Ducati Monster Forum

In lieu of our annual Hill Country Extravaganza, I thought we should try an epic Arkansas trip; four days, three nights of some of the best riding roads in the southwest.  Anyone who has ever ventured this far north will know exactly what I'm talking about.

These are only TENTATIVE plans and I look forward to more feedback from those interested in making this mega trip.  Dates are somewhat flexible but I figure planning this far out in advance will help plus we should be getting into the changing of the leaves.

The way I've got it figured right now is we'll hoof it to Hot Springs on Friday a.m. for one night (take advantage of the hot spring spas in the basement of the historic Arlington Hotel).   Click on "Spa" for more info (reservations are recommended):  
http://arlingtonhotel.com/ (http://arlingtonhotel.com/)  The hotel bar and veranda re not to be missed either.

Then spend all day Saturday enjoying the scenery along the way to Mount Magazine State Park where we can rent a fully furnished cabin that sleeps six (it's more modern and new than the cabins at Koyote Ranch).  Each cabin has a fireplace and a giant hot tub on a huge covered deck that overlooks a gorgeous valley.  Click on "Cabins" for more specific info    http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com/ (http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com/)

Sunday we can spend all day riding in and round Mount Magazine, then come back and spend Sunday night back at the cabin.

Monday will be a travel day back home.

The only other thing I can add about these places we'll be staying is that our family has stayed there many times over the years and they're both good value for the money and clean.  There are plenty of things to do and the staff are friendly.

One thing I think Sam and are going to do in about two weeks is spend three days driving the possible ride route; Sam's getting a little used Fiat 500 with a stick and so what better way to get him acquainted with proper roads and good driving techniques than to flog it long Talimena Trail?  [laugh]  We'll GPS the whole route so we've got no guess work when we get to the actual Ducati October ride weekend.

This has the potential to be awesome - I hope everyone can make plans to be there!

Just picked up the Fiat Abarth.  Love that car!  Have fun.  Probably not going to make this trip due to a heavy work schedule but sounds like a great trip!   [thumbsup]

I'm in!!!  ;D [thumbsup] [Dolph]

sorry, out.

damn... :(

I gotta work friday night.  sorry, would love to but I cant.

I hear the roads in AR are pretty nice. ;D Too far on the calender for me but I do love riding up there. I'll keep it on the back burner. [thumbsup] [Dolph]

OK, I'm planning the ride route right now.  Sam and I are going to drive it in the next few days before school starts (nothing like having a chauffeur  8)  ) just to make sure we don't have any duds or roads out due to construction, etc.  I'll also note gas stations... just in case we need to fill up every 90 miles or so  [evil]

Please start thinking about maximum miles per day you're comfortable with; I've got several options.  For those of you who haven't had a chance yet to ride in Arkansas, a 6 hour day may sound like an awful lot but the roads are awesome with so many twisties you feel like you could stay on there all day, easy.  Very entertaining to say the least.

I also would like to ask people to start putting together their contact information for who to call if something happens along the way.  Unfortunately, this has come up before so it's a good thing to it this time too.  Make two copies of your info; one for you and one for me that I'll put on a master list.



Looking forward to this!  Should be an awesome trip  [beer]

I've got some numbers for a tentative  route for this trip:

Day 1:
Leave D/FW Friday, October 19 - travel 366 miles, 7 hrs 10 min (includes Talamina Trail).  Overnight in Mount Magazine State Park.

Day 2:
Leave Mount Magazine State Park Saturday, October 20 - travel North up briefly into Missouri, then back down SW into Mountain Home to overight.  232 miles, 5 hrs 19 min (includes Pig Trail).

Day 3:
Leave Mountain Home, Sunday, October 21 - travel south to Hot Springs.  225 miles, 5 hours (includes Push Mountain Road).

Day 4:
Leave Hot Springs, Monday, October 22 - travel back south to the Talamina Trail; back-track down US HWY 75 into Dallas.  359 miles, 7 hours (includes Pig Trail, backwards  :D ).

Overall, it'll be roughly 1,180 miles in four days.  Two of the days are under 250 miles/day, and two of the days are under 400 miles/day.

