2008 SFO--Eureka Springs, AR--April 24-27, 2008

[raclow]

Day 1: Friday, April 25, 2008

The weather was a little uncertain for this day. Looked at the radar and headed out from Little Rock around 8:30 AM. Skies were cloudy and it was just a matter of time before it rained...I was hoping to beat the rain to Eureka Springs....it was West of the Tulsa area and moving East. It is a 4 hour ride from my house to ES going the way I had mapped out.

I met a buddy of mine, John, in Mayflower, AR and we headed out from there via the I-40 Slab to Hwy 7 North at Russellville, AR. (John is a fellow FJR rider but doesn't participate that much on the Forum....why should he....he has me to keep him up to date on the important things.... He and his wife, Karen, came to SFO last year. They also have two Wings and do a lot of touring on those bikes.)

John and I took Hwy 7 North to Hwy 16 West to catch Hwy 21 North. These are some great roads and we were making good time until we came to the intersection of 16 and 21 and it started to rain a little. For me, this is the time to slow down, clamp my *** to the seat, and watch the lean angles.....me no like to ride in the rain....too much Tupperware on this bike... :lol: So, we slowed down considerably and made our way up Hwy 21 North into Berryville, AR....if you're from Arkansas, this is pronounced as "BAAAARRRRAAAAville"...

John and I made it to Eureka Springs around 1:00 PM and checked into the Best Western Eureka Inn Hotel Link.

After checking in, John and I needed to find a place to eat some lunch so we headed to the Pied Piper...one of my favorite places in Eureka Springs to eat......Pied Piper Link. They have good food and great night time activities if you are in the area and looking for something to do.....they don't pay me to say these things....UH, Fatema.....the owner.

While sitting in the outside eating section, a very strong thunderstorm rolls through the area. This was the very thing we were trying to beat and it was close. Since we hadn't made it to ES in time to ride with some of the groups, I thought of those that might be caught in this down pour and prayed for their safety so I could visit with them later.

We waited out the storm at the Piper and later headed to the hotel to wait on the other folks to come in from their rides. It was good to see old and new friends arriving safely. Except for the news of one rider, Jocko87, going down and crashing his bike. I hated to hear this news but was glad to hear he was OK. For his bike.....let the pictures tell the story.

OHHH LOOK, Micheal has showed up to SFO this year. I had been told he was going to do some traveling this year and this was his first stop. We were glad that he would grace us with his presence. I'm sure we will be seeing more of him during our meet. In fact, I think he was handing out awards for the dirtiest tail pipes and who do you think won this one???

Looks like Jocko87 wins this one hands down. Also, Michael was trying to show us what not to do in the rain....DON'T Go Down and get your bike dirty..... :lol: .

After assessing the damage to Jocko's bike, we all went to a nice Italian Dinner and some great company with the attendees of the Rally.

After dinner, Michael was on the prowl and he came across Tony and Rex(RangerK9).

Tony is changing the ECU unit on Rex's bike in the dark. Now you know if someone knows what the hell they are doing if they can work on a bike in the dark and it runs when they get finished. Tony is the man........ :yahoo:

A big THANK YOU goes to Tony for a lot of reasons: Sponsoring this event, taking Jocko87's crashed bike and delivering it to the shop, changing out re-called ECU's, and finally.....JUST BEING A PART OF THIS RALLY.

(A side note: The manager of the hotel took his truck and trailer to the sight of where Jocko87 went down and picked him and his bike up and delivered them both back to the hotel. A big THANKS to him for all his help. Sorry, I can't remember his name....maybe Michelle can help here.)

Friday night was an early night because everyone was excited about getting out to ride on Saturday. The weather was suppose to be beautiful. That would be a great welcome considering the weather on Friday.

