Come ride along.


It looks like the Precious Moments Tour is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

You can still register and save $5 if you get off your bum and get moving!
Register Now
Advance registration available until May 15
We'll open registration on Friday about 4:00 pm and have a little meet-and-greet in the Tan-Tar-A lobby bar. On Saturday we've been invited by a local collector to check out some vintage iron- older BMWs, a Honda cafe racer project, sidecar rigs, etc. He's also going to share some cool roads with us on the way. Afterwards we'll stop for barbecue on Route 66. This is strictly optional and up to you- we've mapped out a batch of great roads for you to choose from.

Can't join us?

Don't let it get you down. You can still have an event T-shirt!

Event Shirts Now Available
Available in medium, large and XL.

That's right- this shirt is so stylin' we should call it a cotton pullover. It's distinctive green and all-cotton, featuring the Two Wheel Oklahoma logo on front and the event design on back. And now you can order one of your very own for a mere fifteen bucks. Cheap!

Choose Shirt Size

Your receipt will read Maduko

Don't forget... all riders get one of these fashionable shirts with their paid registration!

sponsors...
First off, thanks to the sponsors who are helping make the second Precious Moments Tour possible. Their names are proudly displayed on your right. We've also provided a link to their websites for your convenience.

Precious Moments Tour
May 16-18, 2008
Lake of the Ozarks


Lake of the Ozarks is about 90 miles north of Springfield, MO. The weekend is fast approaching but it's not too late to register. Registration gets you the ubiquitous event T-shirt, our handy route sheet and the chance to win coveted awards most motorcyclists can only dream of. Advance registration (before May 15) is only $10 and on-site will be $15. Cheap.

What have you done to that poor little girl?!?Our headquarters will be the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, MO. The resort offers a wide range of conveniences within walking distance- a coffee shop, bar, water park and restaurants ranging from Burger King to a full buffet. The basic rooms offer two double beds and a sleeper sofa. Tan-Tar-A offers a special $99 rate for those staying three nights. Otherwise choose a "non-lakeview" room in the Resort Complex and the rate will be $109 per night. Reserve online or call 1-800-826-8272.

Alternate accommodations can be found in Osage Beach. One is the Hawk's Nest Lodge at $79.00 for 2 people per night. (573) 348-1741 for reservations.

The other we found is the Country Hearth Inn for $79.99 – 2 people per room. Call(573) 365-4566 to reserve a room.

Camping and rustic cabins are also available at nearby Lake of the Ozarks State Park.

Places 2 Ride and Two Wheel Oklahoma are sponsoring the second annual Precious Moments Tour on May 16-18, 2008. Two Wheel Oklahoma will also be shooting video for an upcoming episode.

The event is a chance for motorcycle riders to shake off their cabin fever and ride the endless twisties around Lake of the Ozarks and central Missouri.

Motorcycling fun from the first Precious Moments TourHeadquarters will be the Tan-Tar-A resort complex in Osage Beach, Missouri. Resort accommodations may not be the typical place to hold a motorcycle rally, but last year we, along with many other motorcyclists discovered the Tan-Tar-A Resort was a great place to hang our hats between blasts down the two-lanes.

The best part is food, drinks and a pool are all within walking distance. Instead of riding into more populated parts we found the convenience of walking downstairs for libation was not only convenient, but safer too. Make your reservations now at www.tan-tar-a.com or call 1-800-826-8272.

This event will be a casual gathering. Riders can follow suggested routes, ride with groups or explore on their own. Each evening we'll gather back at Tan-Tar-A for dinner, drinks and bench racing. On Saturday we'll award the "winners" such coveted titles as Dirtiest Bike or Most Precious Moment.

Register Now
Advance registration is $10 or $15 on-site and includes one event T-shirt. Additional shirts available- same prices. To register now tell us about your bike, choose your shirt size and click Pay Now...

What kind of bike do you ride?
Choose a T-shirt size:

Your receipt will read Maduko.


