Talimena Rally 2008!!!

[Tinman]

Just made my reservations at the Kiamichi.
If things go well I expect to see y'all again.
In case you don't remember who the hell this Tinman is.
I rode the black and tan Valkyrie Interstate.
Looking forward to swapping some tall tails and sharing the twisties with y'all.

[shutchis]

Okay friends...I've booked a room at the LAZY R; so keep wishing for good weather; the twins are coming. Steve may be riding an XS1100 midnight special, if we can get our act together. And of course, I'll be on my XJ1100 Maxim.

I hope to bring a few Honda and Harley riders from church and work, assuming they can work their schedules. Oklahoma here we come. Stan

[Bigfoot]

Anyone have a head count? I know that I am really looking forward to this trip. Wish it was October already.

[trbig]

Wish it was October already.

Well.. since you don't have a running bike at the moment.. or at least a rideable bike.. that would kind of suck for you then wouldn't it?

I had 13 bikes counted before Tinman and Stan chimed in. So.. 15+ if everyone shows?

Tod

[Wildkat]

Gosh...

Originally posted by trbig
I had 13 bikes counted before Tinman and Stan chimed in. So.. 15+ if everyone shows?

I was going to make a comment... but have now thought better of it... but I'm thinking it...

[Bigfoot]

Yeah, I guess you are right Tod. I am pretty close to having 2 running bikes now. Waiting on a few more parts for the midnight special but the engine is running and sounds pretty good. I will get my TCI back for the XJ this afternoon. Replaced all of the transistors and a few other components and checked all solder joints under a microscope. Hopefully I will be riding this weekend. Still looking for a spare TCI for it though.

[DELL82]

I'm Coming to

Well I changed my old mind and will come along with tinman from Houston. 16+ Kat and counting.
Stan has money for my T shirts. Will be riding my XJ1100J Maxim with a new National cycle shield/with lowers.
Dell82

[Eaglechaser9999]

Wife and I are definitly in. I am hoping to bring a friend along. Yamaha V Star hope thats ok. Don't know if you had counted us or not yet but that is one more possibly two. I havn't been able to get a room yet. May have to try and bring the tent. I may be stranded in the parking lot.

[trbig]

There is a Lazy R inn and the Kiamichi inn. Did you try them both?

Tod

[Eaglechaser9999]

There is a Lazy R inn and the Kiamichi inn. Did you try them both?


Ok I am booked for the Kiamichi for Friday 10th and Saturday the 11th. Hopefully I needed it for both nights? Looks like I won't be outside after all

Now if I could just get some good directions as I have never been there before

As well as some friendly faces to greet me with open arms I will be doing good. I can't wait to meet everyone.

[Bigfoot]

Cool, glad you were able to get a room. The more the merrier.

[trbig]

Head out east on hwy 270/hwy 1 in Mcalester... not sure how the best way for you to get to Mcalester is. Go east, and just as you get out of Hartshorn, 270 splits off, but just keep going straight. Eventually HWY 1 stops and "T"'s at HWY 2. Turn right (South) HWY 1 and HWY 2 run together here. After 6 miles, you'll see signs for Talihina and you'll need to turn left (East) to stay on HWY 1. 13 more miles and you'll be in Talihina.

When you get to the main part of town with the brick buildings (Don't blink or you'll miss it), about one more block on the right will be the Kiamichi Inn. It's kind of easy to miss the first time, but there is an overhang over a carport at the entrance. If you make it down the grocery store, you've gone too far, but you'll have then seen where most of us fuel up!

Tod

[Eaglechaser9999]

What time on Saturday will we head out for Mena, Ar? I have a buddy that may want to meet us there before we head out.

[trbig]

We will make a loop around the area first of @ 120 miles, and end up back in Talihina somewhere probably @ noon-1 pm. It just depends on how long we take at fuel stops. Everybody likes to stop and chat for a while when we stop.
After topping off in Talihina, we'll ride across the Talimena trail and stop at the Queen Wilhelmina lodge that has a tremendous lookout and a good buffet for $10. After lunch, we'll finish the ride into Mena and top off the tanks again (Gotta keep those Special people happy!)

We'll then ride back across the trail back towards Talihina again, and stop at one of the overlooks for a last photo op and a chat.

At that point, the official rally will be over. The Talimena Trail is an awesome road, and this lets everyone ride it at their own pace on the return trip. There's a BUNCH of overlooks, so you can stop and view any/all you want this way. Some like to rip up the road and drag pegs. Some like to wave the Harleys past. To each his own. The we all meet back at the hotel and tell lies and drink a few beers.. if you do that sort of thing.

Total miles for the rally is somewhere around 230 miles. We'll meet for breakfast in the morning, and all are encouraged to eat well since we'll be having a late-ish lunch probably around 2 pm. There is a small diner right on main street called Pam's Hatefull Hussy Diner. Good food and good coffee. We'll try to leave town @ 9 am.

If you're wanting to look at the route, we leave Talihina, OK and go north to Red Oak. West to Wilburton, then south to Clayton. From Clayton, we'll head east to Honobia (Pronounced Ho nubee), then north back to Talihina. Then Talihina to Mena and back to Talihina.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Tod

[trbig]

I was checking for a friend, and both hotels are fully booked for that weekend now. If you are needing to cancel reservations for some reason, could you please post on here first before you do so, so someone on here has a chance to get the room before someone else grabs it?

Thanks. Webbcraft snores bad and I'd hate to have someone have to sleep out in the parking lot with him.. Just kidding... He'll probably be a no-show like normal! (Maybe THAT will get him to show up??) lol.

Tod