This morning was one of those mornings that you'd rather be doing anything but going to work.
The temperature was about 65 or so. the sky was clear with just a hint of clouds. i strapped on my stuff for work and wiped the bike down as the early morning dew can cause for a damp butt. Looking around I was thinking how I would love to just take a ride today. Ah well, gotta pay the bills I told myself as I pulled out the kick starter. Fired on the second kick,nice. After a few minutes to warm the old beast up I headed down the driveway and out to do battle with the morning traffic.
Pulling on to the highway it looked like I had hit an in between moment. There wasn't a vehicle in sight. It wasn't long before I had found myself tooling along at about a smooth 70 mph and had to make myself slow down. A couple of times I needed to remind myself that I needed to stay close to the speed limit. At least until I got out of town. The City Marshall is a good guy and doesn't bother us when we ride. Most of us tend to keep things under control while we're in town. At least the resident riders do.
As i got close to the foot of the mountain I was seriously trying to think of a way to justify being bad late for work. Since I really couldn't think of anything I decided on the next best thing. I headed down Habberton to make a run over to 412. baring getting behind accident or a school bus I'd be at work right on the dot.
Clearing the city limits I opened the old bike up and made a pretty quick run through the curves along the lake. before I knew it I was coming up on 412. Turning back west I fell in behind some trucks that were running along pretty good. I stayed back behind them just enough to keep out of their back draft and not be bounced around. Coming across the white river bridge I noticed that I was running 75 mph and the trucks were pulling away from me like I was pushing my bike instead of riding it. I would estimate their speed at around 100. Thinking things over I slowed down to about 60 and figured I'd see either a truck wreck or a Trooper writing a ticket before I got to work.
I rolled through Nob Hill and Senora and the local morning traffic started picking up. As we eased into one of the last curves coming into town I saw blue lights up ahead of me. Thinking that those trucks had been nailed I slowed a little and got over into the inside lane.As I went by i was surprised. Troopers had a car pulled over. No trucks anywhere in sight. Looks like they got by with out getting caught. Lucky.
Pulling back into the outside lane as I started into town I had to slow down for the side road traffic. It's easier to just slow down most times at this hour than to try and change lanes for my turn off. Traffic is so heavy at times with people running late for work that I've been pushed passed my turn off and had to go turn around and try it again. Mornings like this have shown me what a ball in a pinball machine feels like. Every other car is a flipper and every other one is a bumper and there is a drunk playing.
Today was actually pretty good and I managed to get to work in one chunk and I was actually two minutes early. It was only about 25 miles but it was fun. Now I'm wondering which way to head home.
Hope to see ya on the road.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Miles traveled
365 Group
Anytime I make a run or an event I find that I usually spend a good deal of time looking for a souvenir. I have noticed that I seem to do this unconsciously. It dawned on me at a rally I was at. This years Bikes, Blues and BBQ. I found myself hunting through one of the trinket vendors. The guy running the shop started talking to me and asked if I rode mine to the rally. I kind of chuckled to myself and said yep!, all the way. I didn’t bother to tell him that I lived ten miles away. He seemed to give me a look as if he’d known all along and showed me a box of pins that all said “I RODE MINE- FAYETTEVILLE 2008”. Still chuckling to myself I bought one.
I've never been too interested in the clothing you find for sale at these events. Guess it just wasn't my style. Apparently I am interested in things like the Angel on a motorcycle
from last years bikes , blues and BBQ. Or...
the switchblade knife from the Dogpatch rally. Or the small flask with route 66 on it from an event at Eureka springs that I just happened on.
It’s funny but I can tell you without hesitation where each item was picked up at. There is a bunch of colored wrist bands like you get at the city pool or a hospital. Handbills and other printed material. Mustard smeared napkins from lunch here and there. Gas receipts and a small assortment of tools. Looking over this mess I’m reminded of a ride someplace. The friends and relatives that rode there with me. It’s friends I made along the way and friends I made after I got there. Good meals at out of the way places and just kicking back and listening to good music. Each has a lot of good things rolled into it.
I have a three year old grand son and I’m hoping he wants to ride and in that I see each piece of my junk, time I can spend with him telling him about the fun I’ve had, riding through these hills.
Lots and lots of mile today...
Hope to see ya on the road
Friday, October 17, 2008
A great bunch of people.
365 Group
10/11/08
Today was a great day for riding!
I rode over to Springdale to take some pictures of the local are Special Olympics softball tournament. My daughter Jen is a member of the team, Cobras, and they were at the top of the pile waiting on their playoff game.
After some serious riding through the “Saturday go to town crowd” I finally got to the sports complex. Not real sure what time they played I grabbed the first parking space I could see and took off walking to the back side of the complex where they were playing. Jen and a couple of her team mates met me as I walked up and promptly informed me that they were just one game away from the trophy and that the “hotdogs were over there” and the “other concessions were in that building there.” In a few short minutes I knew where all the food was and who was who and where they were at. They also pointed out that Country Music star Joe Nichols was in the stands.
After being told about two dozen times about the food, I managed to eat a hotdog and a couple of brownies and seemed to make everyone happy. All the members of the team made their way around to me and pointed out that they were just one game away from being #1 and real close to the “trophy”.
I took pictures of everything I could. Players, the field and even Joe Nichols. By far the best picture I took that afternoon was the team with THE TROPHY!!! Yep, they pulled it off…12 to 10. After trying for 6 years they finally captured it. Talk about a bunch of happy campers… the Area 3 Cobras were happy. Now it’s off to Cabot and the state tournament. Lets everyone keep their Rabbits foot handy.
I made a fast ride back to the house and copied the pictures off for some of the team and emailed them to some of their family members that weren’t able to make it to the game.