To pay by check/money order download our fancy two-page registration form. Payments by credit card must be made online (see above).



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My addiction to Motorcycles started before I reached the ripe age of 5 years. I was one of the lucky ones that had a father that rode and believed that his boys should do the same. From that time, I have ridden all across this country in the dirt, the sand, dried lake beds, racetracks, of course the street and a few places I probably shouldn't mention. Of that time riding, I would guess that I spent 75 percent of that riding with friends and/or family.

Riding solo is more different than most “pack riders” would realize. When riding with others, it allows for a couple of things.

One of the first is Safety. If there is a mishap along the way, and I have had my share, you have somebody you can rely on to help you back up, call for help, explain to you where you are and what your name is, etc. (thanks again Rex). I made it a habit to always have somebody along when taking off in the dirt, whether it be rompin' through the woods or on a Motocross track. I crash far too often in those environments to not have somebody around. It's just what I do. I crash, I get up and try
not to do it again.

Brad takes a break during a solo ride on his BMW R1200S.Another is being able to share the whole experience with others both during the ride and after. To benchrace at the end of the day over drinks and a good cigar is not something to be brushed off lightly. I try to attend as many rallies as I can, that involve beautiful roads, new places and friends that I only get to see a couple times every year.

Of course on the other end of that "riding with others" is the testosterone fest that can go on. I see that happen far too often on the street. It might happen in the dirt, but usually, everybody is crashing anyway, so it's hard to tell. I am older now and have used up most of my testosterone. When you don't have much left, you tend to ration it out more carefully.

I swore off riding with large groups a few years back because of my last ride with a large group. The group numbered somewhere around 25 - 30 and had the full mix of bikes, abilities and experience and ended with more than a few broken bones, broken bikes and lots of locals in their freshly pressed uniforms showing up. This same expericence had happened to me before, but something finally clicked in my brain that day and I realized that this was not conducive to my whole plan of not donating any more of my paychecks to the local doctors. That cured me. Now, I stick to groups of 5 - 6 riders that I know.

Now for the other 25 percent of the time. A couple of years back, I decided that I have donated my fair share to the local Orthopedic Surgeons and sold all bikes with knobbies on them. I was not trying to cut off the local doctors completely, but merely cut back on that part of my spending.

Now I try to keep it on the pavement. In the past few years, I have discovered traveling farther than my usual 200 to 300 mile days and have been wandering a little more and attended rallies in other states. Of course, this had me showing up at a rally or two alone, due to the other 4 or 5 guys bailing at the last minute after talking me in to going.

I have to admit that riding alone has its own advantages. There are the obvious ones, such as stopping when you feel like it, riding as slow or fast as you want, detours on a whim, etc., but there is also one that I had forgotten about.

I was reminded of this last one when returning home from a 1,200 mile trip that ended up with the last 300 miles in the rain. I think a friend of mine put it best when I was trying to explain it to him after that trip. He thought it was "that whole Cowboy spirit". Back when a guy would saddle his horse and mosey across the country in search of "who knows what". Riding solo is more different than most “pack riders” would realize.

Riding alone adds to the sense of adventure. If you break down, run out of gas or get lost, there is nobody there to back you up. You have to rely completely on yourself.

Me and you and a wide open road in Missouri.You also get to think. I do not listen to music or have my phone wired to my helmet, instead, I choose earplugs. Most people would be surprised how many brain cells are active when you ride across this country only hearing the muted exhaust of your own trusty steed. In today’s world of constant communication with everything and everybody, silence can be golden.

Got something to figure out? Burned out at work? Throw a change of clothes in a bag, strap it to your bike and leave in a general direction. Everything will become very clear. It might take a few hundred miles or maybe a few thousand, but you will know when it happens.

When you return and people ask you why you are smiling and remark that you seem different, then you can try to explain this to them.



Area listed on events calendar.Here's a current list of motorcycle-related events in Oklahoma and surrounding states. Bookmark this page for quick access to future info!

