BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

You win by default.

Kristi

Your handling of last years event was not only wonderfull but right on as you all by your lonesome handled every detail. My mention of duckdave as "events coordinator" was in no way meant to take anything away from you and your organizational skills.

The thought was for dukdave, since he lives the closest, to investigate other establishmnets in the vecinity of Ozark, as we pretty much visited all that was available in town. If I have the opportunity to attend, I know where I'll spend the evenings at.......

Al, I'm leaving this week for Ozark. I'll be with a different group, and will be there for 3.5 days, so I'm sure I can find some other eating establishments. Ozark is a small town though, so not a lot of options except for the great Kelts nearby in Altus, which you enjoyed so much. Kelts will be hard to beat! I will be talking with Ron about which winery is offering to host our group, so hopefully I'll have some news on that when I return mid-April.

After my time with the group in Ozark, I'll be heading on further east and plan to check out some future Bash locations between Jasper and Mountain View. There are some great roads in the Mountain View area which are too far away for us to make in a day ride when based in Ozark. So along with checking out the roads and routes in that area, I'll also be scoping out lodging for a group, as well as restaurants/pubs in the vicinity for attendees. I'm hoping to have that set for Fall 2009.

Additionally, I will be checking some fishing spots along the White River and creeks nearby, if I have enough time. The thought came to me that perhaps some who have the time off, would enjoy some fly fishing, or regular fishing along a great trout river pre-Bash or post-Bash for a day or two. I'd like to offer that option, but need to check it out first. (Just getting a step closer to organizing Gypsy's Rivers and Roads Motorcycle Tours, Inc.)

Kristi.....I'm glad that you are returning to the area as it will provide a greater opportunity to scope the surroundings. I'm also happy that you are considering doing some ridding tours as you are a natural at it, a master at photography and like to fish to boot.....I have a riding buddy that loves to fly fish, I'll have to alert him about Ozark......

Gypsy,
You better take a raft with you. I think the White and Black rivers were experiencing some flooding.

Biff's R wrote:Gypsy,
You better take a raft with you. I think the White and Black rivers were experiencing some flooding.

It won't be the first flood I've been caught in on my bike!!! But, I did call ahead to different areas and find out if they were under water and chose not to reserve a spot at the places which were. Did you see the footage of the house floating into a bridge on the White River? The cabiin right next to that part of the river is no longer on my itinerary.

Hi Kristi,
Have a great trip to the area. Looks like a fantastic Saturday and Sunday are upcoming in the Ozarks. Fear not the flood waters, it comes up fast but goes back down fast in these hills. Just don't camp next to the river when its gonna rain! The only thing to worry about is the gravel in the corners after the heavy rains this Thursday. I might be wandering into the Jasper area on Sunday myself if I can spare the time away from my spring chores.
Ride Safe,
Neal

I read in the paper this morning about the house that floated into the bridge (video here) up in Calico Rock. The bridge there is normally about 43 ft above the water level. There is about 3-4 ft of air still there in the video. The house broke free of its foundation, but for a while was tethered by the power lines.

There is some major flooding up and down the White River and a few others in AR. A few lives have been lost, but not as bad as it could be.

I FINALLY saw another R1150R in Arkansas today! I stopped and visited with the owner and told him about the Fall Bash in Ozark, and about the message board. He sounded interested. Look for him here.
-d.

Dave, I encountered the floods up around Calico Rock, just north of Mountain View along the White River. Photos coming when I get back to a computer where I can upload them. I'm still traveling now.

For those interested in the Fall Bash in Arkansas, I found some GREAT new roads that I had not ridden before. And again............ They were pretty much vacant. But 374 still rates as a heart stopper.

Al, there is a new Thai restaurant in Ozark which was very good.

Reports coming later when I'm done traveling and have gotten caught up on work.

GypsyRR wrote: Al, there is a new Thai restaurant in Ozark which was very good.

Thai in Ozark?

HI, Gypsy,

Was wondering if you made it up there and thought about you as that weather was rumbling through.
Glad you made it safely back and hope you enjoyed yourself.

John

Biff's R wrote:

GypsyRR wrote: Al, there is a new Thai restaurant in Ozark which was very good.

Thai in Ozark?

I know!!! But it was amazingly good. And it is right across from the motel!

Dr. Strangelove wrote:HI, Gypsy,

Was wondering if you made it up there and thought about you as that weather was rumbling through.
Glad you made it safely back and hope you enjoyed yourself.

