365 Group
When I headed out this morning it was about sixty eight degrees and mildly over cast. I had a pretty much uneventful ride in to work. I had looked over the weather report before I left and it looked like the major storm might miss us. That in mind I had planned on a long ride home. I was hoping to make about 150 to two hundred miles of my trip home.
When quitting time came around I looked out and saw a light rain was falling. This was going to really put a damper on my ride. I got into my rain gear and headed to the parking lot. As I walked to my bike I saw that one of the other workers had brought a cover from home and had covered his bike. I found out that he had called home and had someone bring the cover and then wait around in town to pick him up after work. Must be nice?
I hit the kick starter and fired up.Heading out in the general direction of home. The rain was getting heavier and I finally gave in to fact, My ride would have to be on another day.
Running down 412 I managed to make good time until I crossed some standing water at an intersection. I splashed it pretty good and I figure I got my points wet. After I hit water the bike popped and chugged all the way home. It did do better at higher speeds but generally ran rough.
in view of this rough running made a most direct trip of 13 miles to the house.
I made it home in one piece. Looking at the sky I figured that it was going to rain all night.
Unpacking I noticed that one of my bags had drawn water and some of my work junk was soaked. Just as well, I need something to tinker with this evening.
Tomorrows weather is forecast to be the same or worse. Looks like, as bad as I don't want to I'll most likely ...get wet again.
Hope it drys out some and I can catch ya on the road
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
4/27/2009
365 Group
Today is going to be a wet one. That's what the weather man said before I headed out to work. Lots of wet, wind and maybe even some hail. 80 percent chance or rain. Well that means that there is a 20 percent chance it wont.
I grabbed my rain gear and headed out to the bike. It was windy and very dark, looked like it was going to be a bad storm.
Firing up I decided to make a real quick ride of going to work in hopes of not getting drowned. As I bounced down my drive it was looking more and more like I might make it. I hit the street and hammered down to the highway. Rolling up to the intersection I could see that there wasn't anything coming either direction and I just rolled the stop sign and really hammered it towards the foot of the mountain and my turn off. Traffic was light all the way and non existent after I got off on Habberton.
The closer I got to Springdale the lighter the sky was looking. I had the thought that I was going to make it when I felt the first rain drops. Talk about a let down! For about two miles I had a light sprinkle on me and kept myself tensed for the down pour.
Traffic in town was light and I made really good time up to work. The Security guy had the gate open and waved me through like I owned the place. Pulling into to park I was tickled. I had made it without getting soaked.
All throughout the day I noticed that the sky would darken then lighten up. So maybe the major storm is going to miss me. That would be nice as I have an appointment at a local metal shop to get some handle bars made.
Today is going to be a wet one. That's what the weather man said before I headed out to work. Lots of wet, wind and maybe even some hail. 80 percent chance or rain. Well that means that there is a 20 percent chance it wont.
I grabbed my rain gear and headed out to the bike. It was windy and very dark, looked like it was going to be a bad storm.
Firing up I decided to make a real quick ride of going to work in hopes of not getting drowned. As I bounced down my drive it was looking more and more like I might make it. I hit the street and hammered down to the highway. Rolling up to the intersection I could see that there wasn't anything coming either direction and I just rolled the stop sign and really hammered it towards the foot of the mountain and my turn off. Traffic was light all the way and non existent after I got off on Habberton.
The closer I got to Springdale the lighter the sky was looking. I had the thought that I was going to make it when I felt the first rain drops. Talk about a let down! For about two miles I had a light sprinkle on me and kept myself tensed for the down pour.
Traffic in town was light and I made really good time up to work. The Security guy had the gate open and waved me through like I owned the place. Pulling into to park I was tickled. I had made it without getting soaked.
All throughout the day I noticed that the sky would darken then lighten up. So maybe the major storm is going to miss me. That would be nice as I have an appointment at a local metal shop to get some handle bars made.
Gotta love springtime in Northwest Arkansas
Hope to catch ya on the road
Sunday, April 26, 2009
4-25-2009 / 4-26-2009
365 Group
This morning I had planned to head out early and spend the day in Eureka Springs at the Thunder in The Mountain rally. However, I had a few things get in my way. With me family always comes first and when I was told my sister was up from Texas for a short weekend. Well, there will be another Eureka even.
I loaded up and headed the seventy miles to my moms place and a visit with my sister.
The weather was mildly overcast and warm. Great riding weather.
I hit 412 and settled into a nice easy sixty miles per and before I knew it I was stopping for Hush Puppies and to top off my tank at Marble. After gas and grub I pulled back out and hit Highway 21 and ran hard over to Kingston and then Boxley. Running through the valley I saw several riders that seemed to be making one of the area runs that usually occurs when there's a big rally going on in the area. They all waved like they were having a good time. I tried taking a few pictures of them as I road along. None came out any better that major fuzzy.
Pulling into moms I suddenly felt hungry. This usually happens when I go home. Parking the bike I head in only to find that they all had headed to Branson To the Hospital. Seems that My uncle, moms brother was admitted for emergency bypass surgery.
After a few phone calls and finding out what was going on I settled down and fixed a sandwich.
The ride down had been a quick one. I went out to look the bike over to see if there was any noticeable problems. Other than my chain needing tightening everything looked good. Thinking about it I unstrapped my over night bag and decided to stay. Mom had said that they would most likely be back late tonight.
I don't know what time they came in. I was doing some heavy sleeping. My uncles operation was apparently, a "routine" but emergency surgery. I'm not still sure I understand that one.
I had a good visit with my sister. When she pulled out to head back to Texas I headed back out for home.
My ride back up was a good one. Lots of riders on the road. That always makes for a good trip of any kind.
Taking my usual most direct route back I was home in about an hour. All told almost 200 miles in, by the clock, about 2 1/2 to three hours.
Figuring to just coast the rest of the weekend I unloaded my bike and started looking for things to putter around with around the house. As I was getting into the idea of mowing the yard a friend called and asked if I wanted to ride over to a junk shop with him. He was looking for some wheels for a trailer. Really he admitted, he just wanted to get out and ride a bit. He had recently bought my father in laws Shadow and hadn't gotten to ride it much. He also said he wanted to kind of clear his head.
We pulled out and made a quick run over to the junk shop. It was closed. looking around as much as we could without ending up in jail we didn't see anything like what he was after. Pulling back out we headed back toward home. Along the way we detoured and made a longer ride home of it.
Running up this new section of 412 was fun. Windy, but fun. We ended up stopping at a tractor and farm supply place just out of Springdale a few miles and looking around. This place almost had everything. It would have been perfect if it had had an RC Cola and Moon Pie dispenser.
After killing a few minutes we loaded back up and headed down the back roads by the lake to the house. As we pulled into town we stopped at a gas station/cafe and got a snack.
I didn't get to make the Rally or any of the other things I wanted to do. But, This turned out to be a good weekend. Lots of short rides and good friends and family.
Now this little snack at a gas station seemed to be a good end to the day, weekend.
Hope to catch ya on the road.
This morning I had planned to head out early and spend the day in Eureka Springs at the Thunder in The Mountain rally. However, I had a few things get in my way. With me family always comes first and when I was told my sister was up from Texas for a short weekend. Well, there will be another Eureka even.
I loaded up and headed the seventy miles to my moms place and a visit with my sister.
The weather was mildly overcast and warm. Great riding weather.
I hit 412 and settled into a nice easy sixty miles per and before I knew it I was stopping for Hush Puppies and to top off my tank at Marble. After gas and grub I pulled back out and hit Highway 21 and ran hard over to Kingston and then Boxley. Running through the valley I saw several riders that seemed to be making one of the area runs that usually occurs when there's a big rally going on in the area. They all waved like they were having a good time. I tried taking a few pictures of them as I road along. None came out any better that major fuzzy.
Pulling into moms I suddenly felt hungry. This usually happens when I go home. Parking the bike I head in only to find that they all had headed to Branson To the Hospital. Seems that My uncle, moms brother was admitted for emergency bypass surgery.