It was a great day for a short ride and a softball game. If you haven’t ever taken in a Special Olympics sports event. You should.
40 miles give or take.
Hope to catch ya at the next game.
10/11/08
Today was a great day for riding!
I rode over to Springdale to take some pictures of the local are Special Olympics softball tournament. My daughter Jen is a member of the team, Cobras, and they were at the top of the pile waiting on their playoff game.
After some serious riding through the “Saturday go to town crowd” I finally got to the sports complex. Not real sure what time they played I grabbed the first parking space I could see and took off walking to the back side of the complex where they were playing. Jen and a couple of her team mates met me as I walked up and promptly informed me that they were just one game away from the trophy and that the “hotdogs were over there” and the “other concessions were in that building there.” In a few short minutes I knew where all the food was and who was who and where they were at. They also pointed out that Country Music star Joe Nichols was in the stands.
After being told about two dozen times about the food, I managed to eat a hotdog and a couple of brownies and seemed to make everyone happy. All the members of the team made their way around to me and pointed out that they were just one game away from being #1 and real close to the “trophy”.
I took pictures of everything I could. Players, the field and even Joe Nichols. By far the best picture I took that afternoon was the team with THE TROPHY!!! Yep, they pulled it off…12 to 10. After trying for 6 years they finally captured it. Talk about a bunch of happy campers… the Area 3 Cobras were happy. Now it’s off to Cabot and the state tournament. Lets everyone keep their Rabbits foot handy.
I made a fast ride back to the house and copied the pictures off for some of the team and emailed them to some of their family members that weren’t able to make it to the game.
It was a great day for a short ride and a softball game. If you haven’t ever taken in a Special Olympics sports event. You should.
40 miles give or take.
Hope to catch ya at the next game.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Another ride through the hills
365 Group
This morning’s weather was nice and cool. About 65 degrees and clear.
The weather channel said to expect light rain and a warm afternoon. I made it a whole four miles before the rain started. Riding in the rain really isn’t a big deal as long as you keep your head. Especially if the rain has just started. Roads with a light film of water on them are as slick as a politician. If it’s been coming down a while it has usually washed all the oil off to the point you can do pretty good as long as you don’t end up hydroplaning. Anyway, I eased over on to the rougher pavement and continued on hoping to ride out of it or find a place to get in the dry and put my rain gear on. Just about the time I started to look for a wide spot to pull off, it started to lighten up. Thinking that I’d get lucky I rode on. About two miles from Highway 412 I hit dry pavement. (Lucky)
Today was going to be a short ride through the hills to the US Forest Service recreation area Alum Cove or as the locals call it “Natural Bridge”. I had met Jim Dimacco and some other retirees and their wives from Michigan at Bikes, Blues & Barbeque and they had asked about the local areas and I had told them of the Natural bridge area and the roads and all. They were all excited at the time and to be honest I didn’t think I’d ever hear from them again. Proved wrong again here I was heading to meet up with them and lead them through the hills. From what I understood they were staying at The Hub or in the Harrison area and I had explained to them how to find Deer and I would meet them there and show them the area.
Traffic on 412 was light and I was seemly making good time until I got to the Marble area. For some reason I happened to look at my left boot and saw that it was covered with oil. Wet and dripping oil. Thinking that this cant be a good thing I pulled into a gas station at Marble. Looking everything over I saw that the oil was coming out of the front “D” seal at the top of the head. Thinking the worst I went in and got a cup of coffee and a can of carburetor cleaner. As I drank the coffee I washed the oil off with the carb cleaner and got a good look at nothing…everything looked normal. I took a rag and really scrubbed the “D” ring and surrounding area and couldn’t see anything that would explain the leak. I even took a wrench and checked for lose top end bolts. All were tight. Puzzled, I finished my coffee and ate a few Hushpuppies and let everything really cool down. NOTE: this little gas station along Hwy 412 has some of the best Hushpuppies I’ve eaten. I have found that anytime I’m in the area it never hurts to eat a dozen or so.
By the time I’d downed a d half dozen hushpuppies and a couple of cups of coffee my engine was cool enough that I could do some serious tinkering. Again I washed everything down and still couldn’t find anything that would explain the oil leak. After checking everything I could think of I checked the mail oil level. It showed to be full. Out of anything else to check I got prepared for the worst and fired the engine up. I let it idle for a good 5 minutes without seeing any oil. I revved the engine several times and still nothing. Now, really puzzled, I left it running and went for another cup of coffee. I let it idle and revved it up while I drank my coffee and couldn’t get it to leak any. I jumped on and tore around the building a couple of times and still nothing. After all this I gave up and went and bought a quart of oil just in case and took off again to meet the others for some sight seeing. As this oil leak to me was the makings of a bad thing. I stopped often and looked things over. I never had any more problems and am still wondering what caused this leak. Somehow I guess the leaking seal sealed itself??
The rest of my ride over to Deer was pretty much as usual…a great one.
I topped off my tank at Clayborns and waited on everyone to show up.
I didn’t have long to wait before I heard the “thump” of a road king approaching. Seven bikes showed up for this ride. As they topped off their tanks I explained where we were going and what the roads were like and what all I had sort of planned. As this was a bunch of retirees I didn’t plan on too much until I got a feel of their riding abilities.
