagstaff on Monday so I can take off from there to Seligman.
It’s really TWO days off as we got to our AMAZING Airbnb in Sedona today around 3PM—complete with private hot tub. Sedona is magical and we’ll venture out tomorrow to see the town, but our views here are amazing and tonight we’ll relax (and do laundry). I’m looking forward to hot tubbing under the stars and resting my body tonight.
Although last night (after 63 miles), I fell asleep at 9PM and slept till 7AM! My body is taking care of itself.
You may get a touristy pic or two tomorrow, but I’ll see you again for an update on Monday. Tomorrow marks the ONE WEEK mark for my riding—as Monday the 12th is mostly a ceremonial 9.7 mile ride to Santa Monica Pier from West Hollywood. I can’t believe there’s only a week left.
ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!
***DAY 26: NEW MEXICO DAY 8: ISLE OF DOGS—-THEN—ARIZONA! ONE. STATE. TO. GO.
GALLUP NM to PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK AZ: 63 MILES
Bye Bye New Mexico hello ARIZONA!
As we left our awesome hotel in Gallup New Mexico this morning, I did 10 miles FAST. Felt great. I love mornings when I can ride straight out of town from our hotel.
Then things got scary.
I can handle 1 dog or even 2. I’ve had Katie-Sarah and Sophie in the car following me on my rides since Texas. They’ve helped me deter many dogs in the past couple weeks.
Today was a close call.
As the route turned from Route 66 to Route 118, we approached a group of ranch-like houses and two dogs that were fenced in. They chased, but as we passed that house, we noticed the house next door had no fence and there were not 1, not 2, not 3, but EIGHT dogs that were NOT leashed and began to give chase.
Sophie’s bark and Katie-Sarah honking the horn seemed to help as the 8 dogs began to head toward the 2 dogs that were next door behind the fence.
It was a scary moment—obviously I would have been in trouble. I had my pepper spray in hand, but I’m not sure how I would be able to fend off 8 dogs.
We got somewhat clear of them and Katie-Sarah stopped the car. I busted ass to get my bike on the bike rack and get into the car before the pack headed to the car and we drove away.
Whew! But we weren’t done with dogs for the day…
As I rode down 118 into Arizona (which unceremoniously welcomed us via Google Maps—see photo) I was chased by three more dogs! I was so over it. These frontage roads that run alongside the Interstate have trailers and sprawling ranch-like areas where dogs are just allowed to roam free. Every time I approach one, I grab my pepper spray and wait to be chased. I’m SO over it. Aside from the physical challenge of this ride, dealing with the constant fear of getting chased and attacked by dogs is just disheartening.
But there was an unexpected light at the end of the tunnel: The Interstate.
That’s right folks, the route today took us on I40, and I have never been so happy to ride my bike on the Interstate with semis rolling past me at 85 miles an hour. At least with the Interstate (and Katie-Sarah and Sophie driving behind me on the shoulder) I wasn’t worried about dogs—I just put my head down and pedaled.
After the dogs today, I hit that Interstate and got into a real rhythm, doing 50 miles without blinking or getting tired. Rode straight to the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. We put the bike on the back and drove through the whole park, which was beautiful.
Then hit our hotel Holbrook. Tomorrow we’ll get to Winslow Arizona—where I think I will stand on a corner and watch a girl in a flatbed Ford slow down to take a look at me.
I will probably have to not wear pants in order for that to happen, but we’ll see how it goes…
OH and anything happen last night—NEWS-WISE? I’ve been on the bike…
***DAY 25: NEW MEXICO DAY 7: A SMOOTH GALLUP INTO GALLUP
Grants NM to Gallup NM: 66 BEAUTIFUL MILES
I wish I could ride 66 miles every day on this trip.
It was a BEAUTIFUL 66 miles to Gallup today.
Well rested after yesterday I felt good—took it slow and steady for the first 20 miles today. It helped that it was flat all the way. I actually listened to Audible for a while.
The Route 66 maps and app gave us the option of heading into the mountains on Indian Reservation territory for a more “scenic” way into Gallup (scenic meaning longer and more STEEP) but I thought the 66 mile straight shot was perfect. And although we took this path, it was still at around 7400 feet.