....Bicycle shorts  ;D

Did you include hwy 123?

Back in! 

Miles are good.  I did Cloudcroft, NM about three weeks ago with no trouble and that was 1500+ miles over 3.5 days.   [Dolph]

alright as many know there are 2 boards that are mainly used by us.  lisa was good enough to put it up on the other one as well.
chris and i are talking about quotes, and  i was looking at the WV trip, when the boys came up to see me.  and also yesterday at work showing the hill country pics from my phone, made me say,  piss on it I am going to try and make this!

Chris,
You are absoulutely correct!!  If you can make one of these trips.  it will be a memory that will last forever!!

I made a collage of the WV trip as many know. so i was looking at it this morning.  and thought, damn your right chris, i am going to try and make this trip!!
I will verify that I am in on monday to ensure the time off.  (from memory i can get it off, but also I am supose to be on 1st)

want to make one from last yrs hill country, but need more pics from other people. hint hint

So there I am considered IN!!!!!!  :happydance:

lets go more people really try a little harder to make this trip.   
I promise you it will be a great memory!

Ask anyone who has been on these trips!

Sam and I drove the first day of our planned trip and are staying at the Mount Magazine Lodge.  It worked out to be an eight hour day.  We made several stops along the way so I think it is a representative time for the Ducs as well.  The only thing that concerns me so far is that there is a long stretch - roughly 100 miles - of the route that has had a gas station close.  It was the only gas station along the way.  We are going back a different direction on the way home so we'll see if it has gas stations.

I'm taking pictures along the way - it's very scenic.  The lodge itself is very nice - awesome view from the balcony.  Each room faces a giant valley. 

Plus, the roads today ROCKED!   :o

We'll be off tomorrow for the Pig Trail run and end up in Mountain Home.  Looking forward to Pig Trail; it'll be a weekday so hopefully no slow-moving camper vans, etc...  [bang]     Probably be a six hour day. 

LYD, glad you can make it.  And system error too  [thumbsup]

As soon as we get back home on Wednesday I'll try and post the ride route on Goggle maps.  It rocks, people  [evil]

Well I am not 100% but I am 95% until monday then I will know for sure!

Come on old man, come with!

On our second day, we went from Mount Magazine up to Eureka Springs via the Pig Trail, then zig zagged our way back east to end up in Mountain Home.  It was a good ride route but getting through several of the towns and hooking up with the next required highway along the route was complicated as hell.

Sam had the GPS running and even still - it was a giant pain trying to find the right roads to stay on track.  There's no way I could decipher the GPS mess while riding so this part of the trip will need to be re-worked and simplified. 

Plenty of gas stations along the way though  [laugh]

There is no gas in Cass on the Pig Trail - trust me - actually I found the roads up there to be quite easy to navigate - never used a GPS - just a Delorme and write the route #'s down

I is in 100%.  8)  

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! [thumbsup] [Dolph]

you 2 just remember I am not nearly as fast as you, but I will do my best to keep up.

scott what bike are you bringing, and do you want to leave your stuff here while we are gone?  truck/trailer...

Dude, you're hired!  [laugh]



Third day of the trip and we're in Hot Springs.  Changed up our planned route a bit to give us a few more miles.  Four hundred, four-fifty seems to work OK.  If you leave around 8:30 or so, you're day is usually done by 4.

I am very concerned with a lack of gas stations - obviously I'll work any new route around that obstacle.  It seems like 90 miles between stops is what works best, especially if L'Smart shows up on the 1098  [bang]  [laugh]

The other concern is DEER  :o   We've lost count... mid-day, three or four white tailed deer amble across the road.  They've got drought problems up here too so that might have everything on the move all the time.  Think I'd put the deer total for the three days so far around 15 - 20.

But, overall the road choices have been spot on for an awesome Duc ride but the real problem is a lack of gas stations in strategic locations. 


What would happen if we made it a three day trip instead of four?  We could still hit some good roads but we just wouldn't travel as far north.  I know for sure Eureka Springs is off my list now (too hard to get in and around), and after the drive today, I think Hot Springs can be chopped as well (damn Hwy 7).