 

[raclow]

Day 2: Saturday, April 26, 2008

Up early and the day is just as they said it would be......BEAUTIFUL!!!!!.. :clapping:

Had a little breakfast and got the group together to ride. Myself, Okierider, Fjrchik, Leartech, Phil, RangerK9 and Frank, Odot, and Bearly Flying went for a ride in the Southern Part of Missouri and some Northern parts of Arkansas. We headed out around 10:00 AM via this route: Took Hwy 23 North to Missouri Hwy 86 East and rode it across Table Rock Lake to Hwy 65 North to the 454 Spur that takes you to Hwy 160 East and we made our first stop at an overlook just outside Kissee Mills.

Here are a few pics from our stop:

Frank....RangerK9's Father-In-Law

Fjrchik, Odot, and Phil

Here is a shot of Michael trying to show us some skills by riding on the edge. You never know what stunt he is going to try next.......

After stretching our legs for a while and allowing Michael to teach us a few things about riding, we headed back out on Hwy 160 East to Hwy 125 South headed toward Bull Shoals Lake and the Ferry Crossing the lake.

Here are some Pics of us on the Ferry:

Yes, Michael had to check out the scene to make sure everything was OK. We didn't sink.....that was good....

While traveling on a ferry with a motorcycle sounds like an Odot experience, it was kinda fun. A first for me and I live in Arkansas...... I'm glad Odot didn't bring the sheep he threatened.

We continued South on Hwy 125, picked up Hwy 14 West and stopped for a bite of lunch at the Subway in Lead Hill. After lunch we stayed on 14 to Hwy 65 North to Hwy 86 West and went to Hwy 21 South. We rode Hwy 21 into Berryville and picked up Hwy 65 W back into Eureka Springs.

We were under strict orders by the Rally Leader...FJRCHIK.......that we needed to be back to the hotel by 4:00 PM for the group picture. Considering I was with her in our group, I didn't want to be late and hear about that crap forever.... :lol:

We made it with moments to spare but we made it on time...........man was I sweating it.

Here is our group picture:

See if you can find Michael in the group picture.

Michael makes another appearance at the event.

Today was a beautiful day for riding. The company was great and I thank each of you on the group ride for going and having fun. We must do it again.......SOON.

Now that we have the group picture knocked out, it is time to relax a little before dinner. I personally took a little power nap and woke up to people standing outside our door like lost puppies.....I like puppies, so come on in I say.

We had a few adult beverages and eventually got ready for the final Banquet and festivities.

Here are some pics from the dinner:

Jamie(JHMZ71) and Michelle(FJRCHIK)

Michelle and Robert(Okierider)

Michelle seems to be very popular this evening..........

John(Nosecone) is sporting Yamaha's New Cap design. No rain in the front OR the back.

I think John is headed out to the clubs after dinner. I wonder where he parked his HOOOPTY???

Looks like Ron(ronfjr06) may be going with John or that is his new helmet liner....man is that going to be hot or what?

We had a great time at the Banquet and appreciate all of the hard work Michelle put into this event. We also appreciate all of the sponsors we had for this rally. Without the sponsors, this event couldn't happen. We had some REALLY nice things for door prizes and drawings. I believe everyone walked away with a gift. Once again, MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SFO....... :clapping:

Ok, dinner is over and people congregate in the parking lot to talk about the last two days of events. I put the camera up for a while and didn't take any pictures because I didn't want to be responsible with keeping up with it.....ever been there before?

For those that didn't know about this, let me tell you another story...Tom(ARFJR) is usually the person I room with at SFO's in the past. He and I live in Little Rock and are friends and riding partners. He wasn't able to make this event because he had a little accident and messed his bike up to the point he couldn't ride it. Believe me, myself and Robert(Okierider) tried everything to help with this situation....it didn't work. Thanks anyway, Robert. So, I put out a request to share a room with one of the attendees of the event and Jamie(JHMZ71) responded. We put it together and shared a room. Many THANKS to you Jamie. But there is more to the story......Jamie is a hoot and a bigger hoot if he has had a few cocktails. He started early on a little rum (Sailor Jerry) I like a lot and brought to the event to share with everyone. I think I shared it more with Jamie than I realized because he had a little problem later in the evening.........See for yourself

Look, Michael is riding all over Jamie.

Jamie has crashed and burned. Man is his head going to hurt......