At about ten we pulled out and headed down to the Natural Bridge. Once there I explained the walking involved and let them decide if they wanted to take the tour. All took off wandering around, leaving me with the bikes. Since it was close to noon I had planned a quick lunch. A couple of phone calls and I had everything going. Hot dogs and hamburgers and cokes. About 3 hours later they all huffed and puffed back to the parking lot and appeared to be in good sprits and seemed to be surprised to find lunch waiting. This really appeared to tickle everyone as breakfast was several hours ago and so no one turned it down. As we ate I asked if they thought they would be up for some riding through the hills on the back roads. All seemed to be up for it. After lunch and everyone had hit the restrooms we saddled up and rode back out to highway 16 and then over to Highway 7 and went south. Through Cowell and down to Lurton. At Lurton we took highway123 down all the twisty and curvy roads to Mt.Judea. Stopping at Sam’s Throne for some picture taking and general site seeing and then hit all the little spots like Vender and Hasty and finally took 74 back over to Jasper.
As we gassed up at Bob’s I noticed that everyone was starting to look a bit tired and that their talk centered around the motel. After everyone had topped off I pointed them down Highway 7 north and back to the Hub.
After all the exchanging of numbers and mailing addresses and thank you’s they headed out and I doubled back to Highway 74 and headed toward Lowgap and made my way back home. Later that evening I got a couple of calls from Jim and from Trudi, the wife of another of the group letting me know that they had made it back to the Hub and to tell me again that they had a great time and were already talking about coming back next year. Maybe spending more time. I told them to come on back anytime and we’d have lunch.
Hope to see ya on the road
Roughly 230 miles.
This morning’s weather was nice and cool. About 65 degrees and clear.
The weather channel said to expect light rain and a warm afternoon. I made it a whole four miles before the rain started. Riding in the rain really isn’t a big deal as long as you keep your head. Especially if the rain has just started. Roads with a light film of water on them are as slick as a politician. If it’s been coming down a while it has usually washed all the oil off to the point you can do pretty good as long as you don’t end up hydroplaning. Anyway, I eased over on to the rougher pavement and continued on hoping to ride out of it or find a place to get in the dry and put my rain gear on. Just about the time I started to look for a wide spot to pull off, it started to lighten up. Thinking that I’d get lucky I rode on. About two miles from Highway 412 I hit dry pavement. (Lucky)
Today was going to be a short ride through the hills to the US Forest Service recreation area Alum Cove or as the locals call it “Natural Bridge”. I had met Jim Dimacco and some other retirees and their wives from Michigan at Bikes, Blues & Barbeque and they had asked about the local areas and I had told them of the Natural bridge area and the roads and all. They were all excited at the time and to be honest I didn’t think I’d ever hear from them again. Proved wrong again here I was heading to meet up with them and lead them through the hills. From what I understood they were staying at The Hub or in the Harrison area and I had explained to them how to find Deer and I would meet them there and show them the area.
Traffic on 412 was light and I was seemly making good time until I got to the Marble area. For some reason I happened to look at my left boot and saw that it was covered with oil. Wet and dripping oil. Thinking that this cant be a good thing I pulled into a gas station at Marble. Looking everything over I saw that the oil was coming out of the front “D” seal at the top of the head. Thinking the worst I went in and got a cup of coffee and a can of carburetor cleaner. As I drank the coffee I washed the oil off with the carb cleaner and got a good look at nothing…everything looked normal. I took a rag and really scrubbed the “D” ring and surrounding area and couldn’t see anything that would explain the leak. I even took a wrench and checked for lose top end bolts. All were tight. Puzzled, I finished my coffee and ate a few Hushpuppies and let everything really cool down. NOTE: this little gas station along Hwy 412 has some of the best Hushpuppies I’ve eaten. I have found that anytime I’m in the area it never hurts to eat a dozen or so.
By the time I’d downed a d half dozen hushpuppies and a couple of cups of coffee my engine was cool enough that I could do some serious tinkering. Again I washed everything down and still couldn’t find anything that would explain the oil leak. After checking everything I could think of I checked the mail oil level. It showed to be full. Out of anything else to check I got prepared for the worst and fired the engine up. I let it idle for a good 5 minutes without seeing any oil. I revved the engine several times and still nothing. Now, really puzzled, I left it running and went for another cup of coffee. I let it idle and revved it up while I drank my coffee and couldn’t get it to leak any. I jumped on and tore around the building a couple of times and still nothing. After all this I gave up and went and bought a quart of oil just in case and took off again to meet the others for some sight seeing. As this oil leak to me was the makings of a bad thing. I stopped often and looked things over. I never had any more problems and am still wondering what caused this leak. Somehow I guess the leaking seal sealed itself??
The rest of my ride over to Deer was pretty much as usual…a great one.
I topped off my tank at Clayborns and waited on everyone to show up.
I didn’t have long to wait before I heard the “thump” of a road king approaching. Seven bikes showed up for this ride. As they topped off their tanks I explained where we were going and what the roads were like and what all I had sort of planned. As this was a bunch of retirees I didn’t plan on too much until I got a feel of their riding abilities.
At about ten we pulled out and headed down to the Natural Bridge. Once there I explained the walking involved and let them decide if they wanted to take the tour. All took off wandering around, leaving me with the bikes. Since it was close to noon I had planned a quick lunch. A couple of phone calls and I had everything going. Hot dogs and hamburgers and cokes. About 3 hours later they all huffed and puffed back to the parking lot and appeared to be in good sprits and seemed to be surprised to find lunch waiting. This really appeared to tickle everyone as breakfast was several hours ago and so no one turned it down. As we ate I asked if they thought they would be up for some riding through the hills on the back roads. All seemed to be up for it. After lunch and everyone had hit the restrooms we saddled up and rode back out to highway 16 and then over to Highway 7 and went south. Through Cowell and down to Lurton. At Lurton we took highway123 down all the twisty and curvy roads to Mt.Judea. Stopping at Sam’s Throne for some picture taking and general site seeing and then hit all the little spots like Vender and Hasty and finally took 74 back over to Jasper.
