Interview: Dennis, a rider at heart, back on Route 66

Primary intent: interview/portrait.

Some riders collect destinations. Others collect roads. Dennis is clearly in the second camp. Former musician and occasional film extra turned truck driver, he’s spent years reading landscapes through windshields and visors—from Catalonia up to Scandinavia, from Brittany across to Ukraine. Route 66, though, is different: less a line on a map than a cultural backbone you feel in diners, small-town main streets, and the way locals react when they realize you’ve come a long way just to ride their history. Here’s his story, in his words.

1/ Where does your love for the roadtrip come from?

Dennis: I’m a regular roadtrip guy. I’ve lived in the entertainment world as a musician and an extra, and later I became a truck driver. That job alone puts a lot of road under your wheels—Catalonia to Scandinavia, Brittany to Ukraine. After a while, the desire to keep moving becomes part of who you are.

2/ What were your previous motorcycle “raid” experiences?

Dennis: A few years ago I was riding a Sportster. I’d leave Paris for Hyères to see my mother, then head back north toward Switzerland to visit my cousins. From there I pushed into Valais via Andermatt, continued through the Engadine region and Graubünden (one of Switzerland’s biggest cantons), then on to Liechtenstein and the Austrian border. In the end, it was close to 4,500 km on that bike.

On that kind of run, you learn what a “real” riding day feels like: not theoretical distance, but fuel stops, weather, traffic, and the moment your shoulders tell you it’s time to stop.

3/ Why the United States—and why Route 66?

Dennis: On my father’s side, my family has been American since the mid-19th century. We’ve got cousins in New York, Louisiana, San Francisco, and Seattle. In my twenties I did my first USA motorcycle trip without realizing how much there is to see. I went solo from Albuquerque toward Route 66, but at the time I didn’t grasp the cultural and social weight of this legendary road.

It became “mandatory” for me to come back and rediscover Route 66—its many sides, and more broadly, this incredible country.

4/ Did you go alone or with a group?

Dennis: I could have gone alone on a USA motorcycle trip, but I think it’s a bit risky. And riding in a group brings a real sense of camaraderie. I wanted to be with people who share the same culture as me—and compare how each of us experiences the same places.

Planet Ride pro tip: on long days, a group only works if you pace it. Build short regroup points every 60–90 minutes (gas stations, viewpoints, a coffee stop) to avoid the classic mistake: riders silently pushing beyond their comfort zone until fatigue makes the decisions for them.

5/ Your best memory? Your worst?

Dennis: It was a rich adventure—discoveries, meetings, experiences, and beautiful motorcycles. Our roadtrip felt like the perfect mix: an easy motorcycle ride through Missouri, then a Texas cowboy-style stopover. All along Route 66, locals were genuinely moved that we’d come from so far away and cared so much about their story.

Overall, everything went well—just a few isolated moments. One afternoon, for example, a woman and her husband basically chased us off their property. But I keep the good memories. That’s what stays.

6/ Did you enjoy “living the American way”?

Dennis: Our guide on site kept pushing me to sit down for dinner at 7 p.m. In the south of France—and in many places in summer—you don’t sit down until 10 p.m. I quickly concluded that in the Midwest, they don’t really know wine!

11/ Tell us about your experience with our local partner.

Dennis: A bit of a “patrol leader” sometimes, but our local guide did his job very well. I honestly wonder how many guides would have gone back out at 1 a.m. to swap a faulty vehicle with the rental agency like he did. The organization of this USA motorcycle tour worked smoothly, and I wish future riders a trip as lively and enjoyable as mine. As for my partners on Route 66, I had an amazing ride with them.

12/ What’s next?

Dennis: Plans? Find the Lewis & Clark trail, go up toward Sutter and the Klondike, visit New England… there’s so much to see.

A few grounded pointers if Route 66 is on your radar

• Expect long but manageable riding days: on Route 66, stacking too many “must-sees” can turn the day into stress. It’s better to plan fewer stops and arrive with daylight to spare.
• Road feel varies: you’ll alternate between old alignments, town main streets, and faster connectors. Keep your focus high when the scenery gets monotonous—fatigue arrives quietly on straight lines.
• Fuel and breaks: don’t wait for the “perfect” stop. When the tank hits the comfortable zone, refuel—especially if you’ve chosen backroad sections.
• Offline readiness: have maps available without signal; some stretches and older alignments can be patchy, and rerouting is part of the fun—if you’re not under pressure.

Mini-FAQ

How many days do you need to ride Route 66 comfortably?

Most riders enjoy it more when they leave breathing room for detours and small-town stops, rather than treating it like a mileage challenge.

Is it safer to ride Route 66 solo or in a group?

Dennis chose a group for both safety and conviviality. Solo can be great if you’re experienced and disciplined with pacing, navigation, and rest.

What’s the most common mistake on a Route 66 roadtrip?

Overpacking days. When you chase every landmark, you miss the conversations, the diners, and the moments that make Route 66 feel alive.

À savoir aujourd’hui

The emotion Dennis describes—local encounters, the cultural weight of the route, the joy of riding it with the right people—still holds true. What you should verify before leaving: current rental conditions, roadworks on certain historic alignments, and any local access rules where you plan to stop, as these can change from season to season.