Route 66 US cf. Route 355 ZA
Before anyone get up in arms about the sacrilege that is about to take place, I wish to explain starting with my title. The abbreviation cf. comes from a Latin word "confer/coferateur" which means "compare" According to wikipedia it is "recommended that cf. is used only to suggest a comparison" Further more according to the use of cf. in biological terms it should also only be used "where the author is confident of the order and family (Diptera: Tabanidae), but can only offer the genus (Tabanus) as a suggestion and has no information favouring a particular species.[6]" Thus, I am suggesting a comparison but can only offer Route 355 as a suggestion because I don't have any information/experience traveling Route 66 thus cannot be favoring a particular route over the other. My Love for South Africa and the Tankwa Karoo however allows me to voice my biased opinion which is all in favor of our Route 355.
In order to make a fair comparison, it would be safe to start by first listing similarities.
Route 66 Route 355
Longest road in US Longest dirt road between two towns in SA
Go through several states Goes through 2 provinces
Festivals and events Annual events i.e. Africa Burn and Bike burn
Runs through a desert Is in a semi desert region
So with similarities that is so far apart one can only wonder how any comparison can be made. If you are a biker at heart the answer is easy. It is not the destination we travel to but the scenery, the people, the experience and the space that our chosen roads offer. We take what we are given and make it our own version of a similar place. As an off road motorcyclist enthusiast and tour company owner, Route 355 is my Route 66 and here is why.
#1 Like the R66 my R355 is a long, and feels like a never ending road where you can go for miles without seeing a living soul.
R66 US R355 ZA
#2 You are almost guaranteed to find some surprising unexpected animals en-route as in this picture of the donkeys.
R66 US R355 ZA
#3 No real biker road is worthy being called a biker road without a quirky bar and or general store - Meet Tankwa Padstal ZA.
R66 US R355 ZA
#4 We honor our cars and say farewell with dignity in a place accessible to all who wants to pay respect
R66 US R355 ZA
#5 When their time has come to an end, we re-purpose our farm implements
R66 US R355 ZA
#6 We see beauty in the most unusual objects and use them to adorn our surroundings
R66 US R355 ZA
#7 Colour run through our veins
R66 US R355 ZA
#8 With a bit of imagination this old place can easily be a haunted house
R66 US R355 ZA
Not enough to convince you, then gather your gear, book that ticket and come see for yourself. Our Route 335 is the "gogo" (translate to grandmother from local lingo) of roads. Perhaps not due to her length but just maybe due to the timeless feel she brings to the vastness of our breathtaking landscape called the Tankwa.
Why wait...Book your tour at https://www.bikexcape.com
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