A Fall trip to Eureka Springs

[kam582]

First, let me tell you that my wife and I are new to the biking world. I rode when I was a kid, but kids and careers got the better part of my time. Once the kids were gone we started talking about a trike, (wife will not ride two wheels) and even rented a Tri Glide a couple of times. Finally my wife said something that made sense, "If we are going to do it we better do it now before we are too old", so last June we pulled the trigger on a Goldwing 1800 with a Motortrike conversion. We have loved it, with several day trips and a longer, 1400 mile trip up the North Shore into Canada and back down at International Falls.

Anyhow, after seeing the rally in Eureka Springs we couldn't decide if we wanted to go, being newbies and all. We decided to ride down, from the Omaha area, and check out the town. Little did we know that when we planned the trip the Bikes, Blues and BBQ rally was going on in Fayetteville, about 35 miles from Eureka Springs. There were bikes everywhere, thousands of bikes and trikes of all persuasions, from run of the mill to custom jobs, you name it, we saw it.

We spent a day at the rally, had a great time, and met the owner of Motortrike. Nice guy. Bought the obligatory tee shirts and paraphernalia, had some great BBQ, and almost spent money on LED's for the scooter, but backed out at the last minute. The next day we rode one of the suggested rides, the Moonshine run. Great ride and great scenery, except this particular day anything above 2,100 feet was in the clouds.

The town of Eureka Springs was very interesting, and very bike friendly. We couldn't get a room at the hosting hotel cause of the rally, but got one at the sister hotel just down the rode, which was very nice. There are literally hundreds of motel rooms in the town. The town has lots of touristy things to do with a lot of small shops and eateries. A nice town with friendly people.

We had a nice ride back, going up through Missouri into Iowa and then home. We still haven't decided as to if we are going to the trike rally, being somewhat intimidated as we are so new to this game, but I can tell you that if you want a bike friendly town with interesting rides in every direction, go to Eureka Springs.

 

[Nana]

Sure hope we meet you there next June! It sounds as though you had a wonderful trip

 

[leo3wheel]

We were there at the same time. Yes, there were many motorcycles of all types there. Nice area... Glad you had a good time. ThumbUp

 

[Lucky]

Looking forward to meeting ya'll at The Rally.Nothing to be intimidated about it is just a big ole family reunion.We have planned rides if you want to do that,groups that sit around and tell li oops I mean stories.Just a lotta fun.RIDE SAFE

 

[Blondie Gal]

We've gone to the last three rallies and, until we went the first year, I wasn't certain I (as a total passenger) would have a good time, but we have found amazing people, friends who feel more like long-lost cousins (or closer), and some great memories!! We're not the least bit shy, but these folks took us in like they'd known us for years! We rode hard to get to Maggie Valley each year (1300 miles, two days) but every minute was worth it when we got there and sat down with these folks and enjoyed their stories and experiences.

Each year the group has added a large number of newcomers, each of whom we try to welcome with as much excitement as we found! Nana, Bazooka, Marge, Skuuter, Gorilla, CC, and a host of others put the rallies together on a shoestring budget and the result is amazing!

You'll be certain to have a rollicking good time, whether you go on any of the planned rides, take off on your own, or sit around with a bunch of us and tell tall tales! (Some of 'em ain't TOO tall!! Ask Scalp Hunter how he got his name!) We'd love to have each and every one of our members join in the fun - it IS a big ol' family reunion - - and YOU'RE OUR FAMILY!!!

 

[rwhgme]

Just echoing what all have said. My wife can be very shy...not with this cast of characters, though! Try it....YOU'LL LOVE IT!

