Who Doesn't Love a Blooper Reel?

Seriously, who doesn't love a good blooper reel?

Then again, some would argue that all our reels are blooper reels. 

Get Your Passport Ready

This winter's spurts of unusually warm weekends have forced me to clear a path through the garage and pry the bike out of hibernation. While letting the engine warm up I pondered destinations. Then I remembered....

The Oklahoma Passport Tour!

Take a Hike

The historic Lincoln Bridge
at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

Rolling down the road is one of our favorite pastimes. But eventually all rides must end. And that's when the destination takes center stage. So where to go? A restaurant? The local dealer?

What about a nearby nature trail?

No... seriously!

Lost City Surprise

This morning Brad offered Good Morning Oklahoma viewers a sneak preview of our lost episode- a show about the area of Cherokee County near Lost City. Have a look...



The Clear Creek Abbey is a benedictine monastery located north of Hulbert, Oklahoma. To learn more visit www.clearcreekmonks.org.

Legends of Dirt

I was lucky enough to grow up watching motocross legends like Brad Lackey, Bob Hannah, Roger DeCoster, Heikki Mikkola, Jimmy Weinert and many others racing around the Southern California area. I rode in much, much lower classes on much, much slower bikes made by Benelli, Bultaco and Suzuki. But, I did have the all important Bell helmet and Preston Petty fenders that made me feel much faster.

Jammin Jimmy Weinert

A few years later, names like Jean Michel Bayle, Doug Dubach and Guy Cooper, on much more modern motorcycles, were staging some of the most exciting Motocross racing to date. I don't want to take anything away from the excellent racing that is going on today, but to see those guys running true works bikes back in the early years was quite a sight. 

The smell of burning castor oil still brings a tear to my eye.

Pop-Up Museum Appears in Tulsa

Mysterious Motorcycle Collection Appears in Downtown Window Display

A couple of weeks ago while driving through downtown Tulsa I noticed a motorcycle in a window.

This vintage motocross Maico was sitting inside a display window. The main reason I noticed it was the fact it's in one of my favorite Tulsa buildings- the awesomely cool Mayo Motor Inn. This classic example of Streamline Moderne architecture is essentially unchanged from its original form when it was built in 1950. In fact, it's so cool it was added to the National register of Historic Places in 2008.

Redbud Valley Road

Local Ride
When you only have time for a quickie.Do you have a favorite ride you'd like to share? Contact us for details on how to share your Local Ride.

One of my favorite nearby rides is found on the northeast edge of Tulsa near Catoosa. This ride is short, it's not an endurance test or kneedragger excursion. It’s only a few miles long but it offers some great scenery to enjoy– on and off your bike.

The locals call it Redbud Valley Road and it begins as 161st East Avenue north of I-44. The fun doesn't really start until you pass Pine Street and cross what used to be a notoriously rugged railroad crossing. About three miles later you'll make a sharp right and begin meandering along Bird Creek and the farmland outside Catoosa. Eventually you’ll pop out on OK-167 (which must be one of the shortest state highways in America) just north of the Hard Rock Casino.

Hidden Gem at Hallett

Most Oklahomans have probably never heard of Hallett, Oklahoma. Yet this tiny hamlet of of less than 200 people is well known throughout the motorsports community as the home of Hallett Motor Racing Circuit.

Hallett is a 1.8 mile long road course that snakes along the gently rolling hills of Pawnee County. Over the years Brad and I have had the pleasure of racing on, over and around this track in a variety of machinery- everything from dirt bikes to go-karts to street motorcycles to racing cars. It's a fun track and a great facility.

Boy Racer
Rex prepares to lap Hallett during an Alfa Romeo track day.

RIP: Bob Hall

We received a bit of sad news from El Reno, Oklahoma last week.

Robert "Bob" Hall, one of the owners of Sid's Burgers in El Reno, has passed away. I had the pleasure of interviewing Bob for our sixth show which featured Route 66 in Western Oklahoma, but it's more commonly referred to as the "Onion Burger episode."

TWO Visits Pawnee

Take a Trip to Pawnee with Two Wheel Oklahoma

Television travel show visits Pawnee and lets off some steam.

Tulsa, OK (November 19, 2012)— The travel show featuring Brad Mathison and Rex Brown discovering Oklahoma by motorcycle will debut a new episode beginning November 21, 2012 on Cox Cable.

