My Life on the Run: Riding the Talimena Scenic Byway and the Pig Trail in Arkansas

Over Memorial Day weekend, I took my first long ride on my motorcycle. There were 11 bikes and 13 riders in our group from Southern Cruisers. I have had my motorcycle over a year now, and this would be my first extended day ride on my own bike. My total mileage for the 4 days was 1343. The temps were hot, and I was the only woman riding solo (two were riding two-up with their husbands), and I had the smallest bike, a 2011 Triumph America 850. I have to admit I was a little leary initially after talking to a coworker who also happens to be in my riding club. He couldn't help but be amazed that I would even consider such an undertaking since I had never ridden much over 200 miles in one day. I also had never really ridden twisties at great length. I had dropped my bike in gravel within the first month of ownership, and do not own saddlebags, nor at the time, a windshield. For now, until I have more miles on the road, I am a fair weather rider when I am riding..no rain, no wind, no gravel, and no riding at night. I am night blind and there are far too many kamikaze deer in these parts. I love riding but am absolutely unwilling to become a statistic. So, one can understand my co-worker's amazement that I would even consider such a ride.
I became a little nervous after our talk and texted my friend who was leading the ride. I have known this man for 17 years and he even helped me in picking out an appropriate motorcycle which would suit my needs. I asked my friend if I was biting off more than I could chew in wanting to ride the Talimena Highway and Highway 227 in Arkansas. He assured me that the ride wasn't "technically" difficult and that, because of my "athleticism," I would have no problem with the endurance aspect of the ride. After our chat, I was in all the way.

My friends took me to a really cool, new cycle shop outside of Gatesville where I had a pretty neat windscreen put on, and it too me a while to get used to having a windshield. I kinda liked the clean lines of my Triumph America and it does feel differently to ride with a screen that without. Since I am a biker on a budget, I had a friend loan me motorcycle luggage and several people offer to tote it for me on their bikes. I am a lucky woman.

Starting out, Day 1 in Nolanville

The plan was that on the first day we would ride to Talimena, Oklahoma, about 350 miles. The next day we rode to Harrison, Arkansas, and the last night, we planned on stopping in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. We stopped in Eureka Springs as well, and I had no idea it was such a biker's haven!

I had no troubles at all riding the distance and the straight-aways every day. I truly had no idea what to expect, and day one seemed pretty easy since we stopped about every 2 hours for a water and potty break. We got to our first hotel in Talimena and then went out as a group to eat at a cool little place called Pam's Hateful Hussy Diner. We ate and laughed and had a grand time.