After a few phone calls and finding out what was going on I settled down and fixed a sandwich.
The ride down had been a quick one. I went out to look the bike over to see if there was any noticeable problems. Other than my chain needing tightening everything looked good. Thinking about it I unstrapped my over night bag and decided to stay. Mom had said that they would most likely be back late tonight.
I don't know what time they came in. I was doing some heavy sleeping. My uncles operation was apparently, a "routine" but emergency surgery. I'm not still sure I understand that one.
I had a good visit with my sister. When she pulled out to head back to Texas I headed back out for home.
My ride back up was a good one. Lots of riders on the road. That always makes for a good trip of any kind.
Taking my usual most direct route back I was home in about an hour. All told almost 200 miles in, by the clock, about 2 1/2 to three hours.
Figuring to just coast the rest of the weekend I unloaded my bike and started looking for things to putter around with around the house. As I was getting into the idea of mowing the yard a friend called and asked if I wanted to ride over to a junk shop with him. He was looking for some wheels for a trailer. Really he admitted, he just wanted to get out and ride a bit. He had recently bought my father in laws Shadow and hadn't gotten to ride it much. He also said he wanted to kind of clear his head.
We pulled out and made a quick run over to the junk shop. It was closed. looking around as much as we could without ending up in jail we didn't see anything like what he was after. Pulling back out we headed back toward home. Along the way we detoured and made a longer ride home of it.
Running up this new section of 412 was fun. Windy, but fun. We ended up stopping at a tractor and farm supply place just out of Springdale a few miles and looking around. This place almost had everything. It would have been perfect if it had had an RC Cola and Moon Pie dispenser.
After killing a few minutes we loaded back up and headed down the back roads by the lake to the house. As we pulled into town we stopped at a gas station/cafe and got a snack.
I didn't get to make the Rally or any of the other things I wanted to do. But, This turned out to be a good weekend. Lots of short rides and good friends and family.
Now this little snack at a gas station seemed to be a good end to the day, weekend.
Hope to catch ya on the road.
Friday, April 24, 2009
4-24-2009
365 Group
This morning was a nice morning for a ride. Perfect temperature and slightly overcast.
I loaded up for my usual run into work and had hoped to take off around noon to head to Eureka Springs for the Thunder in the Mountains Rally.
My ride in was kind of it's usual. I did notice several more bikes on the road and that always makes for a nicer morning ride. I pulled into work and found out that I wouldn't be able to take off early and that made for one very long day. Especially, as I watched bikes roll by, all headed in the direction of Eureka.
Since I have to stay all day I have altered my plans to just head for home at quitting time and try for an early start in the morning. The pups will like that.
I'm hoping to spend at least Saturday and Saturday night and get some pictures.
Hope to catch ya on the road
This morning was a nice morning for a ride. Perfect temperature and slightly overcast.
I loaded up for my usual run into work and had hoped to take off around noon to head to Eureka Springs for the Thunder in the Mountains Rally.
My ride in was kind of it's usual. I did notice several more bikes on the road and that always makes for a nicer morning ride. I pulled into work and found out that I wouldn't be able to take off early and that made for one very long day. Especially, as I watched bikes roll by, all headed in the direction of Eureka.
Since I have to stay all day I have altered my plans to just head for home at quitting time and try for an early start in the morning. The pups will like that.
I'm hoping to spend at least Saturday and Saturday night and get some pictures.
Hope to catch ya on the road
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
4-22-09
365 Group
Pulling out to go to work this morning was another real battle. Today is forecast to be another perfect day for riding or really anything, besides work.
As I got to the end of my driveway my bike just shut off. I hit the starter and nothing. I had a problem with a blown fuse a couple of days ago and so I started with my fuse box. Sure enough. The main fuse was blown again. Thinking that this is getting to be sort of like work, I hot wired it together and limped down to the Gas station.
Putting in another fuse I had a realization come over me. My bike is 32 years old and that means old, brittle wiring. It also means that I'll be spending a weekend replacing some of the wiring harness. Once I got the new fuse put in the old gal fired up and ran smooth all the way to work.
This mornings ride wasn't as bad as yesterdays. The traffic was considerably lighter and seemed more lazy. I made real good time and even rode a few miles with about eight or nine other bikes that I rode up on. It was fun. Like we were just picking up strays as we went and making a big herd. Running up 412 cars kinda moved over for us and let us have the outside lane.
I peeled off the pack and pulled into work. Hoping that quitting time wouldn't necessarily take eight hours to get there. I parked and ambled in to another day of watching traffic go by.
As hard as I tried, it still took eight hours but quitting time finally made it and I headed out into traffic. Pulling up to a traffic light on 412 I was joined by a rider that I kinda knew from the area. He said he was going to look at some older bikes that were for sale on the edge of town and asked if I knew anything about them. I didn't but was now curious and decided to tag along and look things over. Never know what you'll find tagging along.
Just outside the actual city limits on the east side of town I followed along down a dirt road for about a mile and a half. After some confusion and looking at notes my guide finally announced that we were here. Here was a house with lots of kids bicycles laying around the yard. As we got off the bikes a lady came to the door and after a few moments we were instructed to go around the side of the house to the car port type building.
Inside this garage of sorts we found three bikes. All older, 70's models, Japenese bikes.
Mostly they were rolling parts bikes. It had been several years since anyone had done anything other than take stuff off these bikes. The only one that showed any promise was a 74 RD 350.
The lady that owned them said she was trying to get rid of them and quoted a price that was a little on the high side for me since I wasnt needing parts. Mac said he wasnt interested in them at all. He was looking for a runninng wreck t o work on for someone to learn to ride on.
After talking to the woman about some of the local online auctions and ebay and all that, we headed back out to 412.
At a convenience store over a coke and a heat and eat burrito, Mac told me he was looking for a small bike for his girfriend to learn to ride on. I told him that I would keep and ear out and took his number.
Since I was already on the road to Hindsville I decided to just head on down and make the loop to go home.
It was a fairly quick trip since the highway was all but finished. It was a nice smooth ride like all new roads are. Give it a few months with all the truck traffic and it'll be back to normal.
Pulling into my drive I could hear my pups barking. Letting me know that I was a little late. There always a happy bunch of Vermin. Parking, I gave my bike the end of ride once over and thought that today had been a good riding day. Wish I could have done more of it.
Ah well, my little ankle bitters still love me.
Hope to catch ya on the road.
Pulling out to go to work this morning was another real battle. Today is forecast to be another perfect day for riding or really anything, besides work.
As I got to the end of my driveway my bike just shut off. I hit the starter and nothing. I had a problem with a blown fuse a couple of days ago and so I started with my fuse box. Sure enough. The main fuse was blown again. Thinking that this is getting to be sort of like work, I hot wired it together and limped down to the Gas station.
Putting in another fuse I had a realization come over me. My bike is 32 years old and that means old, brittle wiring. It also means that I'll be spending a weekend replacing some of the wiring harness. Once I got the new fuse put in the old gal fired up and ran smooth all the way to work.
This mornings ride wasn't as bad as yesterdays. The traffic was considerably lighter and seemed more lazy. I made real good time and even rode a few miles with about eight or nine other bikes that I rode up on. It was fun. Like we were just picking up strays as we went and making a big herd. Running up 412 cars kinda moved over for us and let us have the outside lane.
I peeled off the pack and pulled into work. Hoping that quitting time wouldn't necessarily take eight hours to get there. I parked and ambled in to another day of watching traffic go by.
As hard as I tried, it still took eight hours but quitting time finally made it and I headed out into traffic. Pulling up to a traffic light on 412 I was joined by a rider that I kinda knew from the area. He said he was going to look at some older bikes that were for sale on the edge of town and asked if I knew anything about them. I didn't but was now curious and decided to tag along and look things over. Never know what you'll find tagging along.
Just outside the actual city limits on the east side of town I followed along down a dirt road for about a mile and a half. After some confusion and looking at notes my guide finally announced that we were here. Here was a house with lots of kids bicycles laying around the yard. As we got off the bikes a lady came to the door and after a few moments we were instructed to go around the side of the house to the car port type building.
