Northern Arkansas Highlights.

So, I convinced my 67 year old dad to get a motorcycle about 5 years ago.   He's never ridden before really, aside from 80cc dirt bikes when I was a wee tyke. Before you judge and just assume I'm trying to wiggle into an earlier inheritance, my goal behind this coercion was to get to spend some good, quality time with the guy while he's still got it left.  Arthritis is plaguing him these days, and things are starting to slow down.  I finally convinced him to join some friends (Triumph whores those guys...) and I for a weekend in the northern Arkansas Ozarks.  Unfortunately, a good number of riders were bitten this weekend... last count was 5 guys went down.  Fortunately, nobody was killed.  Most were in full gear. For those unfamiliar with the area, it's some of the best riding and scenery in the central US. So, my dad and I (he on an ST1300 and me on my gen 7 VFR) party crashed the RAT (Rider's Association of Triumph) Raid in the Ozarks.  Thanks to Tim for letting representatives of the rising sun come along to share the fun. I'm still working the kinks out of placement for the camera, so I'm sorry for the shakiness in the video, and the GoPro Hero 2 isn't known for audio quality, so I hope you all like Johnny Cash. We started south of Harrison, AR and took the "Moonshine Run" ride.  They give you a little brochure of some of the best routes in the area when you stay at the Hub Motel*.  The whole route is 110 miles and 650+ curves, some highly technical and some just begging to be blistered.  Since I was with my dad and he's a bit less experienced than I and the roads were wet, I had to keep the pace a bit slow.  The benefit was I got to do some real sight-seeing.   Figured I'd share the video I put together for him as a "thanks for coming". *The Hub caters to bikers... The rooms are reminiscent of a jail cell, they provide rags for your bike after you're done riding, have a massage therapist on site, a decent place for grub.  Hey, I just slept there.  Thanks to the HUB for having all of us.

Looks like you took ak129 there, been on alot of those roads myself, love riding the Ozarks - I think my favorite is hwy 16 to Witt springs to Sand Gap

I do know that 123 was probably one of the most impressive bits of blacktop I've ever been on.  

129 wasn't part of the route... From Harrison, S on scenic 7 through Jasper, catch 374 W of Vendor through to Mount Judea.... that's where it gets interesting.  After Judea, it's 123 to Lurton, catch 16 west to Swain, 21 north to Ponca then 43 back into Harrison.

Gorgeous countryside... too bad my cinema skills are so bad!

Arkansas???  Never heard of it??? :goofy:

123 is the best for sure but you've just scratched the surface for great roads.  HS, I was just remeniscing with Jay about 16.  We use to run the full length nearly every trip...miss it.  

Was just in AR last weekend with some friends but didn't make it north of I-40.

[image: Posted Image]

Good grief that's a pretty picture.   :fing02:

Yeah, I'm with you guys on the AR roads... really damn nice.  Hopefully sometime this summer I'll make a quick run through the southern rockies.  I love the Durango area and would really like to get up to Silverton on a day run.

Work seems to have other plans however. :pissed:

I think we need a good picture here of you, your dad and the 2 Honda's...............


:fing02:

NICE  and Welcome..

Good riding here. Headed up 123 tomorrow for a short ride.

[image: View Post]Yokel, on 30 April 2012 - 01:56 AM, said:

Good grief that's a pretty picture.   :fing02:

Yeah, I'm with you guys on the AR roads... really damn nice.  Hopefully sometime this summer I'll make a quick run through the southern rockies.  I love the Durango area and would really like to get up to Silverton on a day run.

Work seems to have other plans however. :pissed:

Come to the Summer Summit in August, those roads are on the menu! 200 or so vfrd members probably coming to the sum sum, see the link on the home page

Hey Jon,
Nice video! And I especially loved the Johnny Cash! Been many years since I have heard "The One On the Right". He and his wife are two of the few really famous people I have had an opportunity to see, live, in person. They appeared at our Airmans' Club when I was stationed in England. I know some better roads than you saw this weekend and you don't have to go all the way to Arkansas. Close though. We will have to plan a run up to the Spavinaws. Sorry you got wet going home! I think me and Matt got sunburned! I will be in touch. Thanks for lunch!

Ernie