Visitors from Norway

[Ghillie]

Our brother Dag in Norway has friends flying into Dallas on the 15th of July. They will be picking up an IS on the 16th and heading out either the 16th or the 17th on a two week tour ending in NY. I realize many will not be back from Inzane at the beginning of their tour, but if you might be available to show local hospitality at some point please sound off.  Even if you can't be around to show someone the sites or local back roads, you can help with your local expertise. Post your suggestions if you have unique local tourist attractions, awesome food, or routes which offer great rides.

[Sharkey]

If their plans include a trip through Missouri Im game. I right off I 44. Some good roads here, Id be happy to show them around.

[Jabba]

I live in Indy and would be glad to feed them one night.  Not a lot of good roads unless you're south of here, and even those are blah compared to Ky and Tn roads.  They could even crash in my guest room in the garage if'n they want to.  I don't know how many there are, but I got a double bed, and could cobble together another single. 

Jabba

[TheSpadMan]

We have some empty beds in SC, if they are needed. Then its a long ride north. 

[Oss]

What days exactly are we talking about as I will be in Inzane also

They can google Ossining NY to see the great roads north of me

[Stitch_in_La]

Alexandria LA, I'm in

Chuck

[eric in md]

im in   eric in western md ..

[Dag]

There will be two couples. One of the couple will rent a car.
They arrive in Dallas Thursday evening (July 15th) and will stay at the Best Western Hotel in Irving the  first night. Friday, July 16th they will buy some motorcycle gear such as helmets, bluetooth communication etc. and then pick up the Interstate in Wylie.
They have some wishes about what they want to see, such as Oklahoma City, Niagara Falls and ride a part of Route 66. They return home from NY August 3rd. The Interstate will be shipped by seafreight from NY.
They are likely just as impressed of the hospitality you show as I am.   

[Sharkey]

There will be two couples. One of the couple will rent a car.
They arrive in Dallas Thursday evening (July 15th) and will stay at the Best Western Hotel in Irving the  first night. Friday, July 16th they will buy some motorcycle gear such as helmets, bluetooth communication etc. and then pick up the Interstate in Wylie.
They have some wishes about what they want to see, such as Oklahoma City, Niagara Falls and ride a part of Route 66. They return home from NY August 3rd. The Interstate will be shipped by seafreight from NY.
They are likely just as impressed of the hospitality you show as I am.  

Dag Rt 66 is just 8 miles north of me. It runs parallel to I44 a major interstate. Just let
me know if I can be of assistance. I am around 400 miles ne of OKCity. We are in the foothills of the ozark mountains. Hwy 19 south of Rt 66 is a great road.

[Dag]

Are the tale of the Dragon open now? Or will it be opened until mid July?

[Willow]

They have some wishes about what they want to see, such as Oklahoma City, Niagara Falls and ride a part of Route 66. They return home from NY August 3rd. The Interstate will be shipped by seafreight from NY. 

InZane is not a reasonable option for their timeframe.

They may enjoy the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.  I would suggest traveling east out of OKC and cut the northwest corner of Arkansas.  Northwest Arkansas is full of great motorcycling roads (5 , 14, and 7 come to mind).  Calico Rock, Norfork, and Mountain View are good options for a visit.  Oh, let's throw in Jasper for good measure.  Head east out of Arkansas across Tennessee and visit Lookout Mountain.  Drop down into North Carolina and pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway at Cherokee.  Might want to spend some time in Cherokee.  Several good stops along the BRP; Boone, NC and Blowing Rock among them.  At the top of the Blue Ridge Parway is Skyline Drive continuing north.  Thomas Jefferson's Montecello is just off Skyline Drive as is Front Royal.  Aiming toward Niagra Falls you'll get to see western Pennsylvania and a bit of Upstate New York. By the time you've spent a night at Niagra Falls (you'll want to see the Falls at night) you'll be out of time and need to hot foot across New York to make your connection for the ride home.

It should be a grand trip.  Everyone in America loves Norwegians.        

[Ghillie]

Willow has a hell of a plan. We also found out today there is a new motorcycle museum just east of OKC on 66.

[RainMaker]

Willow has a hell of a plan. We also found out today there is a new motorcycle museum just east of OKC on 66.

Looks like we should consider an escort out to Wylie and then a nice ride/sendoff to the border, at least.  I can make the trip. Who else from the DFW VRCC?

RainMaker

[chip]

I would be glad to host a tour of St.Louis and the surrounding area,Home of three motorcycle museums,( I can post links later ) The Arch ,Anheuser Busch Brewery, St.Louis Zoo, and some nice roads along the river.

[LandElephant]

If they come through anywhere close to Tupelo MS (Home of Elvis), I know of a great place to eat .  Can't put them up (a little tight in the trailer) but more than willing to show a carpetbaggers hospitality in the south.  can call me at (859) 445-6362. Right on the Natchez Trace.

