Update

Page changed to "Motorcycles Facts, Trivia and History" from Tuesday Trivia after two years of posting.

The Ordinary Biker Oz Motorcycles Facts, Trivia and Historypage is now 1 year old!  The first entry was made January 14, 2020 concerning a German engineer named Gottlieb Daimler. A new installment has been added each week, except for the week of June 30th (I was leading a week of riding in the Rocky Mountins of Colorado for some friends) and the week of Thanksgiving (I was in rural Mississippi visiting the in-laws and eating great country cooking).

I have learned a lot and learned I have a lot yet to learn.  The history of motorcycles and the men and women who have help to advance motorcycle technology, riding, racing, usage and enjoyment is interesting and creates a spirit of thankfulness to those who have ridden ahead of us.

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The number of "failures" and disappointments are far greater than the successes and exuberant moments which make it to the "history books."  I often wonder how many versions of the first KTM motorcycle failed before the R100 was released (see September 22 post).  

How many riders died before T.E. Lawrence's death and Sir Hugh Cairns decided to develop safety motorcycle helmets (See July 14th's Trivia) and the development of rider safety gear that followed.

I look forward to learning, sharing and adding more Tuesday Trivia in 2021.  I hope you enjoy it and learn something new and interesting. 

It has also been a year of my affiliate relationships with Dainese and Duke Cannon.  As an affiliate, if a reader follows a link from here to the affiliate site and makes a purchase I get a small commission.  I have ordered and used products of both companies before becoming an affiliate and I still am a customer to both.  I enthusiastically recommend both companies and would even if I wasn't an affiliate partner with them. 

Thank you to the readers who have followed a link and made a purchase!  

Be safe and enjoy the ride and when not riding visit Tuesday Trivia, my most read review posts, my recommended venders page or the latest post at Ordinary Biker Oz.      Be sure to leave a comment and/or question.  I love hearing from you.

       

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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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"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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Motorcycles - the ultimate classroom

During the last 4 summers (06-09) I have taken my son, who will be 13 in Feb 2009, on long motorcycle trips with friends.  Each trip has been filled with great roads, good food, amazing vistas, and superb educational opportunities.  We have greatly enjoyed each trip and each year I have worked to increase the educational aspect of the trip.  It is one thing to study about geographical landforms and another to see and touch them. Reading about the Civil War is fine, but standing on a battle site, beside a cannon, or behind a bulwark deepens the understanding and reality of the conflict.  Many more examples could be given.

Two historic sites we visited are the Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Fort Donelson National Cemetery in Dover Tennessee (83 miles NW of Nashville - Map).  Fort Donelson was located on the south side of the Cumberland River and was fortified with earthworks, a natural bluff, and a lot of cannons.

The visitor center is located on Hwy 79. The center has several displays with many artifacts from the Civil War as well as exhibit about the Underground Railroad.  We picked up a self guided tour map before starting out on the six mile tour.

We stopped several times to walk around and view the earthworks confederate soldiers had erected.  We visited a one room log cabin that is a replica of the type of shelter that some of the soldiers would have lived in.

At the far end of the tour we viewed the Cumberland River bluff fortifications and cannons.  It was easy to see why this location was chosen; a clear view of the river in both directions.

After touring the battleground we stopped by the National Cemetery. This is a humbling site.  Headstones lined up row after row.  The big trees and dense forest around the cemetery made this a quite and solemn place.  There are soldiers from various wars and conflicts buried here.  We took time to stop and talk about the sacrifice of those buried and those currently serving our country.

Both the battlefield and the cemetery were educational, beautiful, and thought provoking.  There is no entrance fee at either location.  The battlefield has over 5 miles of hiking trails and is open 8am - 4:30pm.  The cemetery is open 8am - 5 pm.

We really enjoyed tour both sites and I think you would find it worth a ride up to Dover to see the battlefield and the cemetery.