From an AMA press release:

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced its ten-tour 2002-2003 AMA Tours schedule, spotlighting two brand-new excursions: the “Raising Route 66” Tour and the Ireland Tour.

The “Raising Route 66” Tour, scheduled for May 18 – 31, retraces “The Mother Road” from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. While scouting this trip, AMA Tours located and meticulously mapped out over 80% of the original — and often hard-to-find — roadway. The tour focuses not only on Route 66 itself, but also on the roadside attractions that still survive from the road’s glory days.

“Some of the first long-distance motorcycle trips on pavement followed Route 66,” said Frank Covucci, Director of AMA Travel & Tours. “Our new Route 66 excursion helps celebrate long-distance motorcycle travel on the actual
road that started it all.”

The Ireland Tour is scheduled for May 17 – 30. Although the AMA has hosted tours through the British Isles for many years, this new-for-2002 excursion is the first to highlight Ireland. Starting in London, the Ireland Tour takes in the annual British Motorcycle Federation Show in England, before traveling through Wales and crossing over to Ireland. Several days in Ireland will include prime motorcycling destinations and Irish history.

“We created the Ireland Tour in response to requests from many of our previous tour guests,” said Covucci. “After sampling most of our other excursions, they convinced us that this should be the next place to visit with AMA tours.”

In addition to the “Raising Route 66” Tour and the Ireland Tour, the 2002-2003 AMA Tours schedule includes:

Sonomafest Redwood Coast (Northern California), April 26 – May 5;
Canadian Atlantic Maritimes (Nova Scotia and Newfoundland), June 15 – 29;
AMAzing Alps (Italy, Switzerland and France), June 29 – July 11;
England & Isle of Man (Manx Grand Prix), August 23 – September 5;
Conquer the Canyons (U.S. Southwest), September 7 – 17;
Chasing the Colors (Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains), Oct. 5-14;
South African Safari, October 31 – November 16; and
New Zealand, January 20 – February 7, 2003.

AMA Tours are open to both AMA members and non-members. Proceeds from the tours support the AMA’s efforts to protect American motorcyclists’ rights.

The American Motorcyclist Association, founded in 1924, is a 270,000-member non-profit organization. The Association’s purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its
members. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com, or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN.