Summer Road Trips, Tell us about your riding plans for the summer Options

[wmhendryx]

Don't know about you, but the wife (she rides her own) and I are well into the planning stages for a motorcycle getaway this summer. We like to get out of Texas for a while during the dog days, just the two of us, so this year we're heading to the western slopes of Colorado, Montana, Yellowstone and Utah. It's about a 10-day trip, and we're really looking forward to it.

We'll be meeting up with biking friends in western CO the last couple of days, and that will add some new life to our adventure.

Over the years, we've found that road trips are our favorite brand of bike travel. The daily routine of packing/unpacking can get a little tiresome, but we've worked out a system that minimizes the trouble.

So...where's your next "good ride"? Don't be too date-specific with your plans. We don't want to encourge lurking burglars. Just tell us in general about where you're heading and why.

Happy Trails!

[Zarcero]

Real de Catorce, Mexico.

[wmhendryx]

Real de Catorce, Mexico.

No surprise there, since you seem to ride Mexico more than anyone else in this forum. If you would, tell us more about what draws you there, where it's located precisely, some route suggestions, where you'll be staying and how you'll pass the time when not on the bike.

And thanks for your continued participation in the forum.

-Bill

[Zarcero]

I'll post a ride report after I make the trip.

No surprise there, since you seem to ride Mexico more than anyone else in this forum. If you would, tell us more about what draws you there, where it's located precisely, some route suggestions, where you'll be staying and how you'll pass the time when not on the bike.

And thanks for your continued participation in the forum.

-Bill

[wmhendryx]

I'll post a ride report after I make the trip.

Excellent. We'll look forward to seeing it.

[MD11Pilot]

We are going to Frisco Colorado in September to meet with as of now 242 other Gold Wingers and other bikes for a four day relaxed get together and ride the roads of Colorado. In October we are going to Eureka Springs AR with a group of Tail Wind trailer owners for the TTT (TailWind Terrestial Tour) to enjoy that part of AR and just fellowship together. Friends coming in from KY and FL on a Harley and a Beemer and I am going to lead them on a tour of the Hill Country, the Twisted Sisters and then on out to Big Bend. They will continue up to Sturgis but I have to work. We will also travel to Oklahoma several times for family and at least once to Georgia and then up to Ohio to visit the grandkids. Throw in just because rides with my bride all summer long also.

[wmhendryx]

We are going to Frisco Colorado in September to meet with as of now 242 other Gold Wingers and other bikes for a four day relaxed get together and ride the roads of Colorado. In October we are going to Eureka Springs AR with a group of Tail Wind trailer owners for the TTT (TailWind Terrestial Tour) to enjoy that part of AR and just fellowship together. Friends coming in from KY and FL on a Harley and a Beemer and I am going to lead them on a tour of the Hill Country, the Twisted Sisters and then on out to Big Bend. They will continue up to Sturgis but I have to work. We will also travel to Oklahoma several times for family and at least once to Georgia and then up to Ohio to visit the grandkids. Throw in just because rides with my bride all summer long also.

Now there's a "man with a plan"! Thanks for that post, Pilot.

We too will be in Eureka Springs in Oct., so maybe we'll cross paths. For those who don't know, that's prime time for checking out the fall foliage on some of the best motorcycle roads in the USA -- HONEST! Better make your room reservations now, 'cause they go fast that time of year.

[MD11Pilot]

We are going to be staying at the Eidlweiss Inn and the hotel next to it on Oct 21-23 with about 20 to 25 mainly Gold Wings with Tail Wind trailers. We filled the Eidleweiss up in about 12 hours of deciding the exact dates and places. Reservations are hard that time of year. Be on the look out for us. We are not hard to see...we are the ones with the BIG SMILES! We call it the Tail Wind Terrestrial Tour.
The trailers are made in Texas but we have owners of Tail Winds and other trailers coming from Arizona to the East Coast and from almost to Canada.

Now there's a "man with a plan"! Thanks for that post, Pilot.

We too will be in Eureka Springs in Oct., so maybe we'll cross paths. For those who don't know, that's prime time for checking out the fall foliage on some of the best motorcycle roads in the USA -- HONEST! Better make your room reservations now, 'cause they go fast that time of year.