We did wind up on I40 at one point (after Google AGAIN tried to take us on a bike path that didn’t exist). Bicycles were not allowed on that stretch of I40, so I caught a ride from Katie-Sarah (who is feeling much better today!). We hit construction and actual TRAFFIC (weird) at one point and I was like, I’m just going to ride on the shoulder through this, but it wasn’t too long before we were back on frontage road, so I took the ride instead.
Some of the highlights on the road today included being chased by yet MORE dogs (Sophie and Katie-Sarah are getting good at fighting them off for me), finding a stray who was sweet but we had to leave, and seeing a horse family (Momma, baby and Daddy) just hanging on the shoulder of this road with no one there to wrangle them. And the views. The VIEWS. (See pics—they don’t do it justice)
Gallup is so cute! MUCH better than Grants (which is truly a one horse town). I rode early so we got in early to have lunch (at SAMMY C’S no less!) where I locked up the bike and had a cocktail. (Cubs were rained out sadly). Then we checked into to our AWESOME kitschy hotel, the EL RANCHO, where movie stars apparently stay. Showered and met dear friends on the patio for a socially distanced margarita and catch up! We love Christian and Ella so much and were so happy to catch them on the road! Best of luck to you in Santa Fe!
So now we’ll settle in for a nice dinner here and a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we FINALLY head out of New Mexico into Arizona! Holbrook AZ here we come!
Only TWO sections of my maps left!!!!
***DAY 24: NEW MEXICO DAY 6—A REST DAY…of sorts
Albuquerque NM to Grants NM:
A CEREMONIAL 6 MILE RIDE
Well today I got to be the “Domestique” for Katie-Sarah.
After she woke up with a bad migraine, I became the helper, loaded up the car and drove us to Grants NM.
Most of the ride today would have been in I40 Interstate anyway, so it worked out ok. Katie-Sarah has been so amazing on this trip—I literally could not have gone this far without her—so it felt good to take care of her and give her the morning off.
KS felt better as the morning went on, and we were able to pull over for me to do a ceremonial 6 mile ride into Grants. We were lured and booked a room at a “Route 66 Motel” that sounded kitschy and cute, but it turned out to be more sketchy than kitschy, so we pivoted and found a Best Western that was lovely where we’ve spent the day resting up and watching the poor Cubbies take it on the chin in Game 1.
But the Cubs will bounce back tomorrow and so will we. Heading to Gallup NM for our last night in New Mexico tomorrow!
***DAY 23: NEW MEXICO DAY 5—BACK TO FORM
Santa Fe NM to Albuquerque NM 56 MILES
Back to form Baby. Felt great on the bike today. 56 miles from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. The scenery was beautiful and the “hills”…
were mountains now.
I did well on the climbs—and there were many. I topped out around 7000 ft today. Several LONG climbs of 7% or more. And one mountain in particular that just never seemed to let up.
I was listening to music on my ride today (which varies—playlists, audiobooks, podcasts) and I was at the base of a long, 7% climb. The Depeche Mode version of “Route 66” started and I didn’t finish the climb until the song was OVER. Damn.
That was my day today: lots of climbing—but so many glorious DOWNHILLS and much of the way into Albuquerque was a continual downhill. I went from 7000 feet to 5054! My final ten miles to the hotel were a continual downhill. I. Will. Take. It. Also, the sky into Albuquerque was glossed over with the smoke from the fires out West.
It was cold this morning—but not like yesterday and it wasn’t long before I shed my socks, outershorts, jacket and longer sleeve shirt. But a beautiful 77 degrees here.
Late lunch on a real patio with Sophie, Katie-Sarah and Lisa, who followed us to Albuquerque and is flying out of here tomorrow. TONIGHT: a BRIEF watch of the debate and a date at the Albuquerque Apple Store where Daddy graduates from the iPad to a laptop so I can get some work done on the trip. Fortunately—I’m lucky to have work that can’t wait until I get back—I’ve got a true deadline to make!
Enjoy the photos. It was such a nice ride today. I haven’t looked at the path tomorrow, but it’s another even longer day to Grants NM. 8 days in New Mexico! Crazy.
Happy Tuesday. Go Joe. Go Cubs. Love to you all.
