ARKANSAS IN AUTUMN '07 - Mini Bash Sign Up

[Biff's R]

I just wanna ride.

[Boxer]

Okay, I finally got my arse into gear and called Joan to reserve my room for the two nights. It's looking more like we may just haul the two bikes there making the ride out and back in a one day trek each way.
Can't wait now. Fall will be nice!

[CycleRob]

Just made my reservation with my Visa card for Thurs, Fri & Sat nites with Ron. He wrote everything down (slowly) for Joan to enter in the system tomorrow. My fingers are crossed.

He remembered our respected organizer Kristi well. When asked how many riders have made reservations, Ron said about 9 so far and he said about 7 hours ago he made one for someone coming from New York! WhoZat?

Since 4 or 5 in a group is ideal, even if nobody else signs on, we'll have 2 good groups: Fast and Faster. I'll be in the first group.

[NoRRmad]

Zat's me!

[OU812]

I am supposed to ride to Kansas this weekend, but my riding partner has had trouble finding a dog/cat sitter, and his wife is giving him the eye on the "leaving her behind". So, if I hear that we do not go, I am transferring my time off(with the wife) to this ride.

[chris]

Bit far for me but I look forward to seeing the photos!

[mad1150]

My wife and I may be able to do this! Ride down with OU812 and GTR350cc.

Hope you all don't mind a V-Star in the crowd. It has stock exhaust so it's kinda tryin' to be a beemer!

It would be great to actually meet some of the people who are the reason I chose the R1150R and be able to thank them in person for so many pointers and solutions.

[GypsyRR]

Ya'll c'mon then. The more the better and it will be good to meet you and your wife.

Reservations have to be made by Oct. 1.

[OU812]

I am still waiting for the right "moment" to tell my wife.

[GypsyRR]

Take a look at this - an all day ride for sure.

226 mile ride on 5 of top roads in Arkansas

Scenic 7 is a nice ride but I think I might try to avoid it on the weekend while I'm there. Might be too many cars. This website: http://www.cruisetheozarks.com./roads_cen.htm seems to think that the roads in the above map might be less congested on weekends - especially near the fall color time of year.

[maduko]

There is another BMW group meeting in Hot Springs that same weekend. Use that as an excuse to ride AR-7 and see the town- it's very cool. Highway 23 and Eureka Springs are also not to be missed.

My site lists some great roads in that area. Feel free to add your own favorites!

And if you're coming in from the west you definitely need to visit my site before you drone along I-40 through Oklahoma. Most people think of tumbleweeds and teepees- but there are some beautiful roads in northeastern Oklahoma.

If approaching from the northwest do not miss MO-90. It slinks along the Missouri/Arkansas border. If coming in through Oklahoma detour up to OK-20 to get to it. Check the link on this page for a ride we took a few years ago...
http://www.places2ride.com/rides/show_ride.asp?z=28

There is also a museum/shop in Miami, Oklahoma that's worth a detour.
http://www.places2ride.com/rides/show_ride.asp?z=1999

Enjoy!


_

[OU812]

MAD1150(Mark) Has reserved the rooms, now I just have to get up enough gumption to TELL the wife.

[CycleRob]

GypsyRR, Your 226 mile ride is perfect for the Saturday ride. The groups will have to lunch/snack/reststop without delay so we're back by Sunset, even with an 8:00AM kickstands up ride to Breakfast. You lead or follow, but roads over & around the mountain ranges are always the absolute best there is on a M/C. We are sooooo going to enjoy this type of ride.

- - - - - - - - - - -
Steve, I'll call you tonite (Sunday 9-9-07) and should be able to convince your better half (?) that you must attend this event. Be sure she's available even if you have to beg (again). Remember what you put in your profile: ". . . don't have a life in winter" . . . . that "life" will be even more vacant after you miss this Bash. You know I'm right about this.

My wife is glad these Bash therapy sessions (for me) also give her 100% possession of the Sat/TV remote and uninterrupted eerily quiet times to read her books with our dog close by. A confused Boston Terrier sadly wondering when dad will return and take her for a long walk.
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/95738422-L.jpg

Mr OU812, I've got your phone number. Your wife needs to realize that life is short and you need to play hard. I'll even use my wife Ann as back-up, but only if you need the extra help.

[Boxer]

Nice route Gypsy. However, my wife is a new rider on her F650 and will not be moving as fast I would like to. Therefore, I would like to do a nice leisurely pace on only part of your route, and stay with her.


If you don't think this is a good alternate route, I welcome any suggestions.

Also, I invite any other riders who prefer a more leisurely/slower pace to come along with us on the shorter route. It may end up being even shorter still as we move along through the day. The way you see it above is about 185 miles. Still a pretty long day.

[mad1150]

Reservations for Myself, my wife Vickie, and Steve (OU812) made.

We are planning on leaving Thursday, if the weather up here cooperates we'll get there Thursday night and pay for an extra night. If it's bad we'll stay over somewhere and get there Friday morning.

My guess is we'll get there Thu. night because we will be so psyched!

-------

Cyclerob - BMW Wizard / Marital Counselor - Wow, what's next?

[GypsyRR]

Nice route Gypsy. However, my wife is a new rider on her F650 and will not be moving as fast I would like to. Therefore, I would like to do a nice leisurely pace on only part of your route, and stay with her

I'm sorry. I did not mean to indicate that the 226 mile route was a planned route for anyone. I love maps, so I was just messing around with some different routes. I have several different routes/rides that I've mapped for myself for Arkansas - some as short as 100 miles. I was just stoked about the one I posted because it was a good loop and incorporated 5-6 of the top roads, but I didn't intend to infer that this was the planned Saturday route. Some people might enjoy riding the Pig Trail (23) all the way to Eureka Springs and have a look around that resort town, and Cycle Gadgets Or head to Scenic 7 and ride it north. Or head to the Talimena Parkway. Both 7 and the Talimena are fun rides with a lot of sweepers, and not as many tight twisties. Lots of options. I was just having fun mapping. The link I gave in my last post has some good ideas and good road reports for planning a ride.

[Biff's R]

I guess I need to figure out whether I am going to take the week before, or after off. Before is better from a logistics standpoint, but I know of some good riding after. I need to find out how many vacation days I have remaining.

[OU812]

Thanks to CycleRob, it is done. I am in!

[CycleRob]

I never actually spoke to Mrs OU812 even though I wanted to. She was too busy cooking supper in the background and only overheard us talking and Steve reading my post above aloud after I told him about it on the phone.

And you thought I used some sort of persuasive magical reasoning on her. And we all were thinking she was some kind of monstrous control freak. Not so!!

My guess: Steve is sometimes a bit of a bad boy and his poor wife must be a Saint.

[OU812]

Rob, she is getting two new bathrooms out of Me personally. And if she lightens up, a screened in porch(not me, just my $$). Just call me Monty Hall, from Let's Make A Deal!