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Simmons1
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A couple months ago my buddy Scott mentioned the dirt track racing was coming back to Oklahoma City for the first time in 20 years. It has been a long time since I had been to one so I said sure.
After we had made our plans Leon posted up the date for the 2016 version of the Bonus Pie Run. I asked Scott if he interested in making a long weekend to take in both. A plan was hatched.
Day 1 Fort Worth to Oklahoma City
With the weather hot and humid we decide to get on the road to OKC bright and early. I met Scott up by Texas Motor Speedway at 6 am.
We took 35 to Ardmore, OK and then got on 177 heading North. Our first stop was a neat little museum on Route 66 in Warwick.
http://www.seabastation.com/
We got there shortly after it opened. It is not a big place but has neat eclectic collection of bikes.
My friends had Rupp Mini bikes when I was a kid, I had never seen a Rupp motorcycle before.
Interesting old photo considering what we were OKC for.
I had one of these one I was kid. It was the first new bike I bought.
Movie Bike anyone?
After looking at the cool bikes we were getting hungry
The guy at the museum told us to go a couple miles West on Route 66 to get some awesome barbecue from an outdoor place. We also asked him about a place called Pops. He told to stop in and check it out but not to eat there as the food was only okay and that it would be packed.
The place was looked pretty neat when we arrived.
Looking at all the Barbecue contest awards were we had high hopes for our lunch.
Scott got ribs and I got two meat platter with “one” A la carte rib to try.
The meat did not disappoint. It may have been the most tender barbecue I have ever eaten and the flavor was outstanding. After we got home learned that the father and the son that runs this joint are world renowned in the world of barbecue competitions.
We still had a long day ahead of us as we headed towards our Hotel but not before checking out Pops on still on Route 66. The claim to fame is to have over 700 different flavors of soda pop on site. This is supposedly the world’s biggest pop bottle and supposed by lit up really bright at night.
http://www.pops66.com/arcadia-ok-on-route-66/
We finally found the hotel got checked in and cooled off for a few minutes before heading to the track. The race would be run at Remington Park a horse racing track and casino. We got there pretty early to check out the general admission seating and our seats inside in the AC.
They let you into the pits for an hour before the race to check things out. There was a long line to get in to the pits.
Flat track racing has sure changed from when I followed it more when I was kid. The hot bike now is a Kawasaki 650. The first guy to make them go fast was the Legendary Bill Werner of Harley Davidson. Harley may have put him out to pasture but his desire to build fast bikes was still burning. Bill Werner and local legend Kenny Tolbert were the only guys left from the old days that we recognized in the pits.
After the walking around the pits. We went up stairs to our AC'ed indoor seats. I was nice being inside with some one waiting us and at the same time Scott and I both felt like we were missing part of the atmosphere being inside.
I only had a pocket snap shot camera with me so I only shot a few photos.
The TV made sure we didn't miss anything.
The races were good or a first time venue. The track conditions favored the Harley's. If any one is interested the race we went to can be watched here.
http://fanschoice.tv/ama-pro/player...-+2016+OKC+Mile+VOD+Coverage&utm_medium=email
The last few laps the sky was getting lit up with lightning. When the race over everyone on bikes hurried to get on the road as fast a possible. Our hotel was only 10 minutes from the track but it really looked like is was going to pour. We needed to make a left to back up on the highway. Scott found a hole first and got in the left lane. I got in about 10 cars ahead of him. Why is this important you ask? I made it through the next light and Scott didn't. I pulled over a couple hundred yards up the ramp to wait for him. He got absolutely soaked form rain and got a few big drops on me.
We would soon be back at the hotel after a long fun day. I am getting old for getting on the road at 5:30 am and still being up at midnight.
Day 2 OKC to Clarksville, Ar
There is no good way to get to Clarksville without going way out of the way which leaves just I-40. I was determined not to I-40 it all the way.
After a quick stop for gas in Henryetta, for gas we were on the move again.
We got off 40 and headed towards Lake Tenkiller. The roads immediately became very pleasant. Not at all what most people think of Oklahoma having for roads.
