Heading toward Texas, let's ride Ark/Mo first.

[Cav47]

Got a hankering to head to North Texas to visit a special place to me. My Grandpa passed away about 8 years ago. At HIS request, he told me NOT to come to see him at the end of his cancer battle or to the services. He made this request because I was in the middle of a football season and he did not want me bailing on the team I was coaching. I did what he told me and I have not been back since. Longer story, but I will share it in the ride report that will follow after the ride.

SO, Spring Break this year I have planned to head to Sherman Texas to poke around a few days. I have 4 or so days to get there. Missouri and Arkansas are on the way. Seems like a shame to blow by some good riding. I don't really have a plan except to stay off the interstate whenever possible.

I am leaving Illinois on Friday, March 18th as long as it is not snowing. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in the South Missouri/Northwest Arkansas/Eastern Oklahoma area. Then head toward Texas on Tuesday. After a few days in North Texas, I am headed South towards the Gulf before I head back.

Come join me somewhere in the Ozark Plateau. I will camp or hotel depending on who comes along. Let's throw some ideas out there. I loved almost ever min of last years spring break trip to Harrison, and Hooterville was spectacular. If you have never been to either place, u are missing some awesome riding. I am a serious newbie to this area and even I can recognize a gem of an area when I see it.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Sounds like fun but I already have a Arkansas trip planned for some co workers and myself the first week of April. Have fun!

 

[steveoreno]

Take highway 19 from Salem Missouri all the way down to Arkansas. It's beautiful. Used to work there back in the late 70's and early 80's. I haven't been back there since but will be headed back this June since the statutes of limitations must be up by now.

 

[DHS1981]

+ 1 for HW 19. I was just on that road in November of '15 and it was really nice, especially between Gladden, MO and Eminence, MO. Of course, Arkansas HW 23, 27, 123, and 7 north of I-40 are great roads too. If you want about 15 miles of the super twisty stuff that will get your heart pumping, don't pass up Push Mountain Road (HW 341) starting near Norfork, AR (south of Mountain Home, AR). Living in Oklahoma City, that area is kind of my playground -- I can get there in three hours from my house. Not much good riding in Oklahoma beyond the southeast part of the state, but you might want to hop on Route 66 out of Tulsa if you're riding in northwest Arkansas There's a nice piece of road that runs south off of HW 412 just east of Locus Grove, OK -- HW 10 -- which you can take down to Tahlequah, OK, then make your way west to pick up Route 66 and head toward Oklahoma City. Have a great trip, and be safe.

 

[Cav47]

@Steven and DHS, those look like good suggestions from what I can see on the map and what we rode last year.

I am seriously excited to get a ride on Push Mountain with a properly inflate rear tire. Last time was not ideal at under 20psi.

Look at your calendars and hit highways with me.

 

[gixxerjasen]

Wish I could meet you, but I'll be on the slopes with the kiddo.

Look up Huck's Catfish. I can't 100% vouch for them as I haven't been there in ages, not since before they moved into Sherman from Howe, but they sure were good the last time we went.

 

[airboss]

Hannibal, MO, MO79 don't miss that one. South to Louisiana, MO and US 54 West to 19.

 

[Cav47]

Wish I could meet you, but I'll be on the slopes with the kiddo.Look up Huck's Catfish. I can't 100% vouch for them as I haven't been there in ages, not since before they moved into Sherman from Howe, but they sure were good the last time we went.

Hucks was one of the last places we went before he got real sick. That one was in Denison. I might have been to the other one in Howe a long time ago.

Since he had boat on Lake Texoma we spent a fair amount of time in Pottsboro and surrounding area. Looking forward to seeing how familiar those roads are now.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

If you are headed to the Gulf afterward... Don't forget hppants and myself.

 

[Allen_C]

Sounds like a good ride and I would have joined you but I will be in Chicago then Vegas that same week. Safe travels and great memories to you!