Thanks Jamie for allowing me to have a little fun at your expense.

Some other side notes:

We did have another bike go down on Saturday. Jeff Delzer(DBX) went down in a curve with some gravel in it and went off the side of the highway. The outcome wasn't as good as Kurt's(Jocko87) but Jeff did survive....not without a trip to the hospital.

Some Pics of Jeff's Bike:

Jeff, I hope all is well and glad you weren't hurt worst than you were......take care.

One last thing about Michael and his travels. After riding all over Jamie and getting bored with it, he decided he would make a few laps around our tub in the room. He encountered some strange beings in the tub...........TERMITES!!!!!

Thank GOD he doesn't have wooden wheels or we would have had another bike down....enough already.

Day 3: Sunday, April 27, 2008

Woke up to a messed up day. Clouds and rain in the area again. Saturday was so nice. It didn't seem like I was in the same world as the day before. Yes, Jamie had some cob webs in his head and he had to ride back to Texas .

Had some breakfast and said my goodbyes and headed out for Little Rock.

I was lucky to get Ronnie(Wambow) to ride wingman with me to Little Rock. He was headed to Mississippi and I know I was holding him up. I will always be grateful for the time he gave up to ride with me to Little Rock. We dodged the rain and I know he would have ridden through it if I wasn't with him. THANK YOU!!!!!

This was a great trip and I can't wait for next year. Hopefully, Tom will be able to attend.

 

[raclow]

YES, I know this is late but I have had a lot going on in the past couple of months.......so don't shoot me...just try to enjoy it....

 

[Old Michael]

So tomorrow, you should go ahead and take down your Christmas tree.



Really enjoyed your report. What a handsome bunch of folks riding those FJR's!

Remind me never to take rum from you when offered.

Thanks!

 

[RockiesRider]

Excellent report Reggie.

Made me remember just how much of a great time I had.

I really didn't do all that much trying to get Tom there but , thanks!!!

Man does that Michael ever get around, NICE HELMET.

Come on April 09 hurry up and get here!

Don't forget the outside lights too while you're taking down the Christmas Tree tomorrow. :lol:

 

[sonicspeed]

thanks for the ride down memory lane

can't wait for SFO 2009

 

[protondecay123]

thanks for the ride down memory lane


can't wait for SFO 2009

+1

And thanks for the intro to Sailor Jerry! :clapping:

 

[JHMZ71]

Ok, so Reggie put something in my drink. Just a good thing I sleep on my back. Never know what he will do. Great report Reggie. Now, if you head to EOM with me, leave the camera and the flask at home. Warning to all: NEVER accept drinks from strangers! hehe

 

[odot]

Never except drinks from strangers? How do you expect me to get drunk?

Go back to church. And repent for your sins.

 

[raclow]

So tomorrow, you should go ahead and take down your Christmas tree.

Really enjoyed your report. What a handsome bunch of folks riding those FJR's!

Remind me never to take rum from you when offered.

Thanks!

Why take the tree down now?? I have made it through the first half of the year with it up.....

This is good rum.....don't turn it down unless it's in your throat.....

thanks for the ride down memory lane


can't wait for SFO 2009

+1

And thanks for the intro to Sailor Jerry! :clapping:

You're welcome for the intro to the "Sailor". I feel like it wasn't your first time.

Ok, so Reggie put something in my drink. Just a good thing I sleep on my back. Never know what he will do. Great report Reggie. Now, if you head to EOM with me, leave the camera and the flask at home. Warning to all: NEVER accept drinks from strangers! hehe

And I had a gun held to his head.......... :lol: :lol:

No worry about the sleep thing.....Odot brought me some sheep. Thanks Odot...

 

[luvtoride]

Jeesh, ODOT really has crash club t-shirts. I always thought that was just a joke.

Good report! Hoping that EOM is as successful as ya'lls meet. Looks like you had fun.

 

[odot]

ride, my last two shirts are not on the market anymore. I only bought four of them from ....from....damnit....some forummember in washington. Yes, I am member number 17 of the CC club. I suggest you don't join us.