We wound on around on some great roads until Stilwell. I spent a lot of time plotting out route but things happen once in a while. After riding through Bell the road started showing some dirt then turned to all dirt. The GPS only showed a few miles to get to 59 so I continued on. Right near the Arkansas border on some steep loose gravel. At the bottom was a small water crossing. Sounds easy except for being on an ST1300 and FJR. Wished I had stopped for pictures but I was more focused on not dropping the bike and also worrying about the possibility of Scott dropping his bike. We were soon back to blacktop.
I was pretty sure Scott had never seen this so we stopped at Natural Dam. On a hot Sunday there were a lot people swimming.
It was hot and humid so we got back on my route. A short time later the road turned to dirt again. Not pushing our luck we turned around. We were headed for some great twisty roads that will have to wait for another trip. We wound up heading back to 40 and then on to Clarksville. Shortly after getting a room we had a quick shower. We grabbed a late lunch at 4PM and took it easy the rest of the day after yesterday’s extremely long day.
Day 3 Clarksville to Bonus Pie Run to Home
Scott and I both slept in after two hot humid days on the road. We didn’t need to be to Oark until 11 am so took our time getting ready to leave.
We took 103 to Oark. It is a fun road with a bunch switch backs going up the hill and nice curves the rest of the way there.
At 10:30 on a Monday morning Oark is pretty sleepy.
For those that don’t know this, the Oark Store is on the TAT and gets many visitors riding the TAT. Last year when we were here a couple guys on KLR’s stopped while riding the TAT.
The Pie Man and Mike arrived a few minutes after we did. It appears that great minds thing a like as far as dress code goes.
I normally get a big burger here, but since Scott and I were riding back to DFW after lunch I went for much lighter BLT.
Last year when were here the weekend visitors wiped out the pie selection. This year there were many choices. Each of us had something different. Leon had Oreo cookie, Mike had pecan, Scott had apple and I had buttermilk .
Getting ready to head for home.
Scott and I headed out 215 to the Pig Trail to get in a few more miles of twisties before hitting I-40 for the slab ride home.
I pulled in the garage at 6:30 just shy of a 1000 miles for the weekend.
After we had made our plans Leon posted up the date for the 2016 version of the Bonus Pie Run. I asked Scott if he interested in making a long weekend to take in both. A plan was hatched.
Day 1 Fort Worth to Oklahoma City
With the weather hot and humid we decide to get on the road to OKC bright and early. I met Scott up by Texas Motor Speedway at 6 am.
We took 35 to Ardmore, OK and then got on 177 heading North. Our first stop was a neat little museum on Route 66 in Warwick.
http://www.seabastation.com/
We got there shortly after it opened. It is not a big place but has neat eclectic collection of bikes.
My friends had Rupp Mini bikes when I was a kid, I had never seen a Rupp motorcycle before.
Interesting old photo considering what we were OKC for.
I had one of these one I was kid. It was the first new bike I bought.
Movie Bike anyone?
After looking at the cool bikes we were getting hungry
The guy at the museum told us to go a couple miles West on Route 66 to get some awesome barbecue from an outdoor place. We also asked him about a place called Pops. He told to stop in and check it out but not to eat there as the food was only okay and that it would be packed.
The place was looked pretty neat when we arrived.
Looking at all the Barbecue contest awards were we had high hopes for our lunch.
Scott got ribs and I got two meat platter with “one” A la carte rib to try.
The meat did not disappoint. It may have been the most tender barbecue I have ever eaten and the flavor was outstanding. After we got home learned that the father and the son that runs this joint are world renowned in the world of barbecue competitions.
We still had a long day ahead of us as we headed towards our Hotel but not before checking out Pops on still on Route 66. The claim to fame is to have over 700 different flavors of soda pop on site. This is supposedly the world’s biggest pop bottle and supposed by lit up really bright at night.
http://www.pops66.com/arcadia-ok-on-route-66/
We finally found the hotel got checked in and cooled off for a few minutes before heading to the track. The race would be run at Remington Park a horse racing track and casino. We got there pretty early to check out the general admission seating and our seats inside in the AC.
They let you into the pits for an hour before the race to check things out. There was a long line to get in to the pits.
