12th Annual Hot Springs Rally....
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| The Hot Springs Rally is the largest motorcycle rally held annually in central Arkansas. It offers something for every motorcycle enthusiast. This 3 day rally includes plenty of vendors, two poker runs with a chance to win $2,000, bike show, field events and bike games, a parade through historic downtown Hot Springs, and plenty of nationally known entertainment. All of this and more for one low all access ticket price. | $50 per person ( includes shirt if you preregister) !!! |
Fast forward to post Harvey and we're departing Galveston after checking on the home. We got some minor damage, but can't do anything more until late September when I meet up with the Insurance Adjuster. So we're headed up I-45 when I get .. the text. Donnie Donahue is asking me if I'll consider coming up to Hot Springs again this year. We had a blast last year and got some great riding in, so I've got nothing but good memories. But, Rob Gregory had already asked me and I'd said no. Steve Smith has asked me and I'd said no. But, here I am in the car, Lucy driving the second leg, I'm staring at pictures of the good times folks had last week up in the Ozarks and... timing is everything? I ask Lucy if she's up for it; she's not. But, she gave me the kitchen pass! I'm in! Rooms are in tight supply, but I've secured a single room. Few calls and Larry Kea is on board. This is going to be an Indian Motorcyle Love Fest of sorts , and we'll be connecting up with a lot of friends and ... maybe.. doing a lil' sippin? The riding isn't my main focus this trip, but as it turned out, we got a few good ones in.
Few days later, I throw a leg over the bike, connect up with Larry at his place and we're headed out! It's a perfect distance; 250 miles. We added time to our ride by staying off the Interstate 100%, taking mostly two lanes, temps in the 80s and nothing but blue skies. This would be everyone's good fortune for the next few days. Cool in the mornings, warming to lower 80s and sunshine. Perfect
Last year we'd pulled RVs/bikes and stayed in one of the State Parks. Though it was an awesome time, this year we opted to stay downtown with all the other folks there we met up with. It's literally next to the convention center ( the hub of the event ) so you couldn't have asked for more! Gregory Polaris was setup with dozens and dozens of bikes, HD was there this year with their own demo truck , and as always , an eclectic mix of bikes adorned all the streets in the area for blocks. When we pulled up on the bikes I headed to the main entrance of the hotel to check in and Rob (owner of Gregory Polaris ) spotted me. After getting our bro-hugs in, you KNEW it was going to be an awesome weekend! I tell everyone I meet, that Rob is the 'real deal'. He's a no BS kinda guy and does his customers right. I send a LOT of folks his way when possible. The icing on the cake for me is, he's become a great personal friend. I'm blessed!And, he's blessed. He had a LOT of folks consisting of family friends and/or customers, there to help with the demo rides and on the sales floor. My understanding is they sold an epic 24 ( TWENTY FOUR ! ) bikes during the event! Last year, I'd heard 40 bikes over the month sold, that could be attributed to the rally. But damned , 24 over a weekend? How awesome is that? To top it off, every night we all connected up to celebrate friendships. Celebrate the Rally. And the last night, to celebrate Gregory Polaris', earned Good Fortune!
The hotel had a great breakfast buffet setup every morning. So we had zero to worry about there. After prepping our energy stores, the biggest concern of the morning was "what time is KSU?" Most folks we were there to hang with, were mired in the event tied to Gregory Polaris. We were supposed to have several couples up from Louisiana to ride with, but thanks to extenuating circumstances, only one of the couples made it (Ray and Mary Smith). The great part of this was two fold. One, it wasn't just Larry and I out and about and secondly, it was the first time I'd gotten a true opportunity to know Ray Ray and Mary who Dat! Needless to say, they are awesome! I wish Lucy had made it so the ladies could have spent some quality time together, but hey .. I got to!
With only two days for riding in the 'Springs, we opted for a shot out west to Queen Wilhelemina and day two , to Petit Jean State Park. Both rides were awesome . Day one was for 250 miles, and day two about 150. We spent more time enjoying the destination on day two, since well.. we had more time ( less miles ) . As I'd mentioned prior, the weather was awesome, and I don't think any one of us, ever broke a sweat. Both days had their share of twisties, two lanes , and lots of sweeping curves. What more could one have asked for? Well, one more day? I would have liked to have done Mt Magazine , but we simply ran out of time.
Though I wanted another day of riding, one could argue we have four total. The ride there and back was awesome. Once you got on Hwy 70 headed west, great views and we 'lucked out' into rolling behind a half dozen guys, growing their line up from the rear. Almost immediately another half dozen rolled up behind us, so for about a hundred miles there were a dozen plus of us , rolling along in staggered formation. As much as I don't like riding in larger groups of folks I don't know, it went well and I had a smile on my face. Eventually the first half broke off, we all waved and I took the lead from there. I'd like to think I did a better job of it to be honest. I got it up to the appropriate speed, set the cruise and kept the pace through the sweeping curves ( unlike the previous leader). The group behind us tucked in tighter so I'm assuming they appreciated it as well. When we got to the next town, Larry and I grabbed the left lane, in preparation for a turn into a gas station and the 1/2 dozen behind us pulled up to the light with us in the right lane. I didn't even look over until I heard "Hey guys!" . Their lead bike is a female . ... as is the second.. and the third .. and .. all six were ladies on Street Glides and Softails. I have to admit, it put a smile on my face! We all waved and off they went. We'd see them one more time along the way ( we had leapfrogged them to the next gas station). Not to be sexist, but you don't see that very often and hell, they had it going! 
Overall the ride back was 'uneventful' but that almost changed about 75 miles from home. We were going down a two lane twenty miles out from Paris, TX when I took the high side on a sharp sweeping corner to the right. Up on the center the road was blacker than the rest and I quickly found out why. There was fresh tar or oil there that had spread out from car tires and one quickly learns that bikes don't do well on it. I was doing about 40 when I hit the slick and the front and rear began losing traction, but not simultaneously. The front felt like an "HD death wobble" and the rear started coming out from under me. In a second or two it did it twice but I stayed on the throttle and rode it out. Few seconds later I looked back, Larry stayed out of it, and we were off. How I didn't shit my pants at the moment I'll never know, because I thought I was going down. I spent the next few miles reliving it, and believe had I got out of that throttle, this blog post might have a different ending. But, all good!Now the question is , will we go next year to Hot Springs? I don't' know but I'd recommend it to anyone! It's a smaller rally. The lines are not ridiculous. The traffic isn't ridiculous. Large enough to 'feel it' but small enough to enjoy it
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