Inside this garage of sorts we found three bikes. All older, 70's models, Japenese bikes.
Mostly they were rolling parts bikes. It had been several years since anyone had done anything other than take stuff off these bikes. The only one that showed any promise was a 74 RD 350.
The lady that owned them said she was trying to get rid of them and quoted a price that was a little on the high side for me since I wasnt needing parts. Mac said he wasnt interested in them at all. He was looking for a runninng wreck t o work on for someone to learn to ride on.
After talking to the woman about some of the local online auctions and ebay and all that, we headed back out to 412.
At a convenience store over a coke and a heat and eat burrito, Mac told me he was looking for a small bike for his girfriend to learn to ride on. I told him that I would keep and ear out and took his number.
Since I was already on the road to Hindsville I decided to just head on down and make the loop to go home.
It was a fairly quick trip since the highway was all but finished. It was a nice smooth ride like all new roads are. Give it a few months with all the truck traffic and it'll be back to normal.
Pulling into my drive I could hear my pups barking. Letting me know that I was a little late. There always a happy bunch of Vermin. Parking, I gave my bike the end of ride once over and thought that today had been a good riding day. Wish I could have done more of it.
Ah well, my little ankle bitters still love me.
Hope to catch ya on the road.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
4-21-2009 Short morning ride
365 Group
I looked out at my bike this morning and really didn't want to go to work. The weather is suppose to be in the seventies today and I would much rather make a trip than just a ride in to work.
After strapping on all my junk I shoved a couple of tennis balls under my old Triumph solo seat and headed down my drive. I had read or dreamed up that tennis balls would help make for a less rigid ride. So far, just based on his mornings ride they did help a little. I think I just need to work out the correct positioning for them.
I caught a pretty good hole in the morning traffic and it seemed like I had the highway all to myself. Catching a groove at about sixty five I seemed to just sort of floated along to my turn off at the foot of the mountain. This smooth running just proved that today would be better spent making a trip somewhere. All along the way around the mountain I was trying to come up with a good excuse to call in to work with. Nothing really good came to mind. Ah well, guess I'll just have to be content with a short ride.
Coming into Springdale my hole had closed and traffic was everywhere. At my first traffic light cars crowed me from every direction. Once the light changed it seemed like everyone jumped at once and I had that "pinball" feeling again.
As I pulled up to Robinson I got a good look at how morning traffic was. Cars were dragging the light badly. Guess everyone had overslept this morning. I dodged cars and trucks all the way up to work. As I pulled into the drive at work I had a car following me real close. Too close for comfort. He managed to not hit me as I turned off but he wasn't so lucky as the one that was tailgating him bumped him. I pulled up by the Guard shack and sat and watched for a few minutes. Both drivers were hot and ended up calling the cops.
All in all I had a great morning ride. I even made good time considering the idiocy of the morning traffic. Now, if my day will pass quickly I'm already ready to get back out in that mess again and see if I can make good time going back home.
Hope to catch ya on the road
I looked out at my bike this morning and really didn't want to go to work. The weather is suppose to be in the seventies today and I would much rather make a trip than just a ride in to work.
After strapping on all my junk I shoved a couple of tennis balls under my old Triumph solo seat and headed down my drive. I had read or dreamed up that tennis balls would help make for a less rigid ride. So far, just based on his mornings ride they did help a little. I think I just need to work out the correct positioning for them.
I caught a pretty good hole in the morning traffic and it seemed like I had the highway all to myself. Catching a groove at about sixty five I seemed to just sort of floated along to my turn off at the foot of the mountain. This smooth running just proved that today would be better spent making a trip somewhere. All along the way around the mountain I was trying to come up with a good excuse to call in to work with. Nothing really good came to mind. Ah well, guess I'll just have to be content with a short ride.
Coming into Springdale my hole had closed and traffic was everywhere. At my first traffic light cars crowed me from every direction. Once the light changed it seemed like everyone jumped at once and I had that "pinball" feeling again.
As I pulled up to Robinson I got a good look at how morning traffic was. Cars were dragging the light badly. Guess everyone had overslept this morning. I dodged cars and trucks all the way up to work. As I pulled into the drive at work I had a car following me real close. Too close for comfort. He managed to not hit me as I turned off but he wasn't so lucky as the one that was tailgating him bumped him. I pulled up by the Guard shack and sat and watched for a few minutes. Both drivers were hot and ended up calling the cops.
All in all I had a great morning ride. I even made good time considering the idiocy of the morning traffic. Now, if my day will pass quickly I'm already ready to get back out in that mess again and see if I can make good time going back home.
Hope to catch ya on the road
Sunday, April 19, 2009
April 19, 2009
365 Group
Today started out stormy and lots of rain.
When the weather finally broke I decided to ride down to the grocery store and pick up a few things for lunch for the coming work week. I grabbed my rain gear and headed to the bike, It was wet but warm and had all the makings of a good quick ride. Turning on the key the starter didn't make a sound. I noticed that I didn't have any lights. Normally I run the daylight with them off except for last night I remembered that I had cut the engine before turning them off.
After about a half dozen kicks I figured that maybe the old girl had given up on me. 32 years old and pretty much regular operation up until now led me to believe that she was just getting broken in.
Thinking things over a little I figured that maybe a battery cable had came off after last nights ride. Checking, I found them to be tight. That left the fuses. I popped off the side cover and searched out the fuse box. Sure enough I had somehow blown the main fuse. Looking it over I figure it was probably the original fuse. A round glass 20 amp job that I really don't think anyone uses any more.
Figuring I could pick one up at the gas station just down the road I clipped the wires together and yep, it fired up. I made a dash down my drive and hit the street in a hurry. I wasn't too sure how long that old wiring would last wired direct and really wasn't in a mood to find out. I got my speed up, shut the motor off and coasted up to the gas station.
Looking through the supply of fuses at the station I found lots of newer blade types and no old style glass ones. Just as I was about to give up I lucked onto several dusty packages of glass fuses. Seeing as how I didn't yet know what was causing the fuse to blow I bought all of them.
I put the new fuse in and fired up. Thinking that this wasn't too bad, that fuses blew, I pulled out and headed on to the grocery store. The bike ran great all the way.
Since I had back up fuses now I decided on a short ride around town to see if anyone of note was riding.
I cris crossed this little metroplex of ours and really didn't find anyone that I knew. I did see several bikes out but they seemed to be in a hurry to get someplace. Also the weather most likely had a lot to do with things. No one wants to be caught riding in the rain in Northwest Arkansas traffic.
After about an hour I noticed the sky getting real dark and figured I had better get my groceries and beat it back to the house. I strapped on all the stuff I bought and I must admit it looked ...interesting. Several people gave it a odd look.
I pulled out for the store and started toward the house just as the sprinkling started. The rain appeared to be coming from behind me so I gave the throttle a twist and did my best to stay ahead of it. I guess you could say I was about 85 % successful. I was wet when I pulled into the drive and parked. I wasn't soaked but I was wet. I unloaded my stuff and covered the bike.
Hopefully this weather will let up some this evening. I have been invited out for Pizza. One thing I have learned about Pizza is it is more enjoyable if your not soaked to the bone.
Hope to catch ya on the road
Today started out stormy and lots of rain.
When the weather finally broke I decided to ride down to the grocery store and pick up a few things for lunch for the coming work week. I grabbed my rain gear and headed to the bike, It was wet but warm and had all the makings of a good quick ride. Turning on the key the starter didn't make a sound. I noticed that I didn't have any lights. Normally I run the daylight with them off except for last night I remembered that I had cut the engine before turning them off.
After about a half dozen kicks I figured that maybe the old girl had given up on me. 32 years old and pretty much regular operation up until now led me to believe that she was just getting broken in.
Thinking things over a little I figured that maybe a battery cable had came off after last nights ride. Checking, I found them to be tight. That left the fuses. I popped off the side cover and searched out the fuse box. Sure enough I had somehow blown the main fuse. Looking it over I figure it was probably the original fuse. A round glass 20 amp job that I really don't think anyone uses any more.
