Perhaps it is a way of getting the "kinks" out. Well, I hope they are out.
Monday morning left for a quick trip to Eureka Springs to photograph a resort. Very cool place, very remote and private. If you want remote and private, with very nice furnished cabins, check out this place.
www.retreatatskyridge.com It is about 9 miles outside of Eureka Springs, located very close to Beaver Dam.
Anywho, left a few minutes ahead of schedule, and being with a passenger, that was great! On the road just before 9, headed west on US50 towards 28 and headed South through Rolla to Houston, MO. Why Houston?? Well, it was about two hours from my house, and the KFC Buffet didn't open until 11:00. Arrived about 11:01, (damn, was late).....Monday happened to be senior day (for everybody.) Buffet and Drink for $4.49!! I'm in Chicken Heaven!! As I was consuming mass quantities of chicken, I noticed one of the specials....Family Feast, 10 pieces, 2 sides for $20.00. HA!! I'm having the family feast right now for only 4.49!! Gotta love the South and the KFC Buffets!! After degreasing and suiting back up, it was time to head Southwest towards Branson, via 60/5/76. Bypassing Branson to the North, for what was going to be a great ride through Kimberling City across Table Rock lake and down into Arkansas.
As we Passed over 65, heading west on the not yet finished 465 bypass, they skies started just getting a bit grey....Shouldn't be a concern I thought. Well, it wasn't. Until the back started weaving (on grooved pavement)....%$@&*@^*$@*^@...It's a flat!! Luckily, was able to pull over safely. Check the tire with the help of my companion, and couldn't find a puncture, etc...(well she couldn't)....And I guess it's rather difficult to check it yourself!! Had a can of fix a flat, no help and the air was coming out as fast as it entered. About 30 minutes later, the roadside tow truck showed up, and we were able to get it on the flatbed. Just about this time, the skies opened up. Rained hard for about 30 minutes. Only good thing?? Got a ride in cab!! Arrived at the tow place/tire place and being Monday, all fine bike shops are closed. Was able to find the little puncture, (was so small it took some pushing getting the plug tool in) and aired up. It was holding!! Rain had stopped!! Sun was out!! Only 45 miles from destination!! Figured I could get a new tire in the morning.
Arrived the the cabin about 6:00, after driving very carefully, not knowing how long a plug would last.
I found out soon, not very. The cabins were about a mile down a gravel road. (probably not a great idea for a plug). Unloaded quickly, as we needed to go to town to get some breakfast supplies and some quick dinner. Beautiful ride down 62 into ES, and just as we were heading downhill down main street, wobble wobble wobble!! #$%^#^*#^* Tire is flat again!! Must have been the gravel!! Fortunately, we ended up right in front of a bar/restaurant, the Pied Piper of some sorts, and got some food. The awesome innkeeper of the Retreat at Sky Ride, came and picked us up, took us to the grocery and liquor store, and brought us back in the morning. Can't beat that for service!!
Was able to find a shop in town with a tire, 39 Cycles on hwy 62 East of town, and by about 12:30 was back and up running. New rear, had the back break pads replaced, and headed South towards Faytettville and Hwy 71. Weather was pretty nice, and 71 was a decent ride....Road wasn't great, but it was OK. Artist Point was a nice scenic view, and headed south to Alma, where we hit I-40 East to pick up AR23..(the Pig Trail)..... Headed North back to Eureka. As to 23, It was ok. I was expecting more. I've been on more interesting roads in AR.....(Hwy 14, Hwy 341 were more interesting to me)..Perhaps after just riding in NC/TN, I was a bit biased!!
Arrived back at the Cabin and within one minute, skies opened up again. Big storm, and were lucky to have missed this one. It rained quite a bit, and almost through the night. All morning it was pouring, and needing to drive Northeast to get home, and the storm was moving pretty much moving NE, had to delay, and pulled a Supertramp taking the long way home, to bypass the storms. An extra 100 miles or so, but better than being wet. Headed NW out of Eureka to Monett, and West to Carthage...Up 71 to Nevada, then 54 all the way to Jeff City. 54 was a great ride....Up until 10 miles from Camdenton. Very slowly, I noticed it the cornering was getting a bit more difficult. Nothing to severe, but I could tell something was slightly amiss. That slight wobbly feeling was coming back. I thought, this couldn't' be happening. Another flat?? Pulled into a gas station, and discovered I was down to about 6 lbs in the front. !#$^!%&!%&. This time we really check the tire well. No gouges, tears, etc. (this tire was had only about 300 miles on it).... What gives? Aired it up, and took of towards Walmart to get a new can of fix a flat..(just in case)...Less than two miles to Walmart, I'd already lost 10lbs of pressure. !@#$^!#%^. Discovered it was the stem. leaking at the base. Putting just slight pressure on it, and could hear the air. Stupid designed stems!! Luckily, a bike shop in Camdenton was still open, (it was about 5:30) and were able to help. He told me, don't worry, we won't screw you like other places, (as they knew we were not locals...)... About 30 minutes later, new stem. But the bill???? $83.00. 40 to take of the wheel, 32 mount and balance, and 7 for the stem. Gee, sure glad I got the local price!!
Still had about 130 miles to go. And big storm developing to the north and west. Was able to look at the radar and felt we could beat them. We did, and we had quite a light show all the way to Jeff. Tire held, arrived safe and tired. 891 miles in three days. Damn, the Valk is a smooth ride. I'll be posting pics soon.
www.handcolored66.com
