Entry for March 30, 2006

  Now I am really bummed.  Just talked to Ron's Cycleland, my dealer in Tulsa, and they haven't even started working on the REB.  The guy I talked to said they were behind 2-3 weeks but he would get someone working on it this week.  I got a bad feeling about this, I can see some young kid that doesn't know shit screwing up the whole simple job.  I wish I had just brought it home and done it myself.

Entry for March 29, 2006

Picture:  Coffee stop on the North Georga ride. 

Here I sit after one week of being "Bulletless".  I have missed out on a couple great riding days and I'm starting to get antsy.  Ron's Cycle is suppose to have the bike ready by Thursday.  If that is the case I'll pick it up Friday or Saturday.

  You would think I'd get in the garage and get it straightend out a little bit but can't seem to work up the ambition for that project.

Entry for March 24, 2006

Picture:  March Cover of Riding South Magazine

 I meant to mention that, Robert, my riding buddy in Arkansas is the editor/publisher of a monthly motorcycle magazine called Riding South Magazine.  It is a regional publication as the name indicates, but has some articles of wide appeal.  My favorite is called "Reentry Rider"; every month there is an article about some old fart like me that has re-discovered the joys of riding after a long absence.  The cost of a year's subscription is a ridiculously low $10, (free if you can find it at a motorcycle shop) here is the contact information: 

            

Riding South Magazine

1220 Jameson Ave.

Benton, AR 72015

Phone: 501-860-8884

E-mail: robertshearon@sbcglobal.net

                                

   He asks that a phone number be included with E-mail submissions so they can be verified.  I suspect that given the readership of my blog Robert will have to hire additional staff to handle the increase in circulation.

Entry for March 22, 2006

  I stayed in Ft. Smith, AR last night and got on the road at 0700 this morning with plans to be in Tulsa at 0900.  I pulled into Ron's Cycle right on schedule and dropped off the bike for them to change the head gasket.  It had been leaking for awhile and didn't bother the performance but as long as it is still under warranty I might as well get it fixed.

  I can tell I'm getting closer to home, the roads are straight and there aren't any trees to muck up the scenery.  The forcast is for snow so I won't miss the bike for awhile.  It's good to be home.

Bullets in Arkansas March 21, 2006

Picture:  Robert and the Bullets in front of Nimrod Dam

  After driving all day in the rain on Monday the prospects of riding in Arkansas with a fellow REB owner I met on-line appeared bleak.  I was to meet with Robert at his home in Benton at 9am and when I left the motel the temperature was in the low 40's, cloudy, but no rain.  After unloading my bike and the customary tire kicking we had a cuppa and went over the route Robert had chosen for the day's ride.  We were heading up State Highway 7, which is a National Scenic Byway, to Nimrod Lake, between the Quachita and Ozark Mountains.  It was a lot faster ride with longer curves than what Pam and rode in northern Georgia.  The cloudy day couldn't hide the beauty of mountains and I had to be careful not to gawk around too much.

  From Nimrod we backtracked down to Hot Springs, AR, the town made even more famous by President Clinton.  Through downtown and up Hot Springs Mountain to a 250 foot high tower with a spectacular view of Hot Springs and the surrounding mountains.  The open air observation area was windy and cold but I managed to take a few pictures.

  Time for lunch at McClard's, Hot Springs most famous BBQ joint, and reported favorite of Big Bill.  The chopped pork sandwich was very tasty, a mix of southern vinegar and KC sweet sauce.  A quick ride back to Benton through Billy Bob Thornton's home town of Malvern and the ride was over.  A little over 160 miles on two Bullets.  If you think one REB draws attention try pulling up on two of them.  I ran out of my cards with "the story" on the back.

  It was a great motorcycle day and a great trip but I look forward to my recliner and my own bed.  Kinda miss my wife too.

Cycle World International Motorcycle Show March 18, 2006

Picture:  Pam and me at the Royal Enfield display (more pics in photo album)

It took a bit of searching but we finally found Classic Motorworks’  Royal Enfield exhibit at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Atlanta.  It had to be the smallest display of all the manufactures, even the Ural had much more space to show all their sidecar rigs, but the traffic keep the South Carolina dealer that was manning the booth busy.  You can see the result of Pam’s spill the other day, her arm in a sling.  She was still able to climb into the sidecar to pose with the old man.

  Lots of Harleys and of course the Japanese but several interesting vintage bikes were on display both British and Japanese, and a huge variety of people.  It was interesting to see all the people in their riding gear-- cruisers, sport bikes, even kids in motocross dress, but I only saw one other REB shirt and that was the guy at the Enfield display.  I spent most of my money on miracle chemicals, guaranteed to put a shine on anything……we’ll see.  

 

March 17, 2006 Around the Neighborhood

Picture:  Cherry Blossoms

  My daughter's riding is over for awhile so I ventured out on my own for about an hour this afternoon.  I just poked around in some neighborhoods then found a nice road to ride for about 10 miles.  Had no clue where I was but managed to find my way home. 

  I didn't take the camera so came home and went back out to get this shot just around the corner from Pam's.

  Looking forward to tomorrow and the Cycle World show in Atlanta.  It is also a NASCAR weekend so Atlanta should be worse than usual.