Anyone up for a trip? Just a rough idea at this point, but I'm thinking...
Slab it up I30 to Hot Springs leaving early Saturday. (aprox. 300 miles)
Camp or motel.
Ride the fun roads back to DFW on Sunday (maybe 350 miles?)
Any suggestions for a good route back from Hot Springs that hits the best roads?
Ah man, so many ride choices this weekend! I'd LOVE to do this trip. Any chance of coming back on Monday?
Arlington hotel (AND spa ;D ) gets my vote; has secure indoor parking too:
http://www.arlingtonhotel.com/ (http://www.arlingtonhotel.com/)
Quote from: n2f on May 27, 2010, 03:58:15 AM
Ah man, so many ride choices this weekend! I'd LOVE to do this trip. Any chance of coming back on Monday?
Arlington hotel (AND spa ;D ) gets my vote; has secure indoor parking too:
http://www.arlingtonhotel.com/ (http://www.arlingtonhotel.com/)
Oh wow, just realized Monday is a holiday. Yeah, a Monday return would work, though finding reservations might be difficult with the holiday weekend. The Arlington's reservation system on the website said to call as nothing was available.
I'll call 'em. Two or three rooms?
Quote from: n2f on May 27, 2010, 07:01:57 AM
I'll call 'em. Two or three rooms?
Thanks Lisa. Looks like two at this point unless others chime in.
Quote from: fastwin on May 27, 2010, 11:16:16 AM
Warning Will Robinson! Shades of Lost in Space!! [laugh]
I used to go up every Memorial Day weekend with a group of riding buddies in the early 80s. That is until I got f#@king sick and tired of every decent two lane twisty road (like 90% of them are!) being jammed up with SUVs, RVs and every single boat in AR being pulled by the world's slowest pick up! Every Memorial Day weekend!! Drove me insane! [bang] Ride all the way up there to hit those great roads and then as far as the eye can see is a 25mph train of RVs, boats on trailers, etc...
Swore I'd never go back on that holiday weekend ever again and I've kept that promise since 1985. I know it sounds like fun and a good idea but if you haven't experienced it trust me. It sucks. If you go I hope you have a better time than I ever did. Nothing like seeing the best roads in AR unwind in front of you and not being able to do a damn thing about it at 25mph. Oh, by the way, every Sheriff, cop and Highway Patrol will be out looking for trouble that weekend. Never got in trouble because couldn't ever go fast enough to get in trouble!!!! [bang]
ughhh.... you've got a point. re-thinking.
Depending on roads you take you wot have a problem. Hw7 yes but all the fun local roads should be ok
Quote from: muskrat on May 27, 2010, 02:21:36 PM
Depending on roads you take you wot have a problem. Hw7 yes but all the fun local roads should be ok
Would appreciate any recommendations you think might be good. [thumbsup]
Yeah, the last 10 or so miles of Highway 7 into Hot Springs have always been processional; get in line to get into town. I wonder if it's coincidence that's where all the liquor stores are located? [bang] [laugh]
I'm going anyway - could use a solid day of twisty bits. This will be my fourth trip so I'm working on the route less travelled.
[moto]
Quote from: n2f on May 27, 2010, 02:46:02 PM
Yeah, the last 10 or so miles of Highway 7 into Hot Springs have always been processional; get in line to get into town. I wonder if it's coincidence that's where all the liquor stores are located? [bang] [laugh]
I'm going anyway - could use a solid day of twisty bits. This will be my fourth trip so I'm working on the route less travelled.
[moto]
[thumbsup]
YES! I 've still got paper copies of one of Swanny's routes [thumbsup]
Be safe and have a blast! [moto]
I will be in Arkansas this weekend so if anyone runs into any issues I can help. I will be about an hour east of Hot Springs.
Lisa, hopefully you still have my cell. If not, PM me and I will send it to you.
You guys have a blast and enjoy the twisties.
Swanny
hwy 7 but beware of traffic
hwy 27, hwy 74 & 66 to Mountain View for 173 miles
also on the list are 5, 154, 155, 186, 164, 123, 14, 9 and return home on hwy 65 (there will be lots of cops on hwy 65 though)
Those are just a a few for 300 mile days around Hot Springs. Have fun and be safe.
Quote from: swanny on May 27, 2010, 04:50:48 PM
I will be in Arkansas this weekend so if anyone runs into any issues I can help. I will be about an hour east of Hot Springs.
Lisa, hopefully you still have my cell. If not, PM me and I will send it to you.
You guys have a blast and enjoy the twisties.
Swanny
Well hey there, Swanny! Great to see your post here. Can't think of Arkansas rides without thinking of those trips you put together. Awesome stuff and I'm happy to say Alan still has a hard copy of one of your trips so I'm using part of your route for this weekend's festivities. Prolly won't compare but we're going to give it a shot anyway [laugh] Farthest north I've got us going is Ozark. May add a bit here and there but that's the general idea at the moment.
