Vist This Historic Bridge on the Red River

With progress or growth comes change and some changes are not always the most desired.  Some changes are sad, but necessary.  The population growth of North Texas has brought a lot of changes in the roads, highways and byways and there is no end in sight to this growth.  Increase traffic has stressed and strained the actual roads as well as the drivers and riders on the roads. 

Road construction has been and is large scaled and far reaching in our area.  Fun, curvy, low traffic Farm to Market roads are more difficult to find than just a few years ago. One particular casualty to the growth is a historic one lane bridge crossing the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma.

Bridge from Texas side

Bridge seen from the Oklahoma side.

The wear and tear can be seen under the bridge

 

Carpenters Bluff bridge was built in 1910.  Trains, wagons, horses and people paid a toll to cross over the bridge.  In the 1960's Grayson County was deeded the bridge and it was renovated for the modern automobile traffic.  Today one lane is for motorized traffic and a deteriorating wooden walkway on on the south side.  I have walked on it, but there are holes and missing boards.

Wooden walkway on the side of the bridge

VFR idling on the bridge for a quick photo

 

Part of the charm of the bridge is having to stop and make sure no vehicles were already crossing.  (See video below) The rusted iron bridge provides great views to the Red River while crossing; however, due to the age, condition and the increase traffic on the bridge the two states decided to build a new bridge near Carpenters Bluff bridge and close it to vehicle traffic while allowing pedestrian use.

One lane - two bikes - Honda VFR 1200 and Aprilia Tuono

 

New bridge under construction

The historic bridge is east of Denison, TX on FM 120 and west of Kemp, OK on Carpenters Bluff Road/Kemp Road.  FM 120 has multiple curves and is a fun road to travel.

FM 120 to bridge and ride on bridge

 

If you want to experience some history before growth and progress gates off the ride head to Carpenters Bluff soon.  Authorities have not release a date for the opening of the new bridge and closing of the historic bridge, but I suspect it will happen sometime this year (2017).

Update on Carpenters Bluff Bridge on Ordinary Biker Oz Youtube channel

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

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* I have personally ordered from and/or visited these businesses and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with the businesses, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

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Motorcycle Blog and YouTube Channel

I started this blog September 2009 with a goal of posting useful information.  On the first post I stated "part of this blog is to give straightforward reviews of items that I have personally used, places I have eaten, roads I have traveled, and/or bikes I have ridden. At times I will use the reviews of close friends that I ride with and respect." 

 

Lower Falls in Yellowstone NP

 

I have strayed off motorcycle related topics a few time i.e. my WWII veteran dad, Honor Flight..., otherwise the gear, roads, restaurants and other items have been related to my motorcycle addiction.

 

Dad at WWII Memorial in Washington D.C.

 

With the same goal and desire to provide useful, honest information and reviews I launched a YouTube channel.  

 

Ride on a great road in Oklahoma

The videos are much more varied and sometimes provide just a clip of a great road to ride, a neat place to visit or some other little nugget.  In the future I will interview other "ordinary" riders about their choice of bikes, gear and accessories so riders can get the views of actual users/riders.  There will be full reviews, trip highlights and more forthcoming.

I will even post some "motovlog" video, which are spoken blogs while riding the motorcycle.  Topics will vary.

 

My first vlog is about upcoming trip in June, 2017

My son riding US 129 aka The Tail of the Dragon on his own bike for the first time

 

I would like to invite you to visit the YouTube channel and give me some feedback.  I have a lot to learn about vlogging and all comments are welcome.  If you like what you see please subscribe.

I will continue to post here on a regular basis also.                 Be safe and enjoy the road.   

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

 Top Five Oz Videos

  

Connect and follow Biker Oz on the following:

        

Ordinary Biker Oz YouTube Channel has video reviews and more

Christian Motorcyclists Association

Come Ride With Us 

Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited these businesses and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with the businesses, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

Feedback on these businesses is appreciated.  You may comment below.