[drbates]

I'm heading over to Northwest Arkansas by way of the Piney Woods, Hot Springs, and up Hwy 7. I'm pretty sure I've seen entries about the Piney Woods on the RT site, if anyone could direct me to where they might be? I've enjoyed reading about these areas in the magazine. Any advice on Hwy 7? I hear it's a true beauty. Carolyn

[wmhendryx]

I'm heading over to Northwest Arkansas by way of the Piney Woods, Hot Springs, and up Hwy 7. I'm pretty sure I've seen entries about the Piney Woods on the RT site, if anyone could direct me to where they might be? I've enjoyed reading about these areas in the magazine. Any advice on Hwy 7? I hear it's a true beauty. Carolyn

Not too sure what you mean by "Piney Woods" -- as far as I know it's not a PLACE, it's a REGION of E. Texas that we often refer to and one I've written about extensively for the magazine.

As for NW Arkansas, it's hard to go wrong. I'd stay away from the big cities (Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, etc), except for Hot Springs, which is fabulous. From there I'd ride north to Eureka Springs via any of several routes; go up by one, come back by another, perhaps into Mena.

Be sure to ride the famous "Pig Trail", which is Hwy. 23 and runs north/south from the town of Ozark off I-40 north to its intersection with Hwy. 16 at Brashears. This would be a good route to head south after visiting Eureka Springs. The Pig Trail is fairly technical, so don't get in a hurry, but it's a GREAT ride. Going south on the Pig Trail, you'll enter Caulksville, which is a good place to turn off and do Mt. Magazine.

Mount Magazine (and State Park) is the highest peak in Ark.. It's located just east and south of Caulksville (east and north of Booneville) on Hwy. 309. Beautiful area with great pull offs for photos. If you're a "newish" rider, I'd NOT tackle Mt. Nebo, near Mt. Magazine, as it's a very technical ride.

When we ride to NW Ark. out of Dallas, we always go to Talihina, OK and pick up the Talimena Parkway that runs east thru Queen Wilhelmina State Park and into Mena, Ark. Not sure I spelled all that correctly, but you get the idea.

If I'm a little off on some of those highway numbers, I'm sure others will correct me. That's a VERY popular destination with our readers. They probably have other suggestions as well. How 'bout it, folks??!!

Hope this helps. And hope you have a GREAT and SAFE ride. Give us a report when you return.

All best, Bill

This post has been edited by wmhendryx: Jul 19 2010, 10:09 AM

[drbates]

I'm pretty excited to be gearing up for my first big roadtrip - leaving Austin and heading up through east Texas, into Hot Springs and north on Hwy 7 to Harrison. Smaller trips to Junction and Coleman got me geared up for it. Planning for mid-fall, might get to see the leaves change, and will watch for elk!
Carolyn

[CorreCaminos]

I'm pretty excited to be gearing up for my first big roadtrip - leaving Austin and heading up through east Texas, into Hot Springs and north on Hwy 7 to Harrison. Smaller trips to Junction and Coleman got me geared up for it. Planning for mid-fall, might get to see the leaves change, and will watch for elk!
Carolyn

Make sure to stop by Eureka Springs; it's a great place and the roads around it and into Missouri are great.

[drbates]

Not too sure what you mean by "Piney Woods" -- as far as I know it's not a PLACE, it's a REGION of E. Texas that we often refer to and one I've written about extensively for the magazine.

As for NW Arkansas, it's hard to go wrong. I'd stay away from the big cities (Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, etc), except for Hot Springs, which is fabulous. From there I'd ride north to Eureka Springs via any of several routes; go up by one, come back by another, perhaps into Mena.

Be sure to ride the famous "Pig Trail", which is Hwy. 23 and runs north/south from the town of Ozark off I-40 north to its intersection with Hwy. 16 at Brashears. This would be a good route to head south after visiting Eureka Springs. The Pig Trail is fairly technical, so don't get in a hurry, but it's a GREAT ride. Going south on the Pig Trail, you'll enter Caulksville, which is a good place to turn off and do Mt. Magazine.

Mount Magazine (and State Park) is the highest peak in Ark.. It's located just east and south of Caulksville (east and north of Booneville) on Hwy. 309. Beautiful area with great pull offs for photos. If you're a "newish" rider, I'd NOT tackle Mt. Nebo, near Mt. Magazine, as it's a very technical ride.

