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| June 2011 | Louisiana MSTA Newsletter | Page 1 |
STAR 2011 in Johnson City, TN is just a few days away. I have been busy preparing the Concours 14 for the trip with fresh fluids: motor and gear oil, coolant and hydraulic fluid. I will try Redline Water Wetter for the summer months in hopes of cooling down the riding environment this big Kawasaki creates.
In this issue we have my reports on our May lunch ride and this years MSTA T-23 (Mena, AR) event. Plus Drew's report on his solo ride to Pagosa Springs, CO AND his ride report of his Hill Country ride back in February which I forgot to include in a previous issue.
Later...
Bob
| CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW RIDES: TIM - TRIUMPH TIGER 800XC; TONY TRIUMPH TIGER 1050 | |
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My Ill Fated Trip to South Dakota, oh, I mean Colorado
By
Drew T. Newcomer
The original plan was to take some time off from work at the end of May/beginning of June and head for the Black Hills of South Dakota. I have never been there and always wanted to ride in the area that has been popular with motorcyclists for many years. However, the recent weather pattern of tornadoes and cold meant that I found it necessary to change my destination. While I have crossed the border in Colorado and can say I have ridden there, I have not nearly explored the state like I would like. So, when it was time to saddle up I headed to Colorado with hopes of riding roads I had never traveled and visiting with friends that have found a home in the mountains.
The weather was fairly nice on May 26 when I pulled the new K1300GT onto the interstate and headed west into Texas. Not leaving till nearly noon, I got only as far as Sherman, TX where I spent the night. On Friday morning I was up before the sun and headed west on US 82 heading to Wichita Falls and US 287 which would take me northwest to Amarillo. Though I was tempted to stop and eat lunch at the Big Texan, I stayed on the throttle heading west on I-40 to Vega, TX where I turned north on US 385. 385 took me to Dalhart, TX and a part of the panhandle I had never been. It was also time to eat lunch and the ice tea went down very easily as the sun had warmed things up considerably since leaving Sherman early in the morning. In Dalhart, Highway 87 took me northwest to Clayton, NM where I decided to spend the night. I had done about 460 miles, so figured that was enough.
The weather the next morning was predicted to be windy so I was on the road early again heading up 64/87 to Raton, NM where I-25 would take me north to Trinidad, CO and then onto Walsenburg where I would turn west on 160 and head to my final destination of Pagosa Springs.
Well, things pretty much went according to plan and I got to Highway 160 without too much trouble. I did have hints of the wind picking up as I journeyed further and further west. By the time I stopped for lunch near South Fork, (west of Alamosa) the wind had become a real nuisance. I was only about 40 miles from Pagosa Springs and fortunately the wind was not a problem as I crossed Wolf Creek Pass and the Continental Divide. There was still plenty of snow at the higher elevations but the sun was out and the road dry and I was enjoying what I had come to see. The wind reminded me that things were not perfect as I motored down the west side of the divide. I checked into my motel about 1pm and parked the bike figuring I would explore Pagosa Springs on foot.
Like Hot Springs, AR, Pagosa Springs, CO is known for its thermal baths and "healing" waters. So, after three days in the saddle I decided to try it out. The hot water felt good and smelled of sulfur. I got a massage after the bath and then enjoyed a good meal complimented by beer from a local brewery.
I didn't really plan on riding much on Sunday so the bike stayed parked. I did white-water raft down the San Juan River which was quite enjoyable - even with the water temperature being 36F! The sun was out and the splash gear did a good job of keeping you warm. The 16 mile trip took about 3.5 hours and the scenery was, of course, quite different from what I was used to.
After an afternoon nap, a check of the weather did not make me smile. A phone call home did not improve things as my mom's respiratory troubles were not improving. So, not wanting to stay in Pagosa Springs another night, I decided to head back home. I originally was going to head to Durango, but temperatures there were going to drop into the 20s and there was a chance of being stranded there. Tuesday, May 31 was the only day the weather service predicted wind would not be a problem. This still meant I had to deal with some wind on Monday and I was hoping it would not be too bad as I pulled out of Pagosa Springs at 8am.
The ride on 160 east back up to Wolf Creek Pass was not bad, and I was very glad. Snow flurries fell in the higher elevations and the sun that had been out two days before was now behind a cloud and the road was wet. Fortunately, there was not much traffic as my thermometer indicated a temperature of 32F. The temperature warmed up as I descended down the eastern slope but as the temperature rose, so did the wind. The 20 to 40 mph winds that had been predicted were now in effect. I don't know what the gusts were hitting but there were a couple of blasts that hit me and I thought I was going to come off the bike!! Things did not improve as I reached Walsenburg and headed south on I-25. The wind was coming directly across the road and I was lucky to maintain a speed of 40 mph. I pulled in behind a Gold Wing that had his emergency flashers on and we rode together - slowly - to Raton, NM.