What say you?    [beer]

October deer will be worse - beginning of the rut season - they love to come out just around dusk too - seriously if you want to get together beforehand I can show you some of the roads I used to lead rides on - lots of twisties - one in particular that ends up in Jasper that hardly anyone knows about - up over a mountain and really tight - I'll look at my map and see if I can;pt come up with some rd #'s for you

Good either way. 

4 Days!!!!!

4 days and the 748 can do about 150 miles to a tank. I really want to enjoy the ride and friends and not feel rushed.  which I will already feel rushed behind you 2.

so as of now is it just the 4 of us?
cher
duc l'smart
system error
lyd

He gets really cranky if you dont let him stop to take scenic group pics....

 [Dolph]

this is true!  memories fade, but pictures last forever!

I would be interested in seeing your route.  We changed ours up a bit so I'd be curious to know how much of it overlaps.  Maybe just PM me sometime road numbers.



Yep, I like four days too. And nobody is going to feel rushed with me running the ride - my track day crash has knocked the new off for sure  [laugh]

So, as of now, there's about two months before this thing goes so there's plenty of time to get it sorted.  And I bet by the time October rolls around, we might have one or two more riders come along too, who knows?  Nothing wrong with just four though.  I think more than six could start to be a problem anyway.

It'll be fun no matter what  [beer]

I'm thinking I may ride the Smartie... That way you won't have any excuses for not keeping up [evil]

Haven't firmed up plans yet, but I do appreciate the parking offer [thumbsup]

Announcing The All New And Improved Plan:

I've got a new (to me) monster truck- f250, crew cab, long bed, turbo diesel, King Ranch, so between that & the Kendon I can comfortably haul 3 bikes, 3 people & lotsa stuff...

I'm OK to leave Thursday afternoon, drive late, then we can do some real riding on Friday if you want, but I'll leave final scheduling & routes up to y'all ;)

Looking forward!!! [thumbsup] [Dolph]

I thought we were riding the whole trip?

Just a suggestion, and an offer.
Of course, anyone would be free to ride up. The ride between Big D & AR doesn't do much for me... Besides luggage, I can also haul tools, spare parts, food etc.
If for some reason a bike can't make it home, we'll be prepared.

Wow, never expected you to own a fossil guzzler.    [beer]

Yes, it was a necessity... So you'll be joining us, then?

Maybe.  I'm not sure I can spend that much time with you.  :o

Careful, you could pick up some good habits...

I live on shit street, not possible.  Back on topic. 
I'll know for sure early next month.

It's going to be fun.  You've ridden up there before - those roads are second to none.  And the people - who could ask for anything more  [evil]  Just go ahead and put it on your calendar now, the sooner the better  ;D




We are, although anyone who may want to skip the whole slab situation just getting to the good part of the trip could trailer on Scott's Kennon.  Plus, having the flexibility of a sag wagon is a solid plan, especially given the gas station situation in some places... and flat tires... and miscellaneous other motorcycle induced aggravation that tends to happen on road trips.

I think I'll still ride up to our first stop over - I've got that part of the trip planned to go without a hitch; it's 3 1/2 hours of Hwy 75 and a semi rural eastward tack over to Talahina and the start of Scenic Highway 1 over into Mina.  The last bit of the trip has us headed up 309 into Mount Magazine.  309 is worth the trip all by itself, and the place we're staying is actually only a few miles into it - heading north up towards the Pig Trail, the rest of 309 is even more impressive.

I'm working on my goggle maps route so I can post it and everyone can see what "the Plan" is currently.  Nothing is set in stone.  All I know is I'm going to be riding in Arkansas with my friends from October 19 - 22  ;)

Me too!

