365 Group (f)
These last couple of days have been great riding weather. Even with the storms that have blown through the area.
Since I made the return trip from mom's I haven't been doing a whole lot of riding. Mostly to and from work. I seemed to have redeveloped a Medical condition and, like the last time, it's painful and really saps the energy. I have a worn out disk in my lower back just at the belt line. That with a coupled with a couple of other chronic worn out body parts just sort of puts the damper on doing a lot. Especially with what I fondly refer to as a "roughbutt" frame. that and a cantankerous kick starter. At seventy miles per hour and only 3/4 of an inch give, it rides a little rough. So I have been doing only what I can to get by as far as riding. To and from work, the Doctor a couple of times and the necessary restaurant,bill paying,etc. I'm averaging about sixty miles per day. Enough to keep my standing in the Group.
I am doing lots of planning. I have a couple of Bobber projects kicking around in the back of my mind. I'm spending this "down time" researching bike magazines and the Internet to see how things look in actual play. I've also began picking up parts here and there so my time isn't totally wasted. Ya know, this is the Bikin part.
There is a gathering coming up this weekend in Eureka Springs of an on line bike group, "Biker or Not" or "BON" that I belong to. I'm hoping to be healed enough to make at least one day of it. Maybe meet a couple of the people I've met on there and take a few pictures.
Anyway, I been doin lots of "bikin" and not a lot of "Ridin" lately. Doctors say it may all come to a halt soon. If that is actually the case, you know hat that will mean? Trike sales will go up a wee bit.
Catch ya on the road
Showing posts with label Eureka Springs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eureka Springs. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
6/13/09 Retiree's, their friends and a Traveling Circus
365 Group (f)
This morning I woke up to a foggy damp day.
While waiting for everything to dry off I got the "republicans" all ready for the day. They seemed to appreciate the effort.
I had hoped to be on the road by 7:30 or so. With the fog That got pushed back some.
At about 9:30 the fog was finally gone. I hit the road and heading east. I was hoping to make Harrison before noon and meet up with some tourists from North Missouri I had met last night. With the storms that blew through yesterday and the forecast for last night they had planned to get a motel for the night and get a later start out of Eureka Springs the next morning.We'd meet at the Airport in Harrison around noon. The plan was I was going to be a guide of sorts for them through the hills down to Russellville. They were wanting to see some of the out of the way places in the area. The Buffalo River and some of the other attractions. Once at Russellville they were picking up the interstate to Memphis.
As I rode along I felt that it was about time for a new chain and sprockets. I was getting some high speed vibration and that is usually a good sign it's time for a change. I might try and get it done in Harrison if I make good enough time and the folks from Missouri aren't real punctual.
As I came over the hill to the station at Alpena I noticed a big bunch of bikes. Looked like a poker run on steroids. I couldn't resist so I pulled in to see what was going on. Seemed that there were several groups out fairly early and they happened to pull in at about the same time for gas and restroom and all that. It was a blast talking with the riders and looking over some of their bikes. I grabbed a cup of coffee and walked out to take off. A couple of couples were looking over my old antique. One of the guys said he hadn't seen one like it on the road in years. Not since his college days. I was impressed, he actually knew what it was and a little about it. They all thought it pretty cool. I even explained that it was now a kick start only and asked if there were any volunteers to start it. All got sort of red faced but declined my generous offer. Handing my coffee to one of the ladies I leaned on to the starter and she fired up about half way through. They all seemed impressed. I took my coffee back and put it in the specialized carrier (jammed in between the brake line and tach body) by the tach and told everyone adios.
Pulling back on to the highway I wound the old bike out so they could get the full benefit of my specialized glass packs.
Before I knew it I was coming down the hill to hit 65 and head into Harrison. Running up the four lane I decided to skip the bike shop and head on out to the Airport and see if anyone was waiting. I pulled into the parking lot at the Boone County Regional Airport and didn't see anyone. Hoping I was early I eased over to the State Police Headquarters next door to check the time. 10:55. I was doing good. I thought I would head down and grab a biscuit. As I was pulling out I heard the low rumble of several Harley's. Seeing my group coming down the access road , the biscuit would have to wait.