John

Thanks for thinking about me. I did make it up to Calico Rock and Mountain View where everything was flooding. I got there the day before the floods. What a great ride to that area too. At the Fall Bash in October, I hope some will be able to take a long day trip and cover some of those roads. They were really great.

I arrived at a cabin I had secured before leaving. I had chosen this one because it sits way above the White River, and it is secluded (and had a washing machine! woohoo!). Getting to it was a bit tricky because the road was loose gravel/sand and some of it had some standing water or soft muddy spots. But I managed, and it was a great cabin with a front porch swing and rockers, AND a garage to shelter my bike during the storm, AND it was offered at a great price!



But that night the rains came and the next morning, the owner came over to tell me that the road in to the cabin was flooded and I wouldn't be going anywhere that day. I could think of worse places to be stranded!!!! But...... I did need to get back to take care of taxes! So since I was stranded, I spent the day exploring her property: 250 acres, 2 cabins, and miles of dirt road/trails for dual sport bikes - very secluded. And I found a couple of waterfalls that showed up after the rain!





As the day went on, some of the water receded from the road, but it still left a tricky crossing. The next morning, the owner came back to me again and this time she told me that if I wanted to leave, I better do so soon because Calico Rock had flooded during the night and Route 5 was closed both ways: north and south. More flooding was expected because they were releasing water from the dam up in Salesville.

My original plan was to take 5 back to Mountain View and do some routes around the area since I had been stuck at the cabin on a day when I could have been doing some road/route recon for future Bashes. So I had to rethink my route. I ended up driving north to Salesville to the dam and then further west and then dropping south away from the flooding areas. The weather was great for riding. No more storms!

Before I could get on my way, I first had to face the washed out road on the cabin property. The washed out part was in a turn and then there is a bit of a jump up to the loose gravel part of the road. Under the moving water (which was creating that second waterfall in the pictures above), the rock slab was uneven, pitted, and had some very slick areas on it. I checked it out the day before and made a plan to cross it, but once I approached it by bike, my plan changed and I just took what seemed to be the best way. It worked. It's hard to get a perspective of the crossing from the picture, but it was one of the most dangerous crossings I've done so far. What an adrenaline rush! I just treated it as if I was on a dirt bike, and road through it on the RR without any problem. I did 2028 miles on this trip and I'm still impressed with what a workhorse this 1150R is.



Here is Calico Rock, the morning I left.

5 North - see the speed limit sign in the middle of the water.



This sign amused me, only because it states the obvious. But I suppose some need to be reminded!



If you look closely, you will see the rooftop of a house just above water!!




A swingset - with the swing just a few inches above the rising water



The main street had been under water earlier that morning where the road block signs were sitting.

I turned back and traveled 56 to Pineville and then north on 177 to Salesville where the dam is



Once across the bridge, there is a descent to the base of the dam and I could see the water being released. Many people were there to see it.



After that, I just headed down toward Norfork and then took 341 south. It is called Push Mountain Road and gets a lot of press about what a great road it is, and it should. It was a great ride. The road blocks on 5 only served up some good alternate routes. A life lesson, for sure. Obstacles creating opportunities, right?



One more road block, but by this time, I assumed most of the water would have receded and so I chose to go on through this time. Another great route found!!! 263 from Big Flat all the way down to Rushing and then 9 to Shirley was a blast!








So - I finally made it out of Arkansas without incident. I also discovered some more great roads closer to Ozark as well and can't wait to have you all ride them in October.

Sounds like quite the adventure. I could feel your excitement over those so-called "obstacles." Did you ever get wet on the trip? Were you lucky with avoiding the rain while riding?
And, of course, the pictures very nicely complement your text.
John

Dr. Strangelove wrote:Sounds like quite the adventure. I could feel your excitement over those so-called "obstacles." Did you ever get wet on the trip? Were you lucky with avoiding the rain while riding?
John

I avoided rain except for on the day of my departure. Fortunately, I had snagged a BMW rainsuit at 50% off when the dealership went out of business. Then there was a half day of mist I traveled through, but most of the wet stuff came at night or when I was already at my next destination, so I avoided having to ride through it.

The weather forecast for the October Bash is already looking good - clear skies, and 65-75 degrees for daytime riding.

