My Birthday Ride

[Braz]

On Tuesday I will celebrate one of those "milestone" birthdays so I'm going for a ride.

I'll leave before dawn tomorrow (in the rain, it looks like) and ride about 585 miles to Eureka Springs AR. Saturday I will ride the twisty roads in the area. Sunday I'll ride to OK, then turn south into TX. (I'm trying to add some states to my list of the ones I've ridden in.)


Then it will be on to Louisiana, where I'm thinking the town of Brough Bridge (near Lafayette) might be a good birthday stop - crawfish, beer and zydeco music - how bad can that be?

After that, continue east along the Gulf, tag MS and FL then turn north toward NC and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then Johnson City TN to see my son and his family on my way back home to IN.

This is going to be a very free form trip. Except for Eureka Springs, there are no reservations and I can change up on the fly. So if anybody has any "must see" suggestions along my general route let me know.

[LWTCS]

Ya lucky dog,,,,,cept for the bits when ya gotta buy gas!

[fatman]

Wish i had the time and money to be off some more this year! i would have a cold one in Eureka springs with ya.

We always stay up on the strip, Stone gate inn, so we can be real close to the Rockin Pig Saloon, best food by far anywhere around. Same peeps that own the Pig Trail harley store in Rogers own the bar too. And theres a harley t-shirt store besides the Rockin pig saloon.
War eagle is a neat grist mill on the river too, south side of Beaver lake. On the north side they have the little golden gaTE bridge over truman lake ??? i think its truman lake?
Agood day trip is from down town eureka to the golden gate bridge, on to Rogers, then to War Eagle and back to Eureka springs.

I assume that you drink being on a distiller site, there are several neat bars down town eureka springs, the cat house, Whale and Squid, can't think of the others. have fun keep us posted.

[Prairiepiss]

Damn your a week early. I leave for Bikes Blues and BarBQ next Tuesday. In Fayetville AR. It starts Wednesday goes through Saturday.

But I have to say your ride sounds like a lot of fun. We have done a free range trip a time or two. But nothing that far. But I love not being tied down with deadlines. You can stop where you want to. And pass on by places you don't want to stop.

Good luck keep the rubber side down. Have fun.

[Prairiepiss]

By the way you mite have picked the best weekend to to to eureka springs. Since everyone will be filling it up next week.

I know some good roads for riding around there. Pigtrail is the most known. And is good. But there are some other side roads that are great.

[HolyBear]

Yep, we've got the best riding roads in the country. Ifn ya can, make for hwy 125 that is NE of Harrison. SE of Springfield. You'll be able to ride yer bike onto a ferry across a narrow portion of bull shoals. Its fun, relaxing, and one of the few ferry's still in operation.... welcome to MY mountains...

[Prairiepiss]

Yep, we've got the best riding roads in the country. Ifn ya can, make for hwy 125 that is NE of Harrison. SE of Springfield. You'll be able to ride yer bike onto a ferry across a narrow portion of bull shoals. Its fun, relaxing, and one of the few ferry's still in operation.... welcome to MY mountains...

I've been wanting to do that for six years now. One of these days.

[Prairiepiss]

Look up Mt. Judea Arkansas on Google maps. Then check out hyw 123 south of Mt. Judea. That is one of tje coolest roads I have found yet.

[rtalbigr]

Then Johnson City TN to see my son and his family on my way back home to IN.
So if anybody has any "must see" suggestions along my general route let me know.

From Johnson City you're only a few hours from the Dragon (318 curves in 11 miles) and the Skyway (60 miles of turns and great scenery), two really great rides. If ya want I'd be glad to show ya, I'm about 45 minutes from the Dragon. The Blue Ridge is really nice, I've done a few days on it.

Big R

[Braz]

In Eureka Springs tonight. 'Bout 30 of us BMW riders here. And about 20 Harley riders on the other side of the motel. I wonder why they do that?

It was a 598 mile blast today, mostly interstate. Left before dawn and hit a little rain in Illinois but not too bad. Once I cleared the rain the rest of the day was perfect - sun, 78 degrees.

One of the locals is going to lead a ride tomorrow on what he says are some "spirited roads" and I'm sure we'll hit the ferry along the way. I've ridden the Pig Trail once before, and the Dragon a few times along with the Cherhola. I've also been to the War Eagle mill a couple years ago - good lunch.

There is a part of this trip that I'm not quite ready to talk about yet, but it has to do with a personal catharthis. Today was actually better than I expected it would be.

Thanks for coming along with me on the ride.

Here are a few pix from today. http://jbrase.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2 ... &k=xTSNN5f" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Braz]

Got back from the ride Sunday night. Nice to be home, but in a way I didn't want it to end. Here's the summary from the GPS:




And one of me having a little fun on the Cherahola Skyway, NC. (Picture from killboy.com)



Here's the whole picture gallery if you are interested. Best to view using the "slideshow" button in the top, right part of the screen.

http://jbrase.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2 ... &k=7LZ8dSP" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[rtalbigr]

Nice to be home, but in a way I didn't want it to end.

Know what ya mean there Braz.

First long ride I took was in the late '70's on a Kow 400, I was glad that one was over.

Last one I did on my Goldwing a couple of years ago was about 6000 miles; out west, up and across Canada, then back down thru Michigan, Indiana, Ky to Tn. That was a great ride!

Big R

[Prairiepiss]

I went out for 5 days and I didn't want to come home at all. Didn't do nearly as much riding as you. I would love to do a big trip one of these days. But I think a different bike would be in order.

Looks like you had a nice little ride.