5/31/09 mom's b-day

365 Group (f)

This morning was an almost perfect morning to go for a ride. Bright and sunny. temperatures suppose to be in the eighties.

I strapped on my coffee thermos and camera, jumped on the starter and headed east.
Traffic was light as the church crowds hadn't started out yet. I pretty much had the road to myself until I got over to Hwy 412. As it was still cool the bike was running like a new one and I made good time.
At 412 I hit the merge lane and got blown off the road by a Harley with a small car tailgating it. Thinking that this might not be a good thing I backed off a little and let these two crazies get on down the road. After a couple of miles they slowed down and the car was matching the bike, move for move. At a passing lane the rider waved me around. I figured that the two were traveling together and the car was afraid of losing sight of the bike.
The rest of my trip down to Deer was a good one. The bike ran great and the weather was perfect.
I made it to my mom's in just over an hour. Just in time to wish her a happy birthday and ask what was for breakfast.
I had a good visit with the family and about five I headed back to the land of fruits and nuts.
The ride back up was a much slower pace. I took my time and just settled into a good comfortable ride.
At the Boxley Valley I slowed and looked over some floaters on the river. Looked like they had high centered their canoe and were having a devil of a time trying to get it off the rocks. I took a couple of pictures and then yelled at them and when they looked at me got a couple more. They didn't seem to fully appreciate the humor of their situation like I did.
Back on the road I met a few bikes heading the opposite direction and every body waved and grinned like they were having fun.
Pulling back into town I opted for a burger and headed for the cafe to top off the bike's tank and my hungry stomach.
It was a good ride and a perfect day for it. Hopefully I can do it again next weekend.
Catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/30/09 a great morning

365 Group (f)

This morning I woke to a absolutely gorgeous day for riding.

I had managed to get in a few miles after work yesterday and that seemed to just make for a good nights sleep. As a result, today I was ready to hit the road for at least a couple or three hundred miles. While mulling over the wherefore's and where to of a short day trip, I got an invitation to breakfast and an early movie. Cant turn down free anything, especially food.
I saddled up and headed toward Fayetteville. Lots of fast moving traffic greeted me as I got on Hwy 45. That was OK I was in a hurry sort of mind. Coming out of town I met a long herd of bikes. It looked like about thirty or so. A poker run maybe? Looked like everyone was having fun.
Pulling in to Fayetteville I hit a couple of side streets that would let me make some time and stay in third gear. Some of these side roads are great for missing the bulk of things and even though you don't get up any speed, it balances out.
I made it to the Village Inn and had breakfast with a good looking woman and then we went on and watched the movie "UP". It was great movie! I think it is billed as a kids movie but We had a blast. For what ever it's worth, I highly recommend it.
After the movie I slipped out on to College ave. and made a quick run down town to cut across and head home. Once I got on the east side of town traffic started clearing a little. leaving just the "totally crazy". I saw two very close calls at traffic lights. Bikes with the right of way and cars not paying attention. I was actually glad to get back out on the highway.
It's only about nine or ten miles back to the house. This morning they were really enjoyable. I just sat there and listened to the engine hum and the chain sing.
Since the day was already into afternoon I decided to make my day trip. tomorrow. That way I wont have to hire a pup sitter and hope to make an early start in the morning.
Yep! It was a good morning. Good food, company, a good short ride of about thirty or so miles. I could stand to do this all the time.
Catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/29/09 morning fog

365 Group (F)

This morning there was a lot of ground fog.