 

[skuuter]

kam582, not much I can add to this....Everyone else has said it all...being the shy, quiet, bashful Guy that I am, my Wife and I still fit right in immediately at the Past Rallies...seriously Ya'll will enjoy it and come away with some Really Great Memories and Great Friends...Hope to see Ya'll there, Ya'll already know how to get there......pepper :10:

 

[Gorilla]

This is not a NORMAL rally. There will only be a few vendors that mostly advertise this forum keeping it going. By the way this will be the first year coming that we have had more than one or 2 vendors. OUR rally is more of a FAMILY reunion. Just people on this forum that get together and enjoy each others company for a few days. Nothing more, nothing less. GREAT time is had. It's nice to put faces to the many members. At least try it once. You have nothing to lose. Nancy (Blondie Gal) is being modest. She works as hard for this forum as any of us except MARGE and NANA. Now there are a couple of fine ladies to meet. Hope to meet you there.

 

[skuuter]

This is not a NORMAL rally. There will only be a few vendors that mostly advertise this forum keeping it going. By the way this will be the first year coming that we have had more than one or 2 vendors. OUR rally is more of a FAMILY reunion. Just people on this forum that get together and enjoy each others company for a few days. Nothing more, nothing less. GREAT time is had. It's nice to put faces to the many members. At least try it once. You have nothing to lose. Nancy (Blondie Gal) is being modest. She works as hard for this forum as any of us except MARGE and NANA. Now there are a couple of fine ladies to meet. Hope to meet you there.

DITTO.....ThumbUp :10:

 

[rmrc51]

Wish it was within my traveling range. Maybe in the future if another rally is held closer to the East coast again. You all have fun!! I'm looking forward to seeing all of the pictures of the event. ThumbUp

 

[kam582]

Well you guys are very persuasive. We registered and made our reservations today. Looking forward to talking to experienced trike riders, and looking at the bling, not that I need anymore or anything.

 

[Marge]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>kam582</strong>
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<div class="message">Well you guys are very persuasive. We registered and made our reservations today. Looking forward to talking to experienced trike riders, and looking at the bling, not that I need anymore or anything.</div>

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</div>Great! See you guys in June!

 

[skuuter]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>kam582</strong>
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<div class="message">Well you guys are very persuasive. We registered and made our reservations today. Looking forward to talking to experienced trike riders, and looking at the bling, not that I need anymore or anything.</div>

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</div>You'll really, really be glad Ya' did....Lookin' forward to meeting Ya'll.....<img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="ThumbUp" class="inlineimg" />

 

[BinIdaho]

Anyone in Idaho going to Eureka Springs?

 

[spiritdream]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>kam582</strong>
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<div class="message">Well you guys are very persuasive. We registered and made our reservations today. Looking forward to talking to experienced trike riders, and looking at the bling, not that I need anymore or anything.</div>

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</div>Kam, you are both going to be very, very glad you joined us!! I hear you about being a newbie - I've had my license since 2006 and my trike since 2007, but with only 11,000 miles on it I definitely still feel "new"! LOL But these people don't care how long you've ridden, what you ride, or even IF you ride....just that you have an interest and respect for the activity and the members!! Let me share a story...<br />
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The first time I joined the group at Maggie Valley was a very "oh, what the hell, why not" thing - I just tossed some clothes in a bag, hopped in my CAR, and drove down there! Now, I am a <u>very</u> self-conscious person, so I know about "intimidation"....I couldn't have felt more welcome if I was at my own family reunion!! I got a giant hug from Nana moments after getting out of my car, I had a member who kind of appointed himself my smoking buddy, JuJu and Chief made sure I was always included in conversations, Bazooka and Marge treated me like I was part of their family from the moment I got out of my car, and I never once felt out of place even without my trike! I could go on and on, but you get the picture. <img src="images/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" /><br />
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Because of that trip, I have met some people who are very dear to me, and every time I attend the rally I meet more!

You will not meet a finer group of people anywhere, in my opinion! <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" /> <br />
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Ride safe, and looking forward to meeting you in June! <img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="ThumbUp" class="inlineimg" />

 

[Ed Hobgood]

It's great to hear things like this and I am looking forward to meeting everyone. I haven't been riding for that many years myself but it seem to me that you meet some of the friendliest people out on bikes. I've meet some of you out on the road but looking forward meeting alot more of you next June.