Quote from: TresGatos on May 27, 2010, 04:08:15 PM
Be safe and have a blast! [moto]
Thanks Dan... hope the knee is feeling better this weekend for Sundays ride. [thumbsup] [moto]
Quote from: muskrat on May 27, 2010, 05:33:14 PM
hwy 7 but beware of traffic
hwy 27, hwy 74 & 66 to Mountain View for 173 miles
also on the list are 5, 154, 155, 186, 164, 123, 14, 9 and return home on hwy 65 (there will be lots of cops on hwy 65 though)
Those are just a a few for 300 mile days around Hot Springs. Have fun and be safe.
Thanks for the suggestions Dax. This is my first trip up to AR and can't wait to try the good stuff.
the really good stuff is around Mountain View and Eureka which is doable in a day. Try Jasper if you can go as well.
Wish I could go, but have a combo of work and house projects.
I did run into a buddy of mine ( Buell Jim ) from Motopia, and he mentioned that he and Rene are trailering bikes up there for the weekend, so keep an eye out for a white Buell and Rene's 1098s...
Have not been up to Ark in over a year :(
O.K. packed and ready to go. Had it all in my tank bag but it ended up being just a bit too tall so the backpack is going too.
Should be a fun trip [moto]
Quote from: n2f on May 28, 2010, 05:47:34 PM
O.K. packed and ready to go. Had it all in my tank bag but it ended up being just a bit too tall so the backpack is going too.
Should be a fun trip [moto]
Bag too tall. On the Triumph or can a
trip9 wear a tank bag?
Quote from: TresGatos on May 28, 2010, 07:17:15 PM
Bag too tall. On the Triumph or can a
trip9 wear a tank bag?
There's an app for that...
(http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h37/alancb/Picture002-1.jpg)
She's almost ready to go...
First gas stop: Mt Pleasant
leos spotted: 9
citations: 0
Quote from: dallas2r on May 29, 2010, 05:53:55 AM
First gas stop: Mt Pleasant
leos spotted: 9
citations: 0
Update please [popcorn]
They're probably stuck in traffic. [laugh] Hope not! They're hopefully at the Arlington bar chatting up locals about their epic ride today! Wish I had one in AR this weekend!!! [bang] Y'all be safe and have fun. [moto]
Quote from: fastwin on May 29, 2010, 06:00:17 PM
Wish I had one in AR this weekend!!! [bang] Y'all be safe and have fun. [moto]
+ 1 [thumbsup] [moto]
Quote from: TresGatos on May 29, 2010, 05:49:16 PM
Update please [popcorn]
Good ride up today; traffic wasn't bad at all. Mostly slab but there was a fun bit around Horatio. The "slab" up here is far more interesting than DFW.
Got into town about 1:15. Just in time for some Mexican and a couple of margaritas. Checked into the Arlington @ 3:00, cleaned up, then took a walk down the main drag. Got some good pics and had an awesome dinner at a German place. I'm still stuffed.
Early breakfast @ 7:00 then were off on a 350 mile route of twisty asphalt goodness. [thumbsup]
Hope the roads are clear, the sun is out and all the RV drivers and cops are having donuts and coffee. Hope it's not as hot in AR as it is here. :P Too hot too soon, doesn't bode well for the rest of the summer if this keeps up. Shades of 1980! [bang]
Let's all have a good day on 2 [moto]
Wow!!!!! Just got back to the hotel 30 minutes ago, sippin a Stella Artois. 442 miles today. UNBELIEVABLE!!! To basterdize a cliche, this is the land of asphalt and honey!! No traffic on the roads we took. You owe us a beer Brian. :P
So freakin jealous...
Glad to hear the "sea of traffic" was parted for you all.
442 MILES!!! [bow_down]
our 200 about. Kicked my butt
when are you getting back here? Let's get some
mud bugs and brews [beer]
You know, there are some days I am so damn glad to be wrong. This is one of them! [thumbsup] If I had gone it would have sucked. Trust me! :P Maybe you owe me a beer for not going!!!! [laugh] Awesome, glad you guys rocked the asphalt ribbon. Have a safe trip home. Have fun and watch for cops! [leo] ;D
Wow!!! Wait a damn minute there high speed Will. Where are the pics... you know the freaking rules!!! >:(
His stories are 20 years old :o
Times change [evil]
Quote from: muskrat on May 30, 2010, 06:58:23 PM
His stories are 20 years old :o
Times change [evil]
ouch. funny how your stories are newer but twice as stale! BAZINGA!! [laugh]
Quote from: fastwin on May 30, 2010, 06:46:00 PM
Wow!!! Wait a damn minute there high speed Will. Where are the pics... you know the freaking rules!!! >:(
today was one of those days where the road was far more important. no time to take pics.
