Quick APR Ride ... not

 Last month I was scheming to do some out of state ride/events, came across this one in McAlester, OK (Oklahoma State All Patriots Run (APR))  but had a conflict.  I was supposed to be in Nemo, SD all week but had to cancel nine days ago due to a medical situation.  On that Friday morning, I was dealing with a situation 3 out of the previous five days and I tapped out. The thought of riding 1100+ miles; no.  Thought of trailering those miles; no.  Took everything I had to pull the plug.  I knew it was a good decision as crap kept happening for a total of five times out of ten days.   After a trip to the doc last wed, was told about surgery options and recovery times and decided to delay a month or so. But in the meantime, changed up my diet which has worked so far.  This isn't life threatening stuff, but quality of life crap.  Anyways...  Chief reached out to me a few weeks ago about yesterday's ride and I turned it down since I had other plans... but... suddenly got to thinking ... I can do 2 1/2 hours ... hmmmm.  So, I opted in last week.  We decided to ride up in the morning, check in for the sanctioned event, ride, then do the hotel , dinner, follow on event and ride back .. today.  But . .things change!

Line 'em up!

Second group rolling in

Oklahoma, headed for the hills

Quick Stop early on to get the two groups together as one

Yesterday we pulled out lil after 0700 hrs and headed north. Sure enough 2 1/2 hrs later we're sitting in McAlester behind Angels Diner with several dozen CVMA Brothers and Sisters as folks are still arriving.  Quick ride and we barely broke a sweat; temps were in the 70s and to be honest; was an awesome ride when you're used to the heat? Well, we get the cards swiped and gather intel.  Honey Badger came up the day before to hang with his brother (literally brother), "Whatever".  Interesting name right there? So we've got three from 23-11 and a few other Texas folks and others from AR and AL have even rolled in.  When the smoke clears we've got about fifty bikes ready to ride.  I thought this was supposed to be a poker run but they've changed it up. Turns out we're all headed to Queen Wilemena to the Lodge for lunch, then back through Talihina, dinner, annual auction, etc.  I'm thinking 'damned.. this day is going to rock!".   I love this area to ride and the Chief has never been up that way so .. score!  Soon we're headed out of town with a long line of bikes; always a beautiful sight!  Overall, an excellent ride but I'm still reminded why I don't like big rides.  Few times the lead bike was hauling off before everyone was lined up and in motion (most lead riders make this mistake) and .. the guy in front of me on a green Road King ... well...  is bugging me.  Doesn't stay in his lane 100% of the time.. keeps lagging back .. then accelerating .. and .. repeat. The entire ride.  Even after several stops, someway, somehow...  he keeps ending up in front of me .... Grrr! Still .....  minor shit in the big picture I guess.  Well, few hours later we roll into the park and I'm starving!  Our guy giving the safety brief told us there was  a buffet .. plenty of food .. but .. not sure about the seating overall for our group as a whole. Well, upon entering the restaurant.. there isn't a single table ready for anyone.  Definitely not for most / all of us.  They are scrambling, offer take out, etc.... not happening.   Well, turns out there is a huge car show going on in the park and they have vendors apparently so the Chief and I ride over there as well as many others to check it out.  Well.....  they've already been slammed and running out of most things .... along with long lines.  Well... crap.  I've been here many a time so I mention to the Chief.... 'fuck it.. lets head to Mena and grab some grub?'  Hell.. it's only about ten to fifteen minutes away ..... and .. we do!  Mount the bikes and we're quickly rolling; well, after we wiggled them away from the other bikes blocking us .. but... pulled it off.  We're soon down on a main street and find a place open for another hour; score!  Their A/C is running, clean bathrooms, awesome eclectic menu....   and .. hardly anyone here. Score! Somewhere along the way the Chief made a comment and I was thinking the same thing.  We haven't checked into our rooms yet and we can canx before 1800 hrs.  Neither of us had expected to be sitting in Mena at this point and we still had several hours to make it back. The group has gotten a lil' broken up by this point, looked like it might get all of us wet out there.. and he made the joke ... "maybe we just head home from here?"  I had been thinking the same thing!  Quick call, rooms canceled and ...   we'll be home to be with the wives for the night!   Honeybadger is looking for us so I give him the news, and we've got a plan.  After an awesome light lunch .. we're rolling home.

State Park ... absolutely beautiful . Quick 200 mile ride to it home

 

 

I've been on this route several times this summer so its' becoming too familiar.  At the same time, for whatever reason, it's always threatening to get us wet.. and yesterday was no different.  Half a dozen times the skies opened up ....  you're getting pretty wet ... thinking it might be time to don the rain gear .. then the sun pops out... and ten minutes later you're dry and cruising along at a high rate of speed.  Still, before we made it to Hunt County .. I really thought we'd get truly slammed but by the time we hit Commerce .. we're pretty sure we're home free.  Sun is still out, we haven't had any cold ones... and along the way is Tin Cup Tavern so ... we're in!   Soon the bikes are parked, sipping some cold ones, a quick bite and BSing with the owners.  A perfect end to the day.   Before too many get thrown back, on the bikes and headed home.  When we pull in we'll have 500 extra miles on the odometers.. .503 to be exact.  

So much for a quick  2 1/2 ride?   Good news is ... I was good to go the entire trip.  Today I'll find out if that 500 miles fucked with my previous/current condition I was so worried about.  Hell, I'm still learning what affects me and doesn't in the matter.   On a positive note, Chief told me that was his first 500+ mile day.  Hell, I think he could have done a 1000.... well, if we'd skipped the cold ones?

Forgot one thing.. I might have had ulterior motives for this ride.  Just qualified for the LRRP Tri State for 2021!   This one, Steel Horse Rally, AR and Louisiana State mtg ..... all sanctioned events,  in the record books.

[SANCTIONED] OK State Event: Oklahoma Annual APR at McAlester OK on 2021-08-27	Wrench	Member	28 Aug 2021
[SANCTIONED] LA State Event: LA 6 State Meeting at Luling LA on 2021-05-22	Boomer	Member	25 May 2021
[SANCTIONED] AR State Event: Steel Horse Rally at Fort Smith AR AR on 2021-05-07	Boomer	Member	20 May 2021