As we gassed up at Bob’s I noticed that everyone was starting to look a bit tired and that their talk centered around the motel. After everyone had topped off I pointed them down Highway 7 north and back to the Hub.
After all the exchanging of numbers and mailing addresses and thank you’s they headed out and I doubled back to Highway 74 and headed toward Lowgap and made my way back home. Later that evening I got a couple of calls from Jim and from Trudi, the wife of another of the group letting me know that they had made it back to the Hub and to tell me again that they had a great time and were already talking about coming back next year. Maybe spending more time. I told them to come on back anytime and we’d have lunch.
Hope to see ya on the road
Roughly 230 miles.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Just ridin around
October 4 & 5 2008
These last few days have been cooler with the temperatures at night dipping down into the 40’s. This mornings 39 degrees really wasn’t a big surprise. That according to the weather channel would give way to upper 70’s later on.
It was about 6:15 when I finally got through with coffee and all that and headed out in a the general direction of work. I noticed that it really wasn’t that bad out once I got to moving and my bike got warmed up. I remember thinking that it was pretty nice. Right before Riding into the fog. Thick and fluffy and most of all wet fog. Seven miles of it according to my trip meter. Now when your riding there are a few things that are most uncomfortable and a wet fog is one of them. Usually it’s cold and wet.
I finally rode out of the fog at the edge of town and decided that I was a wimp as I pulled over for a cup of coffee at the first “quicke mart” that I came to. As I was drinking a most good and above all else warm cup of coffee another rider, a young woman, riding a newer Honda Shadow, pulled in and appeared to be suffering from the same “wimpidice” that gotten me. As she sat there shivering a little she noticed me and I held up my cup and gave the coffee my highest recommendation.
After a few sips of coffee and a little warming up we began to chat about bikes and the weather. She had ridden down from the Branson Mo. Area to meet up with her husband. He had ridden down earlier in the week for his job. They were going to make a long weekend, riding the area and staying in Eureka Springs. Her name was Donna and her husband was Jim. While I went and refilled my cup, Jim came roaring up on a VTX 1800
We all visited for a few more minutes and I gave them my numbers in case they had trouble, wished them a good trip and I went on to work. The rest of my morning ride was like all the others, way too short.
4pm finally arrived, I had brought my camera to try and get a shot of some Eagles that I had heard were down by the 412 bridge, With that in mind I headed out. It was a nice run down 412. Traffic was still light and it was in the upper 70’s. The Eagles weren’t to be found and I packed up my camera and decided to go on to Hindsville and then back to the house.
As I came out of one of the little valley’s a bike pulled up on my right side and just kind of waved a little. This is a problem that I have occasionally. Riders that are use to riding beside another bike will pull along side. Since I normally don’t ride this way it’s kind of spooky when it happens. Just as I was about to drop back another bike pulled up on my left. Then I recognized the bikes and Donna and Jim from this morning at the gas station. At Hindsville we pulled over in the valley café parking lot and visited for a while. The both said they were having a great time on all the back roads in the area. But at the same time they sheepishly admitted that they weren’t paying attention and asked what was the number of the highway they needed to get back to Eureka. I kind of chuckled a little and pointed back the way we came in and the sign that said Eureka Springs. Both got a little red faced at the realization. I told them that it was always happening to me and the could join the club.
Jim told me they had met some other locals and if I didn’t have anything to do on Saturday to come over to Eureka and join them for lunch. Not this sounded good. A good ride and a free meal with some really nice people. I told them I’d try to make it and made a mental note to not have anything else to do on Saturday.
Friday came and went like most Fridays do. An all to short, cool ride to work and a short warm ride home. I woke Saturday to the pups and birds arguing and with nothing else going on I settled down to some quality TV. About 10:30 I had a nagging feeling creep over me like I was forgetting something real important. After looking around and checking with work I decided that It was just a case of being cooped up on a Saturday. Then it hit me…Lunch in Eureka. A quick shower and all that and I hit the road. Gas at the one stop and Eureka here I came. As I came into the actual city of Eureka I had a thought and then a chuckle come over me. I had no Idea where they were staying or where to meet them for lunch. Ahhh well, it’s Saturday and I’m here. There were lots of bikes in town and I wondered if I had missed hearing about a meet or something. I stopped a an intersection and pulled up beside a couple on a Road King and asked them if anything was going on. They hadn’t heard of anything. They were just weekending.
I headed down town and thought I cruse around some and just look around and see what was going on and maybe run into Jim and Donna. After making a couple of passes through town I pulled into a parking lot and made an all day donation to the boy-girl squirts or whatever it was and walked down to the little café my wife likes to eat at, I think it’s called Main Street Café.
As I was eating several riders came in and we visited making the meal that much better. After lunch I hit a few of the shops and started back to my bike. When I got back to the lot I noticed something on my tank, it was a note, from Donna and Jim. (Sure after I had already eaten.) They were doing lunch at the biker stable on the outskirts of town. I fired up and headed that way to see if they were still there. As I slid in to the Iron Horse stables I noticed quite a few Vtwins and nothing that resembled my old double barrel. Oh well they’d get over it. I met up with Jim and Donna and visited with them for a little while. They had had a good time from the way they talked about the roads they had traveled and the previous night in Eureka. After they finished eating we all headed out for a ride over to Holiday Island so the could look at some property and killed a little time just tooling the narrow back roads.
As I had to leave to get back and take care of my pups I said goodbye at the edge of Eureka and reminded both that they still owed me lunch sometime. They got a chuckle out of that and we all roared off in different directions.
It was a good day, riding wise. Good roads. Great people to run with and the though of doing it again sometime.
All in all I got in about 180 miles and never really got out of my backyard. Made a couple of new riding friends and have a free lunch coming someday.
Hpoe to catch ya on the road.
