Recommended stay
FALL CREEK INN (Next to Fall Creek Steak & Catfish House)
995 Hwy 165
Branson, MO 65616
1-800-393-0474
local 417-348-1683

Show up with tanks full in parking lot at 8am each day. You are in the right place if there is a large cow on top of the sign in the parking lot.

Follow the link below to see the routes, download maps in large size from link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/isthatav/


"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Give me your noobs, your goobs, your peg scraping boobs,
For there will peace in my soul
once we’ve let the Good Times roll


The hotel will be booked soon, but there are a million places near Branson to stay/ camp. Sorry about the short notice.

pm me to exchange cell #'s if you are serious.

Here’s how it works. If all you want to do is ride and have a Good Time, then just show up and follow along. If you know 450 miles (12 hrs) is more than you want to spend in the saddle, then study the posted route maps, there are early exits that make it easy to find your way back. We will stop and point the way. If you like to embarrass crotch rockets, then study the maps and you’ll know where we’ll be when you’re done horsing around. If you’re worried that you are slow and will hold everyone up, then this might be the trip for you. It is important that people ride at a pace that is comfortable to them. Completing the routes and staying on time depends less on riding fast and more on not loitering at rest stops. Loitering will put us behind schedule, a slow Harley rider will not. My pace is moderately fast. I like to have fun in the turns, but I won’t be challenging every GSXer I see. By the time we are all spread out, the people in the rear will seem less like they are slow and more like they are just at the end of the line. When we get on a road, we STAY on that road. Someone will volunteer to always be last. When we leave the road we’re on, we stop and wait for everyone. When I see the one who is last, I know everyone is accounted for and we proceed. I know ahead of time where we make our turns so I slow down a couple of miles before changing roads so that often we don’t stop and wait at all. I always obey the speed limit through small towns and municipalities, as a matter of respect. Bikers have not yet worn out their welcome in AR, people wave to you all the time as you go by, and I’m not about to give us a bad name by barreling though their town. This gives the people toward the rear a chance to catch up as there are plenty of other places to have fun, we don’t need to do it through town.
As a backup plan, exchange cell #’s with as many as you can, we will be taking rest/ lunch/ gas stops. I have worked very hard on preparing these routes and each day takes in different Arkansas jewels. I crammed a lot of scenery and great roads into a day and we have to stay on pace or I will be forced to take shortcuts due to the fact that I struggle in the dark (50 yr old eyesight) which means we will miss out on some of that day’s jewels. I have taken slow Harley riders with 100 mi. fuel ranges and covered this many miles in the daylight. That is not a problem. What has been a problem is that there are a lot, I mean a lot of turns, and after a few hours on an 800 lb motorcycle, the rider feels like he’s been wrestling an 800 lb pig all day and those people want to take naps at every rest stop. I wouldn’t expect V riders to experience this, but please keep in mind that we need to be efficient at rest stops or ride in the dark.
So there you have it. The rest is all about having fun. There are hotels and campgrounds unlimited in the Branson area, so everyone is on their own. Just show up at 8:00 am each day with gas tanks full and this could be the best riding you’ve ever done.
Note: if there is daylight left and the end of the day, I know some great roads right around Branson. The riding doesn’t have to end just because we’re back at the hotel.

Note to locals, we leave at 8am every day. There is a time line listed in hours of when we should arrive at each point, you can hook up with us along the way. Try some of our cell phones, you might catch us on break or someone equipped to talk hands-free who can give you our location.

I can't attend this ride but I just wanted to say that I absolutely love the format you have described. if I had the time, I'd be on this like a fat kid on a Smartie!

Would love to be there...just not the right time for me...hopefully I can make the next one..looks like a great setup... ride safe..

I had planned to make this, sounds like an awesome time. But then I realized that my store's inventory is on the 28th and I will have to work all four days. :mad::mad::mad:

See you Sunday.

click on the link to Flickr on the first post. It has downloadable maps of the routes for the first three days, the fourth day will be a consensus ride of the places that people liked the best. The routes, etc. are to accommodate a large group, if that doesn't happen we can tailor the routes to our needs.

Verses,

Since you are in Branson, I am surprised you are not including 160/125 out of Forsyth, crossing the Peel Ferry and continuing down 125. The MO side is like a roller coaster ride :D

Todd

The ferry ride is free, leaves every 40 minutes. I like 125, ride it a lot.

125 is great, especially north of the ferry. I don't have anything specific planned for Tue., will see who is left and what their preferences are. Was saving 125 in case one of the days is shortened by heavy rains, we only need a short break in the weather to make it there. I do have 160 in the route for Mon. coming back from Mtn. Home. Everything is flexible though, I am planning for a large group and can make adjustments as needed.

