Arkansas Run March 27th-30th

[TripperMike]

You folks have a blast!

It has pained me to follow this thread for the past few months knowing I'd not be going. Oh well, just makes me more eager to try to make it at a later date...just so long as it ain't too much later.

You folks might want to place your orders now for new tires so you have them when you get back. Michelin loves Arkansas roads too.

 

[mikep1300]

Thanks TripperMike. I think I'll do just that, my rear should be ready when we get back.

 

[Cav47]

MikeP1300,

So are you in the group coming with Pants?

 

[Allen_C]

Thanks TripperMike. I think I'll do just that, my rear should be ready when we get back.

I have two sets of tires in my garage waiting. They should last me the season after this AR run.

 

[El Toro Joe]

y'all have fun...

 

[Cav47]

I will do my best to get a ride report up for you Joe!! Thanks.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Would a Pilot Power survive this run?

 

[hppants]

Good question - I got only about 5K out of a pilot power rear on the FJR, but 1,500 of that was an Ozark run. So, if it's more than 50% good, I'd say yes. But I wouldn't leave the house with less than 50% of the tire.

MikeP is in our group. We voted to let him lead us to the twisties (he's got the radar detector!!!!).

Just to keep this thread going, I've taken care of some VERY important plans yesterday:

(in no particular order)

1. Camera batteries have a fresh charge. S/D card is swiped clean.

2. MP3 player battery is charged.

3. Added a 1/2 can of seafoam to a full fuel tank. Might as well clean the old injectors on the slab Thursday. Of course, when one follows MikeP on the slab, trust me, the carbon is gonna get blown clean!!!

4. Packed my kitchen and food/snacks.

5. Conducted a VIP meeting with my neighbor at the Street. He's the liquor salesman. As a side note, I HIGHLY recommend that everyone have a liquor salesperson for a neighbor. The perks are boundless. Anyhoo - in exchange for a my fixing an antique table lamp for him (swapped the socket/switch and put a new lamp cord on it), he will be providing me with a fresh bottle of my FAVORITE TEQUILLA!!!!

Oh yeah - we are getting into adventure mode now, baby!!!

 

[Poolboytoo]

I'm IN ! New rear tire yesterday, going to go the camping route. Undecided as to were to camp, thinking same place as Pants , but I see a place about ten miles from the hotels. Woodland park? Not sure if tents are allowed. Will reserch more.

 

[Allen_C]

I'm IN ! New rear tire yesterday, going to go the camping route. Undecided as to were to camp, thinking same place as Pants , but I see a place about ten miles from the hotels. Woodland park? Not sure if tents are allowed. Will reserch more.

Research quickly...2 days left! Looking forward to meeting you (and pants' crew) soon.

 

[Cav47]

Gonna be a chilly ride down, but it will make it all the more worth it down there. Trying to get fully finished up here to get completely in the mindset.

Pool Boy, you have a good jaunt down.

Pants, We have each others phone #s, we should figure up a way to get our rides merged at some point. Allen and Griff have GPX routes that we are likely to try out.

 

[hppants]

The four Louisiana boyz are all packing. We leave tomorrow morning early. We should be riding through some showers tomorrow (especially in the morning), but once into Arkansas, things should be improving for us. Planning and packing for a 5 day trip for weather ranging from 35 - 75 degrees is pretty challenging. Good thing we ride mules willing and able to tow the load!!

Poolboy - I'm not familiar with Woodland Park. Never heard of it. We are still on the fence regarding where we will camp. This is by design and adds to the adventure. We plan to check out the Carver USGS Recreational Area (where Hwy 123 crosses the Buffalo River). I don't think it will be packed with paddlers, but I'm hoping that a few people are there because if we leave our stuff during the day, I want it to be there when I get back. This is always the trade-off with primitive camping. I've never had an incident, but there's no point in tempting fate. Alternatively, there's a decent campground in Ponca at the canoe outfitter. Dogwood Springs on Hwy 7 is kind of "KOA-ish" - way too crowded for my taste. The Harrison Village Campground in Harrison is clean and has plenty of amenities, but it's in the city and again, usually very crowded. The Hub in Marble Falls is Ok - but every time I've passed through there, it looked like a Pirate Convention and I guess I'm kind of soured over it.

Let's ride!!!

 

[FJRBandit]

Just stumbled across this thread yesterday. Hate that I can't make it up to join you guys this weekend. For those of you that love to ride the area and either make it this weekend or don't, hopefully you'll be able to make it to SFO being held at The Hub in mid-September. BTW - I read a few comments in this thread about The Hub being dated. While generally true, Randal and Debbie are always working on improving the property and each year we go back there have been several rooms refurbed. It's been a long, slow process for them but they are getting it done and two of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Also, there will be four or five of us at The Hub May 24th thru the 27th. Come on and join us if you'd like! FJRbritbob and I will be in the midst of a 10 day ride shunpikin' our way through Dixie. At present, LA2wheeler and his South Arkansas brood are scheduled to attend and I expect Cornbread will make time for us as well.

Brit Bob will be visiting from where else? the U.K. He will be riding my FJR and I will be on my Veestrom. We'll be scrubbing our tires on that Ozark chip seal for three days en-route to Nashville via central MO and St. Louis to visit the Gateway Arch and Budweiser tour.

I hope you guys have a great ride this weekend! If I just get a wild hair and can blow out of B'ham early enough Friday I'll blast my way up. I don't expect it to happen but at least I can hope, right? Ride safe!

 

[Cav47]

Bandit,

If you make your way up, shoot one of us a PM, we will have service somewhere and check our email.

 

[0Face]

Does everybody have rooms? I'm going to let mine go if nobody needs it.

 

[ShowMeMo]

Would a Pilot Power survive this run?

Last year I put one on and used it for two days down there then back to KC... And it was toast.... Very sticky - very soft...

 

[Allen_C]

Does everybody have rooms? I'm going to let mine go if nobody needs it.

Griff can't go and only Cav and I are staying in the hotel and already reserved a room. Go ahead and release yours!

 

[hppants]

OK - I'm packed and ready. Had to stuff the saddle bags a little more than I'd like, but when you are looking at this temperature range, better to have it and not need it, then visa versa.

I checked in with my peeps - we are all good to go.

Cav, Allen, Pool (and anyone else going) - we'll see ya'll up there.

Everyone else - we'll catch up with ya'll next week!

Cheers.

 

[Poolboytoo]

I'm packed and going to leave 7:30 am Thursday morning. Hook up with you guys at hotel friday night.

 

[Allen_C]

I'm packed and going to leave 7:30 am Thursday morning. Hook up with you guys at hotel friday night.

Cool. Cav and I should be there around 7pm. Just in time for food and drinks!