Magnolia to Barber Motorsports Park

[Squidbilly]

After reading all the TWT ride reports I felt inspired to take a little trip of my own. It would be solo since my riding buddy (Fangs) had to work. The plan was to ride to Barber Motorsports Park, and then Kansas to visit family and friends.

Day 1 Magnolia to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I had hoped to ride all the way through to Leeds, however there was a line of weather east of Tuscaloosa and after 695 miles my butt was tired. I also had intentions of camping, however as it turns out the camping gear was for looks only. (Just as my wife had predicted)

0615 departure Sunday morning.

Vicksburg...the Mississippi River always intrigues me.




Day 2 Tuscaloosa to Leeds. After several hours at the museum, I headed NW to Corinth, Mississippi to do some tire kicking at Lake Hill Motors. Continued west though Memphis and spent the night in Forrest City, Arkansas.



Bikes,bikes and more bikes.


Unfortunately ... nothing happening on the track.



Day 3 Took me through the Ozarks and Eureka Springs to spend the night in Carthage Mo.

A little more tire kicking at Honda Of Russellville.

I can't wait to head back to the Ozarks sometime.



Motorcycle supply west of Eureka Springs was a good place for a break.


Day 4 I made it into Augusta, Kansas where I would spend the next few days visiting and riding with my brothers.

West Mineral, KS. Home of Big Brutus, the second largest electric shovel in the world.



The Flint Hills in eastern KS were very pretty.

1885 Frisco water tower in Beaumont, KS.

Fortunately, I did not need this.


Day 5 This was a fun day. A 240 mile ride took us to the Kansas Motorcycle Museum in Marquette, and Yoder (an Amish community) for pie.

The Museum was actually very good.

Rex and Joe (my brothers)

For the Ural guys.

How about a Segway .

Brother Joe.

Brother Rex.



Day 6 This was a rest my butt day.

Day 7 It was time to head back to Texas. Joe said he would ride to Oklahoma City with me and then he headed back home. So after a nice meal at the Cracker Barrel we went our separate ways.


Almost home...only 100 miles to go.

I arrived home safe and sound after about 2700 miles for the week. I achieved my goal of having fun, and just actually going on a long road trip. Most importantly, arriving home without any tickets.

[donroger1]

Congratulations on a successful (no tickets) recreational getaway............

[Prothos]

I was born and spent a good part of my life in Leeds Al. The place the sports track is now use to be prime spot for riding dirt bikes, dune buggies and 4x4's. also not many people know it but there is some nice twistie mountain rodes that go from leads Hwy 25 to 231 that will take you back to Hwy 20. There are many back country roads to explore in the area. A route i use to take was 25 to 231 to 78 to 26(Wolf creek road) to 43 that takes you back to 25 and you can take that back to Leeds. I still have family that live there. Sad to say i have not been to the track yet or back Home in about 5 years and that was for a death in the family so no time for fun.

[Squidbilly]

Originally Posted by Prothos

I was born and spent a good part of my life in Leeds Al.I still have family that live there. Sad to say i have not been to the track yet or back Home in about 5 years and that was for a death in the family so no time for fun.

You are from a very beautiful part of the country. I would have liked to have spent more time in the area ...oh well maybe next time. Hopefully you can make it back to ride and visit soon.

[dukey33]

Looks like a great trip.

I could've spent d-a-y-s in the Barber museum when I was there. Thanks for sharing.

[Prothos]

I may ride out next year i have cousin here in town that rides his bike back every year for Talladega 500 i plan on trying to tag along his next trip. glad you enjoyed your ride and returned safe.

[achesley]

great ride yu had. Thanks for sharing. Barber MSPark is simply awesome. Much better than the old place they had in town years back. Remember paying a taxi cab driver to leed me and a buddy to it. . Now have GPS co ords for the new place. Time changes all huh?
Arkansas is Arkansas, what can you say. Did not know of the bike museum in Kansas , thanks for that tip.

[gixxerjasen]

Sounds like a good ride. I applaud you for doing it on a stock Honda seat, as we all know those are nothing more than a plank of wood with some vinyl stapled to it.

I made a similar trip in April of 2006 for the AMA races. One day from Dallas to Birmingham through Arkansas and Tennessee, two days spent at the races and then one day back coming straight out on 20. That was a fun time, but taught me that I didn't enjoy touring on a sportbike. I was proud that I made it but it would be more fun on something built for that kind of riding.

[Squidbilly]

Originally Posted by gixxerjasen

Sounds like a good ride. I applaud you for doing it on a stock Honda seat, as we all know those are nothing more than a plank of wood with some vinyl stapled to it.

I made a similar trip in April of 2006 for the AMA races. One day from Dallas to Birmingham through Arkansas and Tennessee, two days spent at the races and then one day back coming straight out on 20. That was a fun time, but taught me that I didn't enjoy touring on a sportbike. I was proud that I made it but it would be more fun on something built for that kind of riding.

Oh yeah, a new seat is on my list. I hope to do more trips like this in the future,and have started researching different bikes. Then again, my Honda was not all that bad.

[gixxerjasen]

I've got an FZ1 or a Tuono in my future for these kinds of rides. When I was in Birmingham I was making sure to check out the plates on all the bikes in the parking lot. Found an RC51 from Texas and was about to bow down knowing Honda seats, but alas, he had a supersweet Corbin, so I continued on.

[TAPnTX]

Great report, glad you had an un-eventful trip. I need to do one of those kind of trips soon. And who says a sportbike cant be a good Sport Tourer

Todd