Busted out!!

[markclark57]

Is it warm yet? We are expecting the first 100° day of the year this Sunday.

[GIBBY]

How are you at sign language Mark

[waterman]

Originally Posted by glwilson

Well you shamed me to go into Arkansas today, although I started out late. I cut my trip short because of it though.

I went straight down 65 to Harrison and then took 7 all the way to Dover. I turned around and rode it back. Same road but going two directions made it seem different. 6-hour ride total with stops only for fuel.

A local in Dover had me take a side route off 7 out of Jasper (43 then to something else to Harrison).

Didn't go to where the Hub is, but that looks really cool -- and didn't see Push Mountain. I will look to see where it is at and see if I can get down there to it.

Overall... Rt-7 out of Harrison a few miles is a Grade-A paved road, but twisted and gnarled... reminding me a bit of the Dragon (if not more in a few spots). Constant turns and twists for miles and miles.

The road then climbs to the mountain ridges and provides absolutely beautiful views (reminding much of NC).

About half way between Harrison and Dover, 7 starts to be less intense on its turns and twists; however it is anything but straight. Road condition is what I would call moderate. (No pot-holes, but some minor cracking and some minor bumps here and there.) But still a great road. I would say it is Arkansas's answer to NC's Blueridge Parkway from that point on to Dover. Really nice.

The additional alternate I took out of Jasper was a very tight/twisted road that climbed up then down into the mountain valleys for about 10-15 miles. I can see where someone could get hurt fast on that road if they were not experienced or paying attention. You really had to have your hands and feet going the entire time to keep the machine in the correct attitude. But after that it became what I call "tight sweepers". Real nice.

As mentioned, I did not do the long loop I had originally intended. I would still be out there in the mountains somewhere if I had.

None the less, I had a great ride today, and saw some fantastic scenery, and a whole lot of bikes of all kinds down here. (Not any single brand dominated -- but it was mostly Ultra's, GW's. BMW's, and sport-bikes of a variety.

Oh yeah... and I am sun and wind burned.

Where's the bourbon in this town!!!!

There are some really great roads down there. I have stayed in Eureka Springs a couple of times and rode out of there. There is one road just into Missouri that if you take it you get to ride a ferry across a lake.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

How are you at sign language Mark

Make that two.

[glwilson]

Okay Jen and Gibby.

Here is the route the "locals" keep talking about as being their "must-ride" in the area. They stated; "You just about have to work really hard to find a bad route... but this is a winner, for sure".

Anyway... I have been on part of this; however I will complete the whole loop tomorrow. (Keep in mind it is an 1.25 hour ride for me to get to the start of this ride.

I hope the link works...

https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou...8&sz=17&num=10

[GIBBY]

Link worked and it sure does look like a winner to me. Have fun and ride safe bud.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by glwilson

Okay Jen and Gibby.

Here is the route the "locals" keep talking about as being their "must-ride" in the area. They stated; "You just about have to work really hard to find a bad route... but this is a winner, for sure".

Anyway... I have been on part of this; however I will complete the whole loop tomorrow. (Keep in mind it is an 1.25 hour ride for me to get to the start of this ride.

I hope the link works...

https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou...8&sz=17&num=10

Hey Greg,

No picture, you didn't do it.

[jendesigner]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

Link worked and it sure does look like a winner to me. Have fun and ride safe bud.

Yep, 123 is great :-) First time I went down there a friend insisted we ride it, at the end she asked how I liked it, I took off my helmet and said "let's ride that one again!" I was told if you don't see your own license plate on some of the curves your not riding it right :-)

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by waterman

Hey Greg,

No picture, you didn't do it.

I am not the tourist-type Joel and do not take many pics when riding... sorry.

I took about two or three pics on a turnout; but nothing more. They never really show what it looks like... so its kind of a waste to me.

Besides, as you will read in Jen's post before this one... you simply do not have time to take pics if you are riding... at least to live doing it.

Rain has me socked-in today. Thunder and lightening blowing through... I don't want to be on a tall hill when that happens...