These last few days have been cooler with the temperatures at night dipping down into the 40’s. This mornings 39 degrees really wasn’t a big surprise. That according to the weather channel would give way to upper 70’s later on.
It was about 6:15 when I finally got through with coffee and all that and headed out in a the general direction of work. I noticed that it really wasn’t that bad out once I got to moving and my bike got warmed up. I remember thinking that it was pretty nice. Right before Riding into the fog. Thick and fluffy and most of all wet fog. Seven miles of it according to my trip meter. Now when your riding there are a few things that are most uncomfortable and a wet fog is one of them. Usually it’s cold and wet.
I finally rode out of the fog at the edge of town and decided that I was a wimp as I pulled over for a cup of coffee at the first “quicke mart” that I came to. As I was drinking a most good and above all else warm cup of coffee another rider, a young woman, riding a newer Honda Shadow, pulled in and appeared to be suffering from the same “wimpidice” that gotten me. As she sat there shivering a little she noticed me and I held up my cup and gave the coffee my highest recommendation.
After a few sips of coffee and a little warming up we began to chat about bikes and the weather. She had ridden down from the Branson Mo. Area to meet up with her husband. He had ridden down earlier in the week for his job. They were going to make a long weekend, riding the area and staying in Eureka Springs. Her name was Donna and her husband was Jim. While I went and refilled my cup, Jim came roaring up on a VTX 1800
We all visited for a few more minutes and I gave them my numbers in case they had trouble, wished them a good trip and I went on to work. The rest of my morning ride was like all the others, way too short.
4pm finally arrived, I had brought my camera to try and get a shot of some Eagles that I had heard were down by the 412 bridge, With that in mind I headed out. It was a nice run down 412. Traffic was still light and it was in the upper 70’s. The Eagles weren’t to be found and I packed up my camera and decided to go on to Hindsville and then back to the house.
As I came out of one of the little valley’s a bike pulled up on my right side and just kind of waved a little. This is a problem that I have occasionally. Riders that are use to riding beside another bike will pull along side. Since I normally don’t ride this way it’s kind of spooky when it happens. Just as I was about to drop back another bike pulled up on my left. Then I recognized the bikes and Donna and Jim from this morning at the gas station. At Hindsville we pulled over in the valley café parking lot and visited for a while. The both said they were having a great time on all the back roads in the area. But at the same time they sheepishly admitted that they weren’t paying attention and asked what was the number of the highway they needed to get back to Eureka. I kind of chuckled a little and pointed back the way we came in and the sign that said Eureka Springs. Both got a little red faced at the realization. I told them that it was always happening to me and the could join the club.
Jim told me they had met some other locals and if I didn’t have anything to do on Saturday to come over to Eureka and join them for lunch. Not this sounded good. A good ride and a free meal with some really nice people. I told them I’d try to make it and made a mental note to not have anything else to do on Saturday.
Friday came and went like most Fridays do. An all to short, cool ride to work and a short warm ride home. I woke Saturday to the pups and birds arguing and with nothing else going on I settled down to some quality TV. About 10:30 I had a nagging feeling creep over me like I was forgetting something real important. After looking around and checking with work I decided that It was just a case of being cooped up on a Saturday. Then it hit me…Lunch in Eureka. A quick shower and all that and I hit the road. Gas at the one stop and Eureka here I came. As I came into the actual city of Eureka I had a thought and then a chuckle come over me. I had no Idea where they were staying or where to meet them for lunch. Ahhh well, it’s Saturday and I’m here. There were lots of bikes in town and I wondered if I had missed hearing about a meet or something. I stopped a an intersection and pulled up beside a couple on a Road King and asked them if anything was going on. They hadn’t heard of anything. They were just weekending.
I headed down town and thought I cruse around some and just look around and see what was going on and maybe run into Jim and Donna. After making a couple of passes through town I pulled into a parking lot and made an all day donation to the boy-girl squirts or whatever it was and walked down to the little café my wife likes to eat at, I think it’s called Main Street Café.
As I was eating several riders came in and we visited making the meal that much better. After lunch I hit a few of the shops and started back to my bike. When I got back to the lot I noticed something on my tank, it was a note, from Donna and Jim. (Sure after I had already eaten.) They were doing lunch at the biker stable on the outskirts of town. I fired up and headed that way to see if they were still there. As I slid in to the Iron Horse stables I noticed quite a few Vtwins and nothing that resembled my old double barrel. Oh well they’d get over it. I met up with Jim and Donna and visited with them for a little while. They had had a good time from the way they talked about the roads they had traveled and the previous night in Eureka. After they finished eating we all headed out for a ride over to Holiday Island so the could look at some property and killed a little time just tooling the narrow back roads.
As I had to leave to get back and take care of my pups I said goodbye at the edge of Eureka and reminded both that they still owed me lunch sometime. They got a chuckle out of that and we all roared off in different directions.
It was a good day, riding wise. Good roads. Great people to run with and the though of doing it again sometime.
All in all I got in about 180 miles and never really got out of my backyard. Made a couple of new riding friends and have a free lunch coming someday.
Hpoe to catch ya on the road.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Bikes, Blues & Barbeque 08
Proud Member Of The 365 Group
(I rode mine today)
The 9th annual Bikes, Blues and Bar b que officially started today.
From all over towns in North West Arkansas people rolled out of jobs, schools and other assorted interests early to be a part of the biggest party of the year.
Dickson street in Fayetteville was host to a bike rally along the lines of Laconia and Sturgis. It has been said that this particular rally was the 5th major Motorcycle Rally in the United States.
pictures I took were quick snaps so they aren’t as good as they could be.