While eating a sandwich in Raton I told some Harley riders, "This was the worst day I have ever spent on a motorcycle." One of them told me, "yea, we were headed north but we heard the wind was blowing 70 mph in Walsenburg"!!!! 70 mph !!! I got on the road at Walsenburg. I was 82 miles from Clayton, NM and the very nice Best Western where I had stayed a couple nights before. Thinking the wind would be somewhat at my back I turned southeast on 64. I was wrong the wind still was coming across my bike at a 90 degree angle and the 82 miles took two hours. I was very glad to stop and park the bike. The computer at the motel said the wind was blowing 35 to 50 mph with gusts upwards of 60! I had ridden by bikes pulled off on the side of the road all day long (they had some common sense!) A Harley rider checking into the motel with me had ridden from Oklahoma City and he had encountered the same conditions I had. A check of the weather did still say the wind would lie down at midnight and I surely did hope it was right!
The flag was a very welcome site on Tuesday, June 1. It hung like a dishrag. Wanting not to go home the exact same way I rode out, I headed east on 64 to Boise City, Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Panhandle. 64 took me to Guymon, OK where I continued due east on 270/412. Let me tell you, there AIN'T nothing out here - not even a tree. The road just disappears into the distance. (You could get rid of a body and figure only the coyotes would find it!!) In Woodward, OK 183/270 kept me heading southeasterly to I -40. I rode about 25 miles east on I-40 to OK 81 which took me south to Chickasha. Here I found Highway 19 east to Ada, OK and my stop for the night. It had been a pretty good day. I rode 465 miles and the wind was merely just a nuisance at times. My motel was owned by Mr. Patel - he sure does have a lot of family in the motel business!! JD's Diner next door proved to be a great place to eat and I was able to park the bike underneath an overhang and out of the way of any thunderstorms that might pass through.
The thunderstorms never materialized and I was on the road at 530am. Fortunately, the wind remained calm and I rode to Antlers, OK then south to Paris, TX where I turned east on US 82. I stayed on 82 all the way to El Dorado, AR and from there, my usual route back home through Farmerville. I was home - and very glad to be there - at 1pm. I have been out west three times during the month of May, and think I'll opt for some other time of the year next time I go. Though I rode only 300 miles on Monday coming back from Pagosa Springs, that is as tired as I have ever been after a ride. And, I was riding when I should have probably been holed up somewhere. I was probably lucky in some respects too. And, I hope I never have to push my luck like that again!
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by Bob Chappuis
Paul Lefort of Thibodaux rode up on his new Kawasaki Ninja 1000 and met me in St. Francisville for a 9:00 am departure for Mena, AR via back roads, heading north on US 61 to Natchez and crossing the Mississippi. There we went west on US84 to Jonesville, taking LA126 to Grayson. 126 is one of the best twisties in the state. Continuing we worked our way northwest though Chatham, Arcadia and Haynesville and into Arkansas on US79. Continuing on back roads through Rosston, Hope and Nashville, AR we eventually hooked up with US71 and made our way to Mena and the Sun Country Inn. The rally is a popular one and the rooms at the host motel, the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge atop Rich Mountain in the QWSP sell out early. The Sun Country Inn is a nice motel about 10 miles away via one of the best mountain roads in the area. Registration is held at the Rich Mountain campground at the base of the mountain. As we had arrived later than expected, Paul and I checked in and then headed straight to the campground to register and enjoy some grilled brats hot of the grill plus chili and various sides and deserts. I chatted with several old friends while Paul, an ex FZ1 rider showed of his new Ninja 1000 to Denise Dickerson who has about 150,000 miles on her FZ1.
After eating our fill Paul and I headed back to the motel to shower and plan the next day's ride. Paul had his state highway maps, I had my netbook with Garmin Mapsource and we both had the event route sheets provided by the organizers. We mixed and matched and came up with a route that would include some proven great roads plus explore some unkowns in Oklahoma.
The next morning after breakfast we rode up 88 to the lodge to see if anthing was happening there. No-one in sight. We continued west on the Talimena Scenic Byway, crossing into OK and turned south on US 259. This is a great road with sweeping passing lanes. When 259 straightened out we turned east again on OK 144 but soon turned back north on Indian Highway. This was one of those unkown squiggly lines and it turned out ok but not great. Indian Rd brought us to US 251 and another westward run to Sardis Lake via OK 2. This is not an actual town, just a lake but we had lunch there at the Sardis lake cafe. They claimed to have gumbo. It had okra in it but nothing that resembled roux. The ice cream was refreshing. We continued on 2 to Wilburton then headed back east - US270 to Red oak, OK82 south to Talihina then back to Mena via the Byway to rest up and shower for the 7:00 pm banquet. The Queen Wilhelmina Restauarant never fails to put on a fabulous banquet buffet. Paul and I ate our fill and chatted with various friends old and new. Bill and Becky Wing had some great door prizes to give away as well but we were not lucky recipients this time. Since I have CSS at night syndrome and Paul had forgotten to pack his clear visor we said adios to the crowd early to scoot down the mountain just before dark. We still had fair light and Paul led down a at decent pace until we encountered our first deer by the side of the road and from that point on the pace was quite sedate. Sunday morning Paul made an early departure for a quick Interstate run home but I opted for a more leisurely back road return. I headed southeast on AR 8 to Arkadelphia then south on Scenic 7 at Dalark though Eldorado to Junction City on the AR/LA line. Then US 167 to Joneboro and east on LA 4 to Jimmie Davis State Park, home of Cajun Christmas. I rode smooth and undulating Lakesore Drive to LA 34 then turned on to LA 126 near Sikes for another run on Louisiana's best twisties. Instead of a Vidalia/Natches river crossing I rode down the west bank river road (LA 15) to get a good view of the river flooding and to cross the Morganza flood control structures. Stretches of 15 actually run on the top of the levee and I was a amazed to see the river less than 8 feet from the top (of a roughly 30 foot levee). I also saw 80 foot tall trees with only their tops above water. At the control structures I was able pull to the edge of the road and view the water thundering through the floodgates like a miniature Niagra Falls. Quite a sight!