I have a scheduling conflict that just arose with the dates of the Fall Bash in Ozark - a job opportunity in Africa and Asia won out over riding the great roads in Arkansas again in October. Of course, that could all change due to instability in those regions of the world, which would then allow me to make it after all.

Regardless, the good news is:that the Fall Bash will continue as planned for Columbus Day weekend, October 10-12, 2008 at the Ozark Motel in Ozark, Arkansas. Duckdave as well as Mad1150 have offered to help me organize everything and then see thnigs through in Arkansas. So I'll still be working with details "pre-Bash", but those two guys and maybe others (please feel free to volunteer still) will be the ones who will see it through to the finish. Special thanks to them.

More information will be posted in coming weeks, but you can start making reservations at any time (see first page for reservation information) There are only 3 motels in Ozark and since October is the color change season, there is a possibility of running out of rooms if you wait till the last minute to reserve. Anyone who rode there last year, would tell you how great the riding is in that area. It has low traffic, great roads, wonderful scenery, and friendly people! A wide open space for motorcycle riding non-stop!!! So go ahead; plan to come to Arkansas, and start making those reservations!!!

Hannigan Fairing Factory

Jerry Heil, of Hannigan Fairing Factory, has offered to take the Fall Bash group for a tour of the factory. The company is located in Paris, AR, about 18 miles from Ozark:

Thank you for contacting us here at Hannigan Fairing Company. Yes, by all means consider you and your group welcome to the Hannigan Fairing factory. I will have more time on Saturday to spend with your riding friends. I offer two tours. 1.) The fairing manufacturing. 2.) The building's history. We are restoring the Hannigan Fairing building which is 24,000 sq.ft. and has a varied history and construction. Some will find this interesting as well.

The fairing manufacturing walk through takes about an hour. And we always have fairings in the stages of lay up and finishing. We are located on highway 309 in Paris a block south of the courthouse. The sign is big and too high for most to read as they ride by. We are also on the way to the highest point in Arkansas, Mount Magazine. We have a parking lot that will accommodate about 400 motorcycles so bring as many riders as you want.

So Jerry has room for about 400 of us. Anyone interested in a tour?

Here's a picture of Jerry's current restoration project; a Triumph Bonneville Scrambler:


Jerry also offered suggestions for restaurants in the area, rides and sights. I will cover these suggestions in a future post.

Ah, that would be the COOLEST!

Besides the Tour of the Hannigan Fairing Factory set up for Saturday, here are a couple of other ideas we are mulling over...

• Thinking the Oark Cafe and General Store might be a good Breakfast destination... "All you can eat Breakfast Buffet Saturday and Sunday morning".

  coming from Ozark you can take Hwy 23 north to Hwy 215, Arkansas' new scenic byway. Go east on Hwy 215 and it takes you right to the store.

  Hwy 215 is the one that was under construction last year (and part of the reason the ride was so long to the Cliff House Restaurant). The road work was almost done when I went by Oark early this May.
  
  Dinner or Lunch at a local winery?
  
  Possible Dinner/Meeting location: GrapeVine Restaurant as they have a meeting room.

  The Grapevine Restaurant features choice meats, smoked on the premises. Our deverse menu also includes beautiful salads made with the freshest ingredients, specialty sandwiches, mexican dinners, as well as Char-B-Steaks & pasta's. Don't forget our Prime Rib special on Friday and Saturday nights.

  Or this could be the Breakfast Destination, followed by the Hannigan Fairing Tour.

  BREAKFAST - SERVED from 6 AM to 11 AM Monday thru Saturday
  
  Our breakfast menu features a large variety of omelets, breakfast burritos, french toast, Belgian waffles, homemade biscuits & gravy, and all of your breakfast favorites. The original Grapevine Scrambler, which includes hashbrowns, onions, pepper, eggs and your choice of meat is a local favorite. We serve our breakfast with homemade bisquits or toast made with our homemade bread.

Just made my reservation for the Fall Bash. Hope to get there a little earlier this year and look forward to seeing all that are able to make it. Sorry Gypsy will not be there -- damn work gets in the way of a lot of things, doesn't it.

Hey, don't count me out totally yet. There is enough continual unrest in Africa that my work in Botswana might get postponed. But it is still enough of a real possibility that I needed to hand off the Fall Bash to some capable folks. And aren't you glad Dave was ready for the handoff? I'll be there and fill in where I can if Botswana falls through.