***DAY 22: NEW MEXICO DAY 4—IT’S F$#CKING COLD—WTF?!
Pecos NM to Santa Fe NM 27 MILES
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
This journey has really been a little bit of EVERYTHING hasn’t it?
A nice easy ride into Santa Fe this morning—just 27 miles! Should be easy and also—not hilly—as the elevation goes down from the mountains into the city.
But of course—it’s NOT going to be THAT easy is it?
Last night, the temperature dropped 30 DEGREES in New Mexico and we woke up to temps in the low 40’s! It was down right cold!
SO…no wind, no heat, and no significant climbs BUT I was COLD and had nothing but shorts to wear—no longer tights. So I put on my vest over my shirt and my cycling rain jacket over my vest. I pulled out my baggy mountain bike shorts that go over my bike shorts. Haven’t worn them since Illinois.
With my Route 66 socks of course. ![]()
![]()
I rode with my hood on for a while and finally warmed up—but the ride into Santa Fe was AWESOME. I felt great—the bike felt smooth and Santa Fe is a beautiful and BIKE FRIENDLY city with lots of bike lanes.
And look who we found in Santa Fe! Sorry to miss our friends Christian and Ella, but we’ll see them next time. Relaxing day with a nice lunch. Got some stuff done and looking forward to a nice dinner—with a long ride to Albuquerque ahead tomorrow.
TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY WE LAND WHERE THE ROAD ENDS.
***DAY 21: NEW MEXICO DAY 3—MOUNTAIN MAN AND OFF ROADING
Santa Rosa NM to Pecos NM
Well. Today was one of those days. Multiple audibles called. ROUGH 20 miles. Wound up having to abort the mission after getting to the top of my first mountain.
Up until that point? I was not having my best day honestly. I did 20 miles of MOUNTAIN hills. There were a few 7% grades, but most of the hills I could handle.
The WIND was something I could not tackle today. I was significant downhills and I was pedaling. I couldn’t get over 10MPH on DOWNHILLS. That’s how strong the winds were today. It was too bad because I felt good and it was so much cooler in the mountains, but the hills and wind were a lethal combo.
Once we went the way of Google Maps, it brought us to an area where I was mountain biking and Katie-Sarah was trying to keep up in the Prius. Finally the road was so rough, the little Prius couldn’t get through the path Google Maps had given us. I could barely get through on my bike. So we backtracked down the mountain and called it a day.
Off-roading is NOT something the overloaded Prius was up for. Neither were we.
Then we hit our spot for the night—Teepee Glamping in Pecos! Sounded fun and kitschy, but we learned there were a few BEAR sightings over the weekend. ![]()
With having to walk to the bathrooms and showers and having Sophie with us, we thought: NOPE. And we were able to find an Airbnb on the fly.
As well as a margarita. Because we NEEDED one today. We ordered food to go and took turns going in to enjoy one.
Santa Fe tomorrow and we’ll get to see some friends! Looking forward to a reset.
TWO WEEKS LEFT.
***DAY 20: NEW MEXICO DAY 2—ROAD TO NOWHERE
Tucumcari NM to Santa Rosa NM: 46 MILES (with two minor lifts from KS) 4 hours on the bike today.
Well my second day in New Mexico wasn’t quite as windy as yesterday. My average speed bumped up to almost 12MPH! (Better than my 10MPH yesterday)
Just outside of Tucumcari, I thought we would get on another long frontage road to ride on—instead both Google and my Route 66 map app sent us to THE INTERSTATE.
No way around it. There were no frontage roads to take, so Interstate it was.
Katie-Sarah put her hazards on and followed me on the shoulder for 15 miles—bless her. Then, construction hit and the Interstate went down to one lane, and I said, “Fuck this” and hitched a ride to the next exit. There wasn’t much shoulder to share with the semis in the construction zone, so it was the right move. We were able to pick up the frontage road at the “Montoya” exit right before Cuervo (which was right after Palomas—increasing my need for a cocktail after this day)
I didn’t mind the Interstate (especially with KS behind me). It was flatter and I was making good time, but the frontage road was safer by far.
Also hotter and hillier…
And LITERALLY in the middle of nowhere.