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by Bob Chappuis
May 28 LAMSTA members Tony Crowell, Tim Cundiff and COG member David Webster met me at the McDonalds in Zachary. Tony and Tim were riding their new Triumphs, Tim has about a thousand miles on his Tiger 800 bought in early May. Tony had picked up his 1050 just the previous day. At 9:00 am we headed out on a back road route to Lorman, MS, home of Mr. D and his Old Country Store Restaurant.
We headed out of Zachary on Port Hudson-Pride Road. After a short leg on a GPS suggested shortcut that turned to gravel we took highways 37 and 63 to Clinton. From Clinton we headed into Mississippi through Liberty and Meadville via 569, 567, US 98 and Hospital Road to the tiny town of Union Church. Then MS 28 and Dillon Rd to Lorman and the Old Country Store.
The place was packed solid due to hosting the Redstick High reunion dinner. Never-the-less we got a table quickly and proceeded to jump all over the hearty country cooking buffet. Huge pieces of deliciously fried chicken plus ribs, numerous veggies, taters and rice dressing plus great blackberry and peach cobblers for dessert. After we ate we all rode home at a relaxed pace!.
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By
Drew T. Newcomer
The first motorcycle rally, of any kind, that I ever attended was hosted by MSTA member Bob Mizner in November 1998 in Fredericksburg, Texas. I was working in Abilene at the time and rode a Honda Magna to an event that was filled with fog and rain. However, I did meet enough good folks such that I became an HSTA member (that is what we were in those days!) right then and there. I didn't do much riding that weekend but I did find Fredericksburg a very nice two-wheel destination. So, when my BMW club decided to change the venue from Blanco to Fredericksburg, I supported that decision. Blanco was nice, but the desire for eating, shopping, riding, and people-watching options just wasn't as good as what was offered in Fredericksburg.
Thursday morning, April 28 was cool when I pulled onto I-20 for the trip west. The heated hand grips on the new K were a welcome comfort as was the heated Corbin seat. Never thought I would find use in a heated seat, but I was wrong. It is another creature comfort that does have a use. I turned southwest on Highway 43 just west of Marshall, TX and picked up US 79 in Henderson. Now, 79 is a road I am very familiar with as I have become a Hill Country regular over the last six or seven years. I rode 79 southwest until I intersected Texas 7 in Marquez. I headed west on 7 as the object was to totally circumvent the metropolitan Austin area.
I turned south on I-35 just north of Temple, TX until turning west on US 190 which took me through the military town of Killeen and on west to Lampasas where 29 south took me to Burnet, TX and an intersection with Texas 29. 29 west for about 30 miles took me to Llano where I turned south on 16 which took me to Fredericksburg and our home base for the weekend, the Dietzel Inn. The 505 mile trip took 10 hours but I did stop twice to eat - and rather leisurely both times. Still, it was nice to get my boney butt off the newly installed Corbin!
Friday was very, very breezy so I spent the day perusing the many shops in Fredericksburg and also trying some of the local food and spirits : I found time for a nap in there at some point as well.
Saturday was a very nice day to ride and my friend Julie and I visited Enchanted Rock and Luckenbach. All the roads in this part of the world lend themselves for a good motorcycle time and there were plenty of bikes of all makes and models taking advantage of the good weather. This is the first trip to the Hill Country I have taken in which I saw NO deer on the side of the road somewhere.
Sunday, the breeze had picked back up and the plan was to circumvent Austin again. So I headed east on US 290 to Johnson City where I turned north on 281 taking me through Marble Falls and back on up to Burnett where I turned east on 29 and stayed on 29 until intersecting 79 in Taylor, TX. The breeze was mostly at my back now and I made the 498 mile trip in a little over nine hours - and I missed every drop of predicted rain!
The Hill Country is well known to motorcyclists for great roads, friendly folks, and good food - although not necessarily the heart healthy kind. It has always been one of my favorite destinations and will continue to be that way!!
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That's all for now. Stacie and I leave for Johnsonn City in the morning. I finally finished packing and had time to finish this newletter! We look forward to seeing many of you at STAR.
Keep riding & smiling
Bob Chappuis, State Director and Editor