Most of the venders had their tents set up or were putting the finish on them as I made my way through the different areas. I saw lots of leather, jewelry and patches. Most every tent had similar stuff to sell. One tent that I stopped at was operated by an oriental man that razzed me about carrying two cell phones. He said “your as important as me”. We chatted for a few minutes and when he found out that I lived in the area and had just ridden up he showed me a box of pins that he was selling that said “I RODE MINE FAYETTEVILLE ARKANSAS RALLY 2008”. I bought one. Since I really didn’t need anything The vender tents were fun to look through but that was about all. Lots of people were buying and that’s what they are there for.
I crossed the street and started making my way back to my bike. I figured I’d make an early night and hit it again tomorrow when things were running a little better. Everything reminded me of a Carnival that had just opened in a big hurry before the customers got away. As I eased down the street I saw that each of the clubs that I passed had live entertainment and a few of these guys were really good. It took me a lot longer to make my way back as I found that I was stopping and listening to some really good blues and southern rock. At what used to be our hang out during this rally there were a couple of guys that really were worth just hanging around and listening to. One of the bouncers that knew me told me that they usually put on a good show . I think these guys would be worth going back on a normal weekend to see.
For all the hype about Barbeque I didn’t find any at any of the food trailers. But as I said earlier a lot of them were just getting set up. Being hungry for some barbeque I decided to go and get some real GOOD barbeque and when I finally got to my bike Penguin Ed’s was on my mind. This is a total plug for Ed’s!! Best barbeque in town. While I was getting my camera stowed away a couple of couples came by and asked if I was leaving as the party according to them was just getting started. I told them that I was a local and I was hungry for some barbeque and going to the best in town. After a few seconds of discussion they asked how to get there. I told them and they moved on. Finally I was able to get into traffic and while sitting and waiting on the light to change everyone started reving their engines up. It started like a wave and continued to grow. Most had rev limiters on them but one poor soul kept taxing his shovel head and then it happened. A loud THUMP! Smoke and what looked like oil started coming out the pipes. When the light changed and we started up Dickson St. his bike seemed to be out of power. I went on up into residential Dickson St. as fast as the cops, crowds and other bikes would allow, heading to mission and Penguin Ed’s
As I pulled into Ed’s I saw a few bikes in the lot and that the place was packed. Seems everybody else had the same idea. I got my order and had a great, as usual, meal. just as I was finishing I heard the thumping of a Harley pulling in. One of the couples I had talked to earlier about Ed’s had decided to try it. About half way through their meal the wife called over a thanks for telling them about the place. Hey! It’s the best barbeque in town. My ride home was great! Not too much traffic and cool. The only draw back was after coming off the mountain. Wet ground fog. By the time I got home I was cold and wet. All in all it was still a great ride.
This year I noticed a lot more women riding in by themselves a few that I spoke with said things like their husband-boyfriend wanted to check out something else and was meeting them later for b, b & bbq later that afternoon or in the week. I also noticed through out the entire event that women were doing more by themselves riding and the men were either riding along or absent altogether. Quite a change from years past as heard several people say. Another thing that caught my attention was what appeared to be new riders. There has been a rumor around that people were renting Harleys for area dealers just for this event. From the looks of several that I saw it looked as if the rumor might be true. Brand new still creased leathers and a bright shiny new looking Harley . Most looked like 883 sportsters. The riders were out in traffic with an unsuredness of someone just starting out. I think that if I were going to try something like that I would pick lighter traffic routes. But they were out in the heaviest traffic of the day. Also there were more and more late running strays. People with a motor home and a trailer with there bike. The few that I spoke to said that they had taken their vacation and due to time constraints this was their only option as motels had filled up quick.
Dickson St. was lively when I got there. I couldn’t shake how this year it reminded me more of a state fair midway than a bike rally. People were everywhere and all were crowding for space. Mostly the crowds looked like locals that had come down to be part of the action. Since I didn’t have anyone to party with, I just spent my time hopping from club to club and checking out the live music. Some of these had hired groups that were very good. Others were kind of middle of the road. I did notice at each of these clubs people would come in and drink and whoop and holler for a few minutes then they would pick up and leave. Another group would move in and they would whoop and holler. Just like shift work at a large factory. As I crossed by one of the small bars there was a man with a loud speaker, preaching about the sinning that was going on during this rally. He made some points and I was reminded of the Hank Williams Jr. song “a country boy can survive”. The lines “the preacher man says it’s the end of time”. and “you only get mugged if you go down town”. I didn’t see anyone get mugged but I did see the local police take a man out of the crowds and put him into a patrol car and head him to jail. No one seemed to know what he had done.
As I walked around through this entire event, all four nights, but especially on Friday night. I saw several prime specimens of IDKW’s (I don’t know what) Purple hair, Butt cracks and a guy that I heard someone call Elmer that was wearing a full length evening gown. It was just an assortment of oddities. Seemed like each crowd that came through had some. Wondering about this and how it was so out of theme for a bike rally it suddenly fell into place. Nothing new for some. This was the only drag on a Friday night in a small college town. The hundreds of bikes were just an added extra. Spice as it were to an average Friday night.