I know I’ve written about being in the middle of nowhere before—farm country, etc. But check out the pics from today. I SHOULD have done my “Naked Mile” today, but something tells me this won’t be the last day I see roads like this…
KS got some good riding shots today—just so you can see the sheer scope of where we were.
Just past Cuervo, the Route 66 map app, put me on a 5-mile all rock road away from the Interstate. It was too much, so I got a short, second ride from KS to Route 156. I could figure out why the app and the hard copy map BOTH took us on this detour. THIS was truly the Road to Nowhere. I hit a 7% climb on my last 10 miles and wanted so badly to stop for the day. It was 102 degrees and the windy air was hot. But I took a breath and pushed through.
I was rewarded with an EPIC downhill into Santa Rosa. I can’t believe I’m riding out here. It’s crazy to me, and it hits me throughout my day.
I had
Dana Black
’s I SWEAR ON MY MOTHER’S GRAVE Podcast to get me through today. I somehow listened to the second episode (with Deanna Myers) first, so I’ll catch the first episode tomorrow. It’s so moving and well done. If you haven’t yet you must check it out!
Tonight we hang in Santa Rosa, watch the Cubs game AND have one of my favorite nights of the year: THE FLY HONEY SHOW!! D.I.Y FLY 2020. SO excited.
Tomorrow it’s another long day into Pecos…we’ll see how it shakes out.
I’m still on pace to land on Santa Monica Pier on my 50th Birthday—MONDAY OCTOBER 12TH. I’ll be setting up an invite and I’d love to see as many LA folks as possible as I ride from West Hollywood to Santa Monica (with Champagne in my water bottles), get to the Pier, and promptly jump in the ocean.
Still a LONG way to go before then.
Hope you’re all having a great weekend. Thanks for all the continued encouragement! Sending much love.
***DAY 19: NEW MEXICO NEW MINDSET
Adrian TX to Tucumcari NM: 43 MILES (Stef got a ride today into New Mexico)
Today was to be a long and triumphant ride into New Mexico. After 19 days in the saddle, I had conquered the hills of Missouri, some 80+ days and even a day with 102 miles and over 7 hours in the saddle. Physically I feel great.
But riding in the Southwest desert conditions is a totally different ballgame.
I really just had to wake up today with a different mindset. And I did.
The conditions today were just like yesterday—strong head wind the entire ride, followed by oppressive heat (hotter than yesterday). I was ready for it and started out the day with no pressure on myself and no expectation—other than to keep pedaling.
Then the road just…ended.
I’ve been riding “frontage roads” a lot on this trip—as Route 66 becomes Interstate 40 in a few places. I experienced a similar situation where the road stopped before—but today the frontage road on BOTH sides of I40 just stopped, and my Route 66 map and Google wanted me to be on the shoulder of Interstate 40 for about 37 miles.
Well with 25 MPH wind gusts and lots of downhills, that just seemed crazy. So…I got a lift from Katie-Sarah.
I was bummed! I really wanted to enter New Mexico ceremoniously, but the fact is: there IS NO way to ride into New Mexico on old Route 66. It doesn’t exist on that stretch anymore. It’s I40 now, and yours truly wasn’t up for playing chicken with semis doing 85-90 MPH in the wind.
So I snapped a pic from the car with the Falcon (my bike) on the back and got dropped off at exit 369 just passed Glenrio. Then put in 40 miles to Tucumcari.
Well those 40 miles are my new reality out here. Today it topped 102 degrees and the wind was steady. I was on the bike for four hours doing those 40 miles in the heat—averaging 10.3 MPH. I felt good, but I had KS follow me and I replenished my 3 water (Gatorade) bottles every hour. The desert is no joke.
Tucumcari has a Hollywood feel to it when you first get into town—making me long for my arrival in LA, but then it deteriorates as you ride through. So many closed businesses—if I40 didn’t close them, the pandemic probably did. But our little room at the “Roadrunner Lodge” is so cute—complete with a radio playing from the 60’s when you enter, treats for Sophie—including hand towels with dog prints on them, and Moon Pies. I feel like I’m in an episode of MAD MEN.
I’ll rest up and head to Santa Rosa tomorrow. Light day again—although I say that as I’m not doing 80 miles, but 40 miles in the desert feels like 80 in the Midwest.
Hope you all have a good night and weekend!