125 is great, especially north of the ferry. I don't have anything specific planned for Tue., will see who is left and what their preferences are. Was saving 125 in case one of the days is shortened by heavy rains, we only need a short break in the weather to make it there. I do have 160 in the route for Mon. coming back from Mtn. Home. Everything is flexible though, I am planning for a large group and can make adjustments as needed.

I might just have to take Tuesday off if you are riding Push Mountain? I can't make out the roads on the maps, even with the largest format and a magnifying glass. Sorry.

You stated the dates as Jun 26,27,28 29. You show only 3 tour maps. Is one of the days considered a travel day and if so which one, Saturday the 26th, or Tuesday the 29th?
You might update the flickr maps to indicate this info.

Is there any camping or cheap places to stay near there?

Is there any camping or cheap places to stay near there?

I can help little here, I know there are KOA campgrounds, but if you want cheap, camp at the State Parks on one of the lakes. I have camped on Table Rock lake on the south side of Branson, but so long ago I don't remember the charge, if there was one for tents.

As for motels, they are usually cheaper in the surrounding towns than in Branson in season. Try Forsyth, Harrison, or Fayetteville. Springfield has
reasonable motels, if you go to the budget ones.

Thanks for stepping in and offering info about camping. I don't know much about the campgrounds. I did a Google search "Branson hotels under fifty dollars" and in less than one minute I found this link

http://www.tallpinescampground.com/Stonybrook.htm


I know there are many hotels for under $50.00. The Fall Creek Inn is a great hotel and their normal rates are about $65.00 for a room with two beds. They gave me the rate of $50.00/ night because I am staying five nights.

I don't know why people are having a hard time reading the maps on the link. I've tried with two different computers and they seem ok, not great, but ok. I click on the Flicker link, click on one of the maps and it enlarges and at the top of the map on the left hand corner there is a magnifying glass that says all sizes. I click on it and it enlarges to look like the map that I scanned. I can zoom the page and it looks ok (acceptable) at 200% and 400%. I have downloaded the map, opened it with Microsoft Paint and printed it and it comes out legible, albeit small lettering. I'm using IE, sometimes different web browsers make things look different, I don't know. The site lost some quality from the original but I'm pretty sure when I email the originals they can be zoomed at any level and stay clear, but it takes awhile for me to upload them in order to email them, I might have time to send to one or two people per night if people really can't get the link to work for them, pm me and I will. I will try and bring extra copies to hand out, especially to those who don't want to ride the full 400+ miles.

My plan for the fourth day is to do a "consensus" ride. There is no way to see Arkansas in a day (even just the northern half), so each day takes in a new "jewel." My plan for the fourth day was to see what everyone liked the most and go there, maybe take the long way there via 125 or something like that. I have never ridden Push Mtn. rd. It has always been a dirt road on the paper maps that I had. I recently discovered using Google maps that it is paved and looks really awesome. Thanks to the input I've received on this forum, I've got it in the routes for Sun and Mon. Have a feeling we might go back again on Tue.

for more cheap hotels try this link.

http://www.1branson.com/forum/t19768.html


Just a note, these are nice hotels. I don't know of a single "flea-bag" hotel in Branson. The rooms are cheap because there are billions of them, they can't charge too much or people will go elsewhere.

Any idea yet how many have definitely commented to going? Can you post a list?

There's always room for one more, I just hope that not all the V's are green. With that headlight, the local farmers will think they are being invaded by giant grasshoppers.

and one big red SHARK! Wow!:D

I think it is awesome that you do this. I can't make it (and don't even have the right bike for it yet) but I'd love to participate at some point. Maybe this will become a semi0regular occurrence.

I'm in AR headed that way.

leaving Friday night after work. Will be ready to go by 8 Sat morn. This is really gonna be what they meant by "let the Good Times roll." I'm really sorry about the no shows. I might be able to do this again in the fall, but the days are so short, you can't take in nearly as much. The deer become much more active in the twighlight hours in Sept., Oct., Nov. also. The locals will tell you that it is wise to keep your trips under 300 miles in the fall because it really is not safe to ride that area after dark.

My plans got changed Thursday-bicycle crash put me in the hospital for 3 days. I hit the pavement hard enough to collapse a lung requiring surgery. No broken bones, should be going home tomorrow if the xrays are good. Hope you have a stellar ride and post some pics when you get back. Thanks Verses!

My plans got changed Thursday-bicycle crash put me in the hospital for 3 days. I hit the pavement hard enough to collapse a lung requiring surgery. No broken bones, should be going home tomorrow if the xrays are good. Hope you have a stellar ride and post some pics when you get back. Thanks Verses!

Wow Sorry to hear that!!! I hope you get to feeling better soon.

I did not get to make this ride either.

Todd

Sorry to hear about your accident Element, hope you heal quickly so you can still get a lot of riding in this year.
Say on the V, it must be safer! :D

Thanks Element for the encouragement and enthusiasm. We had an unbelievable time and we dedicated the ride to you by staying serious about safety and approaching everything with caution.

