For the Fall 2015 sidecar gathering for the Ark-La-Tex-OK region, we'll pitch-in with the Rich Mountain Rendezvous scheduled for September 17-20 24-27, 2015 at Queen Wilhelmina State Park along the Ok/Ark border near Mena, Arkansas. More info and registration are here: http://rmr4casa.com/ The rally is the annual fundraiser for the local CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) group - registration includes a t-shirt & several meals.
Contact rally registrar Steve at drmoons@mangomoons.com for "non-internet" registration.
Queen Wilhelmina State Park is on top of Rich Mountain at +/-2600 feet about 13 miles West of Mena, Arkansas on AR88/OK1 which is the Talimena National Scenic Byway: http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com/ Additionally, there are some good unpaved USFS and Polk County roads to the East and South of the park.
The Lodge and Restaurant have been closed for renovations for the past couple of years, but re-opened July 1st. There are only 38 rooms in the Lodge and it's quite popular on the weekends - so please contact the Park early if you would like a room at the Lodge: http://www.queenwilhelmina.com/ or (800) 264-2877 or queenwilhelmina@arkansas.com. The next closest motels are down in Mena - various options can be found here: http://visitmena.com/stay/ And here is a lodging option 4 road miles from the Park along the base of of Rich Mountain: http://www.richmountaincabins.com/
Please contact the Park directly should you need to reserve an RV site: (479) 394-2863 or queenwilhelmina@arkansas.com. As more fully discussed on the Rendezvous site, there is a large area for tent camping (no hook-ups) that can be paid at pre-registration or to the rallymaster on-site: http://rmr4casa.com/your-rendezvous/camping-options/ Temperatures are generally 10* cooler at the park than down in Mena due to the elevation and camping can be very pleasant in late September; however, the campground is on the highest peak in the area which exposes it to clouds, fog & storms.
Jena & I plan to bring our tent this year - our preliminary plan is to arrive about 4pm Friday the 18th after an 11:30am lunch stop at Kenya's Diner in Dierks, Arkansas.
We'll post more info & details as the plans develop for group rides and lunch meet-ups.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Our two-wheeling friends are happy we are attending the Rendezvous:
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102054&page=2 🙂
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
NOTE: The organizers had to re-schedule the Rich Mountain Rendezvous to September 17-20, 2015.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Ride options for Saturday the 19th include:
-
Ride into Mena to see a private collection of vintage autos, motorcycles and paraphernalia usually open to rally attendees;
-
80± mile loop –about ½ unpaved- to the East thru Mena and Dallas and a portion of the Ouachita National Forest looping back up the South face of Rich Mountain after a lunch stop in Hatfield (this route can be extended another 30-50 unpaved miles to visit other sites in the Ouachita National Forest such as Little Missouri Falls, Albert Pike, Bard Springs & Tall Peak); and/or
-
125± mile paved loop to West thru Big Cedar, Octavia and Honobia with lunch in Talihina at 75± miles– this route incorporates both the Talimena Drive and the Indian Hwy (an area rumored to be frequented by Sasquatch).
Unfortunately, the Arkansas Native Plant & Wildlife Center at the base of Rich Mtn. ( http://arkansasnativeplantandwildlifecenter.org/index.php ) was closed to the public that last time I checked.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Jena & I are are now "all registered up" for the Rich Mountain Rendezvous. As of now, we plan to ride the #3 option above on Saturday thru Honobia toTalihina, Oklahoma and back.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Talked with Rally Registrar Steve yesterday: He really needs a head count by August 15th so he & Cindy w/CASA can plan the rally needs, such as t-shirts and, more importantly, the meals.
If you prefer to not pre-register at http://rmr4casa.com/ ,
please contact Steve by email: drmoons-at-mangomoons.com or phone: 21zero-39two-908eight
and let him know your plans, even if your attendance is only likely, probable or tentative.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Just registered -- excited about making the trip and driving the local roads
Txart - 8/13/2015 11:39 PM
Just registered -- excited about making the trip and driving the local roads
Good deal Art - Looking fwd to riding along part of the journey with y'all.
Also, you can register and attend the rally even tho we're past August 15th. Simply contact Steve as the email/phone set forth above and let him know you're coming, even up to the last week, so they can plan the meals.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Please remember to gas-up before ascending to the Queen Wilhelmina State Park as there is no gas at the Park nor anywhere along the Talimena Byway. The closest gas is 13 miles East in Mena, 50 miles West in Talihina, 42 miles Southwest in Smithville and 35 miles Northwest in Hodgen.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Looks like my rig does not want to travel. The transmission died before we left for the national rally. We got it back from the shop 2 weeks ago and drove home in a driving rain. Sunday, I decided to ride a little and the reverse died backing out of the garage -- Trailered it to the shop today, they opened the case and found the gear that engages reverse had broke loose. It was put in place and tomorrow we will do a shakedown run.
The bluetooth GPS stopped communicating with the LG headset -- got another LG headset and they paired and shortly thereafter stopped communicating. Pulled out an old Motorola headset, charged and they paired and worked great but now the headset will not hold a charge - cannot find another Motorola in town ----- Dollar General came to the rescue with a $12 set of bluetooth ear buds...they seem to work every time.... All of this means rain on the road to Arkansas....
Cancelled my camping spot - Weather looks wet for Sunday......was really hoping to get up there late Friday, camp and ride Saturday and Sunday......but not able to leave early Friday and not looking forward to packing up and put Riley at risk in the rain on the way back. Riley is an 80lb Australian Shepherd who loves to sidecar ride....gets extremely depressed and stressed if I take the rig out without him....wife says he refuses to leave the door until I get back.
So I'll have to pick another date and venue to meet up with the gang.....I also missed the East Texas May event....grrrrrrr
Best Regards - Paul H Lange
1982 BMW R100T- Ural Hack
1983 BMW R80RS custom
1984 BMW R100GS
On way to the rally, our rig broke down and there are enough words to thank everybody for the help and assistance provided on the road and is still ongoing at this time.
Rosa and I are in Dallas waiting our daughter's gall badder surgery.
THANKS