***DAY 18 (on the 17th Day, Stef rested): HALFWAY BABY!!!
Amarillo TX to Adrian TX: 40 MILES INTO THE TEETH OF THE WIND
Thank GOD for a full day of REST. It was glorious. Unfortunately my brain couldn’t fully just—rest. I was so angry and disappointed in the Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling—I was restless. I decided to work and got a lot done. My brain (and body) knows I’ve got another 1139 miles to go, and wasn’t great about shutting off completely.
I THOUGHT today would be relatively easy—pushing off from CADILLAC RANCH—and a good way to easy back into the daily riding schedule after a day off. 40 miles isn’t nothing, but compared to days of 70+, it felt like nothing.
When you finish your first mile that is…
Because today I got a taste of something I have yet to really face on this ride: THE WIND. And boy is it a factor that I didn’t give much thought to. I did 40 miles into the TEETH of the Texas wind—which had gusts of 20 mph today.
So how does that translate on the bike? Well I can typically do 10 miles in about 42 minutes (my best was around 37 minutes). Today my first ten miles took me about 56 minutes. I was pedaling with cadence of 80-90 and only going about 10 mph. I’ll post a video in my story that
Katie-Sarah
took so you can see the wind in action.
It was brutal and never stopped. And yes—mostly flat roads now (most was a 1-2% incline), but I felt like I was spinning my wheels for three and half hours. About 4 miles from Adrian TX, I honestly felt like I was going to throw up. (It’s also 91 degrees today) But I powered through.
I guess I MAY have underestimated the physical challenge this ride would be. JUST a bit.
But. I MADE IT. I’m halfway.
It’s all downhill from here…oh wait.
Meanwhile, once we made it to Adrian, we backtracked to Vega, where we are staying at the KITSCHY-EST Route 66 Airbnb, complete with a whole “diner” set up, and Cowboy clothes to play dress up. There’s also a gigantic sit down shower (perfect for my Shiner Bock shower beer), a Route BOARD GAME that we’ll be playing tonight and ONE place to order food from—so let’s hope it’s good.
Tomorrow I start my 4TH map of the journey, we LEAVE Texas and head to Tucumcari New Mexico and a new time zone!
It’s just crazy that I’m doing this. Thanks so much for all of your support, posts, texts, messages donations and well wishes. Love you all!
***DAY 16: TIME TO REST
Shamrock TX to Amarillo TX: (70 miles…of riding)
Well today was not the 102 mile day I prepared for…
I was on the road early—a little before 9AM in preparation of the 102 miles. And the first 30 were tough—hill after hill. I hung in there though and felt ok. Then after a few particularly brutal hills (7%+ grades) the pavement just…ended. It became a dirt road. Google AND the Route 66 map app I have had me going to a road that didn’t exist, so I put the bike on the car and Katie-Sarah and I drove to Groom TX for lunch.
Had a good lunch and was back on the road—which was much flatter. The Panhandle in all its glory. We passed a water tower in Britten that was worrisome and stopped at the VW Slug Bug Ranch on Interstate 40 in Panhandle TX. Sophie was nonplussed. But…miles and miles of flat road FOR A CHANGE.
Then…work crept in. That good news I received in Missouri got all the more real and needed my attention. So after emailing a bit (ON MY BIKE) I decided to call it a day at 70 miles and get to WIFI and my iPad in Amarillo.
But that’s ok. I called a couple of audibles on the road today and I can live with that. 70 miles is still a big day and that’s after days of 67 and 102. I’ve been riding for 16 DAYS STRAIGHT and my body needs a rest. For those wondering—indeed my ass could use a break!
We are at LOVELY Route 66 themed Airbnb in Amarillo—BIG backyard for Sophie and I’ve got some work to do tonight/tomorrow.
But first: Daiquiris from the DRIVE THRU because, Texas. Shower beer to follow.
Enjoy your day tomorrow folks. I’m back on the bike on Thursday:
Amarillo TX to Adrian TX (THE ROUTE 66 HALFWAY POINT!)
LOVE TO YOU ALL!
More Stories
“The Elements”, Music of the Baroque reviewed by Julia W. Rath
Bernie G. Yvon Scholarships for 2024-2025
“An Experience That Makes a Difference”