Our staging area was the Wal-mart on Southwest Parkway/Hwy 79 in Wichita Falls Texas. Here is Jimmy on his bike as we wait for some others to arrive.
This is Floyd. He was in a great mood today and looking forward to the ride. One thing we had going for us was that it was SUPPOSED to be in the upper 50's on our way home.
Nubbin arrives from Windthorst Texas on his Trike.
Jimmy (on the bike), Nubbin (standing next to Jimmy), Flip (in front of Nubbin) and Ron, who drove in from Archer City Texas, has his back to the camera.
With everyone there that was going, we pulled out and started up to Ardmore Oklahoma. Here is Nubbin in the mirror shot. He was riding tail gunner today.
As we head up TX79 towards US70 in Waurika Oklahoma where we would turn East, the formation is : Flip up front and our leader for today's ride, followed by Floyd, then Ron, then Jimmy, then me and then Nubbin in the rear.
Here is Nubbin, Northbound on TX79
We made our turn on US70 and stop in Ringling Oklahoma, about 30-40 minutes from Ardmore Oklahoma. Here is my bike at the stop.
Left to right: Flip, Ron, Floyd, Jimmy and Nubbin
Floyd & Flip in Ringling Oklahoma
The Welcome To Ringling sign, across the street from where we stopped at.
After the guys had some hot coffee to thaw out their innards, we headed back East on US 70 and a short time later, we rolled into Ardmore Oklahoma
As it was getting close to noon and with Ardmore right on I-35, traffic picked up. Here is Nubbin in front of some of the traffic.
The TWO FROGS GRILL is located at US70 and I-35. Here Nubbin stows some gear as we get ready to go in. For more on this great establishment, see this link: http://www.twofrogsgrill.com/
The TWO FROGS GRILL in Ardmore Oklahoma
Inside, Nubbin checks out the menu. When I first walked in, I thought "Oh no, this is gonna be one of those $12 for a hamburger places", because this place had atmosphere and class. I was shocked at the low prices and the great food they had. When you left here, you left full!
Ron & Floyd checking out the menus.
Flip and Jimmy checking out the menu. I got so wrapped up looking around and talking with the guys, I didn't take any other pictures inside. But we will definitely be making another ride there and I'll do the blog right with some cool pics of the stuff they have on display.
After a great meal and feeling stuffed, we wander out to the bikes and prepare to head back. Instead of the upper 50's, it was like mid 40's out, but it was a heck of a lot better than when we started out this morning.
Everyone is getting mounted up. We were going to cross the street to the Shell station and gas up because we were going to do some more back road riding on the way home.
The guys were now waiting on me and Nubbin to saddle up.
We pull out onto US 70 and get into the left turn lane so we can u-turn back to the gas station. Here we are at the red light
My bike at the gas pumps. I call my Harley SO for Significant Other. Janice is my wife, but my Harley is my Sierra Oscar.
Ron topping the tank off
Nubbin and I got to talking about the bakery in Muenster Texas that sells some fantastic apple streusel. To get there we would have to go South on I-35 to the US82 exit in Texas and then West to Muenster. However, we weren't going that way today and we'd have to wait for another ride to get Nubbin and Angela's favorite snack.
Nubbin gassing up the Trike
Floyd finishes up at the pumps
Jimmy finishes gassing up and gets ready to head out
Jimmy, Westbound on US70
Ron Westbound on US70
Floyd westbound on US70
Nubbin Westbound on US70
As on a lot of rides, there is the ever present construction zones. Here we enter one on US 70 just out of Ardmore Oklahoma.
We exit the first of two construction zones between Waurika and Ardmore Oklahoma on US 70
We did most of the ride between 65 mph and 70 mph. And yes, my bike is dirty and looks like a pig sty. Everytime I tear it down and wash it, it rains and I get caught in it. I washed it three times in October. The last time was October 15th and I got rained on again, so I said screw it, I'll wash it next Spring.
Nubbin Westbound on US70. He was having a good time and rocking on some jams he was listening to..
Westbound on US70, we approach yet another construction zone
They were repairing a bridge and had stop lights at each end of the bridge. Here we are stopped waiting for the Eastbound traffic to clear the one lane that was open.
Nubbin signals all is well. Tell you what, I don't know ANYBODY who has ever met Nubbin and his wife Angela, and doesn't like them. I love both of them and am honored to be part of their friends.
We clear the last construction site and about 20 minutes later, enter Waurika Oklahoma
In Waurika at the South HWY79 and West US70 split, Nubbin continued West on US70 and headed, I think he said, to the Casino's located at I-44 and US70, a distance of about 35 miles. The rest of us turned South on Hwy 79 and headed for Texas.
Heading South, we approach the Red River Bridge, seen ahead at the bottom of the hill. Texas is on the South side of the bridge.
And here we are crossing the famous Red River. The Red River separates Texas and Oklahoma in these parts. For more on the famous RED RIVER, see this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/red_river_(mississippi_river)
We get back to Texas and go back home via the country roads that lead thru Thornberry Texas and the various orchards located there.
The final picture of todays ride is as we approach FM171 which will take us to I-44 and to our various residences. This will conclude this post. I enjoyed the ride with my friends, meeting Floyd and visiting the Two Frogs Grill in Ardmore Oklahoma. I look forward to our next ride whenever it occurs and where ever it takes us.
Scroll down for more rides, runs and events and remember to click on the "OLDER POSTS" link at the bottom of EACH page or directly underneath the last post on the page, for more of the same.
Continue to pray for ALL of our troops, both in and out of Harms Way, especially for Che Whitaker who is in the Afghanistan Theatre of Operations.
Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, keep the rubber on the road, keep your head on a swivel, keep warm and most importantly ............RIDE SAFE!! ...................JOHN
Look like a great day to get out and ride. I had to go to work. Glad you got to enjoy the day.
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