Figuring I could pick one up at the gas station just down the road I clipped the wires together and yep, it fired up. I made a dash down my drive and hit the street in a hurry. I wasn't too sure how long that old wiring would last wired direct and really wasn't in a mood to find out. I got my speed up, shut the motor off and coasted up to the gas station.
Looking through the supply of fuses at the station I found lots of newer blade types and no old style glass ones. Just as I was about to give up I lucked onto several dusty packages of glass fuses. Seeing as how I didn't yet know what was causing the fuse to blow I bought all of them.
I put the new fuse in and fired up. Thinking that this wasn't too bad, that fuses blew, I pulled out and headed on to the grocery store. The bike ran great all the way.
Since I had back up fuses now I decided on a short ride around town to see if anyone of note was riding.
I cris crossed this little metroplex of ours and really didn't find anyone that I knew. I did see several bikes out but they seemed to be in a hurry to get someplace. Also the weather most likely had a lot to do with things. No one wants to be caught riding in the rain in Northwest Arkansas traffic.
After about an hour I noticed the sky getting real dark and figured I had better get my groceries and beat it back to the house. I strapped on all the stuff I bought and I must admit it looked ...interesting. Several people gave it a odd look.
I pulled out for the store and started toward the house just as the sprinkling started. The rain appeared to be coming from behind me so I gave the throttle a twist and did my best to stay ahead of it. I guess you could say I was about 85 % successful. I was wet when I pulled into the drive and parked. I wasn't soaked but I was wet. I unloaded my stuff and covered the bike.
Hopefully this weather will let up some this evening. I have been invited out for Pizza. One thing I have learned about Pizza is it is more enjoyable if your not soaked to the bone.
Hope to catch ya on the road
Saturday, April 18, 2009
You ride for yourself.
365 Group
Today was a typical springtime day in Northwest Arkansas. Rainy looking, overcast blah of a day.
I had made plans with some people at work to come over and help them do some maintenance type stuff to their bikes. Several of us were going to meet and put on the saddle bags and other stuff then make a short ride.
I called Rick at home and asked if it was still on for today. Rick said as far as he knew everything was still "go". At 9am I headed toward Springdale and as I wound up the old Kawasaki I really felt that even with the threat of rain it was a good morning for riding. Temperature was about sixty five and this early on a Saturday morning, traffic was light.
Running down the four lane to the north side of town I noticed a few bikes and they looked as though they were riding with a purpose. Must have been a poker run somewhere today.
Pulling into Ricks place I saw that his garage was open and his bike was missing. I pulled up and stopped just short of his garage. As I was getting off the bike his wife stuck her head out and said that Rick had gone up to work to start something that had quit and would be back in a few minutes.
While I waited I took a few minutes to unstrap my thermos and poured a cup of coffee and then did a once over of my bike to see if there was anything that need attention. I found that I had an almost broken throttle cable. It was splintered badly and in serious need of replacing. This is serious on a lot of bikes but not as bad on my older model as it has a push/pull system. Two cables, one pulls and one pushes. Seeing that the pull side was the splintered one I took it off and moved the other to it's place. Now I was down to a single cable on my throttle system. I had often wondered why this had such a system of two cables. Maybe this was what the designers had in mind? Anyway it was working as good as before and would do until I could order a new set.
Just as I was finishing up with the cables Rick roared in and looked kind of puzzled. I explained the cable problem and showed everything to him. He was really interested in the repairs and kind of filed them away in the back of his mind in case it ever happened to him. That's one of the things I like about Rick. He likes to ride and wants to know the riding business, so to speak.
After about an hour no one had shown up and Rick started making calls to see what was up. Most had a weather related reason for not showing up. "it might rain on me". This seemed to bother Rick some and I pointed out that a person rides for themselves. You cant hold it against someone if they aren't comfortable riding in bad weather. Finally it sunk in and he looked at me and said, "now what?" Now we check over the bikes and see what we can find that might need attention.
After about an hour tinkering with the bikes and still no rain we decided to go for a short ride.
I pointed out that we could "frog hop" if the rain got to heavy. Once I explained that Frog hopping was going from gas station or car wash to any place with a roof we could get under between showers he got the picture and pulled out.
We made it about 10 miles out of Springdale before a light shower hit us. It didn't last all that long and we stayed on the road.
Pulling into the cafe at Marble I explained the Hush Puppies rule to him and we had a few. I could tell by looking at his face that he was a Hush Puppy convert.
After eating we made a plan to run over to Kingston and cut across and hit Highway 16 and back through Fayetteville and back to the house.
The ride was a good one. Traffic was light and the rain inter mitten and we never had to pull off and wait. As we eased up to a traffic light coming into Fayetteville I leaned over and told him that I would head on home once we got to Mission. He nodded and gave me a silly grin. When the light changed he took off like he'd been shot out of a gun. It was kind of silly, But. he wasn't going to leave me like that. As I passed him his silly grin changed to a look of surprise.
Pulling up to the light at Mission we were both feeling good. I yelled at him that I'd see him at work and took off for home. I saw him take off when the light changed and thought that he'd be some one to ride with.
I spent the next eight miles to the house thinking about how you ride for yourself and you cant let anyone push you into doing other wise.
Hope to catch ya on the road.
Today was a typical springtime day in Northwest Arkansas. Rainy looking, overcast blah of a day.
I had made plans with some people at work to come over and help them do some maintenance type stuff to their bikes. Several of us were going to meet and put on the saddle bags and other stuff then make a short ride.
I called Rick at home and asked if it was still on for today. Rick said as far as he knew everything was still "go". At 9am I headed toward Springdale and as I wound up the old Kawasaki I really felt that even with the threat of rain it was a good morning for riding. Temperature was about sixty five and this early on a Saturday morning, traffic was light.
Running down the four lane to the north side of town I noticed a few bikes and they looked as though they were riding with a purpose. Must have been a poker run somewhere today.
Pulling into Ricks place I saw that his garage was open and his bike was missing. I pulled up and stopped just short of his garage. As I was getting off the bike his wife stuck her head out and said that Rick had gone up to work to start something that had quit and would be back in a few minutes.
While I waited I took a few minutes to unstrap my thermos and poured a cup of coffee and then did a once over of my bike to see if there was anything that need attention. I found that I had an almost broken throttle cable. It was splintered badly and in serious need of replacing. This is serious on a lot of bikes but not as bad on my older model as it has a push/pull system. Two cables, one pulls and one pushes. Seeing that the pull side was the splintered one I took it off and moved the other to it's place. Now I was down to a single cable on my throttle system. I had often wondered why this had such a system of two cables. Maybe this was what the designers had in mind? Anyway it was working as good as before and would do until I could order a new set.
Just as I was finishing up with the cables Rick roared in and looked kind of puzzled. I explained the cable problem and showed everything to him. He was really interested in the repairs and kind of filed them away in the back of his mind in case it ever happened to him. That's one of the things I like about Rick. He likes to ride and wants to know the riding business, so to speak.
After about an hour no one had shown up and Rick started making calls to see what was up. Most had a weather related reason for not showing up. "it might rain on me". This seemed to bother Rick some and I pointed out that a person rides for themselves. You cant hold it against someone if they aren't comfortable riding in bad weather. Finally it sunk in and he looked at me and said, "now what?" Now we check over the bikes and see what we can find that might need attention.
After about an hour tinkering with the bikes and still no rain we decided to go for a short ride.
I pointed out that we could "frog hop" if the rain got to heavy. Once I explained that Frog hopping was going from gas station or car wash to any place with a roof we could get under between showers he got the picture and pulled out.
We made it about 10 miles out of Springdale before a light shower hit us. It didn't last all that long and we stayed on the road.
Pulling into the cafe at Marble I explained the Hush Puppies rule to him and we had a few. I could tell by looking at his face that he was a Hush Puppy convert.
After eating we made a plan to run over to Kingston and cut across and hit Highway 16 and back through Fayetteville and back to the house.