Finish of the Cannonball

Finishing
Well the finish of the Cannonball did not go like Team Seaba would have liked.

Head west young man

After changing the motor out on Friday night with a loaner motor and missing day 15, we thought everything was good. Starting out this morning, our loaner motor was trying to seize up a few miles after the start, so I rode the backup V-Strom. It was a nice route heading south on Highway 1. Once we rolled into San Francisco the local motorcycle club supplied lunch at the base of the Golden Gate bridge. Then it was an escorted ride over the bridge and down to Dudley Perkins Harley-Davidson to a huge crowd waiting for us.

Team Seaba past the Rockies

Gerald on a good day

Day 10
After a early night to sleep in Yellowstone with no TV, Internet or wireless, we woke up this morning to 29 degrees. Ever try to kick start a 29 HD with 70 weight oil at 29 degrees? Well you should.
We left the lodge a 7:30 that morning and burrrrr it was cold with lots of fog and could not see anything. I was riding with Brad Wilmarth, last year's Cannonball winner, when a large buffalo ran across right in front of us Brad just about got him. About that time, I looked down at my sweatshirt and noticed that it was completely white with frost, along with my glasses. I couldn't hardly see a thing, but the buffalo sure woke us both up. We made it to see old faithful, which was pretty cool if you have not seen it.
It finally started to warm up and we had lunch at the old faithful lodge. Great old building, built all out of logs from the park. After lunch, we were off to Jackson, WY by way of Grand Teton Park.
We made to to Jackson a little early, coming in about 4 pm and had another trouble free day.
Tomorrow will be a long day, with 300 miles going from Jackson, WY to Mountain Home, ID.

Day 11
Team Seaba just finished day 11 of the Cannonball. We left Jackson, WY at 7.30 am and 32 degrees. Very cool going over Teton Pass. Slow going up, but what fun coming down. After the mountain pass it was a pretty boring ride into Mountain Home, ID where our stage ended today. The Harley ran good and seems to like the cold morning air a lot more thn the hot afternoon air we have had in the previous week, so overall a good day and the bike is running great. Tomorrow is a 251 mile day from Mountain Home, ID to Burns, OR. 

Day 12
No report, so we are going to assume that Gerald is done with his valve troubles for the duration and actually got some rest.

Day 13
Team Seaba just finished day 13 at the cannonball. Today's route was from Burns,OR to Klamath Falls, OR. It was 220 miles with a pretty direct route with not much to see. The bike ran great, but it did try to overheat, so we had to make an extra stop for it to cool off before proceeding. Tomorrow it's off to California!

Some of Team Seaba's sponsors:
Seaba Station
Motul Oil
Avon Tyres
Midland Electronics
T-Fab Metal Fabrication

Cannonball Run Official website

Team Seaba Reaches Yellowstone

The latest from Gerald Timms of Team Seaba crossing the U.S. on the 3,956 mile Cannonball Run on their 1929 Harley Davidson J model.


Day 6
Well, not a lot of great news from the day 6 at the cannonball. The Team Seaba bike (and rider) had to be picked up by the chase truck. After riding in the cold rain most of the day, it happened. I lost the rear cylinder, not sure the problem yet. When we get back with the bike, we will pull the motor out tear it apart to see if we can get it going for tomorrow.

Day off 
Team Seaba just finished day 6 at the cannonball. Got the bike put back together and had a good day with no bike troubles and great weather. We left Murdo, SD and after a short ride down the highway we rode

Win a Night at Buffalo Creek

Here's your chance to visit one of Oklahoma's favorite destinations- and enjoy a free night at the Buffalo Creek Guest Ranch. Located 10 miles west of Talihina, Oklahoma, just off State Highway 1, the ranch is a bed & breakfast, dude ranch and lodge all rolled into one.

It's also the perfect spot to launch your next adventure on the Talimena Drive!

Here's how to win:

1. Click this link to Buffalo Creek Campground photo on Facebook.
2. Click the "Share" link to share the photo on your timeline.
3. Start packing.

That's all there is to it!

The lucky winner will be chosen Monday, August 21, 2012 using a highly scientific random algorithm that I can't even pronounce- let alone understand.

Good luck!

Toad Suck Tops List

It's now official- Arkansas has outdone us again.

Oklahoma has some pretty weird town names. But, according to a worldwide poll conducted by Findmypast.com, the weirdest of them all is:
Toad Suck, Arkansas.

Oklahoma was not ignored however. The town of Hooker managed a respectable fourth.

