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Monday, January 20, 2014
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Thursday May 21st (Day 7 of riding)
10 miles of paved road then 20 of gravel road (lots of dust). After this there were really nice roads with dappled shade from trees arching over the road and enough moisture in the road to have little dust.
2 police cars - both seemed to be checking us out as if they were thinking about pulling us over.
Stopped for gas and the pumps had some funky process to get them going. No one could successfully fill their bikes.
At the AK / OK boarder there were a lot of chicken farms - strong smell.
Most roads became gravel which had fine dust.
David Rush miscalculated a turn and ended up hung up on a pile of dirt at the edge of the road. Rick and I stopped to take pictures and video.
Eventually he got the bike back on the road but he was a bit pissed that we didn't help.
By the side of the Illinois river we saw Patriot park. I wanted to take pictures within the park but then we saw no trespassing signs so apparently it was private property. Just as we turned around to leave a guy from across the road on a ride on lawn mower told us we could go in. He was the owner. He had built a really cool tree house, a river side deck etc. It was like a mini city park.
During the day we saw 6 deer, 12 dead armadillo, and a number of dead possums which all had smiles on their faces.
We ended up in Bartlesville in good time and visited David Hill and David Rush's old homes where they grew up. After that we stopped by the Bartlesville Cycle Sport store to say hello. This is the place where David, David and Rick bought their bikes.
Rick went to take a photo of a guy on a horse but beeped his horn accidently and the horse turned on him... We had to step in and separate them before the horse kicked his butt.
Stirling's for dinner (steaks, trout almandeen)
Cab Renick liquor store.
Dave said pathos is a great word but sadly his point ended up being bathos.
2 police cars - both seemed to be checking us out as if they were thinking about pulling us over.
Stopped for gas and the pumps had some funky process to get them going. No one could successfully fill their bikes.
At the AK / OK boarder there were a lot of chicken farms - strong smell.
Most roads became gravel which had fine dust.
David Rush miscalculated a turn and ended up hung up on a pile of dirt at the edge of the road. Rick and I stopped to take pictures and video.
Eventually he got the bike back on the road but he was a bit pissed that we didn't help.
By the side of the Illinois river we saw Patriot park. I wanted to take pictures within the park but then we saw no trespassing signs so apparently it was private property. Just as we turned around to leave a guy from across the road on a ride on lawn mower told us we could go in. He was the owner. He had built a really cool tree house, a river side deck etc. It was like a mini city park.
During the day we saw 6 deer, 12 dead armadillo, and a number of dead possums which all had smiles on their faces.
We ended up in Bartlesville in good time and visited David Hill and David Rush's old homes where they grew up. After that we stopped by the Bartlesville Cycle Sport store to say hello. This is the place where David, David and Rick bought their bikes.
Rick went to take a photo of a guy on a horse but beeped his horn accidently and the horse turned on him... We had to step in and separate them before the horse kicked his butt.
Stirling's for dinner (steaks, trout almandeen)
Cab Renick liquor store.
Dave said pathos is a great word but sadly his point ended up being bathos.
Wednesday May 20th (Day 6 of riding)
Started the day off by checking oil and topping up at Walmart. David Rush had a bit of luck after dropping his keys - A lady followed him out and waved them as he realized that he didn't seem to have them. David Hill gave the oil funnel to David Rush as an early birthday present.
Short transport section to the trail.
We climbed into the Ozark mountains. Good trails, rock strata in the road made it challenging/fun.
Trail had longer sections between turns which made it easier to relax and just ride.
Lost Rick briefly after he stopped to take a photo and we continued to the next turn.
Met two guys on KLR650s riding the trail.
I hit 85mph on a dirt straight today, David Hill did 75 and caught up after I'd slowed down. Says he considered passing but figured I'd just roll on the speed again and run him off at the next corner. Rick got up to 71mph on dirt today. David Rush got up to 55mph on pavement...
Stopped at the Oark general store for lunch today. It has a lot of character.
Met a couple on a Goldwing from Canada. He was very interested in our adventure and has started planning to do it.
All the rivers in the Ozark area are an unusual cloudy aqua color.
The large rocks and slightly dry forest reminded me of the Watagan mountains near home in Australia. Even the outlooks were similar to Muir's lookout and others there.
Trails in general were great. Winding roads with just enough difficulty to keep you focused.
One 5-10min section was extremely rough, descending into a valley. We stopped twice to figure out if it really was the trail.
David Hill called the bike shop in Bartlesville where he knows the owner. We intend to drop by there tomorrow to say hello. This is the place where the three DRZ400s came from. Spoke to Randy Hart who seems to want to do the trail some time.
Arrived at Alma AK, a dry county so we made a beer run to the neighbouring county.
Did a laundry load. blah blah blah
Short transport section to the trail.
We climbed into the Ozark mountains. Good trails, rock strata in the road made it challenging/fun.