Everyone was ready to get this "adventure" started so I told them that I would lead them around the city on some back road two lanes and we would be coming into Hwy 7 off of Hwy 206. I took off and rode slow so we didn't lose any one at intersections. Once on 206 I opened up a little and we made good time. As we pulled up to Hwy 7 I explained The Hub over at Dogpatch and told them that I wanted to show it to them in case they were ever back through this country. Pulling the spur to the Hub we made a lot of noise. I pulled up and parked. I explained that this used to be the amusement park Dogpatch USA and now it was a Motorcycle Resort with a Motel and really good restaurant. They all got off and went in to look things over. I stayed close to the bikes and visited with a couple of the locals until everyone was ready to take off again.
Running back down the spur I think we made more noise than we did going up. It was way fun listening to the rumbling.
Heading south on Hwy 7 we made the short run over to the Buffalo river at Pruitt. We crossed the bridge and pulled in at the Ranger station. After a few minutes there we were back on the road heading toward Jasper and the cut across to the Boxley valley. Elk was a topic and I told them that we could take a detour through an area where they might get to see part of the local Elk population and would get to see some really beautifull country. Everyone was up for it and seemed excited.
Running up the mountain toward Mt. Sherman and Low gap I took it a little slower than normal to point out a few things as we traveled. My real reason was I wasn't too sure how much twisty road experience this bunch had. I didn't want to have anyone stack their bike in the ditch. Not on my watch.
Running down the mountain, with all the scenery and the rumble of all the bikes holding in third gear it made for a great ride. As we crossed the bridge I pulled everyone over and explained the lay out of the miles ahead of up and pointed out that the Elk were likely to be anywhere along the road from here over to where we started back up the mountain. I suggested that they might want to get their cameras out and if they wanted to take a picture just pull over. I strongly recommended against trying take pictures while riding unfamiliar roads. All seemed to get the drift of my thinking. Taking off we ambled slowly along almost to the junction of Hwy 21. In the big field that is across from this junction the Elk were on parade. I showed everyone where to pull off and they got to take a few pictures.
Saddling back up we headed up 21 and out to Hwy 16 and made for Deer and Gas at Clayborns Store. While we topped off all seemed to be tickled with the trip. Especially the roads, the twisting and turning. "Nothing like these roads back home".
After topping off we ran the two miles down 16 to Hwy 7 and again headed south.
The rest of the trip to Russellville was pretty much uneventful. I showed them "Booger Hollow" and Mac's Pines Campground as well as gave them a general idea of attractions like Pedestal Rocks that were in the area.
We pulled into Russellville around six and headed down to the Dixie cafe for some chow. It was a great meal. Everyone had a good time and all told me that they really enjoyed the ride. We sat and talked for almost two hours around the table at the Dixie. As things broke up I told them of my plans to make the 70 miles or so back to my mom's for the night. I also recommended the Hampton Inn across the street.
I took a couple of pictures of this bunch and told all of them to call me if there was any trouble along the rest of the trip and headed back North to Deer,mom's and some really good food.
By myself I made really good time on the ride up to mom's. Before I knew it I was there.
I think I'll spend the night and hit it again tomorrow...since I'm already out.
Catch ya on the road
This morning I woke up to a foggy damp day.
While waiting for everything to dry off I got the "republicans" all ready for the day. They seemed to appreciate the effort.
I had hoped to be on the road by 7:30 or so. With the fog That got pushed back some.
At about 9:30 the fog was finally gone. I hit the road and heading east. I was hoping to make Harrison before noon and meet up with some tourists from North Missouri I had met last night. With the storms that blew through yesterday and the forecast for last night they had planned to get a motel for the night and get a later start out of Eureka Springs the next morning.We'd meet at the Airport in Harrison around noon. The plan was I was going to be a guide of sorts for them through the hills down to Russellville. They were wanting to see some of the out of the way places in the area. The Buffalo River and some of the other attractions. Once at Russellville they were picking up the interstate to Memphis.
As I rode along I felt that it was about time for a new chain and sprockets. I was getting some high speed vibration and that is usually a good sign it's time for a change. I might try and get it done in Harrison if I make good enough time and the folks from Missouri aren't real punctual.