Double check the talahina trail. Two months ago when I went it wasn't paved and my new trailer behind the Harley suffered horribly on her maiden voyage

Talamina Trail was OK, no worries... except the deer lurking 4 feet off the road in the underbrush  :o

For what it's worth I was thinking of picking up some saddle bags for the VFR so I can serve as the group pack mule.  Just call me Pepe.  I have a tire plug kit with CO2 and can take a few extra tools that people feel uncomfortable leaving home without.  As for gas, well.... I can always pack a hose and let whoever runs out siphon some out of my tank  [laugh].  That's my baby, jack of all trades, master of none.  But I have yet to find a bike I love more.  [bow_down]

Awesome!  We should have a great time but not having to worry about some of the details is cool  [beer]

+1

You've been "picking up saddle bags" for more than a year.  ;)

Right but I keep putting it off b/c I've never needed them.  I would like them but when it's just me I can't justify the cost.  Plus I keep looking for a used pair.  I'm not paying 1k for color matching hard bags, Honda is nuts.  For this ride I'll pick up a good nylon set.

I was wondering how long it would take you to chime in on that by the way.   [laugh]

I have no bags.   [bang]  wait, the Harley has bags and trailer. 

My preference is to find a place to trailer to Talhina and then let us loose.  Anyone know someone north of Durant we could park such junk?

Anyone ever been to Branson, Missouri? Great roads up in Missouri...   [evil]

Seriously, I've got two ride routes plotted.  Both have us in northern Arkansas, which in places, is about 40 minutes from Branson.  Might make an interesting overnight stop on one of the three nights we're gone.

Or the other way we could do it is to pick one central Arkansas location and just base out of there for the whole trip...   [popcorn]

And BTW, who's in on this ride?  We're REALLY gonna cover some ground on this one.

I am in!  may have to wait at the intersection, i am in! 

I figure as we get closer, lisa you will tell us if we need reservations or anything like that?

Yep, I'll make the reservations.  Looks like Holiday Inn Express-type hotels for the three over-nights; plenty of 'em and no hassles.

The Cabins and Lodge at Mount Magazine are booked solid - have been for a year.  Fall colors bring folks out in droves to that place.  I guess if we really wanted to stay there we could book it now - for NEXT October  [bang]

Plenty of other places to stay along the way, though, so no worries  [Dolph]

cool

I'm still in.  Honestly I don't care where or how far we ride.  I have those four days blocked off so just tell me how much I owe for any reservations and point me in the right direction.   [Dolph]

Still in... I'll have space on the truck/trailer to haul stuff, people, and/or bikes, so let me know if you are interested [thumbsup]

Just a FYI, the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) is having their rally in Hatfield, AR (Just south of Mena) on Oct 17 - 21st.  I know nothing of this group (for a reason  [evil]) but I've heard it's a massive rally that we may what to avoid as best we can due to the cluster of bikes. 

you'll be fine but hit the Talahina early as you can or you'll get stuck at 25 mph instead of the "posted" 45

If they're south of Mena, we'll never seem 'em.  Of course there is that odd chance we could be stuck behind the train of them for the 60 miles of Talamina trail, in which case, we're hosed; two passing zones along this stretch of road as I recall.  And I do have empirical evidence to support the fact the No Passing law is well enforced along this lovely stretch of twisty asphalt goodness.  Real pity  [bang]

But one thing that may work in our favor is we'll be riding The Trail on Friday morning and Monday afternoon so hopefully we'll miss most of the heavy traffic.

Talamina Trail is about 3 1/2 hours from McKinney, isn't it?  Only way we'd hit it "early" is if we left town around 4 am.... I was hoping for something more like 9 or 10  [laugh]

Also, when Sam drove the Talamina trail a couple of weeks ago, I actually had a chance to look at the scenery - nice place up there - and I did notice the speed limit was 55 in most places.

Also one other bit of trivia, Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and Restaurant appears to have burned to the ground  *or* is in the process of one hell of a make-over.  Not much left standing whatever the case  :-\

Alrighty then, this trip is three weeks away.  I'm planning on Scott, Alan, and Jason to make the trip.  Anyone else? 

Can you three post up with your max fuel range please when you get a chance?  ;D

748-130 light comes on

The Smartie can make it a good 100 miles, maybe a bit more...

150+ miles with spirited riding.  200+ if we get stuck behind riders who like to take in the views.  