Trail had longer sections between turns which made it easier to relax and just ride.
Lost Rick briefly after he stopped to take a photo and we continued to the next turn.
Met two guys on KLR650s riding the trail.
I hit 85mph on a dirt straight today, David Hill did 75 and caught up after I'd slowed down. Says he considered passing but figured I'd just roll on the speed again and run him off at the next corner. Rick got up to 71mph on dirt today. David Rush got up to 55mph on pavement...
Stopped at the Oark general store for lunch today. It has a lot of character.
Met a couple on a Goldwing from Canada. He was very interested in our adventure and has started planning to do it.
All the rivers in the Ozark area are an unusual cloudy aqua color.
The large rocks and slightly dry forest reminded me of the Watagan mountains near home in Australia. Even the outlooks were similar to Muir's lookout and others there.
Trails in general were great. Winding roads with just enough difficulty to keep you focused.
One 5-10min section was extremely rough, descending into a valley. We stopped twice to figure out if it really was the trail.
David Hill called the bike shop in Bartlesville where he knows the owner. We intend to drop by there tomorrow to say hello. This is the place where the three DRZ400s came from. Spoke to Randy Hart who seems to want to do the trail some time.
Arrived at Alma AK, a dry county so we made a beer run to the neighbouring county.
Did a laundry load. blah blah blah
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tuesday May 19th (Day 5 of riding)
Placeholder coming soon.
Notes are on a scrap of paper somewhere...
Notes are on a scrap of paper somewhere...
Monday, May 18, 2009
Monday May 18th (Day 4 of riding)
Started off with about an hour of paved roads with small sections of dirt. From that point on the amount of dirt increased dramatically.
Rick had a tense moment where he came across the crest of a hill and mistook a driveway for the road. There was a locked metal gate only 40 yards up so he had to stop fast.
Just before getting to the Mississippi border the terrain got dryer and suddenly felt remote. We stopped at a four way intersection and took a few pictures.
Further into Mississippi there were long stretches of freshly graded dirt which allowed for some really fun riding. Power sliding through corners etc. Then we got to a pair of bridges that were out of action. The first one would have been possible to get over but the second one wasn't an option.
For a short time we ended up on a really nice road that inexplicably had a 20mph speed limit. It then had a warning about the curves ahead which said 15mph - I think we could have rode through at 60mph. Anyway who knows. We passed one big house there so the owners possibly had some political connections.
We came into a small town called Ashland at lunch time. The first sign warned that loud music would not be tolerated $500 fine....
Fun town. Then the speed limit was reduced to 20mph... then 15mph as we passed a school. These folk have some strict laws by the look of it so we tried to stay on the right side of the law rather than end up in an orange jump suit. I had to look down to see if my wheels were still turning. Anyhow, it was lunch time so we stopped at the Ashland Cafe.
After lunch there were a lot more great dirt roads. They varied from single car width to wider graded roads but they were all fun. As the afternoon went on the roads had more and more rounded stones on the surface which made them difficult where it was deep. We had to really concentrate on maintaining control - this took it's toll. With all the dirt roads and now the more difficult soupy gravel people were getting tired. This more difficult gravel also produced a lot more dust so we ended up more spread out trying to avoid breathing it and not being able to see the hazards.
A short distance from our end point for the day we rode through a sketchy area. We weren't sure if the groups of people who waved to us were being friendly or getting ready to block us in and rob us. One group was playing horseshoes and I swear the guy holding a horseshoe was aiming at me. We just kept riding... Didn't want to slow down at all.
Finally we got to the hotel. We were pretty dusty today and a bit tired. It was good to settle into the rooms.
Rick had a tense moment where he came across the crest of a hill and mistook a driveway for the road. There was a locked metal gate only 40 yards up so he had to stop fast.
Just before getting to the Mississippi border the terrain got dryer and suddenly felt remote. We stopped at a four way intersection and took a few pictures.
Further into Mississippi there were long stretches of freshly graded dirt which allowed for some really fun riding. Power sliding through corners etc. Then we got to a pair of bridges that were out of action. The first one would have been possible to get over but the second one wasn't an option.
For a short time we ended up on a really nice road that inexplicably had a 20mph speed limit. It then had a warning about the curves ahead which said 15mph - I think we could have rode through at 60mph. Anyway who knows. We passed one big house there so the owners possibly had some political connections.
We came into a small town called Ashland at lunch time. The first sign warned that loud music would not be tolerated $500 fine....
Fun town. Then the speed limit was reduced to 20mph... then 15mph as we passed a school. These folk have some strict laws by the look of it so we tried to stay on the right side of the law rather than end up in an orange jump suit. I had to look down to see if my wheels were still turning. Anyhow, it was lunch time so we stopped at the Ashland Cafe.