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

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Texas BBQ in Ouaticha Mountains

A good ride and a good meal is hard to beat.  Mountain roads make for good rides.  Combine the Ouaticha Mountains with a transplanted Texan who know bbq and you have great potential.

The Ouaticha Mountains stretch from Oklahoma into Arkansas (or I guess you could say they stretch from AR to OK) and there are numerous great roads in and around the mountains.  The most well-known is the 50+ mile Talimena Scenic Byway.  There are other lesser known roads that provide great views and an ample amount of twists and turns.

US 259 bisects Oklahoma SR 1 a.k.a Talimena Drive and runs north ending at US 59.  US 59 parallels the Talimena Drive on the north side of the mountains from Arkansas until the US 259 intersection and then it turns north towards Poteau, OK.

Everyone is welcomed at the End of the Trail

Just about 3 miles north from the US 59/259 intersection sits the End of the Trail Saloon where Steve and Genise serve up great hospitality and awesome bbq.    Less than 15 miles from the OK/AR state line and less than 10 miles off the Talimena Drive the End of the Trail  Saloon is in the middle of some great riding.

Steve and Genise gave up wrenching on bikes in Texas for living the dream of 

owning a biker establishment - good decision

The word on the streets is that the ribs are awesome!  When I was there I tried the sliced bbq sandwich.  The sandwich was great.  The brisket was tender, flavorful, and juicy.  I am ready to return and try the ribs.

True southern goodness!

In the short couple of years they have been running the place the reputation has grown. 

Bikes fill up the parking area on the weekends

Treat yourself with a great ride through the Ouaticha Mountains and an awesome meal at the End of the Trail. You will be happy all the way home.

Tomorrow is 11-11-11, Veterans Day for us in the USA.  I will not post tomorrow because I am taking my WWII veteran dad to the Dallas Veterans Day Parade.  He and other Honor Flight vets are being honored with a Corvette ride in the parade and a luncheon at the Omni Hotel.  So, I want to say "Thank You" to all the brave men and women who have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.  I enjoy the freedoms that so many have fought and are fighting to preserve.  These brave patriots have provided freedom and security for all of us.  No words can adequately express my gratitude.

May God bless all of you who have served, are serving, and will serve this great nation.  Happy Veterans Day!

Oklahoma Scenic Highway

Anyone that has been riding motorcycles for long in North Texas, Oklahoma, or Arkansas has been asked "Have you ridden the Talimena Drive?"  The national scenic byway is a well known road stretching along the top of the Ouachita Mountain in Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas for 50+ miles and is a favorite destination for bikers throughout the region.

I have ridden the byway several times, but until recently I had not ridden many of the roads north of SH 1 a.k.a Talimena Drive (in Oklahoma).  On a nice Sunday afternoon I found myself with enough time to add some miles to my trip to Mena, Arkansas.  The map I had showed two roads with the little dots denoting "scenic" roads that would take me over the Ouachita Mountains and back, putting me in Talihina, the town just west of the entrance to the Talimena Drive.

Running on top of the mountains the Talimena Scenic Byway is spectacular (photo take from Rich Mountain Fire Tower, one of the stops on the byway)

 

At Wilburton, OK I turned east on US 270 and rode to Red Oak, OK (14 miles) where I turned back south on SH 82 and crossed the range again.  SH 82 is being repaved in small stages.  The new pavement is in great shape, the older portions are in good to fair shape (average road quality).  I passed a lot of bikes while on the road, they were also enjoying the ride.

Twisties on SH 82

 

Once again the fun mountain road allowed me to lean the bike through some nice curves.  17.5 miles later SH 82 intersects SH 63 at the northern edge of Talihina, OK.

Although sadly closed on Sunday I stopped and took a picture at Treats and Treasures - one of my favorite spots in the area.  It is an antique shop with an old fashion soda fountain.  I was really hoping to get a shake or coke float, but the shop was closed so I had to settle for a snack and drink at a gas station in town.

