Bikes, Blues, and BBQ...

... Motorcycle Rally, 9th Edition, is in full swing in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this weekend, so we went to check it out. The local news claimed it is 3rd largest biker rally in the country after Sturgis and Washington DC, and the town certainly is inundated with noise and activity. The main action is on Dickson Street, so we went for some music and food.



It was interesting seeing so many having so much fun with what is obviously their passion, but their version of biking just doesn't appeal to me. From what I gather, half of them cruise around on their bikes looking at the people on the street-sides, while the other half sit or walk around the streets watching the others ride by. I half expected a bell to ring and the 2 groups to exchange roles, but that never happened. We saw choppers and Suzukis and Yamahas of all types as well as bikers of all ages and shapes and sizes, and they all were into what they were doing. The food booths seemed to be doing well, but our $30 investment in 2 sandwiches, fries, and drinks were mediocre at best, with the meat cold and the drinks warm and diluted, so after an hour or so enjoying the frenzy and noise, we left...

... and went biking ourselves. Our version. On mountain bikes. On the backroads of Fayetteville, past farms and ranches and housing developments and the finished new water treatment plant. On the ride, Ellen rescued a turtle halfway across Broyles and in imminent danger from the speeding autos which now use the newly-opened Broyles extension as a throughofare from 6th to Wedington...



... but she was too late to help this poor armadillo whose shell was cracked by a passing car.



It felt good to get out on the bikes again after a month of camping/rafting/canoeing/hiking/backpacking. Oh yeah -- I just checked -- today's 16 mile ride put me over 2000 miles for the year, a personal record.