After lunch there were a lot more great dirt roads. They varied from single car width to wider graded roads but they were all fun. As the afternoon went on the roads had more and more rounded stones on the surface which made them difficult where it was deep. We had to really concentrate on maintaining control - this took it's toll. With all the dirt roads and now the more difficult soupy gravel people were getting tired. This more difficult gravel also produced a lot more dust so we ended up more spread out trying to avoid breathing it and not being able to see the hazards.
A short distance from our end point for the day we rode through a sketchy area. We weren't sure if the groups of people who waved to us were being friendly or getting ready to block us in and rob us. One group was playing horseshoes and I swear the guy holding a horseshoe was aiming at me. We just kept riding... Didn't want to slow down at all.
Finally we got to the hotel. We were pretty dusty today and a bit tired. It was good to settle into the rooms.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Sunday May 17th (Day 3 of riding)
Slow morning - mostly road. Stopped for a picture at the first piece of dirt road. Then after 1/4 mile it was back to asphalt.
Rode through an Amish community. Signs were hand drawn and indicated where furniture, vegetables, tomato stakes and other services were available.
We were travelling on Sunday and all businesses were closed. Stopped for fuel and food early at the first opportunity (11am). Guy packing heat walked in. Checked out the knives. Gas / Food + plumbing, fishing, clothes and groceries etc.
Started seeing lots of dirt road after 12 noon.
First slippery stream crossing claimed Rick.
He looked at it and thought it would be easy. The rest of us looked much more carefully for a good line. And had different opinions. But we all got through.
Some wide open dirt brought higher speed. 3rd gear roll on with the 1200 out accelerated the 400s even on dirt.
More slippery stream crossings... Tricky every time.
Came to a road closed sign - bridge out. Went down to check it out anyhow. Turns out they were hiding a perfectly good bridge under a huge tarp. We lifted the tarp enough to ride under and got across. They were spray painting the top metal sections of the bridge but the deck of the bridge was all fine.
Soon after the bridge we went down to some low areas next to a big river. Nice modern style waterfront houses in a resort. Up on concrete pillars.
Road started to get water and flooded fields next to it.
Then lots of water over the road. First section wasn't too hard.
Next was scary. The flooded road disappeared around a corner 200 yards away so we couldn't tell how far or how much deeper it may get. See video. Got through ok though.
Then we came to the show stopper. The water went for a long way and seemed to be a bit deeper than before. Rick waded in .... wanted to give it a go. He rode in and ended up getting about 20% of the way before the bike stalled. He had to push it all the way back to dry land. See video / pictures. Now we know what the 'High water' sign meant.
Lots more winding road and dirt. As it got later the sun was a problem. Hard to see and gave me a headache.
Got into town and had a little trouble finding the motel - they had changed names.
The recommended steak restaurant was closed.... Ended up at a place called Kay's. Not bad but the owner and wait staff were weird.
Transferred pictures to my machine and then realized that I had left my AC adapter at the second hotel...
Rode through an Amish community. Signs were hand drawn and indicated where furniture, vegetables, tomato stakes and other services were available.
We were travelling on Sunday and all businesses were closed. Stopped for fuel and food early at the first opportunity (11am). Guy packing heat walked in. Checked out the knives. Gas / Food + plumbing, fishing, clothes and groceries etc.
Started seeing lots of dirt road after 12 noon.
First slippery stream crossing claimed Rick.
He looked at it and thought it would be easy. The rest of us looked much more carefully for a good line. And had different opinions. But we all got through.
Some wide open dirt brought higher speed. 3rd gear roll on with the 1200 out accelerated the 400s even on dirt.
More slippery stream crossings... Tricky every time.
Came to a road closed sign - bridge out. Went down to check it out anyhow. Turns out they were hiding a perfectly good bridge under a huge tarp. We lifted the tarp enough to ride under and got across. They were spray painting the top metal sections of the bridge but the deck of the bridge was all fine.
Soon after the bridge we went down to some low areas next to a big river. Nice modern style waterfront houses in a resort. Up on concrete pillars.
Road started to get water and flooded fields next to it.
Then lots of water over the road. First section wasn't too hard.
Next was scary. The flooded road disappeared around a corner 200 yards away so we couldn't tell how far or how much deeper it may get. See video. Got through ok though.
Then we came to the show stopper. The water went for a long way and seemed to be a bit deeper than before. Rick waded in .... wanted to give it a go. He rode in and ended up getting about 20% of the way before the bike stalled. He had to push it all the way back to dry land. See video / pictures. Now we know what the 'High water' sign meant.
Lots more winding road and dirt. As it got later the sun was a problem. Hard to see and gave me a headache.
Got into town and had a little trouble finding the motel - they had changed names.
The recommended steak restaurant was closed.... Ended up at a place called Kay's. Not bad but the owner and wait staff were weird.
Transferred pictures to my machine and then realized that I had left my AC adapter at the second hotel...
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