Flat track racing has sure changed from when I followed it more when I was kid. The hot bike now is a Kawasaki 650. The first guy to make them go fast was the Legendary Bill Werner of Harley Davidson. Harley may have put him out to pasture but his desire to build fast bikes was still burning. Bill Werner and local legend Kenny Tolbert were the only guys left from the old days that we recognized in the pits.
After the walking around the pits. We went up stairs to our AC'ed indoor seats. I was nice being inside with some one waiting us and at the same time Scott and I both felt like we were missing part of the atmosphere being inside.
I only had a pocket snap shot camera with me so I only shot a few photos.
The TV made sure we didn't miss anything.
The races were good or a first time venue. The track conditions favored the Harley's. If any one is interested the race we went to can be watched here.
http://fanschoice.tv/ama-pro/player...-+2016+OKC+Mile+VOD+Coverage&utm_medium=email
The last few laps the sky was getting lit up with lightning. When the race over everyone on bikes hurried to get on the road as fast a possible. Our hotel was only 10 minutes from the track but it really looked like is was going to pour. We needed to make a left to back up on the highway. Scott found a hole first and got in the left lane. I got in about 10 cars ahead of him. Why is this important you ask? I made it through the next light and Scott didn't. I pulled over a couple hundred yards up the ramp to wait for him. He got absolutely soaked form rain and got a few big drops on me.
We would soon be back at the hotel after a long fun day. I am getting old for getting on the road at 5:30 am and still being up at midnight.
Day 2 OKC to Clarksville, Ar
There is no good way to get to Clarksville without going way out of the way which leaves just I-40. I was determined not to I-40 it all the way.
After a quick stop for gas in Henryetta, for gas we were on the move again.
We got off 40 and headed towards Lake Tenkiller. The roads immediately became very pleasant. Not at all what most people think of Oklahoma having for roads.
We wound on around on some great roads until Stilwell. I spent a lot of time plotting out route but things happen once in a while. After riding through Bell the road started showing some dirt then turned to all dirt. The GPS only showed a few miles to get to 59 so I continued on. Right near the Arkansas border on some steep loose gravel. At the bottom was a small water crossing. Sounds easy except for being on an ST1300 and FJR. Wished I had stopped for pictures but I was more focused on not dropping the bike and also worrying about the possibility of Scott dropping his bike. We were soon back to blacktop.
I was pretty sure Scott had never seen this so we stopped at Natural Dam. On a hot Sunday there were a lot people swimming.
It was hot and humid so we got back on my route. A short time later the road turned to dirt again. Not pushing our luck we turned around. We were headed for some great twisty roads that will have to wait for another trip. We wound up heading back to 40 and then on to Clarksville. Shortly after getting a room we had a quick shower. We grabbed a late lunch at 4PM and took it easy the rest of the day after yesterday’s extremely long day.
Day 3 Clarksville to Bonus Pie Run to Home
Scott and I both slept in after two hot humid days on the road. We didn’t need to be to Oark until 11 am so took our time getting ready to leave.
We took 103 to Oark. It is a fun road with a bunch switch backs going up the hill and nice curves the rest of the way there.
At 10:30 on a Monday morning Oark is pretty sleepy.
For those that don’t know this, the Oark Store is on the TAT and gets many visitors riding the TAT. Last year when we were here a couple guys on KLR’s stopped while riding the TAT.
The Pie Man and Mike arrived a few minutes after we did. It appears that great minds thing a like as far as dress code goes.
I normally get a big burger here, but since Scott and I were riding back to DFW after lunch I went for much lighter BLT.
Last year when were here the weekend visitors wiped out the pie selection. This year there were many choices. Each of us had something different. Leon had Oreo cookie, Mike had pecan, Scott had apple and I had buttermilk .
Getting ready to head for home.
Scott and I headed out 215 to the Pig Trail to get in a few more miles of twisties before hitting I-40 for the slab ride home.
I pulled in the garage at 6:30 just shy of a 1000 miles for the weekend.
There are a lot of very fine routes from OK to AR. I've gotten lost on a bunch of those roads (unintentionally). Thanks for sharing it all! That museum was wonderful!