Talimena Run...

[trbig]

I know it's short notice, but Hobbyman and I were thinking about making a run out to the Talimena Drive on the first weekend of June. No set routes or anything as of yet. I guess it depends on who (If any) make it. Might be kind of fun to just play it by ear a bit... nothing set in stone. Just one more nice long ride with Andrew before shipping out.

If you guys were planning on going to John and Kat's for the official send-off on the 16th, don't worry about making this if you can't make both. We will have another run on Talimena this fall as an official rally and we can all ride then. It will be prettier in the fall anyway. This is just kind of an impromptu ride that anyone is welcome to with any kind of bike.

I think Andrew is going to just use a tent at the state park just outside town, but they have a place called the Kiamichi Inn that has really clean rooms for @ 35 bucks a night (At least that's what it was last fall.. ) They were really nice and even let us park our bikes under their carport in the light out of the rain. Their number is 918-567-2243


Tod

Anybody else interested?

[HobbyMan]

Its going to be good.

[Dragonrider]

Which end are you starting at? Maybe I'll run up for breakfast and a nice ride...

[opajim]

Talimena Drive

I live in Mena. Where are you going to pick up the trail?
I don't know if the 1100 will be ready by then, but out
of 4 XJs I should have something ready and would like to
join you!
Jim
Mena, AR
XJ750RJ Seca, broken yesterday!
XJ650RJ Seca
Xj650LH Midnight Maxim
XJ100J Maxim

[trbig]

We'll probably start off in Talihina. We'll know more when we get a little closer, but we're both pretty flexible on time and days.

Daniel, we may both be in the campgrounds, so breakfast may be pancakes and bacon or something there in the park. I was kind of thinking about bumming it with him. I may stay at the hotel if it looks like rain... may not. We'll see. But everyone is welcome.

Tod

[trbig]

Just kind of picking at ideas here. Hot Springs is only 140 miles from Talihina... How's the drive from Mena to Hot Springs? Any ideas of some good rides in the area? I know if you cut off the Talimena trail and head south on 259, that's a nice scenic ride too. It looks like we'll have at least a couple days to ride around.. so any suggestions from anyone in that area or anyone that knows?

Tod

[trbig]

Click on this route and tell me what you think. I was thinking maybe do it backwards though to end up on the twisties before getting back into Talihina. Maybe around Hot Springs one day, and this one the next? Maybe even take a small detour into Beaver's Bend state park and ride around Broken Bow lake. It's been years since I did that. We are open to any and all suggestions.



Route option



Tod

[opajim]

Mena to Hot Springs

Tod,
I just tried to pm you about a good route from Mena to Hot Springs Village.
Let me know if you have other questions. Here is a good link for info on Arkansas
in case anyone else is interested. I recommend the free tourism package, I get one
every year. www.arkansas.com.
Happy Riding,
Jim
Mena, AR

[Wildkat]

Link

Arkansas Tourism

This might work a little better

[opajim]

Bad Link

Oops!!!!!!
Thanks, I can't proofread any better than I can type! We need a 'dot' retriever!
Jim

[HobbyMan]

Any route is a good rout as long as it is void of potholes. Looks good to me. I love the lake area.

[HobbyMan]

were you going to be camping too? Did we want to just eat at resturants so we don't have to carry stoves and stuff? I have a backpaking stove but space is limited. If we have time and you are interested, the hydro power plant is kinda cool to check out. Its been years since ive been there and they used to give really cool tours if you talk nice.

[trbig]

I figure we can do just about anything since it appears to be just me an you... lol.


If anyone else in the area is interested... here's another route that looked promising in the Hot Springs area. If you look at the topographical aspect of the map, I tried to go in and around the mountains best I could... even sidetracked around a lake. And check out what's listed as "I"... Everyone needs to make a stop at Blue Ball, Arkansas don't they?

Route 2


We wouldn't stop at all these.. I just had to list these towns so it would draw the route where I wanted it to go... otherwise it tries to jump you out to main roads. Exactly what we DON'T want.. lol.

And Andrew... with just two wheels... you should be able to dodge those potholes! Keep it under 130mph, and it's a lot easier to do!

Tod

[Wildkat]

Okay Tod...

And Andrew... with just two wheels... you should be able to dodge those potholes! Keep it under 130mph, and it's a lot easier to do!

and you know this how? Surely not from experience....

As I remember... you have been right beside him or within a few yards front or back when we've ridden together... and WELL beyond the rest of the pack...

[opajim]

Talimena run

That's another good route, one of many!
I have to work outside on the bikes so because of the rain it is unlikely that I can get one ready in time to ride with you but if you want to meet up for lunch let me know.
Jim
Mena, AR