For all the hype about Barbeque I couldn’t find any on the street. Lots of the lunch wagons were selling all kinds of fast food but I didn’t see anything that I considered barbeque. I wasn’t able to get over to the Big Barbeque contest so I looked for someone selling it on Dickson St. More than likely there were some selling barbeque…I just found only Turkey legs and Hot dogs and Hamburgers. All of which were moving at an alarming pace. For a while Bud spent some time with me and as we walked around we only found Nacho’s. They were good as I was hungry and getting into one of the bars or small cafés or Beer gardens was out of the question due to the crowds. So it’s NACHO’S that got my vote. During most of the time I spent on Dickson St. I walked around and looked over the bikes. That was my main interest and I could really indulge myself. If you like to see what’s out there I highly recommend that you take an afternoon at one of these rally’s and get out and look. I saw every imaginable kind of motorcycle from Harley - Davidson to homemade customs. Some were the very high dollar customs and some were obviously put together without harming bank accounts or credit cards or car washes utilizing duct tape and rattle can paint jobs. Those are my particular favorites. They appear to be daily riders. Ones that you don’t worry about getting dirty or scratched or whatever. Nothing against the high dollar customs but deep down I thing you have a little nagging fear of something happening to that $10,000.00 paint job. Some people call them Rats. Others call them Dailies. I could be a little biased as mine fit’s the Daily category. But, I ride mine everyday. It was such an experience that at times I found myself forgetting to take pictures. Like I said, it’s something every person that is interested in Motorcycles should do. This Rally got my vote. It’s a time for the gathering of the all those with a kinsmen like interest in motorcycles. A time to meet old friends and make new ones. To see new products and pick up new ideas. I’m looking forward to next year and number 10. I hope to do a better job getting pictures and seeing all that there is. I’ll note here that I didn’t see any of the famous bike clubs or any trouble of any kind that people always associate with these gathering. It was a big party where everyone I saw was having a good time.
Total mileage 310
Hope to see ya on the road
(I rode mine today)
The 9th annual Bikes, Blues and Bar b que officially started today.
From all over towns in North West Arkansas people rolled out of jobs, schools and other assorted interests early to be a part of the biggest party of the year.
Dickson street in Fayetteville was host to a bike rally along the lines of Laconia and Sturgis. It has been said that this particular rally was the 5th major Motorcycle Rally in the United States.
As I headed out toward Dickson street I was impressed by the number of motorcycles I saw on the road. At every little stop I was having to wait to get out into traffic. Group after group of bikes were thundering in to the point that even rural two lane roads had taken on the look and feel of crowded city traffic. I finally got on the road and hammered toward Fayetteville falling in with a group with Texas tags. Most of these bikes were loaded down with camping gear and it looked like they were just getting to the area. I had an easy ten miles into town and left the Texas bikes at North street, where map quest had told them to turn and hit Highway 71, and ran on up to Dickson. Since this was the first day there wasn’t as much going on as I had hoped there would be. I rode down and found a parking space just across the tracks and felt real lucky. Last year I couldn’t get this close at anytime. Looking down Dickson street I estimated that there a Thousand or more bikes. Parked and running around. The rumble of big v twins filled the air like smoke in a closed room. Everywhere you looked there was a bike, mostly Harleys, and most of them were making some noise. The riders were taking the opportunity to rap em off legally and that’s what you heard. Even the sport bike riders were winding theirs up. Several times I expected to here one go thump from being over taxed. Before the weekend was over I would witness a couple do just that..
I started down the street with the intention of photographing as many bikes and riders as I could. This was compounded by the sheer numbers of people that were on the street. Most appeared to be local and they jammed the side walks to the point I couldn’t even stop and take a picture. I tried walking in the street and doing it that way until a cop ahead of me told some people they had to stay on the sidewalk. Not wanting to start off with an argument with the cops I looked for other ways to get a few shots. Most of the
I started down the street with the intention of photographing as many bikes and riders as I could. This was compounded by the sheer numbers of people that were on the street. Most appeared to be local and they jammed the side walks to the point I couldn’t even stop and take a picture. I tried walking in the street and doing it that way until a cop ahead of me told some people they had to stay on the sidewalk. Not wanting to start off with an argument with the cops I looked for other ways to get a few shots. Most of the
pictures I took were quick snaps so they aren’t as good as they could be.Most of the venders had their tents set up or were putting the finish on them as I made my way through the different areas. I saw lots of leather, jewelry and patches. Most every tent had similar stuff to sell. One tent that I stopped at was operated by an oriental man that razzed me about carrying two cell phones. He said “your as important as me”. We chatted for a few minutes and when he found out that I lived in the area and had just ridden up he showed me a box of pins that he was selling that said “I RODE MINE FAYETTEVILLE ARKANSAS RALLY 2008”. I bought one. Since I really didn’t need anything The vender tents were fun to look through but that was about all. Lots of people were buying and that’s what they are there for.
I crossed the street and started making my way back to my bike. I figured I’d make an early night and hit it again tomorrow when things were running a little better. Everything reminded me of a Carnival that had just opened in a big hurry before the customers got away. As I eased down the street I saw that each of the clubs that I passed had live entertainment and a few of these guys were really good. It took me a lot longer to make my way back as I found that I was stopping and listening to some really good blues and southern rock. At what used to be our hang out during this rally there were a couple of guys that really were worth just hanging around and listening to. One of the bouncers that knew me told me that they usually put on a good show . I think these guys would be worth going back on a normal weekend to see.
For all the hype about Barbeque I didn’t find any at any of the food trailers. But as I said earlier a lot of them were just getting set up. Being hungry for some barbeque I decided to go and get some real GOOD barbeque and when I finally got to my bike Penguin Ed’s was on my mind. This is a total plug for Ed’s!! Best barbeque in town. While I was getting my camera stowed away a couple of couples came by and asked if I was leaving as the party according to them was just getting started. I told them that I was a local and I was hungry for some barbeque and going to the best in town. After a few seconds of discussion they asked how to get there. I told them and they moved on. Finally I was able to get into traffic and while sitting and waiting on the light to change everyone started reving their engines up. It started like a wave and continued to grow. Most had rev limiters on them but one poor soul kept taxing his shovel head and then it happened. A loud THUMP! Smoke and what looked like oil started coming out the pipes. When the light changed and we started up Dickson St. his bike seemed to be out of power. I went on up into residential Dickson St. as fast as the cops, crowds and other bikes would allow, heading to mission and Penguin Ed’s
As I pulled into Ed’s I saw a few bikes in the lot and that the place was packed. Seems everybody else had the same idea. I got my order and had a great, as usual, meal. just as I was finishing I heard the thumping of a Harley pulling in. One of the couples I had talked to earlier about Ed’s had decided to try it. About half way through their meal the wife called over a thanks for telling them about the place. Hey! It’s the best barbeque in town. My ride home was great! Not too much traffic and cool. The only draw back was after coming off the mountain. Wet ground fog. By the time I got home I was cold and wet. All in all it was still a great ride.
