Arkansas Run March 27th-30th

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Check this out attendees!!!

Nice forecast from accuweather.

  • Sat Mar 28Mainly cloudy63°Lo 42°

    Sun
  • Mar 29Brilliant sunshine69°Lo 43°
  • Mon Mar 30
    Mostly sunny61°Lo 40°



63, 69, 61. And NO those are not dimensions on the women I am fond of. GO GET YOUR TIRES ON BITCHES. (please excuse the profanity)

 
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I'm still hoping but it's starting to look pretty grim for me. I've got 2 projects due to wrap-up next week and 1 is in serious jeopardy of carrying into the weekend. Since I'm only 4-5 hours away maybe I can run down for a day and meet everyone at least. With a bit of luck I might get a day of riding in.

 
RJAMT We will be down there riding. If you get some time to make it, PM one of us and we will give you our 20 and plans for the day. The weather is looking really good right now. Hope it holds out.

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Carlson, Sorry to hear it but there will always be more times to ride.

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Right now the plan on Friday is for Allen and I and maybe Griff is to meet up in Marshall Illinois and ride through Southern Illinois on the way to Harrison. Still have to nail down a time to meet in Marshall. It looks like about a 468 mile route from Marshall to Harrison. Griff and Allen have a little way to get to Marshall first.

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Looking forward to the trip down and the whole non-event event.

 
My Posse and I plan to leave Lafayette, LA early Thursday morning. We'll camp somewhere between I-40 and Hot Springs on Thursday night. That makes plenty of time to wander on Friday in route to Harrison.

I'm still on the fence regarding my tires. I just HATE to throw away 20% of the useable tread wear on my current set. (You say CHEAP, I say FRUGAL.... Tomato, tomato - let's call the whole thing off)

I'll figure it out,

 
pants, How many in your party? If you think you have 20% tread left, that equals what <2k miles? That seems too close to chance and you can always keep the take offs for later use in case you get a puncture!

 
We are 4 all together at this time. 3 Feejers and 1 ST13

Maybe we should stop talking about the weather - I'm a man of science, but can't argue with the occasional jinx,.

For me, the entire trip won't be more than 1500 - 1600 miles. But half of that will be on the Arkansas belt sanders, where my right wrist tends to get very limber. (Pipe it! - that was not THAT kind of joke, he he). Eh - we'll see.... Lord knows I've blown fifty bucks on a whole lot less.

 
Following this thread. Not that I get to go along. Busy season at work. I can't even call in dead till after June.

You guys put up lots of pictures. I am interested in this area. This is going to be my wife and I's big ride this fall. We are going to spend about 10 days in the Ozarks. Neither of us have ever been.

Hppants - thanks for the info by PM.

 
My pleasure, Dan. I'll throw together a ride report for this trip.

OK friends, I'm done pinching pennies. My wheels are in the back of the truck - heading to the tire man in a minute. Truth be told, they are a little more worn than I thought. On a wet road coming home, my pucker factor would be uncomfortable.

Last weekend before the pilgrimage. The 4 in my group are still a go. The waiting is the hardest part!!!!!

 
My pleasure, Dan. I'll throw together a ride report for this trip.
OK friends, I'm done pinching pennies. My wheels are in the back of the truck - heading to the tire man in a minute. Truth be told, they are a little more worn than I thought. On a wet road coming home, my pucker factor would be uncomfortable.

Last weekend before the pilgrimage. The 4 in my group are still a go. The waiting is the hardest part!!!!!
All this talk about tires and I did not realize my front only has about 2k miles left so I too am changing it tomorrow. The rear looks like it is good for another 4k, so it will remain. Thanks for waffling so much about this so I double checked my own tires too!

 
If a tire has 2k miles of "normal" road riding, there is no way it will withstand 3 days of riding in arkansas plus the round trip there and back! A brand new tire gets about 2k if you're lucky there if you are tearing it up! And I mean sport touring tires!

 
Yep, changed front tire and just reinstalled wheel back on the bike. Checked brake pads while I was at it and they are looking great and barely worn. Just gotta load up some routes from Harrison onto my TomTom and I will be ready! Looked at forecast for Indy Friday morning and it will be a chilly low 30's when I start heading out but Sat and Sun in AR is looking good with the warmer day being Sunday!