Coming from Dull Will. :'(
but you must admit, my stories are shorter. :P
Come to think of it, I did take a few pics coming up on Saturday and a couple yesterday from the lodge @ Mt. Magazine. I'll post 'em up as well as the gps tracks from Sunday when I get back. Now, off to soak in the mineral baths & then a massage (To avoid the possibility of blindness or severe retinal pain, I'll refrain from photographing this process.).
Dull yes, but I'm ok with that. :P
Quote from: TresGatos on May 30, 2010, 05:50:27 PM
442 MILES!!! [bow_down]
our 200 about. Kicked my butt
when are you getting back here? Let's get some
mud bugs and brews [beer]
getting back this afternoon. I'm gonna chill out and relax some, but don't let that stop u. [beer]
Are you guys staying at the Arlington? Please tell me you are going for the whole spa treatment. Mineral bath and massage would a kick ass way to end and start a day of riding. Hell, I need that every day without a 400+ mile ride!
Quote from: fastwin on May 31, 2010, 05:30:30 AM
Are you guys staying at the Arlington? Please tell me you are going for the whole spa treatment. Mineral bath and massage would a kick ass way to end and start a day of riding. Hell, I need that every day without a 400+ mile ride!
Yes sirree-bob. Got "The Works" package which gets you 90 minutes of bath, sauna and massage. I am now a floppy noodle.
Quote from: dallas2r on May 31, 2010, 06:04:31 AM
Yes sirree-bob. Got "The Works" package which gets you 90 minutes of bath, sauna and massage. I am now a floppy noodle.
So jealous... [thumbsup]
Hope you guys miss the big ass thunderstorms that are in SE Oklahoma right now, kinda moving southeast. Big rain, thunder and small hail. Right in the middle of "turkey country". Hopefully it will all pass through by the time you guys hit that area. Maybe just some wet roads and cooler temps. [thumbsup] [moto]
http://www.wfaa.com/weather/radar?radar=64242082&img=12&type=ani&c=y (http://www.wfaa.com/weather/radar?radar=64242082&img=12&type=ani&c=y)
Be safe, have fun.
Oh... and Happy Memorial Day to everyone (aka Jennifer's birthday!), especially to all the vets! Thank you!!! [clap]
Quote from: dallas2r on May 31, 2010, 06:04:31 AM
Yes sirree-bob. I am now a floppy noodle.
That's what she said! [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
Home safe and sound.
1075 miles total trip
no tickets
no incidents
flawless. [thumbsup]
Thanks for joining me Lisa. What a great time. Wouldn't have been half as much fun without you. [thumbsup] [beer]
Glad you made it back and had a great time [thumbsup]
Lisa, you home yet?
Yep, safe and sound [thumbsup] I had a great time! Unbelievebly awesome ride weekend; wish more people could have gone because the roads we were on are honestly second to none.
Will's GPS and iphone weather saved the day yesterday though. We had a predetermined 325 mile figure-eight kind of loop as a route but as we got to the farthest point on our loop it was only noon so we decided to improvise another couple of hours north and east using the gps. Worked out really well.
I'd say 90% of the roads we were on were secondary roads so we seldeom, if ever, saw any significant traffic of any kind. No shit; Memorial Day Weekend and every other motorized entity was curiously no where to be found... Now if I only knew where we were [laugh] Thank god for GPS.
We even ended up on the Pig Trail too. Neat road with some traffic but not enough to ruin your day.
Also avoided some rain initially using the iphone but got swamped a little later as the storm grew. I look it as good practice... Yeah, right. Maybe [laugh] [bang]
Bottomline is there are some really spectacular roads five hours from D/FW. And as many times as I've been to Arkansas, it seems like I never ride the same roads twice. VERY awesome weekend! And did I mention the high for yesterday was 84? ;D
[beer]
glad you guys made it a safe one. the pig trail rocks.
Great to hear! As I said before I am glad I was wrong. Glad you guys had a good time. So you got rained on, is that right? Hope it didn't last too long. Was afraid you'd hit the rain in SE OK earlier today. It was a big storm!
Wow, 84 for a high?? Hell, it felt like 184 here yesterday. I'm just not ready for the "scorchers" yet. :P
Maybe I'll be up for a repeat performance this fall. I love riding up there!! [thumbsup] [moto]
I got hailed on one time. Worth it though!
Repeat this fall maybe?
Here's a link to the routes we took:
link (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109151765268542970369.00048802d60a58ca5cc1f&z=8)
We decided to jet back the same way we went up so there's only the one route getting to and from.
Though there wasn't a boring road up there, I highlighted the sections that were my favorites and one section that wasn't so good (the auto-routing function of the gps has it's downfalls too).