This year I noticed a lot more women riding in by themselves a few that I spoke with said things like their husband-boyfriend wanted to check out something else and was meeting them later for b, b & bbq later that afternoon or in the week. I also noticed through out the entire event that women were doing more by themselves riding and the men were either riding along or absent altogether. Quite a change from years past as heard several people say. Another thing that caught my attention was what appeared to be new riders. There has been a rumor around that people were renting Harleys for area dealers just for this event. From the looks of several that I saw it looked as if the rumor might be true. Brand new still creased leathers and a bright shiny new looking Harley . Most looked like 883 sportsters. The riders were out in traffic with an unsuredness of someone just starting out. I think that if I were going to try something like that I would pick lighter traffic routes. But they were out in the heaviest traffic of the day. Also there were more and more late running strays. People with a motor home and a trailer with there bike. The few that I spoke to said that they had taken their vacation and due to time constraints this was their only option as motels had filled up quick.
Thursday…
I had wanted to get an early start but as usual it didn’t happen. I had wanted to take a few roadside shots along the way in but there weren’t any and I ended up just riding around and ended up just outside Joplin Mo. As I was gassing up it donned on me that I had gotten comfortable and had been following the “herd“. As I chuckled to myself I noticed another “herd” heading back toward home. So I fell in and had a good ride back
I had wanted to get an early start but as usual it didn’t happen. I had wanted to take a few roadside shots along the way in but there weren’t any and I ended up just riding around and ended up just outside Joplin Mo. As I was gassing up it donned on me that I had gotten comfortable and had been following the “herd“. As I chuckled to myself I noticed another “herd” heading back toward home. So I fell in and had a good ride back
Dickson St. was lively when I got there. I couldn’t shake how this year it reminded me more of a state fair midway than a bike rally. People were everywhere and all were crowding for space. Mostly the crowds looked like locals that had come down to be part of the action. Since I didn’t have anyone to party with, I just spent my time hopping from club to club and checking out the live music. Some of these had hired groups that were very good. Others were kind of middle of the road. I did notice at each of these clubs people would come in and drink and whoop and holler for a few minutes then they would pick up and leave. Another group would move in and they would whoop and holler. Just like shift work at a large factory. As I crossed by one of the small bars there was a man with a loud speaker, preaching about the sinning that was going on during this rally. He made some points and I was reminded of the Hank Williams Jr. song “a country boy can survive”. The lines “the preacher man says it’s the end of time”. and “you only get mugged if you go down town”. I didn’t see anyone get mugged but I did see the local police take a man out of the crowds and put him into a patrol car and head him to jail. No one seemed to know what he had done.
As I walked around through this entire event, all four nights, but especially on Friday night. I saw several prime specimens of IDKW’s (I don’t know what) Purple hair, Butt cracks and a guy that I heard someone call Elmer that was wearing a full length evening gown. It was just an assortment of oddities. Seemed like each crowd that came through had some. Wondering about this and how it was so out of theme for a bike rally it suddenly fell into place. Nothing new for some. This was the only drag on a Friday night in a small college town. The hundreds of bikes were just an added extra. Spice as it were to an average Friday night.
For all the hype about Barbeque I couldn’t find any on the street. Lots of the lunch wagons were selling all kinds of fast food but I didn’t see anything that I considered barbeque. I wasn’t able to get over to the Big Barbeque contest so I looked for someone selling it on Dickson St. More than likely there were some selling barbeque…I just found only Turkey legs and Hot dogs and Hamburgers. All of which were moving at an alarming pace. For a while Bud spent some time with me and as we walked around we only found Nacho’s. They were good as I was hungry and getting into one of the bars or small cafés or Beer gardens was out of the question due to the crowds. So it’s NACHO’S that got my vote. During most of the time I spent on Dickson St. I walked around and looked over the bikes. That was my main interest and I could really indulge myself. If you like to see what’s out there I highly recommend that you take an afternoon at one of these rally’s and get out and look. I saw every imaginable kind of motorcycle from Harley - Davidson to homemade customs. Some were the very high dollar customs and some were obviously put together without harming bank accounts or credit cards or car washes utilizing duct tape and rattle can paint jobs. Those are my particular favorites. They appear to be daily riders. Ones that you don’t worry about getting dirty or scratched or whatever. Nothing against the high dollar customs but deep down I thing you have a little nagging fear of something happening to that $10,000.00 paint job. Some people call them Rats. Others call them Dailies. I could be a little biased as mine fit’s the Daily category. But, I ride mine everyday. It was such an experience that at times I found myself forgetting to take pictures. Like I said, it’s something every person that is interested in Motorcycles should do. This Rally got my vote. It’s a time for the gathering of the all those with a kinsmen like interest in motorcycles. A time to meet old friends and make new ones. To see new products and pick up new ideas. I’m looking forward to next year and number 10. I hope to do a better job getting pictures and seeing all that there is. I’ll note here that I didn’t see any of the famous bike clubs or any trouble of any kind that people always associate with these gathering. It was a big party where everyone I saw was having a good time.Total mileage 310
Hope to see ya on the road
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