When we ride to NW Ark. out of Dallas, we always go to Talihina, OK and pick up the Talimena Parkway that runs east thru Queen Wilhelmina State Park and into Mena, Ark. Not sure I spelled all that correctly, but you get the idea.

If I'm a little off on some of those highway numbers, I'm sure others will correct me. That's a VERY popular destination with our readers. They probably have other suggestions as well. How 'bout it, folks??!!

Hope this helps. And hope you have a GREAT and SAFE ride. Give us a report when you return.

All best, Bill

Great suggestions Bill, thanks for all of them. I have to admit, given that you're from Dallas, calling Fayetteville a "big city" gives me a chuckle. That said, I think about the biggest town I'll go through, after a night and day in Hot Springs (who would skip that?) is Russelville and my target goal, Harrison (going up there to see family who've retired in the area). I hadn't thought about coming back through Oklahoma, but I'm pouring over the maps to make sure I come home a different route than I go up there.

Thanks for the heads up about Mr. Nebo - I'd like a few years' more experience before tackling a ride that's known to be especially technical. Eureka Springs and "Pig Trail" are now on my list, maybe Mt. Magazine.

So many roads....so little time! There really is a restlessness that sets in when one doesn't get enough motorbike time! Just like the MSF instructors warned...

Carolyn

[drbates]

Make sure to stop by Eureka Springs; it's a great place and the roads around it and into Missouri are great.

Thanks Miguel,

Eureka Springs is on my list. I've ridden by car up into Branson MO and around that area, hankering to return on the bike.

Carolyn

[wmhendryx]

Great suggestions Bill, thanks for all of them. I have to admit, given that you're from Dallas, calling Fayetteville a "big city" gives me a chuckle. Carolyn

You make a GREAT point about the "big city" comment, but my definition of same changes quickly when riding the fabulous roads of NW Ark. When on those amazing rural roads, I don't want to be interrupted any more than necessary by traffic and traffic lights.

[drbates]

You make a GREAT point about the "big city" comment, but my definition of same changes quickly when riding the fabulous roads of NW Ark. When on those amazing rural roads, I don't want to be interrupted any more than necessary by traffic and traffic lights.

I get that completely. I've been using Google Earth and have just learned about the feature "Play tour" which allows me to see just where many of those different and wonderful rural roads lead. I'm forever ambivalent about technology, but I'm happy about this feature - it helped me determine some very specific rural roads to aim for. Highway 7 north from Caddo Valley, for example, looks beautiful! Fun stuff, this planning part.

[wmhendryx]

I get that completely. I've been using Google Earth and have just learned about the feature "Play tour" which allows me to see just where many of those different and wonderful rural roads lead. I'm forever ambivalent about technology, but I'm happy about this feature - it helped me determine some very specific rural roads to aim for. Highway 7 north from Caddo Valley, for example, looks beautiful! Fun stuff, this planning part.

I've not tried the "Play tour" feature of Google Earth, but will soon on your recommendation.

It's funny how some people seem to enjoy the planning almost as much as the riding. My wife is very much that way, but me, not so much. I enjoy the "big picture" planning, and she loves the details -- which works out well for me.

[fastfreddieUSNRE...]

Wife and I are fairly new to cruising and both work so mostly one day trips right now for us. Texas Hill COuntry near Kerrville area has MANY super 100-200 mile loops that can be done very easily. We did a magical ride on FM2323 just west of Fredericksburg up to Llano during the wildflower season and it was MAGNIFICENT. Best we havwe seen in four years here. Better than ANY show on the Willow City Loop which gets much more publicity but haas no place to stop and WAY more traffic. I would reccommend that trip to anyone and then end up at Coopers BBQ in Llano for lunch. Then take a siesta at the river for 1-2 hours or just swim to cool down. And the three sisters runs are great as is hwy 55. try it you'll like it!

[fastfreddieUSNRE...]

I'm pretty excited to be gearing up for my first big roadtrip - leaving Austin and heading up through east Texas, into Hot Springs and north on Hwy 7 to Harrison. Smaller trips to Junction and Coleman got me geared up for it. Planning for mid-fall, might get to see the leaves change, and will watch for elk!
Carolyn

Wanna see the leaves come down to Lost Maples State Park this fall as the leaves should be pretty good this year if we get some cold weather.