Art of the Bowling Ball

You just never know what you might find out there cruising the backroads of Oklahoma. Like maybe a yard full of bowling balls?

About a mile northeast of Nowata you'll find a curious art installation- made completely of bowling balls. A sign at the driveway invites you in and encourages visitors to see the "special bowling balls" in the little house. Of course the little house is made from, you guessed it... bowling balls!

The installation is the work of Chris Barbee, a retiree who just wanted something to do with his newfound spare time. His wife's rose garden needed some extra ornamentation so Chris added some homemade "gazing balls." They were old bowling balls. Those gazing balls gave him the inspiration- that plus a huge surplus of bowling balls- so next he built a fence.

As the popularity of bowling in America declined, the supply of unloved bowling balls skyrocketed. Disposing of something so indestructible was challenging, even resale shops and thrift stores stopped accepting the hefty orbs. So when Chris posted a sign in front of his home asking for old bowling balls, the responses literally rolled in.

Today the installations include a rosary, the alphabet, an American flag, a pool table and many more. It's become so popular there's even a website devoted to the Bowling Ball Man and a listing on Roadside America. If you'd like to visit the Bowling Ball Man head toward Nowata on your preferred highway- it's at the junction of US-60 and US-169. Depending on which way you're traveling watch for a sign on Road E021 or N4150- then go a little over a mile up the gravel road.

Here's a slideshow with some more photos from our visit to Nowata and the bowling ball lawn art...



Chris continues to expand his collection. If you have bowling balls, trophies, bowling pins or other related memorabilia be sure to load it up and donate it!

Roadside Renaissance in Ponca City

Just outside of Ponca City is one of Oklahoma's most unusual parks.

The stone turrets and Romanesque structures look like a Medieval hamlet was magically plopped down in the prairie. In reality it's the Wentz Group Camp & Pool.

Splashdown at Oologah

Near the shores of Oologah Lake we found one of Oklahoma's oddest roadside attractions. The mysterious space capsule of Winganon, Oklahoma.

Houston, we have a problem.

This startlingly authentic sight is actually the work of local artists Barry and Heather Thomas who decided to freshen up the local landmark last September. What appears to be an Apollo rocket capsule is actually a cement mixer on the shoulder of Winganon Road.

Why Do Motorcycles Pay Tolls?

Chances are if you live in Oklahoma you have traveled our state's many turnpikes. If you're like me you may have wondered why the toll for motorcycles is the same as the Hummer in the next lane. Seems like my 489-pound motorcycle would cause less damage to the pavement, reduce congestion and make everyone's turnpike commute a less stressful experience. Why isn't the toll for me and my motorcycle cheaper?

Heck, why am I paying a toll at all?

The tolls are based on axles- something most of us have but few could define. Murkier still is how the number of axles relates to road use or wear-and-tear. To understand the "logic" behind this pricing structure requires a little history.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority was created in 1947 to build the first toll road in Oklahoma, the Turner Turnpike between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. This was the postwar boom and America's nascent interstate highway system was beginning it's cross-country trek. When the turnpike opened in 1953 the gameplan was for the road to become a free road once the original bonds were retired. Ironically the original language also called for dissolution of the turnpike authority. But that's not quite how it happened.

Task Force Promotes Route 66 in Tulsa

It's amazing what you can discover in your own back yard.

I am quite pleased to learn that a task force is being created to better market Route 66 in Tulsa. The effort to spiff up the old road is being championed by rookie city councilor, Blake Ewing (District 4).

Signs near Oklahoma's borders tout saving time on the turnpike.
I always wanted to post a sign that touted saving our history.

The Tulsa World reports the task force will examine ways to spur development, rehabilitate neglected structures and clean up abandoned brownfields.

Sadly, it wasn't that long ago that many locals were befuddled by all the tourists coming to Tulsa to experience the Mother Road. In the early days of the Internet it was not uncommon to find more information on Tulsa's stretch of Route 66 from a website located in Japan or Germany. Some guidebooks even skipped over T-Town, it was the dedicated "roadies" who discovered Tulsa despite our lack of effort. Ironic for a city that was home to the man commonly known as the Father of the Mother Road.

I think this is good news. In recent years my home town has done a better job of marketing the history of the Old Road. But there's so much more that could be done. Although we're late to the party, maybe efforts like this can help us capitalize on this wonderful resource.

After all, it's in our own back yard. Literally.