TX-LA-MI-TN-AR-OK-TX in March

[VFRinAustin]

Ok,


My wife is going out of town on business March 16-21 and it will be her last until after the baby comes. I wanted to go on the E-Texas ride with Scott, but the timing just wont work so, I am planning my last long ride as a childless man for that same time. Planning on heading over the Natchez, MI and riding the Natchez Trace up to Nashville, then across TN to northern AR and down through Hot Springs and over the Mena and Talihena OK. Then make my way home. I will probably be staying in motels/hotels mostly unless anyone has some good ideas (hint, hint).

Roughly 2100 miles, round trip from Austin. About 350-400 miles per day. Anyone interested?

I was kinda hoping to hook up with some of you E TX souls who might want to join in for a day ride across to LA when I head through your area. I am going to try to get to Huntsville after work the first evening (Tuesday) and then really starting in earnest the next morning.

It be fun to have some company on a least a little of the ride. Maybe some of you will be availabe to hoist a couple Tuesday evening :chug:

[STCPO]

Andy, I'll be on some of those very same roads the first week of March. I'll take some good notes and let you know the best places to eat.

Pete

[STCPO]

Congrats on the baby by the way.

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

:tab You are of course more than welcome to stop over here for the night. I'd be quite happy to go over routes with you. If I can swing it, I might even try to ride with you during some of the East Tx stuff. If you are going into Arkansas, You really really ought to get over to the area between Mountain Home and Eurekap Springs, all North of I-40. That is by far the best riding in the state.

:tab I have yet to ding a road in Louisiana that I really would want to ride more than once :-| The quality of their roads is some of the worst I have encounted in my travels. There are a few isolated pockets of decent riding but I don't know if they are really worth the trip over.

:tab Natchez is cool if you like old architecture. Especially the octagon shaped Longwood mansion. The Trace is a very gently winding 45mph ride through some woods. It is heavily patrolled so speeding is not advised. Last time I was out there a year or so back, the section North of Jackson was closed for repairs and resurfacing. If you are on the way East, it is not a bad route. I don't think I would make it destination from a riding perspective. From a history perspective though it would be quite interesting if you plan on taking time to stop and visit hostorical sites, museums, etc,...

:tab Heading up into Arkansas and Southern Missouri and spending four or five days of riding would be awesome. I did it last June and had a blast. There are MORE than enough roads to give you back to back 400 mile days for a week. Much of that would not even require hitting the same roads twice. From just the perspective of awesome riding in the time you have, this would be really hard to beat. Also, I believe there are several of our members that live up around Mountain Home, Woodman I believe? He rides a beautiful Blue Futura. Nice guy. Garrell Herndon lives in Ava, Missouri. He rides a 97 VFR. Great guy and wonderful host. I can put you in touch with him and see if you can stay over with him and if he might want to ride with you. He did our Sept. and Oct. rides up there last year.

:tab Do you plan on doing any camping?

Adios,

[VFRinAustin]

Yeah Scott, I know, kinda figured the Trace was more or less a slow roamer, but I kinda have an urge to do a little more tour and a little less sport this time around. You know, see as much as I can in as little time as possible, that sort of thing. I did want to get the AR and OK stuff in too though because I figured that after several days of lazy straight riding I would need some good twisties to get back into it.

Thanks for the offer for the night, I think I just might take you up on that. It would be great to have some company Wed as well if you can swing it. I was thinking of heading out east towards Toledo Bend, staying North of 190 (Kinda through Onalask, Moscow, CHester, then PR 255, etc.) then up to Florien LA. I read that on Scenic Byways that there is a good, short, route between Florien and Alexandria and thought I might try it out. Then over to Natchez.

Anyway, would be great to hear any suggestions you might have and no, I wasnt planning on camping this time around, too much thought required for this time around.

[Dirtrideroader]

I am trying to plan spring break with my kids that same week. If it all falls apart, I would love to go on an extended ride. Chances are pretty slim though.

A word of warning, I was in northern Oklahoma for work last week. I asked them when would be the earliest in the year they would suggest riding up there. Several people told me that they get some of their heaviest ice/snow storms in March. So, keep an eye on the weather and be careful.

[Tourmeister]

If you are going to be near Florien, then you must stop in at Hodges Gardens. It is just a few miles South of Florien on US 171. In March, most of the Tulips will be blooming and a lot of Dogwoods as well. The rotate the plantings year round to be sure seasonal stuff is blooming. It is $6.50 to get in. The ride around the lake is nice as well. They have some really nice cabins on the lake for rent. I don't think they are very expensive. However, it is only about a 4-5 hour ride from here to there so it may be too early in the day for you to want to stop. There are several trip reports about Hodges in the Story Telling section.

Adios,

[buck000]

Argh. I wish the timing was better, Andy, or I'd go with you...

http://www.aerostich.com/isroot/riderwearhouse/Images/655.jpg

[buck000]

So, I'm sitting here wondering where SVinAustin's trip report is...? ;-)

[VFRinAustin]

I know, I know. Hope to get to it this weekend.