 
I've got new shoes on my horse. They are mounted and scrubbed in. All systems go for Pants - now getting pumped!!!!!

 
Did some of the same prep work I always do. I think I am ready, but all this talk of tire shredding has me a little concerned that my tires may just vanish once we get there. lol. I don't ride that hard anyway.


The forecast for Friday has plummeted. But the other 2 days are perfect. I ordered a new jacket that is supposed to be here Wednesday, this one will be much warmer and I won't have to wear the extra layers.

New tank bag is getting sorted out along the way. Highway pegs have been tried out. Will be interesting to see if they make it that much more comfortable. Gloves are new, boots are new, glasses are new, bought a new to me cover for the bike, pipes are new( thanks again Allen) Had to get a new right side bag too.

My GPS can't sit where it used to. The tank bag will hit it as I push into curves and especially in parking lots. Gotta figure that out. A longer ram bone arm would fist the Prob. But I can survive with it as is for now.

Yea, I am excited. Just gotta get the packing list sorted.


 
Weather forecasts for the end of the week are changing by the minute. I wouldn't get too worried just yet. I even saw snow forecast for Ponca Friday, 5 minutes ago. Now 20% chance of rain!

 
Did some of the same prep work I always do. I think I am ready, but all this talk of tire shredding has me a little concerned that my tires may just vanish once we get there. lol. I don't ride that hard anyway.


The forecast for Friday has plummeted. But the other 2 days are perfect. I ordered a new jacket that is supposed to be here Wednesday, this one will be much warmer and I won't have to wear the extra layers.

New tank bag is getting sorted out along the way. Highway pegs have been tried out. Will be interesting to see if they make it that much more comfortable. Gloves are new, boots are new, glasses are new, bought a new to me cover for the bike, pipes are new( thanks again Allen) Had to get a new right side bag too.

My GPS can't sit where it used to. The tank bag will hit it as I push into curves and especially in parking lots. Gotta figure that out. A longer ram bone arm would fist the Prob. But I can survive with it as is for now.

Yea, I am excited. Just gotta get the packing list sorted.
Cav, just keep your tires watched. I've made a set of BT023s last 8000 miles of conservative out-of-state touring, and I've chewed a set off on 3200 miles of pure Arkansas twisties. I have to admit the 3200-mile set was more fun.

Maybe it'd be a good idea to call some local shops when you get to town to see who has the right sizes in stock .... just in case ;)

Since I'm leaving Thursday the 2nd for two weeks, I'm gonna give next weekend to the wife. So you folks stay safe.

You're right about the weather, Mike. In this part of the country there's little point in trying to keep track; you get what you get ;)

 
Fresh tires and only fresh tires, or maybe only 1k miles off of them. Otherwise, you are chancing it...which I have done in the past and won. But I always seem to get sideways looks when I do.
biggrin.png


 
This is what happened to a buddy on his 08' FJR last September on the 2nd day of a trip to AR. He thought he had plenty of tread before leaving for the trip.

Push Mountain did it in....



 
Talked with my peeps this afternoon. On Thursday, if weather allows, we are going to camp at Lake Nimrod (yeah - you read that right), which is off Hwy 7 just south of Russellville. If weather does not permit camping, then we will press on northward to get a hotel at Russellville.

On Friday, we are thinking of going to ride toward Boxley Valley and maybe do some hiking and caving:

https://buffaloriverchamber.com/attraction_lost_valley.html#axzz3VFOo6ANh

https://alltrails.com/trail/us/arkansas/lost-valley-trail

 
Okay Men, (and ladies). It is time to officially MAN (or WOMAN) up. There is 12 of you following this thread obviously for a reason. I know some of you are itching to go with us. Weather is going to be a little cold on Friday, but Saturday and Sunday look awesome.

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Allan C

Pants and 4 guys in his party

Cav (me)

Are all in for sure

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Griff is riding the fence because of responsibilities. And some others have expressed interest. Go to page one and look up some details. Pants and I have each others cell numbers to arrange with rides, or post ride activities.

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I can't wait to see the confirmed and hope to see the committed down in Harrison.

We will keep you informed.

 
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