The ride was a good one. Traffic was light and the rain inter mitten and we never had to pull off and wait. As we eased up to a traffic light coming into Fayetteville I leaned over and told him that I would head on home once we got to Mission. He nodded and gave me a silly grin. When the light changed he took off like he'd been shot out of a gun. It was kind of silly, But. he wasn't going to leave me like that. As I passed him his silly grin changed to a look of surprise.
Pulling up to the light at Mission we were both feeling good. I yelled at him that I'd see him at work and took off for home. I saw him take off when the light changed and thought that he'd be some one to ride with.
I spent the next eight miles to the house thinking about how you ride for yourself and you cant let anyone push you into doing other wise.
Hope to catch ya on the road.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A good ride
365 Group
This morning was a great morning to be heading out on a ride. The temperature was around fifty degrees with a clear sky.
I hurried around and got all my junk strapped on and hit the road. I was hopping to catch some of the other riders from the area and see about getting together after work for a dinner ride.
As my luck goes, I didn't see anyone that I normally see. My ride in was almost over before I knew it.
As I pulled into work I noticed several bikes in the lot and figured that they had to have been running a little early this morning and that was why I didn't see any of them.
While the day wore on I managed to speak to several who rode in and we made loose plans to ride over to a newer Catfish place after work for supper.
Finally, quitting time showed up. Bikes started pulling up by the Guard Shack and everyone was ready to hit the afternoon traffic. Traffic around quitting time can be a real hazard in this part of the world. Nobody around here can drive but everybody thinks they can. I slipped on my helmet and hit the kick starter. While the bike was warming up I went over a direct route to this place with some of the others. Only a couple of us had been to this place and the rest of were just going to have to play follow the leader.
All warmed up I eased toward the street and looked for an opening in the traffic. Once I saw a space I jumped out and headed toward highway 71. Looking back in my mirror I saw that everyone had followed me and traffic had just come to a stop while we all got on the road. I guess there is something to be said for riding in a herd.
The run south on Highway seventy one wasn't bad. traffic was actually kind of light compared to the side streets we had just come off of.
Coming into Fayetteville by the mall we all bunched up at a traffic light. Before I knew it all plans were changed and we headed for Chilli's and a steak.
Running from traffic light to traffic light was a slow but fun process. It was also noisy as most of the guys had drag type pipes on their bikes. Like I said, it was a lot of fun. (even the cops that we passed laughed)
After dinner and the required period of "Bull Pitching" everyone started drifting off toward home.
The ride to the house was a good one. Knowing that heavy rains were in the forecast for tomorrow and the rest of the week, it just wasn't quite long enough. today only totaled 43 miles. But. They were good miles. I hope that tomorrows ride is dry and at least as good.
Hope to catch ya on the road
This morning was a great morning to be heading out on a ride. The temperature was around fifty degrees with a clear sky.
I hurried around and got all my junk strapped on and hit the road. I was hopping to catch some of the other riders from the area and see about getting together after work for a dinner ride.
As my luck goes, I didn't see anyone that I normally see. My ride in was almost over before I knew it.
As I pulled into work I noticed several bikes in the lot and figured that they had to have been running a little early this morning and that was why I didn't see any of them.
While the day wore on I managed to speak to several who rode in and we made loose plans to ride over to a newer Catfish place after work for supper.
Finally, quitting time showed up. Bikes started pulling up by the Guard Shack and everyone was ready to hit the afternoon traffic. Traffic around quitting time can be a real hazard in this part of the world. Nobody around here can drive but everybody thinks they can. I slipped on my helmet and hit the kick starter. While the bike was warming up I went over a direct route to this place with some of the others. Only a couple of us had been to this place and the rest of were just going to have to play follow the leader.
All warmed up I eased toward the street and looked for an opening in the traffic. Once I saw a space I jumped out and headed toward highway 71. Looking back in my mirror I saw that everyone had followed me and traffic had just come to a stop while we all got on the road. I guess there is something to be said for riding in a herd.
The run south on Highway seventy one wasn't bad. traffic was actually kind of light compared to the side streets we had just come off of.
Coming into Fayetteville by the mall we all bunched up at a traffic light. Before I knew it all plans were changed and we headed for Chilli's and a steak.
Running from traffic light to traffic light was a slow but fun process. It was also noisy as most of the guys had drag type pipes on their bikes. Like I said, it was a lot of fun. (even the cops that we passed laughed)
After dinner and the required period of "Bull Pitching" everyone started drifting off toward home.
The ride to the house was a good one. Knowing that heavy rains were in the forecast for tomorrow and the rest of the week, it just wasn't quite long enough. today only totaled 43 miles. But. They were good miles. I hope that tomorrows ride is dry and at least as good.
Hope to catch ya on the road
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Great Day
365 Group
This morning’s ride was great!
The weather warmed up and was forecasted to be in the seventies for today.
I strapped on all the work junk and hit the kick starter. While warming up, I finished a good cup of coffee and had the feeling, that this would good day.
I made it all the way to the highway without seeing a single car or other type of morning crazy. Pulling on to the highway and getting up to speed I felt a very cool wind on the exposed parts of my body. It was kind of a stinging feeling that almost hurt. It was short lived as the Sun came out and took away the morning chill.
My run down the long stretch of Highway 45 was quick. Everything was clicking and before I knew it I was turning off to skirt the mountain.
Running down Habberton Road I noticed several places where it looked like someone had piled into the ditch. I hadn’t seen anything on my way home yesterday so it must have been a busy night.
Turning on to Guy Terry Road I had to almost stop for a pack of hound dogs that were just trotting down the middle of the road. These guys had that lazy arrogant look about them. They finally moved over just enough to let me pass and I started trying to make up a little time. This piece of road is a great morning ride with all its curves and dips. It’s just too short. By the time you get really into it it’s over.
Butterfield Coach this morning was packed with cars and trucks. Most of them were running along at a decent pace. I caught a gap and hammered down having to run about 15 over just to keep out of everyone’s way. Running up to my next turnoff I caught a red light and was able to jump everyone and put a little distance between us.
It was apparent that I had missed the mark this morning and before I knew it I was in bumper to bumper traffic. Inching along I could feel the bike start to heat up. You can always tell by all the vibration and this morning we were “jiggling” right along. After about a quarter mile of stop and go I finally got an opening and was able to move some air across the engine and clean it out.
Pulling into work I saw that a couple of the guys had ridden theirs in and we sat about making plans for a short ride after work. Maybe head out to Eureka Springs for dinner?
It’s funny how quitting time is never early. But it finally showed up. All of us got together in the parking lot to see where to go for dinner. After much discussion we opted for an Oriental place on the south side of Fayetteville.
Traffic was light and we ran down 71 all the way to Sixth Street. On Sixth Street there was some kind of traffic pile up and we ended up “side streeting” around it.
The food was good and as usual everyone seemed to over eat.
Yes. This turned out to be a good day
Hope to catch ya on the road.
This morning’s ride was great!
The weather warmed up and was forecasted to be in the seventies for today.
I strapped on all the work junk and hit the kick starter. While warming up, I finished a good cup of coffee and had the feeling, that this would good day.
I made it all the way to the highway without seeing a single car or other type of morning crazy. Pulling on to the highway and getting up to speed I felt a very cool wind on the exposed parts of my body. It was kind of a stinging feeling that almost hurt. It was short lived as the Sun came out and took away the morning chill.
My run down the long stretch of Highway 45 was quick. Everything was clicking and before I knew it I was turning off to skirt the mountain.
Running down Habberton Road I noticed several places where it looked like someone had piled into the ditch. I hadn’t seen anything on my way home yesterday so it must have been a busy night.
Turning on to Guy Terry Road I had to almost stop for a pack of hound dogs that were just trotting down the middle of the road. These guys had that lazy arrogant look about them. They finally moved over just enough to let me pass and I started trying to make up a little time. This piece of road is a great morning ride with all its curves and dips. It’s just too short. By the time you get really into it it’s over.