Here is the trip report:

No. of V attendees; 1 Jimmesa, joined us for a day during his criss-cross America trek. Great fun, great company.

V performance; flawless. Felt like I was riding downhill for four days.

Total miles ridden: 1,454

Locations travelled: Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma.

Roads ridden: Talamina Scenic Byway
Magazine Mtn.
Push Mtn. rd.
Pig Trail
Allison, and surrounding areas
Ponca
Jasper
7, 21, 27, 9, 125, 235, 14, 66, 103, 311, 87, 263, 16, 74, 43, 160, 248, 259


Weather: perfect, dash of rain, nothing serious

Fun meter: Pegged at 10

Next trip: Hopefully in the fall.

Thanks Element for the encouragement and enthusiasm. We had an unbelievable time and we dedicated the ride to you by staying serious about safety and approaching everything with caution.

Here is the trip report:

No. of V attendees; 1 Jimmesa, joined us for a day during his criss-cross America trek. Great fun, great company.

V performance; flawless. Felt like I was riding downhill for four days.

Total miles ridden: 1,454

Locations travelled: Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma.

Roads ridden: Talamina Scenic Byway
Magazine Mtn.
Push Mtn. rd.
Pig Trail
Allison, and surrounding areas
Ponca
Jasper
7, 21, 27, 9, 125, 235, 14, 66, 103, 311, 87, 263, 16, 74, 43, 160, 248, 259


Weather: perfect, dash of rain, nothing serious

Fun meter: Pegged at 10

Next trip: Hopefully in the fall.

I thank you! Believe me, I was thinking about the ride I was going to miss on Sunday with you. That was the day they checked me out of the hospital...ironic huh? Glad you had a great time, you should post some pics when you get time, I would love to see them. And thanks again for calling me in the hospital, Bill. That was awesome, and so is all the support from the forum!
:cheers:
Randy

I hope you do have one this fall. I'll be watching for it. I don't ride a Versys (still on hte fence) but if you'd allow someone on a funky Korean cruiser to join you, I've been working so much darn overtime, I'd like a get away. I rode across north Arkansas from east to west last fall and it was the best riding of my life.

I hope you do have one this fall. I'll be watching for it. I don't ride a Versys (still on hte fence) but if you'd allow someone on a funky Korean cruiser to join you, I've been working so much darn overtime, I'd like a get away. I rode across north Arkansas from east to west last fall and it was the best riding of my life.

:welcome:

Glad to have you join us on whatever bike you decide on. If you've been working so much ot, you probably deserve more than a Korean bike. (honestly I don't know, I assume you are considering Hyosung and I know nothing about them) I do know you can pick up a used V for a great price. Jimmesa was talking about a used Ninja 250 because of its gas mileage. The people on this site will be more than willing to help steer you towards something you will be happy with. I think most of us looked at the Vstrom, the Tiger, the GS, the KLR, and anything that sits upright. The bike that Cycle World loves is the Honda VFR. It won bike of the year 10 times. There are dealers who have some new '07s sitting around that Honda has authorized them to let go for less than $8k. I looked hard at them, chose not to because they sit a little too far forward for me and I read that the tires will only go 4k mi., but I assumed that from one article, I did not research the forums. I chose the V because I test rode a used Ninja 650 and came back with a huge smile on my face, and I knew the V has the same motor (tuned slightly differently) and sits upright. Keep saving the dough, and happy hunting, hopefully we can make something happen in the fall. You are wise though to think your purchase through carefully.

here is my 2 cents worth. go to this link and read carefully.

http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/hyosung-gt250r-review



Then check out the photos from our ride. You will see that we are a long way from anything. I will sacrifice a lot in exchange for reliability. I think most major brands are quite reliable these days, even used bikes. As for me, I shop based on the local dealer more so than the specific make/ model.

Thanks for the input. Actually, I already have the Hyosung, a 650cc cruiser. I brought it in 08 and have put 8,500 miles on it. I am quite happy with it except for the cruiser seating position and my dealer has gone out of business and finding someone willing to work on it can be a challenge. I think I'd like a more upright bike and am hoping to upgrade but probably not until the spring. If I buy another bike before my mrs. gets her house, I might become homeless!!!

:D sounds like your priorities are in the right place. Good luck, and there is nothing wrong with your bike, no apologies necessary! We look down on no rider here!:welcome::cheers:
And if you think your bike is "funky", you aint seen nothin yet! Here is the kit bike I built in 08 and rode for a year. A huge mistake in letting it go, but the wife and the garage protesteth too much. I miss you "Little Bigman"! Lifan (chinese honda 110) 4 spd semi auto.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll76/elementSC/100_2211.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll76/elementSC/100_2210.jpg