DAY #3...SATURDAY...WOODWARD, OK. TO GATE, OK. TO HOME...310 MILES (1433)

Jack and I arose early on Saturday morning for our ride to Gate, Oklahoma, so we could get there before most of the other members arrived. We left Woodward about 8:30 a.m. under sunny skies and brisk temperatures. The heated clothing was a very welcome accessory this morning. We arrived in Gate to find Jim Crank and one other member already there. Jim had left Hutchinson shortly after 6:00 a.m. this morning to attend the event. The event went very well with approximately 35 riders attending, and the weather was beautiful. Clear, sunny skies with temps in the high 60's. The steak dinner was great too, the steak being so large most couldn't eat it all. After the meal we had our usual meeting where the trophy's for the best Thumper's and long distance award was given. Shortly after the meeting you could hear the Thump...Thump...Thump of all the bikes as the members left for home or another ride before heading towards the house or the stop for the evening.
Jim, Kip, and I left Gate about 3:00 p.m. this afternoon and headed NE towards Thumperville. We were just meandering along at 60 MPH, 5 MPH under the speed limit, enjoying this beautiful day. One of the first towns we came to after crossing the state line into Kansas was Coldwater. As we entered town the speed limit signs were progressively spaced with 55 MPH.........45 MPH.........and supposedly 30 MPH. None of us saw that particular sign, but the 3 law enforcement officers that stopped us insisted that it was there, just before they mentioned they had clocked us at 47 MPH. They checked out our driver licenses and insurance cards and then very nicely told Jim and I that they would just warn us. We were very thankful and very surprised we would get a warning for 17 MPH over the speed limit. Kip however received a ticket for $141.00. Just before he pulled away to catch up with Jim and I the officer stopped him again. He told Kip that the two sheriff officers had turned Jim and I loose and he wasn't going to be the bad guy of the day, so he took Kip's ticket back and wrote void on it. Once again all of us were very surprised but pleased.
The rest of the trip home was uneventful and we arrived back in Hutchinson just as it was getting dark.
This was the last Thumpercafe of the year. I made all four this year and rode almost 11,000 miles getting there and back. My KLR took me to California, Maryland, North Dakota, Canada, and Oklahoma. I rode in numerous states besides those listed above, getting to these events, and saw some beautiful country in the process. If you've never been to one of these events you don't know what you're missing. It's a great way to meet new friends with like interests, and "gitten" there is half the fun.
See you next year.........and remember..........As Jack says....."Thump when you can". Even though Winter is fast approaching there will still be a lot of nice days to get out there and ride.
Motor Mike

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST...
"OUR FEARLESS LEADER"

DAY #2...FRIDAY...MENA, ARKANSAS TO WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA...499 MILES (1123 MILES)

Waking up in Mena this morning to sunny skies was a welcome sight. I left the motel around 7:45 a.m. and headed to the top of Rich Mountain and Queen Willimena State Park. The sun quickly disappeared and was replaced by fog. The road was littered with damp, fresh leaves from all the trees. The fog came and went depending on my elevation, but most of the ride was very enjoyable. Coming off the mountain in Oklahoma I had two bears cross in front of me about 20' away. Then they sat in the ditch and just watched me. Needless to say this is quite startling, but I did turn around and try to get a picture. No sooner than I got the bike turned around and they were spooked and took off into the woods.
After this excitement I headed for Ada, Oklahoma then Chickasha, Oklahoma to have lunch with good friends. After lunch I rode to Woodward, Oklahoma for the night. There are about 15 FSSNOC members here, ready for the get together on Saturday, and more will show up in the morning. The weather is supposed to be clear and sunny with a high of 66*. I'll take that!!!
I've ridden a total of 1123 miles in the last two days and have had a great time getting here, and I've only ridden 935 miles farther than I needed to to get to the event. I've either been lost a lot or having a great time.
Many of those that read my Blog remember my trusty KLR turning over 25,000 miles several months ago. Well......today I turned over 30,000 miles. That's 30,000 miles in less than 3 years. Looking forward to the next 30,000 and more.


Talk to you tomorrow after the Thumpercafe.
Motor Mike

DAY #1...(THURSDAY)...THUMPERVILLE TO MENA, ARKANSAS...624 MILES

About 7:00 a.m. I left the house on my once-again-clean KLR, just as the dawn of a new day was arriving on the horizon. The only reason I even mention the clean thing is because after the Maryland trip I wasn't sure it would ever be clean again. It was 38* with 100% humidity so it was plenty damp and cool.....but it wasn't raining, and with the heated clothing it was quite pleasant riding weather. At lunchtime I was in Miami, Oklahoma and it still was only 42* and cloudy.

I picked up the old Route 66 in Miami and ate lunch at the KU KU Restaurant.

I also rode past the old historical Coleman Theatre.

I then rode back north on Route 66 through Baxter Springs, Ks., Riverton, and Galena. Close to Galena i rode across the Rainbow Bridge, an old bridge also on Route 66. A lot of the old buildings still exist in these towns and have been restored.

Heading South I rode to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and then continued southwest to Ft. Smith, Arkansas where I went by Miss Laura's, the only old brothel on the National Historical Sites list.

After leaving Ft. Smith I rode to Mena, Arkansas where I am spending the night. I've ridden 624 miles so far and the Thumpercafe in Gate, Oklahoma is only 188 miles from Thumperville. I think I've been riding with Jack too long, because he never takes the most direct route to anywhere.......but 400 miles out of the way??.... and I'm still not close to Gate. I did have fun though, and it turned out to be a beautiful day to ride.
Tomorrow I plan on riding over Talimena Drive, then head NW towards Woodward, Oklahoma where I'll meet some more FSSNOC members, after a stop in Chickasha to have lunch with some friends.

Talk to you Friday night.
Motor Mike