Butterfield Coach this morning was packed with cars and trucks. Most of them were running along at a decent pace. I caught a gap and hammered down having to run about 15 over just to keep out of everyone’s way. Running up to my next turnoff I caught a red light and was able to jump everyone and put a little distance between us.
It was apparent that I had missed the mark this morning and before I knew it I was in bumper to bumper traffic. Inching along I could feel the bike start to heat up. You can always tell by all the vibration and this morning we were “jiggling” right along. After about a quarter mile of stop and go I finally got an opening and was able to move some air across the engine and clean it out.
Pulling into work I saw that a couple of the guys had ridden theirs in and we sat about making plans for a short ride after work. Maybe head out to Eureka Springs for dinner?
It’s funny how quitting time is never early. But it finally showed up. All of us got together in the parking lot to see where to go for dinner. After much discussion we opted for an Oriental place on the south side of Fayetteville.
Traffic was light and we ran down 71 all the way to Sixth Street. On Sixth Street there was some kind of traffic pile up and we ended up “side streeting” around it.
The food was good and as usual everyone seemed to over eat.
Yes. This turned out to be a good day
Hope to catch ya on the road.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday morning
This morning was cold and windy. Worse than yesterday. 30 degrees and the wind felt like it was twice as hard.
Having a bad back makes me just want to stay in a hot shower on cold mornings. However, bills still gotta be paid. With that in mind I suited up for another cool morning. The bike started on the first kick. As it was warming up I debated using my cold weather face mask. The mask works great for a cheapy. The only real problem with it on days like today is having to take it off everywhere I stop. Since a local bank was robbed by someone wearing a full face helmet, people get jumpy if your riding and they cant see your face. I opted for a long scarf.
I pulled around in the drive and headed down to the street to get in the morning traffic flow. This morning there wasn't any traffic to speak of, so that meant, due to over sleeping, there would be some lunatics on the road coming along behind me. With that in mind I hammered down to the Highway and the once on the highway I really let the hammer down. It's only a four mile run to where I get off the highway but I've had late running next door neighbors run right up mu backside on this stretch. Once I got about a half mile of pavement between me and the bridges I eased up and hit my groove for the rest of the run to my turn off.
Once I got off the highway and on to Habberton it was pretty much just me on the road. The cool seemed to be a little less as the sun broke out and it was just fun to ride.
I made pretty good time around Habberton and Guy Terry Road all the way to Butterfield Coach which was a let down of sorts. That few miles has some of the best dips and curves around. Perfect for riding. On Butterfield traffic really started picking up. Vehicles were coming in clusters of five and six at a time and moving quick. That old "pinball" feeling started up again as I got closer to the first traffic light. It's funny but it seems that when I ride I can always tell when people are running late. I made good time coming up Robinson to work. The lights were with me.
As I slid in to work I asked the Guard if anyone else had ridden in this morning. He grinned and said "too cold!". Secure in he knowledge that I still have the title, I headed in to watch the clock for eight hours till I can do it again.
Hope to catch ya on the road.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Cold ( NWA weather)
Today turned off cold compared to the past couple of days. A cold wet feeling wind made it uncomfortable to be out.
I headed out about ten to run down to the Grocery store. While the bike was warming I went back in to get my helmet and I happened to catch the weather channel. 47 degrees. Man it felt a lot colder.
Pulling out on to the pavement I had a gust of wind that felt like a truck had passed me at about seventy. This was such a raw contrast to yesterday that it really took some reminding myself that I had ridden in lots worse.
As I came up to the highway the wind eased a little and I figured that it wouldn't be all that bad. I cranked on the throttle and headed to the store. All along the way the wind would pick up and lay down. I really don't enjoy riding in this kind of weather. Too much like work.
Pulling into the Grocery store I saw a Road King in the lot. Well, at least I wasn't the only one.
I went down to the little deli/cafe they have and got a cheese danish and a cup of really good coffee and started my little dab of shopping.
I never found the Road King rider. It was gone when I came back out.
Packing my junk on the bike the wind was real light and it wasn't too bad out. I fired up and thought since I was already out that I would take a different route back to the house and see if the side roads were as windy. Heading up Old Missouri Road wasn't too bad. There was enough traffic to make you keep your speed down. I hit Old Wire Road and wound my way through the maze of county roads and finally made my was back to Gulley Road. This put me back on the Highway to the house. This time I only had one real bad gust of wind. The rest of the ride was kind of nice.
Along the foot of Slaughter I met a herd of Harley's heading toward Fayetteville. I recognised a couple of them and figured that they had went somewhere for the weekend and got caught by the cooler temperatures. They looked cold.
Pulling back in at the house I noticed that my 14 mile round trip this time was twenty three miles with the back road running that I had done. The wind wasn't as bad coming back and it was actually enjoyable. The way I feel today, I'd really have to think about starting off on a trip today. But, Then again if your heading south ...
Hope to catch ya on the road.
I headed out about ten to run down to the Grocery store. While the bike was warming I went back in to get my helmet and I happened to catch the weather channel. 47 degrees. Man it felt a lot colder.
Pulling out on to the pavement I had a gust of wind that felt like a truck had passed me at about seventy. This was such a raw contrast to yesterday that it really took some reminding myself that I had ridden in lots worse.
As I came up to the highway the wind eased a little and I figured that it wouldn't be all that bad. I cranked on the throttle and headed to the store. All along the way the wind would pick up and lay down. I really don't enjoy riding in this kind of weather. Too much like work.
Pulling into the Grocery store I saw a Road King in the lot. Well, at least I wasn't the only one.
I went down to the little deli/cafe they have and got a cheese danish and a cup of really good coffee and started my little dab of shopping.
I never found the Road King rider. It was gone when I came back out.
Packing my junk on the bike the wind was real light and it wasn't too bad out. I fired up and thought since I was already out that I would take a different route back to the house and see if the side roads were as windy. Heading up Old Missouri Road wasn't too bad. There was enough traffic to make you keep your speed down. I hit Old Wire Road and wound my way through the maze of county roads and finally made my was back to Gulley Road. This put me back on the Highway to the house. This time I only had one real bad gust of wind. The rest of the ride was kind of nice.
Along the foot of Slaughter I met a herd of Harley's heading toward Fayetteville. I recognised a couple of them and figured that they had went somewhere for the weekend and got caught by the cooler temperatures. They looked cold.
Pulling back in at the house I noticed that my 14 mile round trip this time was twenty three miles with the back road running that I had done. The wind wasn't as bad coming back and it was actually enjoyable. The way I feel today, I'd really have to think about starting off on a trip today. But, Then again if your heading south ...
Hope to catch ya on the road.
Running the Back Roads (the end)
365 Group
There is something to be said for running down I 40 at a 100 MPH early in the morning. I made a snap decision that I would wind the old bike up between Clarksville and Russellville and if absolutely necessary, I'd pay the ticket. After a few easy miles, letting traffic sort of settle, I opened up and pushed the bike up to 100 and kept it there till the sputtering and coughing stopped. Once it cleaned out I eased back to about seventy and floated along. Several times before I got to the Highway 7 exit I would run it back up around 90 to 100 and was very pleased. For a bike that's third handed and thirty two years old it ran smooth. Like a song.
I highly recommend The Hampton Inn in Russellville. The rooms are great and they have everything you could ask for including wireless Internet connection. The coffee maker was quick each time I used it and their breakfast wasn't bad at all.
After running down I 40 I slid off at the Highway 7 exit and went to the motel and got a room. stashing my junk I headed out to find some place to eat and got lucky. There is a Dixie Cafe just across the street. The food was excellent.
I fired back up and tooled the area to see how much it had changed since college a whole big bunch of years ago. About all I could see was the business names had changed.
After running around for a couple of hours I pulled into an older looking Phillips gas station with a service bay. I asked the attendant if I could change the oil and service my bike there. he started to stutter a little until I pointed out that I was buying my oil from him and that I would do the work. Actually all I needed was a place to dump the oil and old filter. He finally agreed and I rolled over to the side of the shop and started taking the lower side cover off to get to the oil filter. Once I got it all apart and the old filter off I did a good check of the old filter and the oil for metal shavings. Finding none, I washed everything down with Diesel and got my new filter out of my tool bag. Everything went back together without any of the stubbornness I have experienced in the past. Buying four quarts of 10w 40 the guy looked sorta relieved. I think he was worried that I was going to have him do something.
