This year I organized a run from Dallas to Arkansas so we could get some of these other guys up there to see the mountains and the wild twisties that it has to offer. There is nothing like it in Texas and Colorado just isn't as green!
When the date approach many dropped out like flies but on April 21st, Erin and I met up with my brother Dave and Mike (VWFARM from the HondaShadow.net forum) at the theater off of Hwy 75 in Plano. Mike had to drive about 65 miles north to meet us and caught some rain. Dave and I assured him that there would be no more rain as he and I have a thing for being able to dodge storms. Luckily that panned out!!
Here we are at the theater...and the clouds are breaking up where we are at but there are storms still in Oklahoma heading to Arkansas. We would get some road spray for the first 200 miles of the day but the rest was dry travel!
Clouds Breaking Up
L-R, Bro Dave, Gonzo, and Mike with Erin Snapping Photos That is Mikes VT1100 Shadow Spirit up front, Daves 95 VT1100 Virago, and our 98 Valk...all loaded up and ready to go!
This is a shot heading east in Oklahoma on Hwy 70....
and another....
We stop in Talahina to fill up and head out to the starting point of the Talimina Scenic Skyway from Talihina OK to Mena Ark. Erin and I ran this last October and it was very nice ride, and we could see a good distance on either side of the highway. That was our tribute ride to Ed Barry which can be seen here http://www.gonzos-garage.com/Bike/woody/woodys_ride.htm . Here's the marker for the beginning of the trail. There is a shop there with maps and info for Oklahoma touring and they have some nice ride pins for the Skyway.
Here are Mike, Dave and I with the traditional gratuitous sign picture!!
And one with the love of my life Erin as well!!
The rides...chrome already dulled from the road spray and overcast skies that look like they could still unload on us any minute.
Erin went wildflower hunting!!
The skyway winds along the tops of these hills with great views and markers with information on both sides. One day we will get to read them all!
Here's one nice view!
One shot of the hills ahead.
This shos how the roads wind around the hills. High speed fun here!
with spectacular views!
Lots of rest stops or overlooks on either side...about every 1/4 mile or so!!
Such a hazy day...you could see for miles otherwise.
We meet Billy (ARspirit from the forum) at the Queen Wilhelmina State Park Restaurant and motor lodge. We have an awesome lunch there (chicken fried steak for me) with a sassy waitress that was a riot!
Here are Erin and Billy geared up after lunch and ready to go to hit the Pig Trail all the way up to Eureka Springs!
Billy takes the lead and I get to listen to Joes favorite pipes all the way up there!! The advantage to being in front I guess is that it is quieter...right Joe? (Inside Joke)
We go through some hilly east Arkansas areas to get to the lower section of 23 which is nothing spectacular. The fun is north of I-40.
and Into the flats...
Getting hilly with some lakes.
Hills approaching. Erin does a great job helping me document our trips.
It is so green here it is beautiful.
On 23 north of I-40 we start getting into the twisties. We stop at a souvenir shop and Billy treats everyone to Pig Trail pins and patches!! He got me one last year!! Dave my bro gave him a Talimina pin over lunch since they were only available on the OK side. Pins and patches are best when they are given!!
Here's a good shot of one of the turns. Lots of 10mph turns to get through and canopies of trees!!
Late in the day and we are approaching Eureka...we pull in right at dusk. A good full day of riding from 9:35 to 6:30.
I think this is some sort of Arkansas Deer blind?
Sun down from the Pig Trail
We head to a local Tex-Mex place after finally finding a hotel. Seems there was a Mustang show and biker convention going on and most hotels were NO VACANCY. We found one that decided to open a week early to handle the extra traffic and they sold all but one room that night!! We slept GREAT!! The food was good and the margaritas were strong but the company was the best!! For those that missed this run, I treated to dinner and drinks!! You missed it!!
L-R Gonz, Billy, Dave, and Mike
A couple of those margaritas and we were almost crawling up to our bikes wore to a T. We managed to find the
End Day One
Gonzo
02' Shadow Spirit, 98 Valkyrie "Eragon"