OK, thanks.  I'll map gas stops in every 100 miles.  (Jeez, that Smartie is kinda piggy.... although mine isn't that much better; 110 -115 and the light comes on.  Spirited riding will prolly have it on around 100 [bang]  )



soooo..... your side cases are full of fuel?!   [evil]

Would love to make this but I can't. Nothing better in this part of the world than a good 3-4 day ride into AR in the fall... as long as the rain holds off. Even still, the best rain rides I have ever had have been in AR!! [thumbsup]

Besides the I-40 slab is there a bad road in Arkansas? Not that I know of. I have never ever (been riding up there since 1980) seen bad, torn up pavement. You can see those bad roads everyday down here just riding to Muenster... thanks to oil field trucks. But Arkansas road repair crews must be aliens trained by NASA. You see the darker, newer tarmac patch as you approach but never even feel the difference as you ride over it. Their road repair crews need to come to TX and teach our yahoos how it's done!

Hope the AR ride crew has a great time. How could you not? Wish I was joining you, last time I went was 2008 (twice!) but it seems like decades ago. Ya'll be safe, have fun and post up some pics for the sorry bastards that can't go... like me! ;D

The light comes on at around 100. I've got some new bits to put on... Should drop some weight & add a few horses ;D

New tires or nearly new tires? ;D  We had a few issues on past trips where tires had cord showing towards the end of the trip.

You guys have a great time on the trip.  If I had a bike, I would be joining you!  Maybe next year if all goes as planned. 8)

Swanny

Nope, just good Honda engineering.  And a big (metal) gas tank.   ;D

This reminds me though as I'm not 100% clear.  Was someone driving?  I was going to pick up larger bags if people were worried about taking extra bits and parts. 

Baby will have brand-new shoes... They kinda got used up in Ouray, DitR. Cords showing when I got home [evil]


Not a problem, I can bring one for you to ride, assuming you can ride a 1098s [roll]

;D

Great to see you post, Swanny.  All of my previous Arkansas moto trips were engineered by you so I'm feeling the pressure to live up to one of yours.  I've got gogglemaps, GPS plots, and piles of miscellaneous sticky notes all over my desk trying to put this thing together... bet you'd get a kick out of it  [laugh]

I'm looking forward to this trip - should be a great time.  Hopefully you can make it next year.

I am thinking about taking the monster instead?  we will see, I will put it on the lift and give it look over and see.  monster 150 miles at least.

I want to make sure that I wont be slowing you guys down.  I am in it for the good friends and good riding , but I am slooooow!  I will ride sweep so you can be as spirited as you want.  I just dont want to hold you up too much.   

You're riding sweep?  I thought I was?

As far as changing bikes for better range, we can only go as far as the bike with the least amount of range.  As I remember it, stopping every 100 miles or so on one of these Arkansas runs is the norm so swapping over to the Monster vs the SBK is totally your call but range really shouldn't be a deciding factor.

My pace on this trip will be "spirited," or "sporting"... some would even say, "slow" so take which ever bike you like (great position to be in!) but keeping up with me will not be a problem.  I've never lead a GPS ride, much less through Arkansas, so if old age and infirmity aren't enough, I'll also be minding the route with my very small brain...  

But so what!  We'll have fun and I'm looking forward to it  [Dolph]

I have the ride arkansas book you can borrow.  it shows routes, miles, gas stops and so on.  come get it and stop worrying!

I still have Swanny's "Arkansas road manual" he handed out to the 2008 riders. His company is still wondering who printed off all those pages on their copy machine! [laugh] Having been born and raised in AR Swanny has forgetten more than we will ever know about AR roads! [Dolph] [popcorn] [beer]

Holy crap....I just looked on my work computer and I still have every may from every trip that we made up to Arkansas back in the day.  Lisa, I would be more than happy to print off some copies of the different trips and bring them to you if they will help at all.

Swanny

I may be riding the monster,  I need to put it up and go over it. but it gets 150+ miles to a tank.