With the weather constantly changing these last few days I never know what to expect in the mornings.
I headed`out a little earlier than usual to try and get a couple of extra stops in. The bike seemed to be running better in the moist air. Before I knew it I was pulling into Fayetteville. After the money order-bill paying that goes with Ebay, I headed out down 265 for work.
The fog wasn't as bad along 265 as it had been coming from home. Traffic was light at that hour and everyone seemed to be behaving themselves on the road. In fact, this is the first morning that there has been fog that I haven't had a close call of some kind.
Since I was running a little early it figured that I would get behind every school bus in N.W. Arkansas. Still, I decided to try and find a Biscuit something or other for breakfast. I headed west on 412 to seventy one and went north. At the Sonic I noticed a bunch of bikes and figured that this would be the place for a biscuit. I pulled in and parked beside the bikes and went in. I didn't know any of the riders. They were traveling through on their way to Eureka Springs and Branson. After a few minutes of chat I got my breakfast and headed on over to work.
Pulling in to work I noticed that the fog kept most every one from riding today. Or that's the story they will use. I parked and ambled in to find out that today was going to be a short one. Seems that something is broke that shouldn't be so we'll be getting out just about whenever we want. This being Friday, I'm thinking around lunch time would be a good time to make a run for it.
I think lunch in Eureka Springs would be in order. Be a nice short ride anyway.
Catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/28/09 like a poker run only with fish.

365 Group (F)

This morning was a great riding morning!


Aside from the usual ride into work, which is still the best way to get rid of those early morning cobwebs, going off smoothly.
I pulled up to a traffic light and noticed another bike pulled over on the shoulder. Me being me pulled over on the shoulder and asked if there was a problem. There wasn't, just a pit stop to make a phone call.

One word led to another and a fishing trip was born.

The guy on the side of the road was Danny. He rides a Shadow and likes to fish. We got to talking and I explained that I had been trying to get up some riders to take off with me on a ride where every time we crossed a river or lake or creek we'd stop and do a little fishing. At the end of the day we would have a cookout, or, find a burger place.
Danny thought this was quite possibly one of the greatest ideas mankind has ever heard of. (did I mention that he rides and likes to fish?) We traded phone numbers and I headed on for work. I dodged traffic all through town like it was bonus point day for getting anyone on a bike. Finally pulling into work I saw several others had ridden so I figured I would bring the fishing trip to a couple and see how it goes.
At lunch time I visited with a few of the others that rode a lot and told them of the fishing trip. A couple seemed really interested and so we set about making plans and mapping a course. Also, around lunch time I got a couple of calls from guys I didn't know. All asking about this fishing trip. Evidently they had been talking to Danny and he had sic'd em on me.
Currently we are planning on a small trip, seventy five to a hundred miles, as kind of a shake down to work the bugs out. Hopefully this will be a lot of fun and draw a fair number of riders in the future. We even have a volunteer to drive the support truck with a cooler full of Ice to pack what we catch.
Think about it. Riding a bike and fishing. Does it get any better than that?
Catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/27/09 daily therapy

365 Group (f)
This morning was a cool, sixty seven degrees, overcast, kind of damp feeling morning.
I loaded the bike and started out for work. The ride was great. Traffic was light and the bike was running like a song.
I started my run around the mountain and toyed with the idea of calling in. Kind of had the idea of seeing how far down the road I could get before the rain caught up to me.
Anyway, I made my run to work and apparently was the only rider on the road. I didn't see another bike anywhere.
Pulling into work I noticed that a lot of the employees had ridden. That always makes for a good day.
As the day slowly wore on, I had a chance to talk some of the others and we set up and after work ride for drinks.
Quitting time finally arrived and we all headed out to a little Mexican place that was on the way home for most of us. It was a lot of fun. Blasting through traffic, a dozen of us, cars moved over giving us room at just about every turn.
We had a good get together and the beer was cold. I headed out for the house and thought that this was a good day. Even if the rides were only to and from work. I was still riding and have a big time.
Catch ya on the road.