As I came over the hill to the station at Alpena I noticed a big bunch of bikes. Looked like a poker run on steroids. I couldn't resist so I pulled in to see what was going on. Seemed that there were several groups out fairly early and they happened to pull in at about the same time for gas and restroom and all that. It was a blast talking with the riders and looking over some of their bikes. I grabbed a cup of coffee and walked out to take off. A couple of couples were looking over my old antique. One of the guys said he hadn't seen one like it on the road in years. Not since his college days. I was impressed, he actually knew what it was and a little about it. They all thought it pretty cool. I even explained that it was now a kick start only and asked if there were any volunteers to start it. All got sort of red faced but declined my generous offer. Handing my coffee to one of the ladies I leaned on to the starter and she fired up about half way through. They all seemed impressed. I took my coffee back and put it in the specialized carrier (jammed in between the brake line and tach body) by the tach and told everyone adios.
Pulling back on to the highway I wound the old bike out so they could get the full benefit of my specialized glass packs.
Before I knew it I was coming down the hill to hit 65 and head into Harrison. Running up the four lane I decided to skip the bike shop and head on out to the Airport and see if anyone was waiting. I pulled into the parking lot at the Boone County Regional Airport and didn't see anyone. Hoping I was early I eased over to the State Police Headquarters next door to check the time. 10:55. I was doing good. I thought I would head down and grab a biscuit. As I was pulling out I heard the low rumble of several Harley's. Seeing my group coming down the access road , the biscuit would have to wait.
Everyone was ready to get this "adventure" started so I told them that I would lead them around the city on some back road two lanes and we would be coming into Hwy 7 off of Hwy 206. I took off and rode slow so we didn't lose any one at intersections. Once on 206 I opened up a little and we made good time. As we pulled up to Hwy 7 I explained The Hub over at Dogpatch and told them that I wanted to show it to them in case they were ever back through this country. Pulling the spur to the Hub we made a lot of noise. I pulled up and parked. I explained that this used to be the amusement park Dogpatch USA and now it was a Motorcycle Resort with a Motel and really good restaurant. They all got off and went in to look things over. I stayed close to the bikes and visited with a couple of the locals until everyone was ready to take off again.
Running back down the spur I think we made more noise than we did going up. It was way fun listening to the rumbling.
Heading south on Hwy 7 we made the short run over to the Buffalo river at Pruitt. We crossed the bridge and pulled in at the Ranger station. After a few minutes there we were back on the road heading toward Jasper and the cut across to the Boxley valley. Elk was a topic and I told them that we could take a detour through an area where they might get to see part of the local Elk population and would get to see some really beautifull country. Everyone was up for it and seemed excited.
Running up the mountain toward Mt. Sherman and Low gap I took it a little slower than normal to point out a few things as we traveled. My real reason was I wasn't too sure how much twisty road experience this bunch had. I didn't want to have anyone stack their bike in the ditch. Not on my watch.
Running down the mountain, with all the scenery and the rumble of all the bikes holding in third gear it made for a great ride. As we crossed the bridge I pulled everyone over and explained the lay out of the miles ahead of up and pointed out that the Elk were likely to be anywhere along the road from here over to where we started back up the mountain. I suggested that they might want to get their cameras out and if they wanted to take a picture just pull over. I strongly recommended against trying take pictures while riding unfamiliar roads. All seemed to get the drift of my thinking. Taking off we ambled slowly along almost to the junction of Hwy 21. In the big field that is across from this junction the Elk were on parade. I showed everyone where to pull off and they got to take a few pictures.
Saddling back up we headed up 21 and out to Hwy 16 and made for Deer and Gas at Clayborns Store. While we topped off all seemed to be tickled with the trip. Especially the roads, the twisting and turning. "Nothing like these roads back home".
After topping off we ran the two miles down 16 to Hwy 7 and again headed south.
The rest of the trip to Russellville was pretty much uneventful. I showed them "Booger Hollow" and Mac's Pines Campground as well as gave them a general idea of attractions like Pedestal Rocks that were in the area.
We pulled into Russellville around six and headed down to the Dixie cafe for some chow. It was a great meal. Everyone had a good time and all told me that they really enjoyed the ride. We sat and talked for almost two hours around the table at the Dixie. As things broke up I told them of my plans to make the 70 miles or so back to my mom's for the night. I also recommended the Hampton Inn across the street.
I took a couple of pictures of this bunch and told all of them to call me if there was any trouble along the rest of the trip and headed back North to Deer,mom's and some really good food.
By myself I made really good time on the ride up to mom's. Before I knew it I was there.
I think I'll spend the night and hit it again tomorrow...since I'm already out.
Catch ya on the road
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.
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