Proof that it DID happen. ;D
Pics on the road
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/P1020928.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/P1020931.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/P1020933.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/arkansas001.jpg)
From the lodge on Mt. Magazine
Hot Springs
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/P5290195.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/P5290198.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/P5290200.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/P5290202.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/arkansas031.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/arkansas026.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/arkansas019.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/arkansas015.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/happywafflemonkey/arkansas001-2.jpg)
Seriously squiggly roads. Great little road trip, glad y'all had a good time. [thumbsup]
Good pics, good times [thumbsup] It seems like that improvisd route north of I40 just kept getting better and better; every time you'd turn onto a differrent road it was like, "Are you kidding me?!" Twisty, empty roads with hills and green valleys as far as you could see! Favorite would have to have been hwy 16 towards Tilly (a purple section on our route map) - 37 minutes of twisty goodness with no one on it 8) In fact, after doing this trip I have to wonder why 80 % of those roads are even there; no one uses them... weird but cool, of course [evil]
Well hell... the trip was not without incident. After removing all the bodywork last night, then going over it this morning with a fine tooth comb, it would appear she's up to her old tricks once again; fractured subframe. Clean through :'(
So, I'm officially on the look out for a flawless 2003-2004 999 mono subframe [bang]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-749-999-MONOPOSTO-MONO-SOLO-SUBFRAME-TAIL-FRAME-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b1f1d495QQitemZ170489140373QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-749-999-MONOPOSTO-MONO-SOLO-SUBFRAME-TAIL-FRAME-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b1f1d495QQitemZ170489140373QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
Is that the correct bit?
Quote from: n2f on June 02, 2010, 08:10:08 AM
Well hell... the trip was not without incident. After removing all the bodywork last night, then going over it this morning with a fine tooth comb, it would appear she's up to her old tricks once again; fractured subframe. Clean through :'(
So, I'm officially on the look out for a flawless 2003-2004 999 mono subframe [bang]
Holy crap! :o Sorry to hear that.
I knew you rode the crap out of that thing, but WOW, that's over the top.
someone go get the welder
Quote from: CajunR on June 02, 2010, 08:15:26 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-749-999-MONOPOSTO-MONO-SOLO-SUBFRAME-TAIL-FRAME-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b1f1d495QQitemZ170489140373QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-749-999-MONOPOSTO-MONO-SOLO-SUBFRAME-TAIL-FRAME-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b1f1d495QQitemZ170489140373QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
Is that the correct bit?
Yep, that's it. Thanks for the post. I've bought lots of carbon fiber bits and a few billet odds-n-ends from them before and they're good to work with. I'll send 'em an email with a question or two before I follow through though.
Quote from: dallas2r on June 02, 2010, 08:58:33 AM
Holy crap! :o Sorry to hear that.
I knew you rode the crap out of that thing, but WOW, that's over the top.
Ha! I vaguely remember somewhere along the Sunday ride hearing a loud, hollow "ping" kind of sound - kind of like when you run over a rock and it shoots out from underneath the tire - and thought I may have punctured the rear tire but I bet it was the subframe letting go...
That sub frame is from a 2005 999S. I know there were several changes from the first gen 999 to the 2005-2007 bikes. Don't know anything specific about frame or sub frame differences but that's a good question to throw at them. Twenty bucks says it will fit your first gen or my 2005. [thumbsup]
you're 94-lbs body was just too much for it...
Note to self: McKraut to the top of the Christmas Card List [laugh]
I was thinking it was the second bowl of chips and salsa at the Mexican food place. Or maybe it was the second Franziskaner Hefe Weiss at the Hoffbrau Haus... Yeah, prolly the beer [drink]
OR it could have been that 2 mile stretch of sorry-ass, poor excuse for a cow-path road right outside of Crows. Multistrada or billy goat material for sure [bang]
At any rate, no worries - she'll be up and running again soon [thumbsup] Of course dismantling the back of the bike will give me an excuse to finally jet-hot coat my exhaust system. Might even powder coat the new aluminum subframe black... throw in the stock rear sets and I'm in business!
Quote from: CajunR on June 02, 2010, 08:15:26 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-749-999-MONOPOSTO-MONO-SOLO-SUBFRAME-TAIL-FRAME-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b1f1d495QQitemZ170489140373QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-749-999-MONOPOSTO-MONO-SOLO-SUBFRAME-TAIL-FRAME-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b1f1d495QQitemZ170489140373QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
Is that the correct bit?
Talked with the seller and the part is on the way. Thanks for the heads-up Rob [thumbsup]
Quote from: n2f on June 04, 2010, 01:09:14 PM
Talked with the seller and the part is on the way. Thanks for the heads-up Rob [thumbsup]
Sweet! Glad it worked out. [thumbsup]