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/25/09 Memorial Day

365 Group (f)
Yesterdays storm dumped about an inch and a half of rain and continued through out the night.
This morning when I got out the sky was still very rainy looking. I thought that I would probably be better driving my car and started getting ready. I don't really like taking my car as it tends to make me feel less attentive in traffic. I may be wrong but I feel a lot sharper and more in control when I'm on my bike.
My Pup's looked like they had no interest whatsoever in going out in all that wet. I started out to take the car and heard the sounds of a big v twin over on the road. looking again at the sky I turned and went back to the hose for a couple of plastic bags and an extra pair of dry socks. I struggled into my rain gear and packed all my junk in the plastic, strapped it on and hit the kicker. About half way through the kick she fired off. Now I was beginning to feel right about all I had planned for the day.
Bouncing down my worn out driveway was a workout in itself, Dodging all the slimy red clay that had surfaced. I got on to the pavement and slung gravel and clay for about a hundred yards as I took off. I really don't like red clay.
At the highway there wasn't any traffic as I headed west. Remembering that today was memorial day explained the absence of traffic. I got up to speed and had a great run for about ten miles. The pavement was all washed off and I was making really good time.
Pulling into Fayetteville I ran by the ATM and got some lunch money and it started to rain a little. I sat for a few minutes and it didn't get any heavier so I pulled out and went North toward Springdale. Traffic started to pick up a little but I wasn't slowed any. It was a good morning to ride.
Pulling into Springdale I headed for a close fast food place and got Biscuit something or other covered in cheese. After eating I jumped back on and headed the last few blocks to work. Stopping to chat with the Guard at the Gate I found that over half the company would be off today and also noticed that several bikes were on the road. Holiday weekenders, caught out in this storm.
Since no one was working today I managed to park up under the awning.
It was a great morning ride. Hope the afternoon one is as much fun.
catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/23/09 Short fun

365 Group (f)

Today was nice. Warm and clear. I had relatives stop by for a while so I didn't get to get out on the road like I had planned.

I did manage to get out about three or so. I headed down to the Gas station and topped off the tank then headed east. After a few miles I pulled over to try and take some pictures. In the blink of an eye the sky darkened and thunder started booming. I jumped back on and shot off down the road toward the small community of Hindsville. My thought was to get to the Gas station there and at least wait out the storm.
This was something. There wasn't anyone talking about rain or any kind of bad weather before I left. Now here I was looking for something to crawl under.
I pulled up to the station and went in. Thinking I might just have to get back out in a storm I took my rain gear with me. The lady behind the counter asked if I had brought the rain with me. I got a coke and assured her that I wasn't to blame.
After a few minutes it looked like the storm was headed away from me so I headed back out. I caught Hwy. 412 and continued East. My though was to run over to Carrol County and maybe get some pictures of the Dam and Lake. Down almost to the first turn off to Huntsville I came upon a couple of bikes and pulled up beside them. They were up from Dallas, on the road since early morning, heading on over to Branson. We visited a little and they were ready to get on the road again. They were afraid of getting caught in a shower. I rode along with them for a few miles to the turnoff to Eureka Springs.
After I left 412 I noticed lots of vehicles pulling boats. I thought this odd for a Saturday afternoon on a Holiday weekend. Usually you cant blast people off the lake in weather like this.I finally got to talk to a couple of them and from what they told me I was fixing to get wet. Apparently the storm was coming down in front of me. Thinking about it. While I don't really mind riding in the rain if I have to, I try not to start out in it. So I headed back in the direction of the house. I ended up running the back roads through the little communities of Old Alabam and Alabam and Clifty. From Clifty I ran over and caught Hwy. 412 again and on up to a little cut across called Blue Springs Road that took me across the lake and on to Hwy. 45. Just about a half mile from the house.
Thinking about the time of day I decided to go up to the Gas station where I'd started this ride and hit their little Grill and get a burger.
As I pulled in I noticed that the same locals that were there earlier were still in place. One of them commented to me that "that didn't take long" and asked if I got rained out. As we were discussing the storm that seemed to be following me the sky opened up and poured. I had just barely made it in. The wind picked up and started blowing rain sideways. Everyone started inside and I grabbed my camera and jacket and joined them.
I ended up eating my burger and waiting for almost an hour for the storm to pass enough
that I didn't have to suit up to get the half mile on up to the house.
It was a real short ride, onl;y about 80 miles, that didn't go anywhere. It didn't even go anywhere near the way I had planned. But, it was fun.
I've had worse Holiday weekends. Tomorrow I'm going to try another short ride around the home area and see how far I get.
Catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com