Charlie
Land Elephant

[Ghillie]

I have been talking with Dag. We are working to make sure insurance and registration is in place before they get here. Still haven't heard when they want to leave out. Since they have to get geared and pick up the bike on Friday, I am not sure if they will want to head out late Friday (bad idea), or early Sat morning.

[big d]

i live about an hour from niagara falls ny. also have a couple extra beds available if wanted. would be happy to show them around the area. feel free to send a p.m. anytime.     big D.

[Dag]

I talked to Åge today (you must learn how to pronounce his name) 
Åge and his wife Unni is overwhelmed by what they read on the forum and the emails I have received and forwarded to them. They are very exited.
They are studying the map and will come back with a more specific route. The time they have available indicates that there is room for a few detours along the way.
I'll say hello from them and say thank you for all your help so far. A special thanks to Ghillie who  checked the IS for them.   

This is yet another example of how great this club is.
We are one big family!
You are truely my friends!
Dag

[TimG]

Dag, you have a place to stay in Chattanooga, Tennessee (TN) if you need one. Eastern TN, North Carolina, and Kentucky are beautiful places to ride. If your schedule has you in the area, just send an email and we'll make it happen. Hope ya'll have a great trip and enjoy the USA.

[Duffy]

If they come near Atlanta, we will do all we can to make them feel welcome. 

[Dag]

They have decided to go from Wylie - Wichita Falls - Amarillo on Saturday.
Next day, Route 66 to Saint Louis.

[Dag]

They arrived Thursday evening and picked up the Interstate yesterday.


9am, (today) they are ready to go.
From what I understand they are heading to Wichita Falls where they will stop for lunch.

[RainMaker]

Met up with Åge and Unni plus the backup crew in the car this morning.  We took off about 9:10, ride leader ThagAndy.  We went thru Krum, then up thru Nocona and stopped in Wichita Falls about 1:30 or so for lunch at Richards BBQ.  Good BBQ.  Looked over the map for the rest of their journey.  Sidecar made suggestions on where to stop and trails to take in the Appalachian mountain area.  About 2:30. left the restaurant and headed to 287.  When we got there, Åge and Unni headed north, ThagAndy, Godfire and RainMaker headed south and Sidecar headed to his ranch to the east.

GreenLantern - we kinda' know where they are going (Route 66 towards St. Louis) but find out where they are going to stop tomorrow night and let's post on the main board for our VRCC brothers on their route.

They mentioned stopping at Palo Duro Canyon while in your area.

Elizabeth (Mrs. ThagAndy) has pictures and will post them later.

Yeah, it was hot, but we had a great ride anyway.

RainMaker

[SlowRoad]

Are the tale of the Dragon open now? Or will it be opened until mid July?

A little late to answer this now, but yes Deal's Gap/Tail of the Dragon is open. It reopened a few weeks ago.

Tim

[RainMaker]

Sorry for the late post.  Got home for about an hour and neighbors asked if we wanted to go out to the lake on thier boat.   

Theres too many pics I wanted to share so I made a quick webpage.  Heres the link. 

http://home.centurytel.net/thagsdungeon/VRCC.htm

[GreenLantern57]

Our friends ( what else could you call these great people ) called this afternoon. They had gone down into Palo Duro Canyon and then out to see the Caddilac ranch. The ladies were ready for shopping so they rested a bit and went down to old Route 66 shopping area. We then met at Ruby Tequila's on Georgia for some good Tex-Mex. We had a great meal and talked about thier route, what to see, and then started talking about bikes, vacations and the weather. I made an album to post the pictures fast.

http://community.webshots.com/album/578208257zjrshU?vhost=community

Not sure how big pictures are allowed here, but I put the photos I took on my webshots page.
We all agreed that they should head out as early as possible tomorrow, Monday. Maybe put them into OKC 1 or 2 p.m. That way they could rest, go to Cowboy Hall of Fame, Bricktown. They may take old Route 66 up to Tulsa instead of I-44. 
Wish I could have taken off tomorrow to ride with them a few hours.  If this group is passing close to you , make an effort to meet them.

[RainMaker]

Thanks for the feedback on our new Norwegian Valk riders.  Hope more riders will meet up with them on their route.  Just post info here or PM your phone number to Dag so he can communicate that to Age and Unni.  They don't have a computer with them so we have to "call long distance" through Norway to get to them.

RainMaker

[RainMaker]

I just talked to Åge (1pm your time)

They have about two hours ride to St. Louis.
They will stay there one day, and than be heading for Nashville and further to Deals Gap, Townsend, TN. He would send me some pictures soon.

[Dag]

+ Blue Ridge Parkway

[Dag]

I got a text message from Unni an Åge yesterday;

The heaven opened up .... -Heavy rain between Rolla and St Louis.
Our new rain clothes would certainly worked well if we had used it 
Here is Åge and his wet money laid out to dry.