Great place to treat yourself to an old fashion shake or ice cream -

at the intersection of SH 1 and SH 63 in Talihina

 

The loop from the SH 1/SH 63 intersecton to Wilburton, Red Oak, ending in Talihina is 50 miles.  I am really glad I added the loop to my route.  I enjoyed the roads and the scenery.  If you are in the area plan on riding the loop before or after you ride the Talimena Drive.  You will enjoy it.

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

 Top Five Oz Videos

  

Connect and follow Biker Oz on the following:

        

Ordinary Biker Oz YouTube Channel has video reviews and more

Christian Motorcyclists Association

Come Ride With Us 

Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

 

Awesome gear for every rider!

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited these businesses and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with the businesses, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

Feedback on these businesses is appreciated.  You may comment below.

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

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Annual Oklahoma Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet

I enjoy going to swap meets and/or motorcycle shows.  I don't buy much at the swap meets, but it is fun to look around.  A couple friends and I decided to combine fun and business with a weekend trip to Oklahoma City and the 14th Annual Oklahoma Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet.   The event was held at the Oklahoma Fairgrounds at 3001 General Pershing Blvd in OKC.

I was pleasantly surprised with the event.  The fairground is a typical array of building/barns with most buildings empty during the third weekend of February.  The builds are in good shape, but you can tell they were built many years ago.

The event was split between two building 50 yards apart.  There was plenty of parking space and bikes were allowed up on the "lawn" area near the buildings.  Both buildings had well over 100 10X10 booth spots.  Many vendors occupied multiple booth spots.

Papa's Leather Barn - a great place to get your leathers.

There were leather vendors (big stores and smaller individual shops), new and used parts, knives, t-shirts, flowers, candles, trailers, organizations, and more.   We had our Moto Oz booth open.  The Oklahoma City Roller Derby a.k.a. Tornado Alley Rollergirls made appearances both days and even had a few "matches" for the people to watch.  Not "my cup of tea," but others seemed to enjoy it.

The Modern Living Building was full of bikes, vendors, and people.

The highlight was the motorcycle show.  There were some very impressive vintage bikes and custom bikes.  I have been to several shows and I felt this one had some of the very best bikes I had ever seen.

There were several different classes of bikes in the show.

The show included vintage Harley-Davidsons, Indians, Honda, Triumph, Yamaha, Moto Guzzi, Ducati, Suzuki, Cushman, and a rare Matchless that I had never seen.  The quality of the vintage bikes was great.  The 1926 Triumph model "P" looked new.  The owner, Gerald Tims, had to be very proud of it.

1926 Triumph Model "P" used white gas from the fuel tank for the head light and tail light.

Rare 1966 Matchless MKII - reported to be one of only two in the United States

1940 Indian Model 440 - 1278 cc

1968 Triumph T120 Bonneville - 650cc

1961 Harley-Davidson Pan Head

Custom Bobber

Trike dedicated to our brave armed forces 

Harley-Davidson Road Glide customized

2006 Arlen Ness Custom dedicated to three soldiers KIA 2007

Another nice Indian

A customized cruiser.

The show and swap meet was top notch.  A great variety of vendors and bikes.  Of course roaming through the bikes parked outside was also interesting.  Saturday was a nice sunny day so there were at least 1,000 bikes parked outside.

This was a very good event.  If were in the market for some Harley parts this would be the place to shop.  If you like looking at custom and/or vintage bikes this would be the place to go.  The show may not have big names entered, but the quality was great.  If you are in the Oklahoma City area next year in the third week of  February make your way by the show.

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

 Top Five Oz Videos

  

Connect and follow Biker Oz on the following:

        

Ordinary Biker Oz YouTube Channel has video reviews and more

Christian Motorcyclists Association

Come Ride With Us 

Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

 

Awesome gear for every rider!

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited these businesses and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with the businesses, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

Feedback on these businesses is appreciated.  You may comment below.

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

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