All topped off I told the attendant thanks and fired up.
I pulled out into moderate traffic and headed back North. My intent was to just run around town for a few miles and make sure there were no problems related to the oil change. So, I literally just cruised the side streets for about fifteen miles. I had a blast.
Finally I headed back to the Hampton and a late lunch. After lunch I thought about heading out to the lake or over to some of the old party spots for a trip down memory lane but I ended up in a long conversation with some local riders and before I knew it it was time to grab some supper and pack it in. I saddled up and hit the first Mexican place that come up and Got a big Carnitas dinner. They were good,hot and enough to take some with me for breakfast.
Back at the motel I settled down at the laptop and checked in with work and friends that weren't able to come with me. With all that High Tech stuff done I crawled in to a hot shower the settled in in front of the TV for some NCIS or CSI or some other "shoot em up". next thing I knew it was almost Seven thirty A.M. The TV was still rattling away. Guess I was more tired than I thought.
I put coffee on to make and headed down to the breakfast area for some munchies. After a pot of coffee and a couple of boxes of Rice Krispies, I put on another pot of coffee for the thermos and I grabbed a shower.
All packed up I filled my thermos and headed out to hit Highway 7 north.
Russellville and the small town of Dover have just about grown together. It really didn't seem to take any time at all before I was coming into the main part of Dover. Aside from the growing toward each other, Dover really didn't seem to have changed that much.
A few miles outside Dover I opened up to Highway speeds, more or less. I hit a groove at about 65 and made good time most of the way. Highway 7 running North is a tourers delight. It really is a slower paced two lane that seems to be in pretty good shape. traffic was light and the only drawback that I could see was the Tree Length Log Trucks that you occasionally came up on. They were long and slow. I had to follow one of about five miles before I found enough room to pass. Other than that I had a great ride on 7.
A few miles out of Dover/Russellville is a roadside camp ground called Mac's Pines. I pulled in there and looked around a little. I remember way back in the dark ages when it was first put in. It looked like they were doing pretty good as a tourist campground. As I chugged a cup of coffee I talked with a couple from Little Rock. They had been to the Country Shows in Branson and were heading home. It was kind of funny how they both kept saying how high gas was and how they should get a bike for their vacations. I could tell they weren't the type to ride. I did appreciate their attempt at being friendly.
After Mac's I took a lazy approach the rest of the way up 7. This trip was coming to and end and that's always a bummer. I stopped again at Hankins store in Pelsor and tried my Cell phone. No service sent me on down the road. My plan had been to check on mom and then ease on back up to the house. I finally got a connection along the Cowell area and pulled over to talk to mom and let her know I was coming by.
Pulling into moms I was struck by all the Ice damage. It hurt to look at the place.
I had a good visit with Mom and saddled back up and headed up to Clayborns store in Deer. I topped off my tank and checked the air pressure in my tires and started my last leg home.
Running down Highway 16 to 21 was nice. No traffic and in fact I didn't meet a single vehicle until I got to the Bridge in the Boxley valley.
Now as I have stated before. There is a lot to be said for Hush puppies. Yep! I stopped at Marble and got a dozen for an afternoon snack.
Pulling into the house it felt good to be back. My Little Republicans were happy to see me.
Hope to catch ya on the road.
There is something to be said for running down I 40 at a 100 MPH early in the morning. I made a snap decision that I would wind the old bike up between Clarksville and Russellville and if absolutely necessary, I'd pay the ticket. After a few easy miles, letting traffic sort of settle, I opened up and pushed the bike up to 100 and kept it there till the sputtering and coughing stopped. Once it cleaned out I eased back to about seventy and floated along. Several times before I got to the Highway 7 exit I would run it back up around 90 to 100 and was very pleased. For a bike that's third handed and thirty two years old it ran smooth. Like a song.
I highly recommend The Hampton Inn in Russellville. The rooms are great and they have everything you could ask for including wireless Internet connection. The coffee maker was quick each time I used it and their breakfast wasn't bad at all.
After running down I 40 I slid off at the Highway 7 exit and went to the motel and got a room. stashing my junk I headed out to find some place to eat and got lucky. There is a Dixie Cafe just across the street. The food was excellent.
I fired back up and tooled the area to see how much it had changed since college a whole big bunch of years ago. About all I could see was the business names had changed.
After running around for a couple of hours I pulled into an older looking Phillips gas station with a service bay. I asked the attendant if I could change the oil and service my bike there. he started to stutter a little until I pointed out that I was buying my oil from him and that I would do the work. Actually all I needed was a place to dump the oil and old filter. He finally agreed and I rolled over to the side of the shop and started taking the lower side cover off to get to the oil filter. Once I got it all apart and the old filter off I did a good check of the old filter and the oil for metal shavings. Finding none, I washed everything down with Diesel and got my new filter out of my tool bag. Everything went back together without any of the stubbornness I have experienced in the past. Buying four quarts of 10w 40 the guy looked sorta relieved. I think he was worried that I was going to have him do something.
All topped off I told the attendant thanks and fired up.
I pulled out into moderate traffic and headed back North. My intent was to just run around town for a few miles and make sure there were no problems related to the oil change. So, I literally just cruised the side streets for about fifteen miles. I had a blast.
Finally I headed back to the Hampton and a late lunch. After lunch I thought about heading out to the lake or over to some of the old party spots for a trip down memory lane but I ended up in a long conversation with some local riders and before I knew it it was time to grab some supper and pack it in. I saddled up and hit the first Mexican place that come up and Got a big Carnitas dinner. They were good,hot and enough to take some with me for breakfast.
Back at the motel I settled down at the laptop and checked in with work and friends that weren't able to come with me. With all that High Tech stuff done I crawled in to a hot shower the settled in in front of the TV for some NCIS or CSI or some other "shoot em up". next thing I knew it was almost Seven thirty A.M. The TV was still rattling away. Guess I was more tired than I thought.
I put coffee on to make and headed down to the breakfast area for some munchies. After a pot of coffee and a couple of boxes of Rice Krispies, I put on another pot of coffee for the thermos and I grabbed a shower.
All packed up I filled my thermos and headed out to hit Highway 7 north.
Russellville and the small town of Dover have just about grown together. It really didn't seem to take any time at all before I was coming into the main part of Dover. Aside from the growing toward each other, Dover really didn't seem to have changed that much.
A few miles outside Dover I opened up to Highway speeds, more or less. I hit a groove at about 65 and made good time most of the way. Highway 7 running North is a tourers delight. It really is a slower paced two lane that seems to be in pretty good shape. traffic was light and the only drawback that I could see was the Tree Length Log Trucks that you occasionally came up on. They were long and slow. I had to follow one of about five miles before I found enough room to pass. Other than that I had a great ride on 7.
A few miles out of Dover/Russellville is a roadside camp ground called Mac's Pines. I pulled in there and looked around a little. I remember way back in the dark ages when it was first put in. It looked like they were doing pretty good as a tourist campground. As I chugged a cup of coffee I talked with a couple from Little Rock. They had been to the Country Shows in Branson and were heading home. It was kind of funny how they both kept saying how high gas was and how they should get a bike for their vacations. I could tell they weren't the type to ride. I did appreciate their attempt at being friendly.
After Mac's I took a lazy approach the rest of the way up 7. This trip was coming to and end and that's always a bummer. I stopped again at Hankins store in Pelsor and tried my Cell phone. No service sent me on down the road. My plan had been to check on mom and then ease on back up to the house. I finally got a connection along the Cowell area and pulled over to talk to mom and let her know I was coming by.
Pulling into moms I was struck by all the Ice damage. It hurt to look at the place.
I had a good visit with Mom and saddled back up and headed up to Clayborns store in Deer. I topped off my tank and checked the air pressure in my tires and started my last leg home.
