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jclax01
The world is ruled by Damned Dirty Apes

Date Joined Jan 2008
Total Posts : 5244

Posted 1/18/2012 4:03 PM (GMT -7)

I take a long road trip every year. This years destination is Dallas Texas from St. Louis during the first week of August 2012. Pretty much I am doing hwy 44 through Missouri on the way down. There is that nasty little toll road in Oklahoma (definitely going to try to avoid that). Never made that run. anything interesting at all along the route. I never have gone much past Rolla Mo. on 44 on a motorcycle.

Ride Hard or Stay home

1994 Kaw Vulcan 88

2007 Piago (my wifes punk ass 50cc scooter)

1986 kaw Vulcan 750(rebooted and reloaded)

GAJ
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 6845

Posted 1/18/2012 4:28 PM (GMT -7)

As you well know, it will be darned hot, so stay hydrated!

Drunkula
Registered Member

Date Joined Dec 2006
Total Posts : 539

Posted 1/19/2012 6:42 AM (GMT -7)

I haven't been to it myself but I hear that Talimena St. Park in S.E. Oklahoma is awesome. Supposed to have some nice roads. Might give that a shot...

http://www.stateparks.com/talimena.html

dmfz1
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2005
Total Posts : 107

Posted 1/19/2012 7:19 AM (GMT -7)

If you want to avoid the toll part of 44 in Oklahoma here is a route that you will really enjoy if you like 2 lane black top twisties along with some beautiful scenery. When you get to Joplin jump off 44 and go south on 71 to hwy 90. East on 90 to Noel. Stay on 90/43 west to SW City Mo and continue south to hwy 20. West on 20 to Jay OK. South on 59 out of Jay to 412. South of 412 hwy 59 becomes 10. Stay on 10 all the way to hwy 51/62 junction and go right on 51/62 into Tahlequah OK. Stay on 51/62 south thru Tahlequah and hwy 82 junction. South on 82 all the way to Vian OK and I-40. Jump on I-40 and go east to Salisaw OK. South out of Salisaw on 59. Stay on 59 south to hwy 259 junction. Take 259 south over Talimena Drive. The Drive is an east/west road about 45 miles in length between Talimena OK and Mena AR and I highly suggest you take some time to take a side trip on this road.

From the Drive continue south on 259 to Idabel OK. Go west out of Idabel and cross Red River (TX state line) and highway becomes 37. Stay on 37 all the way to Mount Vernon TX and I-30. I-30 west to Dallas.

For the last 4 years we have made an annual ride up from Houston to the Cassville MO area. We avoid 4 lane roads on this trip and go up the east side of TX and OK using this route from Mount Vernon TX north to Noel and hwy 90. Hwy 90 from Noel to Washburn MO is one of my favorite rides. Check it out on google maps or mapquest.

martinjmpr
08 Triumph Scrambler

Date Joined Jun 2003
Total Posts : 4681

Posted 1/19/2012 7:42 AM (GMT -7)

St Louis to Dallas in August? Sounds about as much fun as riding across the surface of the sun. tongue

Only advice I can offer is: Missouri and Arkansas both have great twisty back roads. I'd stay off the superslab if I was you. The Dallas metro area is a nightmare of suburban sprawl from what I remember. Never been to Southern Oklahoma, so I don't know what it's like (though I think there are some low mountains there - the Ouachitas maybe?) I've been through Oklahoma multiple times (Mom was born and raised in Northeastern OK and we had relatives there for years) but never south of I-40.

Martin

Englewood, CO (Denver suburb)

UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) Fanatic

Previous Bikes: '69 Honda CL450; '74 Honda CB750; '83 Honda 550 Nighthawk; '92 Yamaha Virago 1100; '83 Yamaha Maxim 750; '84 Kawasaki ZN700 LTD; '01 Triumph Thunderbird 900; '82 Kawasaki Spectre 750

jclax01
The world is ruled by Damned Dirty Apes

Date Joined Jan 2008
Total Posts : 5244

Posted 1/19/2012 10:24 AM (GMT -7)

thanks for the info on the roads. I am going to find me some twisty stuff thats off the beaten path. I'm always concious of those twisty side roads. my bike with me on it and open pipes does not get the best milage. I have a range somewhere around 100 miles with my smallish tank. The road is always important, but the distance between gas stations is a big deal too. I have a couple of camelbacs which I usually freeze the night before a big trip. They make a HUGE difference when riding in hot weather. DMFZ1, how many miles am I adding to the trip with your route?

Ride Hard or Stay home

1994 Kaw Vulcan 88

2007 Piago (my wifes punk ass 50cc scooter)

1986 kaw Vulcan 750(rebooted and reloaded)

dmfz1
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2005
Total Posts : 107

Posted 1/19/2012 11:35 AM (GMT -7)

If your plan was 44 to Tulsa and then 75 south to Dallas you would not be adding many miles at all going the route I suggest but you will be slowed with 2 lane speed limits versus the 4 lane slab and all the small towns you would be going through. With a 100 mile range on your tank there should be no problem with gas stops going either route.

As others have mentioned the Talimena Drive is really something you would not want to miss whether you take the route I suggest or you 4 lane it. Goggle "talimena" and you will get a full explanation of the road and pictures of the drive. It is state highway no.1 in Oklahama. When people think of Oklahoma they do not think of terrain like this.

jclax01
The world is ruled by Damned Dirty Apes

Date Joined Jan 2008
Total Posts : 5244

Posted 1/19/2012 11:46 AM (GMT -7)

Yes indeed that looks like a good side trip. I have planed on running the western boarder of Arkansas on the way there. I was thinking Fort Smith Arkansas as the end of my first day. I may try to get to the eastern end of the road and spend the night somewhere off of 71 or 88. Looks like it has good shade along the road too.

Ride Hard or Stay home

1994 Kaw Vulcan 88

2007 Piago (my wifes punk ass 50cc scooter)

1986 kaw Vulcan 750(rebooted and reloaded)

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