I would be interested in that, Swanny.  Thanks  [thumbsup]

Alan saved one of your route copies and I've combined one or two of your other trips to come up with the one I've got now.  All the fuel stops and hotels are sorted, plotted and stored in the GPS.  I've got paper map back-ups just in case.  I feel good about it but having a few of your cheat-sheets would make me feel even better!  [laugh]

First off, Swanny is still the man! [bow_down]

Secondly, LYD you have a Monster that will actually get 150 miles per tank? [popcorn] ??? You do start it, put it in gear and ride it... right? ;D Damn, my S2R1000 would be lucky to get 100-120 miles on a tank. And that's all downhill with a tail wind. [laugh]

Last time I was in AR with some non DMF buddies we based out of Harrison at a cool restored old hotel (Hotel Seville).

http://www.ascendcollection.com/hotel-harrison-arkansas-AR219 (http://www.ascendcollection.com/hotel-harrison-arkansas-AR219)

On one ride we headed east toward Mountain Home and rode on some awesome roads. But the Busa is a gas hog and soon the "you're about to get screwed" dash light came on. I was coasting down hills in neutral, short shifting and nursing the throttle like crazy. One friend hung back with me in case I got stranded.

We passed un-told gas stations where the pump nozzles were "bagged"... ie: no gas available! We stopped at a couple where the nozzles weren't bagged but they too were out of gas. I kept thinking shit I'm going to run dry and there isn't a quart of gas within 50 miles. I still can't believe I limped it into Mountain Home. I was never so happy to see the gas pumps at the Wal-Mart!! I swear my tank took more gas than the owner's manual said it held!! [laugh]

Lesson learned. Whenever you are deep in AR never pass up a working gas station. I don't care if you just gassed up 50 miles ago... do it again! Just sayin'. ;)

Alan has a metal tank monster and they hold more gas.   ;)

Yup, the lack of strategically placed gas stations was a real concern.  When Sam and I drove the route several weeks ago, it is EXACTLY as you say; the mom-n-pop stations are literally boarded up and out of business.  And these stations were the ones you had to have to ride the really spectacular, completely isolated roads out in the middle of nowhere that we've all grown to know and love.  So, somewhere in the middle of our Day 2 pre-ride, I knew we'd be totally hosed if we were using the route I'd chosen.  The remaining two days were pretty much the same story.  

So I've re-plotted our ride route two more times since that initial run; it's not as exotic as years past, but there is only a 9 mile stretch of slab in-between Russellville and Havana/Hwy 309 into Mt Magazine that we'll have to ride, so I think the route is a good one with verified gas stations along the way.  

The one thing that made me feel 100% comfortable with this final route is a Googlemaps search function for locating individual gas stations anywhere in Arkansas.  The 20 stations I've chosen have a picture of the actual place and a phone number.  That's how I've verified they'll still be there when we get there.  And they're all "majors"; mostly Conoco and Exxon or Shell stations.  

So, the EXACT gas stations we'll need per day (5 stops each day) have been added to my GPS and to my highlighted paper back-up maps... one map per day... four maps total... Did I mention I'm a bit crazy?  I've got enough maps strewn all over the place I feel like I should be invading Normandy or something.

Anyway, we're good  [Dolph]

Wish you were going on this trip Brian, it's a fun one.

Metal tank or not, system error is the smart one - he's on a friggin' Honda  [laugh]  They actually have gas tanks larger than a thimble, go figure.  Fortunately, he's volunteered to sacrifice all of his side case space to haul extra cans of gas for the Ducs.  He's an awesome guy.

Wish I was going too. >:( :P I LOVE riding in AR, it kicks ass and that is a GREAT time of year to go. Even though it's been dry and hot the fall foliage still should be awesome.

Noticed the ride dates. Just be aware that the Talimena Scenic Drive is patrolled by LEO in AR and OK on the weekends, starting on Fridays. Be mindful of that on Friday but you should be good to go on Monday on the return ride home. [thumbsup] [Dolph] [bacon]

http://www.cycleconnections.com/articledetail.asp?TypeID=3&ID=1569 (http://www.cycleconnections.com/articledetail.asp?TypeID=3&ID=1569)

Anal retentive reminder... gas the make the beast with two backs up when you can!!!! ;D

You folks have fun, be safe and pray to the good weather gods! [beer]

Nice link on the Talamina Trail - thanks for posting  [thumbsup]  Fingers crossed for good weather.