Running down Highway 16 to 21 was nice. No traffic and in fact I didn't meet a single vehicle until I got to the Bridge in the Boxley valley.
Now as I have stated before. There is a lot to be said for Hush puppies. Yep! I stopped at Marble and got a dozen for an afternoon snack.
Pulling into the house it felt good to be back. My Little Republicans were happy to see me.
Hope to catch ya on the road.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Running the BackRoads (part two)
365 Group
This morning when I got up was a contrast to yesterday. I had ice on my bike and it was cold!
After some bumbling around I jumped into a hot shower and took my time. I wasn't going anywhere until the ice had melted. (at least off the seat)
The motel was nice in that they had a coffee maker in the room.
I had made a lazy day yesterday in coming from home to Clarksville. I managed to find a motel that was sort of off the beaten path. They even gave me a discount as I was on a bike. I spent the most of the afternoon just tooling around Clarksville and the area. It had been a bunch of years since since I had been in this area other than passing through. After running all over town, twice. I packed it in to the motel. Since I still had a few minutes of daylight left I did some minor maintenance on the bike. Checking on the new stuff I'd bolted on before this trip. Everything seemed to be holding up good so I guess it's a keeper. After checking over the bike I ate a few of the Hush puppies I had left.
As I get older all those years of Dirt Bikes and Hard Tails have taken there toll on my back. After about a hundred and fifty-seventy five miles, a hot shower just seems to hit the spot.
After the shower and a couple more Hush Puppies I sacked out in front of the Discovery Channel.
With the shower over and the morning coffee drank. I headed back out to see if it had warmed up any. Everything had melted and I toweled off the bike.
Pulling out from the parking lot I decided to do sometihing I normally dont ever do, jump on I 40 to run down to Russellville. I dont like interstate riding for lots of reasons but today I wanted to open the old bike up and kind of blow the soot out of it.
Catch ya on the road
This morning when I got up was a contrast to yesterday. I had ice on my bike and it was cold!
After some bumbling around I jumped into a hot shower and took my time. I wasn't going anywhere until the ice had melted. (at least off the seat)
The motel was nice in that they had a coffee maker in the room.
I had made a lazy day yesterday in coming from home to Clarksville. I managed to find a motel that was sort of off the beaten path. They even gave me a discount as I was on a bike. I spent the most of the afternoon just tooling around Clarksville and the area. It had been a bunch of years since since I had been in this area other than passing through. After running all over town, twice. I packed it in to the motel. Since I still had a few minutes of daylight left I did some minor maintenance on the bike. Checking on the new stuff I'd bolted on before this trip. Everything seemed to be holding up good so I guess it's a keeper. After checking over the bike I ate a few of the Hush puppies I had left.
As I get older all those years of Dirt Bikes and Hard Tails have taken there toll on my back. After about a hundred and fifty-seventy five miles, a hot shower just seems to hit the spot.
After the shower and a couple more Hush Puppies I sacked out in front of the Discovery Channel.
With the shower over and the morning coffee drank. I headed back out to see if it had warmed up any. Everything had melted and I toweled off the bike.
Pulling out from the parking lot I decided to do sometihing I normally dont ever do, jump on I 40 to run down to Russellville. I dont like interstate riding for lots of reasons but today I wanted to open the old bike up and kind of blow the soot out of it.
Catch ya on the road
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Running the back roads
365 GROUP
NOTE I am adding to this as I go along. Hopefully it will be finished Sunday evening.
The weather for this first week in April is on again, off again. Cool, rainy and warm. I had been trying to get away for some time now that the weather had started to warm. Today seemed like a good day as it was fifty six degrees when I got up. I made a fast phone call to work and took the day off.
Looking out at my ride and the clear morning I started packing a few things to take with me. My Rain Gear, Sleeping bag, laptop and light camping equipment. I even packed a flask of Crown Royal just in case of Snake bite.
Strapping everything on as my pups ran around terrorizing everything in sight I thought about how much fun it would be to take them with me on one of these trips. Then I remembered that they don’t do well with a motorcycle in any way. If they have to have anymore contact than running around and barking and sniffing with a bike they seem to would rather stay in the house. But still, it would be fun to have them along.
With everything tied on I headed back to the house to fill my small thermos with coffee and “wool” the pups around one more time before I go. They know the drill and milk being outside for as long as they can. They are quite the “vermin”.
Heading down the drive way I figure to top off my tank then head east toward Harrison, Jasper and maybe on down to Russellville to spend the night.
After topping off I look toward the East and all the over cast sky and pull out on Highway 45.
Traffic was light as I rode along in the morning cool. I figure that I timed it just right and missed the morning going to work and school crowds. Jumping onto Highway 412 I fell in with some traffic and made good time
Before I knew it I was coming into Marble. Marble is a mandatory stop for me on any run. They make some killer hush puppies and I always grab about a dozen to snack on.
After about a half dozen hot hush puppies and a couple of cups of coffee I was ready to hit the road again. Pulling on to 412 I made a snap change in plans and decided to head down 21 and go across to 16 and down to Clarksville. I hadn't been this way in a while and thought it would be nice to just ride the back roads and dodge deer for a while.
So far the trip was a nice smooth ride. I only hit rain once, as I was coming out of Kingston, and it was light and short lived. The run through the Boxley Valley was, as always, way too short.
I was hoping to make it to Fallsville and have a cup of coffee and if the store is open top off my tank. The store didn't look like it was open so I poured a cup of coffee and just sort of relaxed. It's nice to just set along the road for about half an hour and not see a single vehicle of any kind. A far contrast to the Springdale area.
After the coffee I jumped on the starter,fired up and hit the road again.
Hope to catch ya on the road
NOTE I am adding to this as I go along. Hopefully it will be finished Sunday evening.
The weather for this first week in April is on again, off again. Cool, rainy and warm. I had been trying to get away for some time now that the weather had started to warm. Today seemed like a good day as it was fifty six degrees when I got up. I made a fast phone call to work and took the day off.
Looking out at my ride and the clear morning I started packing a few things to take with me. My Rain Gear, Sleeping bag, laptop and light camping equipment. I even packed a flask of Crown Royal just in case of Snake bite.
Strapping everything on as my pups ran around terrorizing everything in sight I thought about how much fun it would be to take them with me on one of these trips. Then I remembered that they don’t do well with a motorcycle in any way. If they have to have anymore contact than running around and barking and sniffing with a bike they seem to would rather stay in the house. But still, it would be fun to have them along.
With everything tied on I headed back to the house to fill my small thermos with coffee and “wool” the pups around one more time before I go. They know the drill and milk being outside for as long as they can. They are quite the “vermin”.
Heading down the drive way I figure to top off my tank then head east toward Harrison, Jasper and maybe on down to Russellville to spend the night.
After topping off I look toward the East and all the over cast sky and pull out on Highway 45.
Traffic was light as I rode along in the morning cool. I figure that I timed it just right and missed the morning going to work and school crowds. Jumping onto Highway 412 I fell in with some traffic and made good time
Before I knew it I was coming into Marble. Marble is a mandatory stop for me on any run. They make some killer hush puppies and I always grab about a dozen to snack on.
After about a half dozen hot hush puppies and a couple of cups of coffee I was ready to hit the road again. Pulling on to 412 I made a snap change in plans and decided to head down 21 and go across to 16 and down to Clarksville. I hadn't been this way in a while and thought it would be nice to just ride the back roads and dodge deer for a while.
So far the trip was a nice smooth ride. I only hit rain once, as I was coming out of Kingston, and it was light and short lived. The run through the Boxley Valley was, as always, way too short.
I was hoping to make it to Fallsville and have a cup of coffee and if the store is open top off my tank. The store didn't look like it was open so I poured a cup of coffee and just sort of relaxed. It's nice to just set along the road for about half an hour and not see a single vehicle of any kind. A far contrast to the Springdale area.
After the coffee I jumped on the starter,fired up and hit the road again.
Hope to catch ya on the road
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