Arkansas trip update

[dasher]

I’ve taken my first road trip on a m/c and it was fantastic! The 900 LT (’07) handled the trip very well. Total mileage 1,235 indicated (less the 10% odometer error factor) so in reality about 1,110. Below is a recap.

I left Dallas last Saturday around 9:00 and headed out on Rt 30 west, a VERY BORING 155 miles to the Arkansas (AR) boarder. Had to take a break at about the 100 mile mark, which seemed to be my limit in the saddle. Once I hit AR I decided to head north to Mena and then southeast to Lake Hamilton (just south or Hot Springs). Since this was my vacation and not just a road trip for me I wanted to stay in some nice places. I can highly recommend Lookout Point B&B Lookout Point Inn: a Luxury Hot Springs Bed and Breakfast in Arkansas a very nice place. After a long ride to Lake Hamilton, I took the next day off the bike and just hung out at the lake, very relaxing.

On Monday the fun began. I headed north on Rt 7 through the Ouachita national forest. What a great ride! That stretch of road (15 miles?) was just beautiful and a blast to ride. I kept going north past Rt 40 and took 164 west to 123 north. 123 is a road that should not be missed. The lower half (from 164 until you cross Rt 7 again) is great but the northern half is unbelievable (from Rt 7 to Mount Judea). Let’s just say you’ll know where 2nd gear is and you’ll be braking. I wasn’t trying to set any speed records, just out enjoying the ride and scenery. The roads are in great shape as well. One of the funniest things that happened to me on that part of the trip was I got smoked by a GW Trike!! I saw his light in the distance behind me and the next thing I knew – blam – right by me. I LOL for about 15 min. I headed to Harrison for the night.

On Tuesday I took the scenic route to Eureka Springs, via Yellville and 14 west. I had to see the Golden Gate bridge of AR, a very cool one-lane bridge. Eureka Springs is a nice place. The HOT weather took some of the fun out of walking around the town but it was still a good time. I stayed at the Crescent Hotel, a nice place to stay I really enjoyed it – they have an excellent restaurant if you want to treat yourself. I stayed in E.S. for two nights (I wanted to give myself 2 days off bike) and walked the town on day two. Had dinner at the hotel the first night (very good) and at an Italian restaurant the second night called Ermilio’s, excellent food and a nice little place.

On Thursday I headed south to Mena via Rt 23 and the famous Pig Trail. What a great ride! The Pig Trail is all it’s cracked up to be, a lot of fun, light traffic and again you’re riding through the beautiful forest. Not bad. I had to stop and have lunch at Turner Bend store – have a sandwich and buy stuff (proof of my travels!!). My next stop was Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge in Mena. What a nice place for the $$. Nice rooms great setting a decent restaurant and great views. The lodge sits at 2600 feet and the views a great.

Friday morning was the start of the long ride home (about 270 miles or so). Got up before sunrise to load the bike, had breakfast and started back. Rt 30 was still a beating and the heat didn’t help. Having such great memories of the trip made it a lot easier.

I learned a few things on the trip.

The Good, the bad and the ugly:

The good:
• The 900 LT road like a champ. If I were going to tour much more often, sure I would look for a bigger bike. But the reality of it is that I’ll do a trip like this once a year with shorter trips more often. And for that this bike works for me.
• The Nelson Riggs luggage (900 model) worked awesome. A lot of space and fit on the bike real well.
• If you’re going to tour Arkansas the Arkansas Rider's Guide by Mario Caruso is an absolute MUST have. Great ideas on routes, places to stay and eat and maps. Thanks Mario!
• Lookout Point B&B (while expensive) and the Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge are nice places to stay.
• The roads in general in AR are great, 123, 7 and 23 should not be missed.
• If I didn’t fully appreciate counter steering, I do now! That is how the bike turns at speed.
• Looking well ahead in a curve is how I kept a smooth path through the turn. I started out looking about 20 feet in front of the bike but I noticed I had to keep making small adjustments thru the curve. Then I realized that I s/b looking about 20 yards in front of the bike. Once I did that (which is not instinctive – at least not to me) the ride thru the curve was much smoother and required fewer adjustments while in the curve.
• A great way to keep directions is (I read this in a magazine), get index cards (3 X 5) and use a sharpie to write out 4 legs of the trip per card. I wrote out each leg and tapped them (I used duct tape) to the risers on the handlebars. Then after I completed the legs on that card I just pulled over and changed cards. It worked great. Also number the cards in case you drop them!
• I took a 32 oz wide mouth glass bottle with me and at each stop I would fill it with mostly ice and top off with water. This way I had cold water available when I stopped. It was HOT.
• Since I was traveling alone for over 1,000 miles and in mostly rural areas and back roads I was a little concerned if I had a bad crash I’d be in big trouble. So I printed out my routes on mapquest and gave a copy to my wife. I also found out my phone (as most do) has a GPS in it. I told my wife if you haven’t received either a text message or a call from me by 7PM then something bad has happened. So at least she knew my routes and could call 911 give them my phone # and if I had a signal they can at least find me! Recently the father of a friend of mine was out riding his m/c and crashed in a rural area and they didn’t find him for 4 days (he died).
• Seafoam every other tank of gas!
• On a 7 day trip having 2 days off my trusty steed was a good idea.

The Bad:
• The fuel gauge is worthless. It’s way off – know your mileage and give yourself a margin of safety and you’ll be happier.

The Ugly:
• The heat – wow was it hot. After day one I figured out to load the bike before I showered and ate breakfast. Worked out much better.
• I won’t have a leg of a tip where the first number in the mileage starts with a “3”. Day one 325+ miles. Way too long for me. Now I know. After that, my leg’s were between 175 and 250 miles which for me is much more manageable.

All in all great trip!!

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice for the trip (luggage, roads ...) i really appreciate it.

Dasher

[ALStensby]

Sounds like you had a great time!

[greg58]

Next time there try the Talimena highway, that goes from Mena ARK into Oklahoma. Very scenic.
I love ARK.
Greg58

[Chad_Clearwater]

So, where are the pictures? You knew somebody was going to say it!


RE: gas gauge...I learned at a young age to keep an eye on mileage and KNOW how far I could go!! Trip odometers are a beautiful thing!

Sounds like you had a great trip.

[usttobee50]

Dasher.................this is "GREAT" write up of your trip. I'm glad you enjoyed Arkansas, living in Arkansas, I know full well all our state has to offer. Every one is welcome to enjoy a ride like you have written about...................Just don't all of you come at the same time, we have to keep the traffic reasonable.
LOL!

[dasher]

Greg58, you're right the Talimena highway is next on the list. I'm already planning my next trip to AR. It's a beautiful state and is just a pleasure to ride in.

Dasher

[GoldWolf]

Great write-up. I love riding in AR, usually make it over there 2 or 3 times a year.