I'm also plotting scenic photo stops for LYD  [evil]  You're bringing a camera, right?  ;D

Like asking if the skunk is brining the stink!  [laugh]

Sooo.... does anyone have any problems leaving McKinney on the first day at 6:30 am?  Any later in the morning and we're going to be in prime-time deer dodging at the end of the day.

LYD if you want, you could cruise over to my house around 5:45 am and we'll leave together.

Good Lord! 6:30AM? Aren't you required by law to be asleep at that time of day? [laugh] [bacon]

I'm going easy on them.  If this was a Swanny ride it'd be kickstands up at 5:30 am!

I am sorry to say this but I am out.  Some very near and dear to my heart issues have arose and I wont be able to make this.  Sorry gang

This ride has been cancelled.   We'll shoot for some other time, maybe Spring.

Bummer. :P I was looking forward to stories and pics.

Maybe I can join in on the Spring 2013 spin. [thumbsup] [Dolph] I miss those AR twisty roads and light traffic. [popcorn]

 :'(

Damn, I'm bummed and I wasn't even going!

No worries.  That state isn't going anywhere.  If anything they should be thankful we aren't coming.   [laugh]

If this trip gets revisited I'm hoping to be in.  Just got back from four days in the Rockies on a BMW F650GS and it was awesome.  Looking forward to some serious street time to balance it out. 

WTF secret trip boy! How come this is the first I/we are hearing about THAT trip? Where were the invitations?

Sheesh.........

Yep, this trip will happen it's only a matter of when  [thumbsup]    And you're definitely in the right place for "serious street time"   [bang]  

Sorry the trip got postponed until Spring.  Sounds like you had a great ride planned out!

We need Jari to move back to the states.  That guy was up for an Arkansas ride every month!  I think we made 5 or 6 trips in one summer!  [evil] Most of those were leaving out of Dallas on Saturday morning, staying the night in Mountain Home and then coming back to Dallas on Sunday.  We had some nice 1100 mile weekends back in the day.

Yup, remember that 1200 mile ride we did in 36 hours?  Holy crap that was awesome.  And I personally think Jari was The Stig.  Heard from him?

As far as my ride route goes, check this:

Day 1: Scenic Highway i and Hwy 309 up through Mount Magazine then ending the day in Ozark.  Day 2: Pig Trail first rattle out of the box to Eureka Springs, then Hwy 74 to Jasper, cutting east on 16/9 'till you get to Push Mountain Road then ending the day in Mountain Home.  Next day starts off with Push Mountain again, through Yellville, up to South Lead Hill, down to Harrison, through Jasper and then Hwy 123 till we pick up Hwy 7 into Hot Springs.  Day 4 has the Scenic Highway only.  Lame kind of day, that one, but so what!

Danggit Swanny, buy a friggin' bike!  Please  ;D  [laugh]

Lisa, 

I traded emails with Jari and he is doing well.  He is still in Finland and recently became a papa.  He sold his Multi years ago.  I am going to try to meet up with him next time I am in Europe.

I still have the maps on my desk that I forgot to bring on Friday.  Want to meet for lunch tomorrow (Wed) or Friday?  I am open.  Anyone is welcome to join.

Swanny

it just occurred to me I have time for lunches now that I'm not delayed at airports.  If either of you send me a pm I'll show up.

I'm not doing much tomorrow or Friday for lunch so which ever of those days works for you two is OK with me.  Is there a particular part of town we're trying to meet?

Friday may work. Doc app at 9:30 and then free.   Offer up ideas but 121 & 35 is my travel limit

How about Pappadeaux on 75 between Spring Valley and Beltline in Richardson?  11:30 today work for you and anyone else?  That is close to my office.

Maybe Fastwin can join us?? [beer]

Swanny

sorry, no can do today.   :(

Good lunch, Swanny  [thumbsup]   Thanks.  It was also great to get copies of your Arkansas ride routes.  Awesome stuff - nothing like having a local's perspective.