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Motorcycle Events Calendar




Event listings courtesy Places2ride.com

Ever since longtime Tulsa dealer Atlas Cycle closed its doors last year the rumors have been flying about who will pick up those orphaned European lines they carried. Suddenly there was no local outlet or factory support for Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Moto Guzzi or Triumph. Not to mention all those forgotten marques that used to grace their showroom: Cagiva, Moto Morini, Husqvarna or MZ.

Atlas owner, Ken Johnson, decided to retire in 2007. He opened the business in 1965 in a storefront on Cherry Street. Over the years Ken carried all the obscure motorcycle, scooter and mini-bike brands. Eventually the shop moved to 11th Street just east of Sheridan.

Paul Rogers of Brookside Motorcycle Company
Paul Rogers

Kathy King of Polaris Outdoors
Kathy King
Just about every dealer in T-Town phoned up Triumph. But most of the conversations ended early- Triumph and their Eurocentric leanings forbid selling alongside Japanese bikes. For BMW and Ducati the most likely candidate appeared to be the Oklahoma City dealer, having already stormed ashore in Brookside with their Vespa shop.

The latest news is some new faces have popped on to the scene, and we're optimistic it's good news for local riders!

Early this year Brookside Motorcycles on Peoria picked up the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi lines. This shop started out as a pre-owned and consignment shop, later bringing in the Johnny Pag chopperettes. They also expanded their showroom last Fall (albeit not their parking lot unfortunately) to make room for the Italian two-wheelers. I spoke with the owner, Paul Rogers today and he assured me that the appropriate signs were on the way. However he would not comment on two other European brands this editor thinks might be landing at his shop in the near future. Keep an eye out for their upcoming Vintage Cycle Meet on April 27th. BBQ and soda provided FREE from 11am-3pm.

Then later today we confirmed with the owner of Polaris Outdoors, Kathy King, that Tulsa's newest BMW and Triumph dealership will be Polaris Outdoors, soon to be known as Roadhouse Motorsports. In addition to Polaris four-wheelers and PWC this store sells Victory, the other American V-twin motorcycles. They are in the process of expanding their showroom and building a new service facility at their present location on US-169 near 61st Street. Kathy went on to say that they have a lot of cool events coming up this year, so watch this space or their website for more information.

Riding a motorcycle seems to bring out the explorer in us. I couldn't begin to count how many times I've glanced down a twisty lane and thought, "I wonder where that road goes?" I often detour to find out if I have the time.

Brad and I are often asked how we find our way around when exploring two-lane roads off the beaten path. Some people are surprised we don't have any GPS mounted on our motorcycles. On the road, I still rely on the "dead tree" style of maps, printed out before I leave, stuck in the top of my tank bag.

BMW Falling Leaf Rally

I also like to bring along a couple of maps. One is the good ol' Oklahoma state highway map. I usually pick up a few copies from the visitor center so I can fold and mutilate one to fit just right in my tank bag. The other map is one of the most valuable books I own: Roads of Oklahoma. This is a large format paperback atlas made up of USGS maps of Oklahoma. Each page is about 12 miles wide, so it gives you great detail of the landscape. It's easy to locate where you are by looking at the large state map on the back. The state is divided into segments and a big red number indicates what page you need to turn to.

Unfortunately it's not easy to find. It was originally published by Shearer Publications, but was recently acquired by Mapsco. Hopefully that means they'll be a little more plentiful soon.

A similar publication is offered by De Lorme. The Oklahoma Atlas & Gazetteer is quite similar. The main difference is DeLorme opted for topo maps, which I find a little harder to read. And locating the adjoining map above or below is more difficult because the small text is printed within the map itself, not in the margin like the R of O. But this book is much easier to find and available for many other states.

Either one is well worth bringing along on your next ride.

More of our favorite books, videos and gadgets...


5/17/2008 10:45:21 AM

 

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Two Wheel Oklahoma is a television show that will highlight motorcycle destinations and events in and around Oklahoma.

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