 

[petey]

DHS1981...you say not much good riding in OK beyond the south east part of the State??? Well let's just say you don't know a lot of the eastern part of the State, understandable.. because it is well hidden and a lot of it is in mid and NE of the State.

Cav have fun on your trip. If it works out I'll do a few miles with ya.

 

[Cav47]

DHS1981...you say not much good riding in OK beyond the south east part of the State??? Well let's just say you don't know a lot of the eastern part of the State, understandable.. because it is well hidden and a lot of it is in mid and NE of the State.Cav have fun on your trip. If it works out I'll do a few miles with ya.

Petey, I was hoping you would chime in. I know you know that area well. It can't be very far from you either. Some miles together would be awesome.

 

[DHS1981]

Petey, maybe I should have said "compared to Arkansas...." However, I've ridden in all 77 counties of Oklahoma, and if you're keeping some secret roads all to yourself somewhere, do tell.

Cav47, thanks for the invite, but I'll be on a spring break trip with the family. I am scooting over to Arkansas later this month tho, weather permitting, and I'll let you know if I find a new must-do road.

 

[Cav47]

When I use the word "plan", this is a loose interpretation. John(RJAMT) and I are going to do some riding in the AR/MO area, other than that, "plans" are less formal. Looking for a great time are only real plans!!

Plans are setting up well. RJAMT and I are meeting up in Chester Illinois on Friday the 18th. We are going to take some fun roads over to the Arkansas/Missouri area around Bull Shoals lake. We are camping Friday, Saturday, and he has to head back on Sunday. But I likey will camp one more night in the area. Monday, I plan on heading toward North Texas. But do not have to get there in any rush.

If you are going to be in the area and want to ride with us on any of the days, shoot me a PM.

I have made contact with family there that I haven't been able to reach in 9 years. Gonna catch up with them for a day or two and then head South toward the Gulf. The expectations of adventure is just killing me. So excited already. Pictures and report forthcoming for sure.

 

[PhilJet09]

Darn, so close. I'll be riding to Dallas the 14-15 and going home 21-22. Unfortunately, my schedule is firm and there's not a lot of time for sight seeing.

 

[Cav47]

Darn, so close. I'll be riding to Dallas the 14-15 and going home 21-22. Unfortunately, my schedule is firm and there's not a lot of time for sight seeing.

If things change while you are down there, PM me and we can see if we can connect.

 

[Cav47]

Checking in on the weather for the upcoming trip, I have a couple of questions. They are not the most serious, but

The weather near the Gulf is going to be 85 on Monday>>>>>Do I need to take along a Mesh Jacket? (I love being able to say this) 4 days ago, I had electrics on.

Should I change the shield back to the smaller OEM one? I prefer the OEM one when riding curves. The big one provides rain and cold protection.

 

[airboss]

Meeting in Chester?

Bet you two are going to take US160 across to NW Arkansas.

Bet your going to have lunch at Lambert's in Sikeston too.

Best put the small shield on.

 

[Cav47]

Carl,

John, RJAMT has some routes in mind, but we are not really making a whole lot of plans other than to ride a lot. He knows this area way better than I do and will gladly defer to his knowledge. This area is his stomping grounds. Push Mt. and some others are on the short list, but other than that is TBD. Since we are camping, taking the house with us, our plans are more fluid.

As for the route across, 160 may be run some, but not exclusively. Heck, we don't even know for sure what campground we are staying in, but John and I are easy going about such things. Safe, Quiet, and located near the good roads are what have to have.

As for eating at Lambert's, I do not know about that. I have a NO CHAIN restaurant rule when on trips like this unless forced. Food **** is just better when done locally. Local mom and pop places out on the road are cooler. Or take the advice of others on the board here and drive to the middle of town and see where all the cars are. That is the place to eat.

I just thought of a possible ride report title............Mesh Jackets and Small Windscreens. We all know those are important details