Mid October Route

[bikerscape]

Hi All,

I've recently picked up a sport touring machine -- the 08 Concours.

I'm looking to do a ride I'm attaching if attaching it works.  I would like to do it in 2 days leaving from Skiatook, OK and going south to Hwy 69, Hwy 1, over Tahlimena drive, to Mena to eat, on to Crystal Springs in Hot Springs area and then up Hwy 7 going west at Hwy 16 and then back to Tahlequah via 62, up Hwy 10 to Hwy 20 and back to Skiatook.  About 715 miles or 15.5 hours ride time.   Probably do a short stop at Crystal Springs and Mt. Nebo.  

If you have any suggestions for this route let me know.  I'm just going to get some lodging when the body says so.  I'm tentatively looking at October 13th and 14th since I have another ride two weeks later to Hugo Lake State Park.  Looking for a riders ride.

Thanks,

Mike in Skiatook

[bahwolf]

Looks like a nice loop. There really are no bad roads in northwestern Arkansas and the Talihina area is as good as it gets in Oklahoma. Be sure and let us know how the new Connie performs. If you're not a already a member at http://zzrbikes.com, you should join. All the old ZZR1200 guys, as well as those who've moved on to the ZX-14/ZZR1400 and Concours 14 hang out there.

[Rabidsnipe]

I've ridden a lot of those and they're a lot of fun.  Hwy 10 has never been open for me (always lots of traffic) but I've normally hit it during the summer so maybe it won't be a problem.  62 is fun (look out for tar snakes if wet) and so is 16 (same thing).  If Talihina is empty it can be a blast; but there are also, sometimes, people poking along (but there are also lots of places where you can pass easily, except close to Mena and close to US259 on the western side.

[Rabidsnipe]

You also might consider taking 82 south (pick it up at hwy 9??).  Probably one of the best roads in OK.  Some sketchy pavement in places though.