2024 "Festar Rides Again" or "2024 Flat White Tour"

[wheatonFJR]

The Dragon! J/K but plenty of good riding in the area. The Snake, Back of the Dragon etc etc.

In north Georgia: Blood Mtn, Rt 60, Richard Russell, Wolfpen Gap, 197, Warwoman, 28, etc
North Carolina: 107, 281, Charlie's Creek Rd, 215/178, BlueRidge Parkway, 276, some dragonsomething, 209, 208, 212, 19W, Roan Mtn, etc...

[festar]

The riding is going to be better today.

Maybe take 19 down through the Mark Twain Forest for starters, make a stop at Big D's BBQ too. You have some MO/AR expertise around here...lol.

19 was bloody awesome Marty

[festar]

God I love riding in the Ozarks

[bigjohnsd]

So with the "plan" under revision due to circumstances beyond our control, we reached out for help this morning. Multiple helpful friends suggested a day ride in the Ozarks. Yes it is/was in the wrong direction - NW of Hansen AR, rather than SE, the intended direction of movement, but we took "your" advice and were suitably rewarded. A bit of background - whenever Festar's (Brian) rides a new road, it is always " the best road I've ever ridden". I heard that a lot today. AR-7, AR-16, AR-21, AR-215, AR-123 and there are surely some we rode that I missed.



The Oark Cafe/Store was closed but the Turner Bend store was open and the Ice cream was good.



Random photos on the fly today are not very good.



















We dodged most of these rain showers which threatened us all day. Stopped to eat to avoid a thunderstorm crossing I-40 near Moralton, AR. Then proceeded back to our cheap thin towel motel at Hazen AR.

Tomorrow we head for Jemison AL.

"The Ride is the Road, and, The Road is the Ride!"

[wheatonFJR]

The riding is going to be better today.

Maybe take 19 down through the Mark Twain Forest for starters, make a stop at Big D's BBQ too. You have some MO/AR expertise around here...lol.

19 was bloody awesome Marty

But you missed BigDs bbq in Doniphan and 160 that gets you there from 19.

Well, there's always next time!

[El Toro Joe]

Maybe take 19 down through the Mark Twain Forest for starters, make a stop at Big D's BBQ too. You have some MO/AR expertise around here...lol.

19 was bloody awesome Marty

But you missed BigDs bbq in Doniphan and 160 that gets you there from 19.

Well, there's always next time!

They can hit that on their way back...

[festar]

Barber's Museum?

No don’t think so no time and more roads to ride

[festar]

Barber's Museum?

No don’t think so no time and more roads to ride

[bigjohnsd]

Wednesday, 15 May '24, Hazen AR to Jemison AL

We rolled out of Hazen around 0830 bound for our friend Turk's in Jemison AL. Turk and his lovely wife Janna accommodated our changed schedule and welcomed us into their home.



Area random photos across Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. So lush and green, just a beautiful day to ride.


Crossing the Mississippi at West Helena AR










Passed Tupelo - birthplace of "The King"!



We finished the day with a relaxing visit on the porch


Followed by a great Mexican dinner at a local favorite restaurant.

Next - Jemison to " Tech Day" in Fairmount GA

[bigjohnsd]

Thursday 16 May, '24 Jemison AL to Fairmont GA over the back roads.




Beautiful smooth twisty roads through the forests all day!






A little more traffic today.



The WEAX forecast is for lots of rain Friday and Saturday, we will be working under cover in a nice shop for our "Tech Days" Sunday, our next travel day, is looking better WEAX wise as we head up through Kentucky towards Georgetown IL.

[Festus]

Festar working on his Redfish impressions? If so, NAILED IT!!!!!!!!!

I miss Redfish

[CraigRegs]

No bikes in it, but I’d still nominate this photo for the calendar contest.

[bigjohnsd]

No bikes in it, but I’d still nominate this photo for the calendar contest.

I'll submit it

[wheatonFJR]

No bikes in it, but I’d still nominate this photo for the calendar contest.

I'll submit it

I think it should be subtitled, "...When they find out he's Australian."

[bigjohnsd]

PM Thursday,16 May - Noon Saturday, 18 May - "Toter's Tech Days" - Fairmount GA

Brain Cells may have been harmed at this event. What could possibly have gone wrong. Fourteen various men working, servicing, riding motorcycles. Cooking, eating, cleaning, shooting, and possibly drinking when all was done and out away.

Just a few random pictures of this excellent event here:


Our host "Toter"


Electrical problems were corrected


Our Aussie Supervisor - FESTAR




Harley wannabes


Suspension linkages were serviced


FESTAR supervising




Stories were embellished






Canadians came and went








Ammunition was expended


Liquor was consumed


Food was prepared



https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-T ... 703-XL.jpg
And eaten!

It was a great couple of days!

[bigjohnsd]

Noon Saturday, 18 May - 1900 Saturday 18 May, 2024
Fairmount GA - Falls of Rough KY

We had been closely watching the WEAX all weekend and saw a "dry" window to get halfway to our next destination. So at noon we loaded up and departed Fairmount and headed Northwest towards Georgetown IL. Our plan was to ride until dark, or as it is known in these parts " Deer-Thirty". We stayed on rural roads only hitting the four lane for two or three brief intervals to get onto another rural route. Unbeknownst to me my Garmin In reach battery expired somewhere in Tennessee so I don't have today's complete track !

We avoided all but a few sprinkles and were clear of any WEAX threat once North of I-40.


Threatening skies to the North at launch!


Lots of "Tree Tunnels" and beautiful roads




The obligatory afternoon snack









Dinner in Gamaliel, KY. The three pork chops with two sides and a drink was $11, the Ribs with two sides and a drink were $13. Not certain how they are making any $$.






We rode just a few minutes too long but no deer were sighted or struck. Another great day!
"Take me out and make me ride my motorcycle" - Scott Henley
"The road is the ride, and the ride is the road" or vice versa.

[CraigRegs]

John, Brian and the wifey enjoying some grilled Iowa chops.

They’ll be on their way towards Spearfish tomorrow.

[Tyler]

John, Brian and the wifey enjoying some grilled Iowa chops.

I was checking the Spot and saw them headed your way!!

[bigjohnsd]

Sunday -19 May, 2024 - Falls of Rough KY to Georgetown IL










Breakfast in KY overlooking the Ohio River








The boys indulged me with a stop to visit my Mom near Plainview IN.








Josh doing the Math - Gramps born in 1853, Mom born in 1922!
Conclusion - Gramps was a randy old goat!




We went to Paris



A courthouse for Mssr Pons

We arrived at Josh's in Georgetown IL about 1630, did a little maintenance and then sat in the cool, Josh grilled and we ate great steaks, then watched the NASCAR All Star Race and the Denver - Minnesota BBall game 7.



Our route on Sunday and Monday

[bigjohnsd]

Monday, May 20, 2024 - Georgetown IL to Altoona IA

We were on the road at 0700 to avoid some storms.


It was beautiful, 70f and calm.

We headed West on I-74 to get past Champagne IL, but by the time we got off the slab the wind had started to blow!


We crossed the Mississippi at Keokuk IA




The wind blew us to a friend and fellow rider's home in Altoona, IA.



The WEAX looks sketchy for tomorrow morning. We will try to skirt the storms by first streaking West on I-80, then reassessing at Omaha. Stay tuned, it will be an adventure!