What we’re about
A place for BMW motorcycle owners (or any other bikes, really) to discuss riding, meeting, or other information about their motorcycles. This is for experienced or beginning riders.
This group is for people who want to get together and ride their bikes in a casual, short-notice forum. While this group is affiliated with the BMW Motorcycle Club of Houston it is not intended to be exclusive to club members or even BMW motorcycles. All are welcome!
The Meetup website or app is free for users, the only ones who pay are people who want to host or create groups. And you don't have to be a paid member of our BMW club either. While our membership is only $20 a year it is totally optional. If you are interested in more info about the club see www.bmwclubofhouston.com.
From a number of comments I have heard/read there is a potential audience that I hope this group might serve. That is people who want to go on shorter rides or people who feel like they are not as experienced and may not want to go with a larger group or a more aggressive riding style. I know of people who recently bought their bikes or are just getting into riding and want a more leisurely and shorter ride. Some people just would like to ride for an hour or so and not 150 or 200 miles. I don't intend to limit the group to this but just explain the idea and see what you all want to do.
The purpose of Meetup is to allow for group participation and discussion and free choice of when and where to go. I am looking for one or several people who would like to organize a 'meetup' and ride. The way this works is you let me know and I will enable you here as an 'organizer' and then you can post events.
Enough for now, I just wanted to clarify the intent and background and invite yall to get out a ride!
Jerry
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Ozark Odyssey Spring TourHarrison, Harrison, AR
(Updated: 12 March 2024 by Nick Bell)
Fellow Riders,
I add the ride GPS files and three map pictures of the routes below for your download and use:
6 GPS route files
Houston Outbound/Inbound Map
Harrison Inbound/Outbound Map
Ozarks - 2 Day RidesGet ready to ride some of the best roads in the country! Our trip path includes 13 Butler Map Gold-rated roads.
The critical action for all attendees is to arrange your overnight stays. See below:
Hotel Accommodations (each rider must reserve for themselves)
Thursday, 16 May: Super 8 by Wyndham, 401 NE Lincoln Rd, Idabel, OK 74745, phone 580-245-6781. Alternative if not available - Comfort Suites Idabel, OK.Friday, 17 May (three nights): Quality Inn, 1210 US-62 65 N, Harrison, AR 72601, check out Monday 20 May; phone 870-741-7676. Alternate - Super 8 by Wyndham Harrison AR.
Monday, 20 May: Comfort Inn Shreveport I-49, 9420 Healthplex Dr, Shreveport, LA 71106, phone 318-219-5735. Alternate: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Shreveport South.
Trip Summary
Six days, all paved ride to and from the Ozarks base of Harrison, Arkansas. The group will stay 3 nights in Harrison, AR concurrent with Motorcycle Sport Touring Association (MSTA) T35 Rally, one of the longest running rallies of the MSTA situated in the middle of some of the best motorcycle roads in the nation!The T35 rally attendance is no cost and is optional for BMW group members. We will essentially share the same venue with MSTA.
The routes vary in daily mileage from 250 to 360 miles. The path is mostly 2 lane highways with interstate highway travel limited to 75 miles for the whole journey. Rest/stretch/pee stop intervals are planned about every 75 miles. Gas stop intervals about 150 to 160 miles.
Transit/Route Summary:
Day 1: Thursday, May 16 – East Texas Backroad Piney Woods Trek to Idabel, OK: 322 miles, 5.5 hours.
Group meets at the Flying J Travel Center, 15919 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77090 (I-45 at Richey Road). Be sure to arrive early enough to gas up because the trip gas mileage count starts here. Kickstands up at 9:30 AM.
Day 2: Friday, May 17 – Best Roads to the Ozarks.
We carve 321 miles on some decent roads to Harrison, AR. The route includes the OK Indian Highway, OK-1 Talimena Scenic Drive and the AR-23 Pig Trail Scenic Byway. Lunch at the Branding Iron BBQ in Mena, AR.Day 3: Saturday, May 18 – Push Mountain and Melbourne Madness.
The first Ozark Mountains 294 mile day ride explores twisties east of Harrison. These 2 lane roads faithfully follow the terrain with very little cut or fill. The 25 mile Push Mountain Highway (AR-341) never disappoints. AR-9 to Melbourne is sure to be a hoot where we will enjoy lunch at Johnson's Country Cookin'.Day 4: Sunday, May 19 – Deep into the Heart of Ozark National Forest.
The 275 mile second Ozark day ride puts us on some of the most concentrated technically challenging roads in all of the Ozarks. Locals know this as demonstrated by names like Jasper Disaster, Twisted Lady, Arkansas Dragon (AR-123), etc. Twisties galore for the whole day along with a lunch at the famous Oark General Store.Day 5: Monday, May 20 – Homeward Bound on the Arkansas Scenic Byway to Shreveport. The initial Houston return takes us a total of 356 miles with the starting section covering the entire AR-7 Scenic Byway to Hot Springs. We view the Arkansas Grand Canyon and other super views in route to lunch at the Hot Springs Village Home Plate Café
Day 6: Tuesday, May 21 – To Houston via Toledo Bend Reservoir.
The last ride is 253 miles taking us past the Louisiana side of the Toledo Bend Reservoir on LA-191. We lunch at Livingston’s Courthouse Whistle Stop via US-190. After lunch the group travels to the Flying J Travel Center, 23412 TX-242, New Caney, TX 77357 (I-69 and TX-242) for final goodbyes. You can go straight home from Livingston if you prefer.PS> As normal, we set up club rides for club members. This ride is only open to paid members of the BMW Club of Houston. The exception, if a club member has a close friend or family member who doesn't live near Houston, we do allow members to bring 1 guest.
